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Information Services
Information Services
All seven branches of the Library Service offer customers a basic collection of reference books which can be used in the library.
The reference collection includes Whitakers Almanac and the Times Atlas of the World plus Which reports and other general titles. Kingston, New Malden and Surbiton libraries have extended collections which include specialist dictionaries on a wide variety of topics, basic statistics for the UK, and several titles on access to further and higher education.
Kingston and Surbiton also offer university and college prospectuses plus study areas with tables and chairs. Newspapers and magazines are available .
All branches hold the planning applications for their own Neighbourhood.
There is a large reserve stock at Kingston comprising back runs of many directories and yearbooks including Whitaker's Almanac back to 1900. This stock is kept in the basement and has to be asked for at the front desk.
Each branch also offers free access to many online reference services
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These range from the Library Service's in-house Community Information database of local clubs and non-profit making organisations in and around the Borough, to subscription services which can be used by anyone free of charge in our branches. Some are available to library members at home as well. See the link to the Online Reference Room below to find out more.
The Information Service also provide fact sheets offering information on a range of popular topics.