One of the biggest tasks undertaken over the shutdown was the complete stripping out of the Museum library. The library contains over 3500 aviation books, making it a very important reference source, and on-going book donations continue to add to it.
All the books were removed as were the shelves. The Library was then cleaned, redecorated and refitted with new shelving units generously donated by West Sussex County Council. Meanwhile first stage re-categorising of the entire collection commenced and, against all odds, was completed just in time to get them all back on shelves for the February 1st re-opening. The next stage, which will be tackled as an on-going project, will be to achieve a full computer listing of the collection – a major task that will take some time to complete.
The Museum library is open to researchers, students and members of the general public who wish to use it as a reference source and study centre. It does not lend books out and all visits to the library are by pre-appointment only.