Tattenhams Community Library was first opened in 1961 but has been run by volunteers for the past 12 years. In the past Surrey was considering closing some of its smaller libraries to save money but local residents stepped in, and an agreement was made that Surrey would provide the premises and the books and the residents would staff the library.
This has worked well with over 40 volunteers working shifts throughout the week. Tattenhams library is open Monday to Saturday and anyone living in Surrey can join and use the library resources free of charge.
The library offers a wide range of books for all ages and subjects, fiction and non-fiction, and if the book you want is not on the shelves members can order a specific book which will be sourced from other libraries for a small fee.
In addition to lending, the library sells second-hand books which are donated by residents; paperbacks at 50p and hardbacks at £1.00. It also lends a wide range of jigsaw puzzles.
It is a drop-off point for donations to the St. Mark’s Food Club and, currently, candles for Ukraine being organised by Banstead’s Men’s Shed.
There are also three computers that library members can use to access the Internet, Students use these to study and others just to catch up with the news or research a project.
The library is also the only place in Tattenham Corner offering a photocopying service. And if you want to return that parcel to Amazon you can print off the label from your mobile phone.
Every Monday morning the children’s library hosts Rhyme Time (11.00 – 11.30) where toddlers and their parents/carers sing nursery rhymes and play with toys.
At the other end of the scale Tattenham Ladies, our own version of The Women’s Institute meets on the second Monday of the month from 2.00 to 4.00 pm for a social afternoon with tea and chat.
On the first Saturday of the month there is also a Lego Club (1.30 to 3.00 pm) when children can build with an extensive supply of Lego pieces.
Other events for children are organised during the school holidays.
And from time to time the library volunteers will organise local events such as a Summer Fair.
Opening times and key information is available from the Surrey Libraries website:
Or keep up to date with local activities on the Library’s Facebook page: