LIBRARY LINKS
How can you find a group to join if you're new to an area, and there's no-one listed locally on amdram?
Go to your local library - they know (nearly!) everything!
Once you make contact with that group, make sure they get a group listing and production listings on amdram! And if you find a library not listed - Contact Us about it.
Updated: 15th April 2005
[Norfolk] [Cambridgeshire] [Essex] [North Yorkshire] [Hampshire] [Surrey] [Suffolk] [Hertfordshire]
[Middlesex] [National]
Norfolk County Libraries
Nice people with an excellent sense of humour. You can find them through NCC's front page, and they have a good database of hobbies and interest clubs, including over 100 amateur theatre related groups, on their icon system.
Cambridgeshire County Libraries
Search their databases for Clubs, societies, voluntary organisations and self-help groups, halls and facilities in Cambridgeshire.
Essex County Libraries
A rather more limited site than than the above, but the Library Service in Essex is working to develop it. No searchable index. Try their front page, but be aware it is a frames-only site - unusual for a local authority, they mostly try to let anyone get in with any old browser!
North Yorkshire County Libraries
They haven't got a site up and running yet, but they do have a good listing of amateur theatre details in their area. E-mail nycl@dial.pipex.com with your enquiry.
Hampshire
Hantsweb runs a great database called cousin - once you get into it, it has a mass of amateur theatre group info on line - well presented too! They also have a useful amateur diary page for the Portsmouth area.
Surrey
Surrey Libraries now have a site; we haven't been there yet, but will report when we have! There is also a Performing Arts collection with over 4,000 play set titles available backed up by a large collection of Theatre and Drama literature, recordings, videos and music and dance. Advice of national locations of play sets.
Suffolk
Have a look at Suffolk.
The Central Resources Library is the place to go to look for material, etc., rather than the local branch library, although they can help too.
Central Resources Library, New Barnfield, Travellers Lane, Hatfield, Herts, AL10 8XG
Telephones from Area codes 01923 and 020
Enquiries 01923 471333
Minicom 01923 471599
Fax 01923 471334
Telephones from all other areas
Enquiries 01438 737333
Minicom 01438 737599
Fax 01438 737334
Email
Opening hours
Monday 10.00-20.00
Tuesday - Thursday 09.00-20.00
Friday 09.00-17.00
Saturday 09.00-16.00
This includes the Performing Arts Library covering music, theatre, film and dance books, plays, scores, music recordings, sound effects and theatrical videos. Also sets of orchestral, choral and operatic scores and plays. Plus related directories, indexes and journals
Hillingdon Library. The Central Library Uxbridge has a growing collection of plays and playsets. Single copies are available for browsing or loan and sets may be reserved for collection from store within a few days (80p reservation charge applies). If you would like to know anything about the collection, contact Zoe Iggulden who will be glad to help. Central Library, High St, Uxbridge, Middlesex,UB8 1HD. Tel enquiries: 01895 250600/250714 Fax: 01895 811164 e-mail. Opening hours: Mon 9.30-20.00 Tues 9.30-20.00 Wed 9.30-17.30 Thurs 9.30-20.00 Fri 10-5.30 Sat 9.30- 16.00 Sun 12.30-4.30. Access catalogue 24/7 by link or use this web-address. Members can reserve plays or sets online. Community info also lists drama groups in the area.
The Drama Association of Wales have the largest specialist Drama Lending Library in the World. Over 250,000 volumes of plays, biographies, critical works and technical theatre books including the entire Playsets and Lending collections of the former British Theatre Association. Members in the UK, Europe and worldwide are served by return of post from Cardiff.