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Services

Reference and information

The Reference Department is located on the second floor of the Central Library building, with full wheelchair access. Staff are happy to offer assistance with any enquiry.

Enquiries may be made in person, by telephone or by letter if you live outside of Calderdale. See research by staff.

There is a general reference section on open public access, covering main subject areas. This includes:

• books
• pamphlets
• leaflets
• microfilm
• electronic information.

Back files of newspapers are available on-line. Local newspapers can be viewed via microfilm. FamilySearch records, compiled by the Church of the Latter Day Saints, are available on CD-ROM. Free Internet access is available at the Central Library and all other libraries in Calderdale. Free access is available to a number of subscription-only websites.

A European Information Service is available in the Reference Library. This is part of the European Commission's Public Information Relay network giving access to European Union information at a local level.

The nearest European Documentation Centre| is at the Brotherton Library, Leeds University where members of the public may consult EU information. This is one of many depositories established by the European Commission at selected universities throughout the world.

The Reference Library houses the local studies collection, which features special collections, local newspapers, maps, Halifax Antiquarian Society Transactions, Poll Books and Electoral Registers, Trade Directories, International Genealogical Index ( IGI), St. Catherine's House Index [Registry Office], Census Enumerators Returns and Parish Registers.

Facilities

• Coin-operated A4 / A3 photocopier. See Photocopy and copyright.
• A number of microfiche and microfilm readers are available. Copies of microfilm and microfiche can also be made for a small charge.
• Faxes can be sent and received. For charges see Sales.
• Five computers have Microsoft Office and can be booked in advance for up to two hours.
• Two computers can be booked for using a range of CD-ROMs, including Family Search and 1881 Census.

Research by staff

The Reference and Information Library offers a research service. This is charged at the rate of £15.50 per half-hour, inclusive of VAT, one free photocopy and postage. Extra photocopies will be charged for. A maximum of one hour will be spent on each enquiry.

Contact details

• Address
• Calderdale Central Library
  Northgate
  Halifax HX1 1UN
• E-mail
• reference.library@calderdale.gov.uk
• Telephone
• 01422 392631
• Fax
• 01422 349458.

Opening hours

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