Kent History and Library Centre

The new centre is purpose built to protect and give people access to more of our archive material, and to provide a 21st century library in the heart of Kent. It houses around 14 kilometres of historic material relating to Kent dating back to 699 AD and is the place to come for anyone interested in local history.

General

• Location, travel and opening times details
• Food and drink is available for visitors in a restaurant, as part of the Housing 21 residential block. @The Pantry Food House is open to everyone all day everyday from 8am to 7.30pm and serves freshly prepared light bites and daily specials.
• Parking - There are plenty of cycle parking and designated parking spaces for Blue Badge holders at the front of the building.
  Pay & Display spaces are available by the football ground near the library on James Whatman Way (for fees check the Maidstone Borough Council car parks webpage). There are further short term Pay & Display spaces across the road in the White Rabbit car park. The nearest long term car parks are Fremlin Walk and the Maidstone East railway station car park (5 minutes walk away). 
• Buses - Stops for routes 101, 150 and 155 are situated just beyond the right-hand side of the building and on the opposite side of the dual-carriage way.
• Green travel options to Kent History and Library Centre.
  

More photos of the centre can be seen on our Facebook page. 

Interested in Kent history?

The Kent History and Library Centre is specially designed to promote research into family and local history, by individuals and groups.

It offers:

• one-stop shop for local history research: Kent’s wonderful archives and local history under one roof
• state-of-the-art public search room for consulting original documents, older books and local studies material
• superb photocopying and photography facilities
• free access to history websites - including Ancestry and Find my Past 
• meeting room bookable for holding group meetings
• dedicated Community History Room – perfect for holding history workshops!
• advice from experts in reading old handwriting (palaeography), Latin, locating sources, research topics, conserving books and documents
• courses on reading old handwriting and Latin – ask for details
• exciting programmes of exhibitions and talks

Looking for a history group to join/contact another community history or heritage group? We can put you in touch with your nearest one.

Advice for visitors

If you wish to access archives and are new to the centre please read our guide (PDF, 377k).

We advise you to book in advance if you wish to consult original records. Once in the centre, check in at the enquiry desk at the back of the Community History section (left side of the building). You will be given your desk number and locker key. Only pencil, paper and/or a laptop can be taken into the searchroom beyond.

Library services

The library offers 40,000 books and is host to a regular programme of activities such as regular storytime and baby bounce and rhyme sessions. The centre also hosts author events, reading groups and other community activities. There are public computers with free access to office software and the Internet and we offer support for those needing help to get online.

Check What's on in Kent Local for details of events. You can find out more about library services from the libraries pages. 

Note: The Centre (KHLC) replaces the Centre for Kentish Studies, East Kent Archives Centre, County Central and Maidstone (St Faiths Street) libraries. The Music and Drama collection that was originally at CCL has been moved to Gibson Drive at Kings Hill.