The Library of Birmingham is a really impressive building, it opened in 2013 and it remains rather…read moremodern, it is located on Broad Street and is next to the ICC it is now supported by a West Midlands Metro extension which now goes to the library as of the end of 2019. The outside of the building really is an amazing structure, and inside it is over multiple floors and remains pretty modern as well as a balcony overlooking on a large section of books which is pretty cool. It has a floor count of 10 and it does have some exhibits and different public areas over that. There is also a small shop and cafe, if you prefer branded coffee there is a Starbucks and Subway at the ICC next store, although the Starbucks is pretty expensive there. Being over so many floors is a little confusing but the staff at the reception seem friendly enough to help you where you need to go, the toilets are also well maintained especially compared to others around the city which can be pretty dire. A great library while in the centre of Birmingham, I have to be biased and I still prefer my local Manchester Central Library though which seems to have a more spacious working area and also some pretty cool exhibits. 4*

Great Library! Large, spacious, very modern, easy to…read morenavigate, warm in the winter, selection of food and drinks in the cafe, interesting to wander around, easy to locate and great outside facade. It's a wonder that this place isn't more busy than it is!?

Of all the libraries in Birmingham I've visited this one is one of my favourites. When this library…read morehad some work done it wasn't to change the beautiful architecture but to reflect the vibrancy of it's community in the decor. With bright colours and white to contrast with the dark wood, the decor is certainly a change for most libraries. Add into this the Phillippe Starck Ghost chairs and matching lamps and you wouldn't be wrong to want to live in this library, especially if you love books. Some may think this is all a bit fancy for a library in Handsworth and alienating to the locals but you will always find a host of regulars in there to read the papers, as well as a children's play area and a suite of computers. With all this fancy expect to see a security guard, however he won't be all burly and mean. Let me introduce you to Mr Handsworth, he knows everyone and can keep you chatting till after the library closes, blending in perfectly to the laid back atmosphere of Handsworth.

Handsworth Library is a gem on the Soho Road. Set in an old building, what you find inside will…read moresurprise you. Alongside the row and rows of shelves of books is designer furniture, beautiful windows letting ample light in, a community gallery space with work displayed by local residents, and a computer suite which is actually fully equipped as a video editing suite! All of this combines to create a space which is used by a wide range of members of the community, and is an excellent example of how libraries are having t diversify to stay open. Who would expect to find something like this hidden along Soho Rd?

A bright, spacious local library on Weoley Castle Square, Weoley Castle library offers books, DVD's…read moreand CD's to listen to and hire, plus a good range of local history and more. Based across two floors, the library offers a dozen or so Internet connected workstations for use by the public, but sadly doesn't offer Wi-Fi. Never the less, I find upstairs in the library a good place to sit quietly and get on with research and other work on my laptop. The staff are friendly and helpful, and there is often themed displays drawing attention to specific books. For instance, when The Hobbit movie was released the library had a section on JRR Tolkien including a collage of facts and artwork. As local libraries go, Weoley Castle Library is bright and modern and a welcome place to visit on Weoley Castle Square!

Weoley Castle Library doesn't provide much facilities in the areas that I am interested in but the…read moredo however provide books and access to information and novels of various genres and topics which I will happily get myself lost in. If they don't provide what you are looking for you can always ask and enquire with a member of staff about the books and items that are in your search criteria and they will pleasantly assist you with ordering the books from other libraries across Birmingham and they will notify and let you know when you can expect the arrival of your item and when to pick it up. The librarians, volunteer workers and members of staff are all very helpful, warming and inviting and they don't hesitate in any way to assist you and your local library experience.

Even if you're not a registered library user for Birmingham this library is worth a visit. Due to…read moreundergo some restoration and expansion the architecture of this library is captivating and there are still great original features inside. The staff at this library are committed to their community and regularly run family history events to help you with your genealogy.

It's a lovely looking library from the outside. It's one of those buildings which has most of its…read moretraditional features which makes the place more unique and vibrant. I'm a fan of period buildings so that's why I find the Bloomsbury Library a treasure. A lover for books, this library has some books which I hadn't managed to find in the main Central Birmingham Library; so I was advised to visit this one to take a look at their book stock. I was pleased to find that the one book I'd been looking for by an African American author was present. I'd been looking for this book for over 5 months, so it was a relief to finally gain access to it. Since then I've continuously checked if they have other books which I can't find from other libraries. Not always successful, I still like visiting the place once in a while.

This place will never change! I used to go here when I was little and recently visited to see if…read moreanything has improved but nothing. It is still the same, rude staff who act very arrogantly if they are better than someone who has just walked in. No hello or a smile, old books etc. Give this a place amiss!

Libraries are one of my favourite places and I pop into this little one any time I find myself in…read moreHarborne. It's at one end if the High Street but happily close to Waitrose so it works well for me. Because I'm used to the central library being my local, it feels I've stepped back in time to the sort of library I had at school when I step into Harborne. However, it does have everything you need as apart from fiction it has decent sections of most non-fiction genres and a few large print books too, CDs and newspapers. Sometimes I find a shelf of old books for sale and there is an array of information about the local area and great staff that help you out. Delightfully, you do have to still speak to staff as unlike central library, they haven't got the automated desks! The downside is they close at 5pm (except late night on Thursdays) but at least there is a library.

I can't get to this library as often as I used to go there before but when I did go there a few…read moretimes, I was a fan of the library. It's especially great for spending a couple of hours having a snoop through all the good reads and locking yourself into a great read. I'd advise you to leave a few hours spare to get the best experience as possible. It's got a brilliant children's library in there, so for those with children living in the Harborne area or close to the library then it's somewhere you should visit. There's all the useful equipment to help your children with homework and there are computer services for you to use. Like most libraries it does what it's meant to do. The librarians are friendly, they have some fantastic books and they offer events/workshops/activities within the community that are exciting and enjoyable for the whole family.

I've always found this building stunning in it's Victorian, gothic design and whilst it's new Tesco…read moreneighbour has provided the library with some benefits it also makes me really sad how joined they are. You can no longer use the original front entrance and so you don't get the same sense of grandeur upon entry through those big arched doors. Instead you enter through Tesco via the super accessible push a button to open doors that make you feel stupid when you can't also just open them by approaching them. Despite these gripes it is still a stunning library. It still has an old counter desk with partition and rather than overly bright strip lighting there is cosy lights over hanging the book cases. This enhances the aesthetic of the building and the beautiful stained glass windows. As the library is so small you feel like you are exploring a little bookshop, one with hidden surprises of a proper coat stand, comfy armchair and oversized tall chair. With books in an array of languages, easily signposted, as well as an upstairs for activities and a toddlers club it is a great little library that feels inviting.

Springhill Library I…read morereturned to Springhill Library to find that shock horror! It had been merged somehow with a Tesco's! Now walking through the joint entrance I was struck by the smell of Donuts, and very nearly followed my nose into the food colussus. Returning to my intended destination I found myself in the tranquil setting of this charming little building with high ceilings and original fixtures. Returning my slightly overdue books I had the chance to look around and soak up the atmosphere and found it to be a very nice place to sit and take in some literature.

Tucked away up one of the side streets that connect Stirchley and Bournville, Stirchley library is…read morefairly small, with a not-that-massive selection of books and a few internet ready computers. One of the only points of novelty I can find about it is that it seems to have exactly the same frontage as the Selly Oak library (now closed) a few miles up the road. There's not a grand deal to talk about, but here's a couple of points about it that may be of interest to you. A fairly large segment of the books seem to be large print, and the children's section definitely looks like the sort of place that would interest little kids. There's probably not a lot of reason to visit this library if you don't actually live in Stirchley. This is probably down to budgeting issues. However, if you do live in the area, I'm sure this library will forefill your expectations of a local library.

For some reason when I have walked past this library before I have always thought it was closed. It…read morejust does not seem obviously open, unless it is just me being oblivious to the world around me! Anyway, after discovering it was in fact open, I decided to go in and take a look around as I am an avid reader and I like going into libraries as they are usually quiet and have a good selection of books. I noticed there they were a few computers inside, which is always handy if you are out and about but need to check something online or need to use a computer. The library itself is fairly small and they did not seem to have a great selection of books, there were not many staff or indeed members of the public inside, which was a bit sad. Overall, it was a fairly basic library.

Such a refreshing change, a local library that really is part of the community. Different areas…read morewith different things on offer including computers, children's library (including play area), cafe, even comfortable sofas for relaxing with friends or a good book. The upper floor offers a large community room that can be hired even out of library hours. The staff go out of their way to be friendly and helpful. Oh yes, and it's all housed in a unique building. Must be visited. =^..^=