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TLC: Merton

Merton Libraries

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Merton

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Local author Rose Diell in conversation with Damien Mosley

Volunteering opportunities 

Learn, Grow, Connect and Thrive with Merton Libraries

Watch our library film

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Home

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libraries

<h3>Christmas and New Year opening times</h3>
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Please visit our <a href="https://libraries.merton.gov.uk/digital-content/news-and-updates" target="_blank" rel="noopener">News &amp; Updates page</a> to see Merton Libraries and Heritage Centre opening hours during the Christmas period.
&nbsp;
<h1>Watch our new library film</h1>
<h2>Learn, Grow, Connect, Thrive</h2>
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<iframe title="YouTube video player" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/GvQGbBEB7AA?si=PDhymXd8xNauTqih" width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>
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Merton Libraries are for everyone. There is so much to see and do in our libraries, they are a colourful hive of activity, buzzing with people of all ages and backgrounds. Each day is different, but what stays the same is what they offer.
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Libraries are not only a gateway to knowledge and culture, but they create opportunities for learning, literacy and creativity. Our Libraries offer people resources they often do not have in their own home - endless books, free activities and events, technology and ways to support their health and well-being. We hope this short film shares with you just some of what our libraries can offer you, or even someone you know.
&nbsp;
Everyone in this film is a real-life service user. Come and see for yourself how amazing our libraries are, sign up for a library card today and discover our libraries for yourself!

Libraries

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Services

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<h1>&nbsp;</h1>
Merton libraries offer a variety of electronic resources which are available on computers or any device with Internet access.&nbsp;
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All our resources are available from the libraries and from home except Ancestry UK and Access to Research which can only be accessed via a library computer.&nbsp;You will need your library card number and PIN to access any of these resources.
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If you are not yet a member you can&nbsp;<a href="https://libraries.merton.gov.uk/user/register">join online</a> now.
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E-library

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&nbsp;
Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre tells the story of Merton and its people through a changing programme of exhibitions and events. The centre also offers educational services for local schools and adult learners as well as access to a wide range of local history resources.

Heritage

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Events

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<h1>News and Updates</h1>
&nbsp;
<h3>28/01/2025 Mitcham library</h3>
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Please note that Mitcham Library will close today at 7:00 PM and reopen tomorrow, Thursday, 30 January, at 9:30 AM. <span data-slate-fragment="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">Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.&nbsp;
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<h3>27/01/2025 IT maintenance</h3>
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<div dir="auto"><span data-slate-fragment="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">On Wednesday 29 January, our libraries will undergo IT maintenance work in the morning until 12 noon. During this time, the public network computers and printing services will be temporarily unavailable. Mitcham library will open at 9.30am. Apologies for any inconvenience this may cause.&nbsp;</div>
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News and updates

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Search catalogue

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Account

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Book a PC

<h1>Local history talks and exhibitions</h1>
&nbsp;
<h2>Local history talks</h2>
&nbsp;
Merton Heritage Service can provide local history talks on a range of subjects including: wartime Merton, industrial heritage, famous people and local architecture.
&nbsp;
Details of the&nbsp;available talks and quotations for this service&nbsp;can be obtained by contacting&nbsp;<a href="mailto:local.studies@merton.gov.uk">local.studies@merton.gov.uk</a>
&nbsp;
<h2>Exhibitions</h2>
&nbsp;
A number of&nbsp;photographic exhibitions&nbsp;can also be obtained from Merton Heritage Service. These&nbsp;cover a variety of local history topics and range from small 10 - 15 image displays, to larger exhibitions featuring 40 - 100 pictures.
&nbsp;
If your company or community organisation would be interested in hiring a display, you can get more details by contacting&nbsp;<a href="mailto:local.studies@merton.gov.uk">local.studies@merton.gov.uk</a>

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Books, Loans and Donations

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Would you like to know more about the history of Merton? Discover more at our monthly talks.
These FREE events run from 10.30am to 12noon at <a href="https://libraries.merton.gov.uk/digital-content/libraries/library-branches/west-barnes-library" target="_blank" rel="noopener">West Barnes Library</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
You can book a place via:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>West Barnes Library, tel. 020 8274 5789 or email: <a href="mailto:library.westbarnes@merton.gov.uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener">library.westbarnes@merton.gov.uk</a></li>
<li>Our <a href="https://libraries.merton.gov.uk/events/category/local-history-events" target="_blank" rel="noopener">events platform</a></li>
<li>Our <a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/merton-libraries-26471263771" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Eventbrite page</a></li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
The 2025 programme is as follows:
 21 January: The Wandle and its Water. Speaker: Mick Taylor, Wandle Industrial Museum
&nbsp;
18 February: William Kilburn: Botanical illustrator and eminent calico printer. Speaker: Alison Cousins, Wandle Industrial Museum.
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18 March: Josephine Butler: The most distinguished Englishwoman.&nbsp;Speaker: Sarah Gould, Merton Heritage Service.
 15 April: Borough 22 to Merton 2025: 60 Years of a London Borough. Speaker: Sarah Gould, Merton Heritage Service.
&nbsp; &nbsp;
20 May: Going to the Dogs: Wimbledon Greyhound Stadium. Film screening from Digital Works/Wimbledon in Sporting History.
&nbsp;
17 June: Motspur Park 100: A century of Motspur Park Station. Speaker: Toby Ewin. Friends of West Barnes Library.
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15 July: Jane Morris: The Pre-Raphaelite Muse. Speaker: John Hawks, Wandle Industrial Museum/Merton Priory Trust.
&nbsp;
19 August: Mysteries Solved: A medley of history questions and answers. Speaker: Michael Norman-Smith, Merton U3A.
&nbsp;
16 September: V E Day: Memories of Peace (film screening and talk). Speakers: Kate Valentine &amp; Alison Ramsey, Digital Drama.
&nbsp;
21 October: From slavery to stardom: The life of boxer, Bill Richmond. Speaker: Sarah Gould, Merton Heritage Service.
&nbsp;
18 November: From airships to the Fab Four: The story of Wimbledon Palais. Speaker: Sarah Gould, Merton Heritage Service.

West Barnes Local History Group

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Research and proof of residency

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Local history talks and exhibitions

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Merton Heritage and Local Studies Centre

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<h3>Discovery Day</h3>
&nbsp;
Saturday 17 August&nbsp;sees the return of the annual Heritage Discovery Day, a hugely popular FREE showcase for the borough's colourful past. The event will be held at&nbsp;<a href="https://libraries.merton.gov.uk/digital-content/libraries/library-branches/morden-library">Morden Library</a>&nbsp;and Merton Civic Centre between&nbsp;10.30am and 4.30pm.
The 2024 event is bigger than ever, with nearly 40 different organisations taking part. It features walks, displays, family-friendly activities, book launches, competitions and stalls from Merton museums, heritage societies, artists, community, sport and environmental groups.
&nbsp;
This year, our talks programme covers everything from Victorian journalist, Richardson Evans and the story of the Old Rutlishians, to African culture, textile art, 19th century Mitcham, Interfaith walks, the Wimbledon Society and 100 years of Motspur Park Station.
Artist Roberta Boyce will be leading special drawing workshops. The Alzheimer's Society will be running story box reminiscence sessions and nostalgia lovers can enjoy a special 1960s Show &amp; Tell session, thanks to the West Indian Families and Friends Association.
&nbsp;
Sports enthusiasts can view football and speedway memorabilia, meet AFC Wimbledon players and take a selfie with the FA Cup and Club trophies.
&nbsp;
Youngsters can join our special print workshops, try brass rubbing, dress in historic costume and take part in a range of competitions.
The event has something for young and old - for full details of the programme, see our&nbsp;<a href="https://pastview-assets.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/org/8/other/PDFs/Disc%20Day%20itinerary%2024f.pdf">Discovery Day Itinerary.</a>
&nbsp;
Please note:
&nbsp;
The main Discovery Day event is open to all.
Booking is required for the talks programme, drawing and story box sessions.
&nbsp;
To book: 
<ul>
<li>Visit our events page <a href="https://libraries.merton.gov.uk/events/category/local-history-events">https://libraries.merton.gov.uk/events/category/local-history-events</a></li>
<li>Call 020 9545 3239/4040,&nbsp;</li>
<li>Email: <a href="mailto:local.studies@merton.gov.uk">local.studies@merton.gov.uk</a></li>
<li>Or, book in person at Morden Library.</li>
</ul>