If you're a lover of old books, this might be up your alley. Go check out the old books in the…read moregallery, there are tons of old books there. I'm personally not a huge reader, but I'm sure this will be great for a book lover. When you go in, there are lockers on the side where you haven't got a choice but to lock your bags and jackets away. I was told pictures are allowed (though 1 said yes, the other said no, and had a quick discussion about it). The area that I did go into, was a bit smaller but still neat to look at, though I think there's a much bigger / lavish area. Also, I was told that there was a section which just looks beautiful (like the Harry Potter library, as he said!). There was a section where it looked like you can only enter with a keycard. It was really quiet in the library, and i really regret NOT asking, as I'm sure what was behind the door was this harry potter like reading room and library that I was looking for! Maybe if you ask nicely, you can take a peek? So, NO, i didn't get to see the room of these pics that I've posted up. Not sure how you get in there as I mentioned, it looked as if you need special permission to be in there. Apparently, there are lots of original works housed at this library, including plays. For a £25 membership, you can BORROW these original works. Kinda crazy!!! I'm giving it 5 stars, because, I know the beautiful room is hiding within, maybe another visitor can check it out and see if they've made it behind the doors to that beautiful library room?!

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.

This is a stunning building as many are in Darlington because of its highly industrious victorian…read moreage. The library is separated into clearly defined sections. It has a fabulous childrens section and adults section and also has a great referencing library. You can search for whatever books you want on computers so you don't have to wander along the shelves unless you want to. They have Dvds and audio books aswell and it is extremely cheap to join and get a library card so you can start borrowing. They have the latest released books and to make it fair have waiting lists for the most popular ones. So what are you waiting for? Get on down there and get borrowing.

this could be a wonderful school for all ages; set in a lovely old building donated to the people…read moreof Darlington by one of our Quaker families. a Great set of books that you can get in large print and audio they also sell them off for pennies which is great for collectors who are quick off the mark.For younger readers they have plenty of events to bring them in with mum and dad and a reference library which with its computors can now answer the hardest of questions. The Library is also the home of Darlingtons Adult learning scheme that offers plenty of choice for adults of all backgrounds and abilities. It's a shinning Star in this old town.

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.

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.

A large library, probably the biggest in the city, but it has a nice feel about it. Light and airy,…read morewell laid out and conducive to study for those wishing to do so on the premises. A huge stock of books, CDs, DVDs, music and other learning media is readily available. If you cannot find what you are looking for, helpful staff are usually around or you can help yourself at one of the public computer terminals. Self service checkout points can speed up your exit if the library is full and returns can be effected in the same way.

Large, well stocked public library. The children's library…read morehas a good play area for younger children, allowing the older ones to browse and read in peace.

Excellent facility Helpful staffread more

From the owner: We are a volunteer-run library and information service offering more than just books including…read morecomputers, wifi, classes/groups, drinks, toilet, photocopying.

Quite a large and central library, like most of the bigger city and town centre libraries, this one…read morehas moved with the times and embraced recent technological changes to stay up to date. There is a large central library area, with all the books you might expect to find, a smaller, but very well designed and colourful, childrens area packed with books for the kids, a reference section with encyclopedias and periodicals, a media library where you're able to rent console and PC games, DVDs and CDs for a weekly fee, and a large room with around 30 or so PC stations for internet access, which is free if you're a member of the library. In addition, for schools and colleges, theres a large conference room area on the second floor, and the library also offers photo=copying and fax sending services, and staff will help explain anything technological you're not sure about if you need assistance.

This is a really good modern and well stocked library. For a small town like Scarborough the…read morefacilities are fantastic with a large reference room and brilliantly equipped internet room. the staff are always really helpful and efficent. The childrens area is fentastic and they run some really fun and educational childrens events, Well worth a visit.

York Uni is a combination of several colleges on one campus…read more It is set in beautiful grounds with lakes and has a pub and a bar, bookshop and library. I have stayed here as an academic but it really is the cheapest place to stay if you want a holiday or have business in York. Out of term time they do very cheap B & B and also self catering apartments for 6 or more. It is all under £100 each for the week. I think a twin room is around the £80 mark and that includes breakfast. It is an easy stroll into York. I remember one student saying he had gone for a walk to the kebab shop and seen some pseudo walls like a film set. NO The Barbican and medieval walls! Off the campus in the other direction is the village of Hesslington which has a couple of decent pubs that do food but of course there is all that York can offer in the way of food and entertainment the other way. Heslington makes a nice, quite change one evening though. The reason for the 4 stars. Well student accomodation is very basic but it is the b*y ducks! You cannot easily sit on the grass and you trail in duck pup. They started with 2 (think they are Canadian geese) and now they have hundreds! Anyway all of you wanting to visit York here is the cheap B & B! Giving away my secrets now it will be full when I want to go :)

The University of York campus is sandwiched between the city walls and the pretty village of…read moreHeslington. Its sixties concrete building were considered quite innovative at the time, I believe, but they take a bit of getting used to. Luckily, there's a very pleasant campus to help on that front, though the geese are far less welcoming. York is the only university in the country without a central student venue so don't expect a packed SU bar; the majority of the college bars are pretty dead, when they're open. The closest thing to a student bar you'll find is the King Charles XII pub in Heslington village; their cheap booze ensures they're rammed to the rafters with students in term-time. Otherwise it's but a twenty-minute walk to the centre of town and its plethora of bars, pubs and restaurants.