Cornwall Library Service

Cornwall Centre

Alma Place
Redruth  TR15 2AT
 
Email: cornishstudies.library@cornwall.gov.uk
 
Telephone: +44 (0)1209 216760
Fax: +44 (0)1209 210283
 
Opening Hours
Monday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tuesday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Wednesday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Thursday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Cornwall Centre
Library Location Map - Cornwall Centre

The Cornwall Centre is:

The only public library with professional librarians and staff who specialise solely in helping those who are studying Cornwall. No membership required.

A wide ranging collection covering all subjects, from mining to modern art, from poetry to prehistory, and family history to farming. All subjects are confined only by the Cornish connection.

Background to the development of the Cornwall Centre.

The Cornwall Centre offers free ground floor access to:


Introductory information to visitors about the attractions of the district and Cornwall as a whole. It acts as a ‘gateway’ to the burgeoning number of heritage sites and other tourism facilities in the area.

Additional information resources for those visiting who wish to expand their understanding of Cornwall.

Cornwall’s largest collection of printed and published books and pamphlets about Cornwall, by Cornish writers, or writers based in Cornwall, including fiction and non-fiction. Supervised access to about 21,000 books and 17,000 pamphlets. All are included on the Cornwall Library Service catalogue.

Cornwall’s largest collection of newspapers and periodicals - journals, magazines, newsletters, and annual reports of organisations based in, or having an interest in, Cornwall - equal to almost 5,000 volumes of periodicals and over 40 Cornish newspaper back-files.

Newscuttings on about 100 Cornish topics, spanning the last decade or so.

Cornwall’s largest public collection of photographic images, in all approximately 155,000 and growing.

Cornwall’s largest public collection of Cornish Census Returns.

One of Cornwall’s major collections of maps and a large collection of Parish Registers.

A selection of local publications are available to purchase - a list of the titles available.

20 tables for those wishing to study quietly books and other printed items; some have power points for laptop use.

A browsing area for those who simply wish to read a Cornish book or magazine for an hour or chat about their family history.

• 15 microfilm readers for the use of old newspapers, censuses, and other records.

• 2 microfilm reader-printers (A3 & A4).

• Audio-visual work stations. The library holds about 400 videotapes and 600 sound recordings so far.

• 6 PC's with internet access (minimum of one half-hour free of charge). Useful websites for local and family history.

NB: Some sources are on microfilm. Prior booking of microfilm readers is free of charge and strongly advised. Telephone or email to book.

To protect its irreplaceable stock, the Cornwall Centre has:


• Temperature- and humidity-controlled storage
• An automatic fire suppression system
• Enhanced security.

The Cornwall Centre can provide:


• Laser photocopies from paper sources.
• Laser photocopies of photographic prints.
• Photocopies from microfilm and microfiche.
• Photographic copies of illustrations in its collections.
• Scanning facility.
• Access to the Internet with A3 printer availability.

(Please note: Reproductions are subject to the limitations of the current Copyright acts.)

• Also - by prior arrangement - prepared sessions for Cornish school groups and classes examining and using resources for Cornish local studies work relevant to the National Curriculum. Contact the library for further details.

The Cornwall Centre is looking to the future by:


• Gathering a study collection of video recordings about Cornish subjects.

• Gathering a study collection of sound recordings by Cornish artists.

• Co-operating in establishing the Cornish Audio Visual Archive with the Institute of Cornish Studies, the Cornwall Record Office, and other organisations, and in the related Cornish Braids oral history project.

• Co-operating with the Institute of Cornish Studies and the Telematics Cente of the School of Education & Lifelong Learning of the University of Exeter in creating Real Cornwall - the Cornish Cultural Grid for Learning.

• Working with the Cornwall Record Office, the Institute of Cornish Studies, Cornwall Heritage Trust and many others to revive the Victoria County History of Cornwall project. A new feature is the ‘Cornwallforever’ website.

In due course we should like to offer:


• Improved access to the huge photographic collection.

• Improved awareness of and links with other local library collections with Cornish content.

• Programmes of heritage visits in partnership with other sites and providers.

Disabled Access
Disabled access is via the main entrance and there are disabled access toilets.

National Newspaper & Journal Holdings

  • Antiques in the West Country (1966-1999)
  • Archive (quarterly journal for British industrial and transport history) 1994 onwards
  • Backtrack (historical railway magazine) September 1990 onwards
  • British Archaeological Association Journal (from 1976 onwards)
  • British Mining (official publication of the Northern Mine Research Society) from 1975 onwards
  • Business South West (June 1993 onwards)
  • C.L.O.T. Newsletter (Comic Literacy Oligarchy Trust) from 1992 onwards
  • Catering South West (1988 onwards)
  • Catholic South West (1995 onwards)
  • Contact Bulletin: Le Bureau European Pour Les Languages Moins Repandues (1989)
  • Courtney Society International Newsletter
  • Environment Action - News from the Environment Agency (1997 onwards)
  • Estuaries and Coastal Waters of the British Isles (1977 onwards)
  • Family History News & Digest (1977 onwards)
  • Family Tree Magazine (1986 onwards)
  • Genealogists Magazine (1995 onwards)
  • Geological Magazine (1948 - 2000)
  • Inn Society - at the sign of the inn (1991 onwards)
  • The Ley Hunter (1992 onwards)
  • Library Association: South Western News (1987 onwards)
  • Local Historian (1973 onwards)
  • Local History Magazine (1984 onwards)
  • Local History News (1983 onwards)
  • Maritime South West - Journal of SW Maritime Historical Society (1988 onwards)
  • Mining Journal (1835 - 2000)
  • Mining Magazine (1909 - 2000)
  • National Trust Magazine (1974 onwards)
  • Sepia: Poetry and Prose (1990 onwards)
  • South West Economic Review (1989 onwards)
  • South West Soundings - newsletter of S W Maritime Historical Society (1984 onwards)
  • South Western Circular (1994 onwards)

For a full list of national newspapers kept for over a month, click here

Cornish Newspapers and Periodicals
There is a collection of Cornish Newspapers at this library. For more information, click here.

Regular Library Events & Facilities

Displays and Exhibitions
Regular displays and exhibitions of local interest.


Meeting Rooms for Hire
A multi-purpose room available for hire with a good range of facilities, including access to a kitchenette and toilets.


Microfiche/Microfilm Facilities
We have:
  • 2 microfilm/fiche reader/printers
  • 1 microfilm reader/printer
  • 2 microfiche readers
  • 13 microfilm readers


Photocopier
This library has a black and white photocopier.


Associated Links: