Aldershot Library and Learning Centre

Services and events

Online Library Services

Local Studies

The Aldershot Local Studies Collection is housed on the ground floor of Aldershot Library and Learning Centre. Although the collection is centred on Aldershot it covers the whole of the Rushmoor Borough and immediate surrounding area including places such as Ash in Surrey. Please note that much of the collection is held away from the public area so if you can’t find what you want please ask staff.

Farnborough Library may also hold some items on the Aldershot area of interest to the local studies researcher.

Aldershot holds the Military Collection which also contains material useful to the local studies and family history researcher, e.g. back runs of the Army List.

Newspapers and Periodicals

• Aldershot News, 1894 to date (on microfilm)
• Aldershot Municipal Chronicle: The Official Bulletin of Aldershot Borough Council 1937-1949
• Aldershot Parish News
• Basingstoke Canal news
• Christchurch Free church, 1955-1957, then became Emmanuel Messenger, 1957-1959
• Fleet Pond News
• Hampshire: The County Magazine 1960 to date
• Hampshire Archives Trust Newsletters
• Hampshire Field Club Proceedings 1885 to date
• Hampshire Life 1967-2002
• Holy Trinity Parish Magazines 1955-1960
• Rowhill Nature Reserve Newsletters
• St Michael and the Archangel Parish Magazines 1955-1967 then c.1973-1984

Directories and Registers

• Various Hampshire Trade Directories, 1895-1939
• Photocopies of some Kelly’s directories for Aldershot
• Aldershot directories, 1930s onwards
• Aldershot Borough Electoral Register 1936-1974
• Farnborough Electoral Register 1985-86 to date
• Rushmoor Borough Council Electoral Register 1975 to date

Local Government

• Aldershot Borough Council Minutes, 1940s to 1974
• Aldershot Borough Library Annual Reports, 1950s to 1974
• Aldershot Borough Printed Estimates and Accounts 1950s to 1974
• Rushmoor Borough Council Minutes, 1974-1980

General

• Cuttings relating to Aldershot Football Club
• Aldershot Borough Annual Reports of the Medical Officer of Health 1950s-1960s
• Volume of press cuttings relating to Aldershot Board of Health 1870s-1880s and Aldershot Borough Council 1947-1955
• Bound copies of Aldershot and District Chamber of Commerce Shopping Week programmes, 1920-1937
• Military Centenary programmes
• Review of the troops Programme and Guide, 1924
• Charter Celebrations programme
• Programme for opening of Aldershot Youth centre, 1964
• Printed catalogue of George Potter and Co musical instruments
• Aldershot County High School magazines, 1930s-1960s
• Aldershot Military Tattoos Official Programmes for the 1930s
• Royal Tournament Programmes from the  1970s
• Aldershot and Camberley Badminton League Club Handbooks, 1970s-1980s

Maps

We hold various Ordnance Survey maps at the following scales covering the development of Aldershot since the nineteenth century. The collection includes:

• Ordnance Survey maps of Aldershot at both 25” and 50” to the mile
• Ordnance Survey maps at 6” to the mile
• Aldershot Tithe Map
• Aldershot Place Estate, 1869
• Post 1900 25” maps and post 1950 National Grid 25” maps
• Goad maps of Aldershot town centre, 1990s-2000s
• An index to our maps and photographs is available. Please ask staff.

Photographs

We hold a collection of photographs covering the history of Aldershot as well as the military installations around the town. Our collection starts in the 1930s with most covering the town from the 1950s and 1960s.

We also hold a number of photograph albums, some prepared by the Aldershot Society, on various subjects including;

• Tour of Aldershot and Farnborough
• St Joseph’s School
• Fire Service
• Buses
• Gale and Polden examples of printing
• County High Schools
• West End School photos
• East End School photos
• Aldershot to Farnborough
• Wellington Works Sports Clubs

Census and International Genealogical Index

• International Genealogical Index for Hampshire 1992 is held on microfiche.

Rooms available for hire

The library has 3 spaces available for hire during Library opening hours or at other times by arrangement. Please call 01252 322560 for more information/bookings.

Learning Zone

The Learning Zone is on the 1st floor access via a lift or stairs. Refreshment making facilities are available (hirers to provide their own catering). The library has an accessible public toilet on the 1st floor plus a snack vending machine on the ground floor.

The room is light and airy. There is an induction loop available for those using hearing aids. The room has foldable tables and chairs that can be put together in a number of ways. Laptop and projector available for presentations.

Hot and cold water available for refreshments, hirer to provide own food and drink if required. Vending machine available on the ground floor.

Toilets available including disabled facilities.

Pay and Display car park opposite the library. Aldershot bus and train station 400m.

Capacity

• 70 (conference style, 70 chairs available)

Charges

• Standard £15 per hour
• Community £10 per hour
• Laptop and projector hire £5

ICT Zone

The ICT Zone is on the 1st floor, access via stairs or lift. The room is light and airy, has 9 PCs plus laptop and projector for tutor use. There is an induction loop available for those using hearing aids.

Hot and cold water available for refreshments, hirer to provide own food and drink if required. Vending machine available on the ground floor.

Toilets available including disabled facilities.

Pay and Display car park opposite the library. Aldershot bus and train station 400m.

Capacity

• 9 (plus tutor/presenter)

Charges

• Standard £15 per hour
• Community £10 per hour
• Laptop and projector hire £5

Small Meeting Room

The small meeting room is available for hire, subject to other bookings, during library opening hours.

It seats up to 5 and has a PC and power available.

Hot and cold water available for refreshments, hirer to provide own food and drink if required. Vending machine available on the ground floor.

Toilets available including disabled facilities.

Pay and Display car park opposite the library. Aldershot bus and train station 400m.

Capacity

• 5

Charges

• Standard £15 per hour
• Community £7 per hour

Public Computers	Yes, 25 computers
WiFi	No
Scanner	Yes
Printing	Yes, colour printing
Photocopying	Yes, both black and white and colour
fax	Yes
Microfiche reader	Yes
Exhibition facilities	Yes
Room Hire	Yes
Local Studies Collection	Yes
Reading Group	Yes - check What's on for details
Local Studies Collection	Yes
Coffee Facilities	No

Access

Wheelchair access	Yes, and lift to first floor
Disabled Parking	Yes, 1 space for Blue Badge holders
Magnifier	Yes
Hearing Loop	Yes
Public Toilets	Yes
VIP Reading Group	No

More accessibility and disability information