How lucky am I to have this as my local library?! It really is completely charming. Yes, ok, maybe…read morethe selection available isn't as amazing as bigger libraries but for a small, community library I think it's pretty damn good actually. The layout of the interior of this gorgeous faux Tudor building is simple and tidy and because of it's relatively small size, browsing the whole collection isn't overwhelming. The last time I went in to find a book for the latest gathering of the book club I'm a member of there was a lovely display of literary classics (by coincidence that was our book club theme that month). Although I wasn't able to take out either of the books I had planned to because they were already out (hardly surprising with them being classics!) I was able to take out two other great books that fitted the bill. Add to this that the friendly and incredibly helpful woman behind the desk told me about the great Book Club borrowing facility they have there - 20 copies of dozens of great titles for book clubs that want to sign up. I think we will! This place is such a little gem and with it being so close to Lark Lane and Sefton Park it's a gorgeous little stop off on a nice day after a leisurely stroll...or even better, pop in, pick up a book then ensconce yourself either in one of the lovely bars on Lark Lane or on a blanket in the park and get reading!

I was at the library yesterday, it was my first time being there. The ambience and warmth of the…read morestaff was breath taking. Really loved the arrangement of the children's section. Thumbs up guys!!! Steve .O

Allerton Library is at the end of all the shops on Allerton Road. A busy little library that you…read morecan walk around in about 1 minute. Small it might be but 100% better than Childwall Library which has definitely seen better days. Allerton Library is modern (it isn't dated on the inside) and well equipped with a computer suite, tables to sit and work or discuss the challenges of the day at and as you would guess many many books. The library is very accessible with a long ramp up to the entrance. There is no waiting about to take your books out, as if you are registered, you can take them out via the self service machine. The opening hours are pretty good Monday to Wednesday, but go a bit down the pan on the remaining days. Longer opening hours on these days would be good, or maybe that is just me - I guess it cannot hope to be a 24hr tesco's.

I may have mentioned this before, but bookshops and libraries make me need the loo if I'm in there…read moretoo long. Something about the bookshelves just makes me wanna go.... Anyway, this is not aided, in the case of Allerton library, by the smallness of it and hence the additional feeling of claustrophobia. From the exterior the building looks shabby and practically abandoned. Inside, it's a little gloomy. Chances are, they've refurbished it since I last went in (at least 5 years ago) but there's a good chance they haven't. Having been somewhere I went to almost on a weekly basis as a kid, I can't imagine it being that inviting in its current state. Still, like I say, it might been brought up to date. Some of the books definitely needed replacing and a few extra staff wouldn't have been a problem. Despite all this, it's a nice enough place for small family outings, and less formidable than the huge main library in town.

I spent the majority of my degree inside these walls, (or so I'd have my tutors believe) and…read morealthough I loathed it, I did grow to feel affectionately towards it. So, the facts... It's been recently refurbished and had a good £20 million spent on it! There are seats for 600 readers and approx. 420 computers (not that you'd think it around exam time...good luck getting a PC unless you're early, that's all I'm saying!) They have loads of bookable private study rooms so that you won't be disturbed and a cafe downstairs to refuel and re-energise with a coffee. The staff are really friendly and exceptionally helpful. The special collections are amazing, have to use gloves to see the first editions and the have some real gems hidden away down there. The stacks down in the basement are rather scary I'm always scared that someone has followed me down and is going to wheel the shelves back together when I'm inside...luckily I'm still here! It's a great environment to study and they also have couches out in the more social and non-silent areas so that you can have group discussions or just a well-earned gossip with a mate! There must be more books than anyone can read in a lifetime in here, but so many great critical works. Get in on the best library for the Arts Ever.* *Possible exaggeration, but I love it! (Yes, I'm a bit of a geek.)

Having spent much of my degree time using the Harold Cohen Library, it was only in the last year or…read moreso, I began to use more of the Sydney Jones Library. Firstly, this was because the Sydney Jones wasn't suited for my subject course and secondly it was located further away from my department. Nevertheless, I preferred the Sydney Jones to the Harold Cohen as it was more spacious and more recently renovated and expanded, now even hosting a cafe. I liked their new computer suites in particular since there wasn't that crammed feel about it compared to the Harold Cohen. Plus, there are comfy sofas available to sit back and relax during a stressful day, usually with a friend or two. I miss it now! Full marks for Sydney Jones; the expansion of the library is really impressive.

I used to live opposite this library, and although I've only been in it once, my flatmate was in…read morehere all the time and loves it. Though small, it has a good selection of sections (try saying that when you're drunk!) and, I'm told, a fantastically well-stocked graphic novel section. I've also been reliably told that out of every book picked up in the 'Suggested Reading' section, my flatmate has never read a bad one and thinks it's faultless. I just like the fact that you have a suggested reading part to a library, as if you walk into a massive room filled with books and not know what you want to read so much so that you need to go to a specific part of the library to look at suggestions. Surely that's as daft as the 'suggested serving' pictures on the front of food packaging?

Childwall Library is pretty ok and I think the staff are doing a good job. It is a little tired to…read moresay the least, but cute in a funny sort of way. If you compare it to Allerton Library not too far down the road, it makes it look even worse. However, despite what it looks like, it serves the community well and does have a purpose, with a computer suite and a good selection of books. A small plea to Liverpool Council to hurry up with the modernisation of the building... There is a good bit of parking so you don't need to worry about fighting off neighbours to find a place to park.

Wavertree Library isn't really anything special, it lives next door to the One Stop Shop which is…read morepretty handy. As you walk in towards the reception, the staff do look at you in quite an intimidating way, almost like "what do you want? The books are there and the computers are there"... Aside from the staff, it's a good little local library. There's around 20 computers which you can use for an hour (or more if it's not busy) for the internet or whatever you need. You can print at an extra cost - around 10p per sheet. To the books, what most people visit a library for. There isn't many of them if I'm honest. The children's area looks pretty good but I've never really paid much attention to it. The adult section is pretty grim, but I suppose there are a few libraries in the area so if they haven't got what you're looking for, somewhere will.

This little local library is fairly well packed with books. I think they've done a really good job…read moreof labelling everything as well so that both those who know the Dewey Decimal system and those who don't can easily find their books--by number or by subject. I thought they had a decent range of craft books as compared with most small libraries, though most of them were knitting and embroidery books, which don't interest me that much. The general fiction section was decent, as was the children's section. Definitely a good small local library, and also worth a visit for those of us who have Liverpool library cards and like to pick up random books at one library and drop them back off at Central when we are done. ;)

Even though Formby library isn't my nearest library, it's by far my favourite. It has a lovely…read moreatmosphere and a great selection of books and I always leave with a bag full. The staff are always helpful, friendly, polite and nothing is too much trouble. It's spacious, welcoming and comfortable and also a huge plus is that it offers ample parking space. The only criticism I have is, as I'm a huge fan of short stories I think it would be helpful if there was a short stories section as I find it difficult to locate this type of book, but in saying that, that's my only minus about this brilliant little library.

Staying on the subject of love, peace and understanding, News From Nowhere is Liverpool's longest…read morerunning community bookshop. A not-for-profit organisation run by a workers co-operative, it's a welcoming environment with friendly staff committed to social change. As you'd expect from their window displays, the emphasis is firmly on books that inspire and empower people to make positive change to the world. There's a decent section of fiction along one wall of the shop but really, News From Nowhere is the place to go if you're looking for books on politics, activism, the environment, human rights, animal rights, peace, global equality, feminism, sexuality, gay, lesbian and queer culture, spirituality, Jewish diaspora, health and well being or world fiction. They also stock roots and world music CDs and have a notice-board advertising community events, meetings and demonstrations. In a world that's becoming more corporate and generic by the minute, News From Nowhere offers genuine and life-affirming food for thought.

News From Nowhere is a radical bookshop situated at the top end of the trendy Bold Street. It has a…read morewide variety of books, in many genres including fiction, gay and lesbian, feminism and women, masculinity and men, politics, philosophy, spirituality, sexuality, Liverpool, media and culture, arts and photography and so many more! The staff really helpful and knowledgeable about what they stock - which makes a change, as so many of the big chain bookshops don't have a clue. I recommend checking out the website as you can also order from there, but then you miss out on the dusty smell of the shop. It appeals a lot more to the average consumer now with a wider range of popular goods. There's all sorts of little pieces such as some funky postcards.