A great big traditional library in the centre of town. The main room caters mostly for fiction…read morewhile there are smaller specialist rooms covering local history and social sciences. The staff are always courteous and helpful and nothing is too much trouble for them. One thing to note: there's an old ghost story about one of the lifts being haunted if you believe that sort of thing. I always take the stairs, just in case!

This is Sheffields main library, Its entrance doesn't do it justice as the entrance hall is grand…read morebut could do with some tender loving care. The main library is large and split into sections such as media is in a seperate room just off the main area. There is plenty of choice, with new best sellers being available for one week loan, with most books being three weeks. If its a certain book you are after you can register online and order the book in for collection and also online you can renew. The staff are friendly and helpful too. It does need a little bit of tlc as the interior is a bit dated but it kinda adds to the charm of the place. Also if have time go upstairs to the art gallery asits worth a ponder too.

Libraries are one of those things in life that tend to get over looked. Ok so its less of a…read moreshopping high than buying shoes for example, but I always get such a trill from a really good book. I can get lost in a book for days, if anybody tries to talk to me while I am reading all they will get out of me is a glare, I should wear a do not disturb sign. The fact that you have to give them back after you have read them doesn't matter as you just go and pick up a new one. Set in a lovely building it has that musty smell that all good libraries do, a mixture of dust and knowledge. I have been going here for months and there are still many titles that I am planning to read. They also have a great service where you can renew you books over the phone; you may never need to pay a fine again. Libraries are also the hub of any community and a really good start for getting involved with the people around you.

What an amazing and historic landmark! I would recommend anyone tour through the Library. The…read morearchitecture is beautiful and the rare manuscripts and artifacts they house are incredible. They are having a special display of one of Shakespeare's plays, one of the oldest New Testaments, even artifacts from King Nebuchadnezzar's palace. They will all be on display which will be quite amazing to see. This is a must see in Manchester! Truly amazing how it has stood the test of time.

Love spending time in libraries while on holiday (vacation) Stunning late-Victorian neo-Gothic…read morelibrary , John Rylands Library opened at the turn of the 20th century and is a gorgeous remnant of Manchester. Potter-heads would appreciate the look and feel inside the library is inspired the design for Hogwarts. I'm not sure if the Factory Records exhibit is still on display, but I'm a huge fan of Factory Records bands (ie. New Order, Joy Division, Happy Mondays etc.) and bands that came out of Manchester, the Smiths, James, Buzzcocks, The Fall to name few. It was an experience seeing original handwritten lyrics, instruments played, old punk zines, photos and badges on display.

I've added a photo as before long all will change! sigh…read moreThere are plans to move and update the library. Whether this willbe positive or not, I will let you know. As with most other reviewers her, this library holds so many memories! I went weekly as a child; my children went twice weekly when they were young; and I went every night when I was doing my degree! xx

Whenever I'm away, this is the place I miss the most. I can't wait to get back there at the…read moreweekend! It's a smallish library, but there's a great selection of books, and a good study area with all the reference books to hand. The computer terminals are all internet connected, you just need to get yourself a password. You're only allowed an hour online if there's a queue (and there often is), but hey it's free! The librarians are always friendly and helpful too. The only thing that's missing is Sunday opening and a coffee shop. ;-)

This is a very small library and it seems mostly focused on children. However they do offer limited…read morecomputer use and can order DVD's for you to check out. Books are limited as well, but the library system allows you to order books for checkout and have them delivered to the library for you. There is no parking because it's in the middle of the park. But it's a nice place to bring your kids, and there is a childrens library located next door. Make sure you check the hours on the web if you have never been, sometimes they are closed for lunch or on odd days. It is a nice educational activity for kids and adults alike.

A good selection of books for both adults and children, set in a historical building in a lovely…read morepark. Hillsborough library is set in a historical building and split into two sections - adult section including dvds, books, jigsaws etc. and childrens section. The childrens library also have many events in the school holidays for children to take part in which promote books and learning, as well as a term time toddler group for younger children.

This is a brilliant local library that is staffed by wonderful people who go that extra mile to…read moreprovide service. Nothing is too much trouble. After a visit you leave thinking you are really valued as a customer and a person. It always has a welcoming atmosphere and is treasured by all that use it.

For a little place, this library has never failed me. What they don't have, the staff are very…read moreaccomodating, showing you where to go or getting a book in for you. The library itself is up some stairs so make sure you enter from the front if you are in a wheel chair so you can go up the lift. There are 8 computers for access to the internet & printing. These are as quick as you could wish for & do the job fantastically.

I've genuinely never left a bad review in my life, but the experience I had at Manchester Central…read morewas beyond disappointing. I came in to print a few pages and was incredibly polite the entire time--even when things kept going wrong. The papers kept coming out incorrectly, but I stayed calm and asked nicely if they could be reprinted. At no point was I rude or demanding. Eventually, the price on the screen didn't match what it should've been, but I even said I'd just pay the higher price to avoid causing trouble. After paying, one of my documents printed completely wrong--an A3 image came out as A2 on an A3 paper, with no visible writing. I pointed it out and explained that I wouldn't pay again for a print that was clearly incorrect. This clearly upset the ginger receptionist at the bottom front desk, who suddenly told me (in a very rude and dismissive tone) to not come to her anymore and that I should take out cash and print everything myself. Even then, I told her it was fine--I actually felt bad for making her print something I didn't pay for, even though it was their machine's error. But on my way back to my seat, I overheard her talking about me to another receptionist, and when I showed the incorrect printout again, another staff member (with shorter hair) said it was my fault. I've never been treated with such disrespect by people in a public service role. You'd expect librarians to be kind, helpful, and professional--but what I experienced was the opposite. I walked out feeling embarrassed and uncomfortable, despite being nothing but polite and patient throughout. Absolutely shameful service.

If you're a Manchester resident, whether that be from one of the boroughs of the city, like me who…read moremight have their own unaffiliated library chain, the Manchester Central Library certainly makes it worthwhile to be apart of Manchester City Council's Library programme, which is by far the best library service overall in the Greater Manchester region by availability of the newest books and even individual library locations, like this one. Manchester Central Library is a huge, stunning old building which was recently renovated in 2014 in Manchester city centre, it is just off Deansgate via Peter Street in St Peter's Square meaning it is also close to John Ryland's Library (which has actually been reviewed more on Yelp!) The location basically opposite a branch of Starbucks as well as The Midland Hotel and the Radisson Blu Edwardian, the latter is part of the exclusive few places to actually have warranted a perfect five-star rating from me (and the only accredited 5* hotel in the city centre) The City Library is on the lower floor, but that doesn't mean the rest of the building is left empty - the ground floor features a Cafe which is reasonably priced as well as a cool archive space, which although to the back of the library could be laid out better, it still is a rather nice exhibit. There are some tables and computers making it a decent place to work, obviously with the benefit, you don't have to buy a drink with it being a library building. It was actually built in 1930 here, taking four years to complete and that same length of time was spent on the renovations between 2010 and 2014 and part of the design is based from the Pantheon, Rome, meaning walking into it, it feels like a fancy old building, it reminds me of a typical Apple Store which in large cities are often located in these big, impressive, historic buildings - think of London, Berlin etc. A pretty cool place to spend time without looking to spend too much in the city - although there are some areas of improvement such as the layout and how welcoming certain parts are (certain parts appear derelict), more charging points and helpful staff is always a bonus! 4*

Run by friendly staff who are always helpful. Good upto date selection.read more