As a former student who used this library on a daily basis, I feel that I am well qualified to…read morecomment on the quality of this library, which is fantastic. I know that Jordanstown students regularly used this library in exam times which shows the superior quality of this library! The facilities here are top notch. The book collection is extensive for every subject, with friendly and helpful staff being able to assist you in ordering any journals or documents you need. Set over four floors, there are ample computers and seating facilities for students and associate members. People see this as a place only for students, but that i not the case, and a membership here for older members would be very worthwhile. The library is totally clean and with a lot of open spaces it is a very inspiring place to learn. Unfortunately the open spaces are a hindrance when it comes to exam time as things can get very noisy when the library is brimming with people, so I advice getting in early to get a good place and brining earphones to help drown out any noise! The library has a cafe and eating area attached so there is ample opportunity for getting your food fix here! The library is fantastic, so don't listen to anyone who tells you that the facilities here are nothing less than the best around. I feel I should sign off with some useful information. To use the wifi here you need to download a program to your library off the QUB site, ask assistants if you can't find it! Also if you want phone reception head to the third floor, as the rest is a no go zone for phone signal!

Astonished that as an English student I never quite managed to write a review on this place…read more Though my love-affair with one of the most stunning libraries in this country has been as temperamental as a hormonal teenage girl who has just been told she has to go visit her Great-Aunt while all of her friends go to a VIP gig with Tine Tempah. It started off with a WOW! LOOK AT THE SIZE OF THIS BUILDING! THERE'S BOOKS AND TOILETS AND LIFTS AND EVERYTHING! It then fell apart slightly when I actually tried to do some work. There seemed to be a herd of cattle that ran through the library whenever you wanted some peace and quiet, thus my love affair began to wane. I couldn't seem to get some quiet time that wasn't at half 8 in the morning or 9 o'clock at night. But then I discovered the Narnia room which changed everything because it was so quiet! But then so did everyone else, so Brian became so angry he wrote in the third person, so he did. There are quite a lot of things going for this library, but unlike the Old Library Tower which I used to frequent, you never have enough time to sit and do some work. You could be typing away in peace and quiet and then in the space of two minutes, some hammered wee tramp from Antrim comes in with her American friend and have the loudest chat that even Chaka Kahn turned up to the maximum on my generic MP3 player couldn't drown out. I then discovered another part of Queen's which doesn't have too many tramps or loud people for which this review will not mention, just for my own sanity. Like I said, it is a stunning building and as far as something to look at goes, it sure is impressive. But as far as somewhere that is supposed to operate as a library, it doesn't quite fulfil all of its requirements.

An excellent library (but pity it doesn't have parking facilities). The childrens area is a good…read moresize and very well stocked, albeit the seating for accompanying parents sometimes isn't adequate and a bench or two more would be helpful. Computers available in this area too and a couple of desks to sit and read at (or sometimes colour in). Upstairs is the main library, with more computers (and there are computers for the adults downstairs too), served well by stairs and a lift. There are toilets on site, but you need to ask for a key. A Local Studies section is a great boon to folk wanting to do some research and the staff are very knowledgeable and approachable in relation to the subject. If you are in a hurry, there is a self service section downstairs where you can scan through your books without waiting for a librarian to do it.

The public library service has moved to Pat's Brae in Ballymena town centre. The closest carparking…read moreis available at the Tower Centre. It is now situated in a large two-storey building and has photocopying, computing and archive facilities. Library users may now borrow both books and audio/video materials. The Education and Library Board still own the building at Demesne Avenue but it now only contains the Teacher's collection, Schools Library Service and Historical Research departments.

Belfast Welcome Centre's not somewhere I would normally visit as I tend to think it's just for…read moretourists. But I needed a new Metro Travel Card and discovered they're available to purchase from here so popped in to buy one. Staff were helpful and located at desks toward the back of the Centre. I was able to get the card quickly and had time to browse. I was impressed at the range of Northern Ireland themed gifts available, especially as they weren't all stereotypical tacky souvenirs but were instead beautifully designed items by local Artists e.g. mugs, bags, stationary, cushions, whiskey marmalade, chocolates and ornaments. There are lots of traditional shamrock, Guinness and Game Of Thrones merchandise too, if that's what you're after. There's a wealth of information, leaflets and tickets for festivals, events, tours, restaurants, pubs, hotels, entertainment and transport. Belfast Welcome Centre also offer free Wi-Fi, a left luggage facility and a bureau de change. There are screens throughout showing films about Belfast's history and attractions plus some interactive touch screens. A brilliant resource for both locals and tourists.

This should be your first port-of-call if you're new to Belfast, but it's very helpful even if you…read moreknow the city well. As well as the biggest souvenir / gift shop I have ever seen, there's a bureau de change, internet access, an opportunity to buy tickets for the likes of the bus tours, and of course free information on Belfast and Northern Ireland in general. It is the best stocked, most helpful tourist information centre that I have come across, and is really invaluable for setting you up on your trip around the country. I even managed to pick up Belfast 'summer offers' leaflet which includes great offers such as 20% off a candy making demonstration at Aunt Sandra's Candy Factory, or 15% discount on Escarmouche Outdoor Laser Quest, as well as hints and tips on where to shop, stay and even park. An invaluable resource for locals and visitors alike...get yourself down to the Welcome Centre!

Ever since I was a little girl I have had a thing about libraries. The library where I grew up was…read morelike a second home to my sister and I and so I am drawn to them like a moth to a flame. The Newtownards library is alright for a small town. It has about 8 computers with the Internet. There were several middle aged men playing World of Warcraft on them - I don't think that should be allowed as the library is not an Internet cafe. Maybe the librarian didn't know? Anyway, there are a few areas to sit and read and a few tables which I have used in the past to fill in forms - Personally I don't think there is enough seating space in the library. There is a photocopier with a 15p charge per page (expensive?) and a very packed notice board filled to the brim with all the events going on in the area - Jiu Jitsu, bird-watching, club meetings and local independent jewelry stores. There is a small selection of new books and CD's but most seem to be older. The magazines are more up to date with the latest 'Men Only' and 'New Scientist' Not a bad library but definitely not the most modern I've ever been in - it does its job and serves a purpose. It's got books and somewhere to sit therefore it's fine.

Attended here for a work course. It's well signposted off the main road and has ample free car…read moreparking. It's set in lush surrounds. Once you get through the signing in its a bit of a maze to get to the conference rooms on the ground floor. There Isa subsidised canteen-we never tried it but did have a cup of coffee. Then after the session it was home time!!

After I finished school I went on the good old jobseekers for the summer, and this was my local. It…read morewas a new experience for me but I used to think there would be nothing more depressing than having to go here every week. Its not very handy for anyone unless you drive, poor bus infrastructure to actually get here if you don't live locally. The people that work here are cheerful enough, perhaps they do lack some passion for actually finding you a job as some of the attendees are almost helpful in getting you more money for longer and remaining unemployed. They seem to know all the tricks and loopholes. Don't get me wrong thank goodness we have this service available for people who need it but I think there are people who take advantage of this service, in that case its probably a good thing that they make it a little bit inaccessible. This center has been recently renovated and makes it a much nicer experience I'm sure.

Relocation is in the pipeline for PRONI which is due to move to new premises in the Titanic Quarter…read morein 2011 and the present site in Balmoral Avenue will be closed this autumn to prepare. Therefore, you will not have much time left to make use of the current site of the Public Records Office, which contains church records, valuation books, school records, street directories on paper and microfiche. I have also researched the significant Northern Ireland photo archive held here, as well as ordnance survey maps from 1903 and around 1880. The maps are fascinating for anyone interested in a certain town, village or townland as the detail includes every last shed and cottage. Various families of substance in the province have deposited their records here too. You do need time on your hands when visiting the Public Records Office, however, for the process of looking up and waiting for the staff to extract the documents from the store requires some consultation and forethought. There is a reading room too with stimulating books of local historical interest accessible on the shelves. In the main staff are eager and willing to help you find family history records or other documentary evidence that you seek and I've found my three or four visits rewarding, though of course, you need to like this sort of thing.

Unfortunately, the public records office will be largely inaccessible until about May 2011, as it…read moremoves to the Titanic Quarter. But the place has millions of records, a few of which apparently date back to the 13th century! Most of the people who would use the PRO are people attempting to trace family histories, trawling through a mind-boggling array of records to try and unearth their origins. The great thing about this place is that it's free if you're going to do your own research. I think your best bet is to go to the Ulster Historical Foundation (see my review) and pay for an initial bit of research to be done, then head down to the PRO, armed with your new information, and begin your search from there. You should be able to find out plenty about your family history here, with some records being so old that they have to be held in controlled conditions. I'm looking forward to the opening of the new office in the Titanic Quarter before summer 2011

CS Lewis Square is not much more than a small park. However, it is free to enter and roam as well…read moreas filled with a handful of statues which bring figures of his Chronicles of Narnia to life. I came in the morning and was effectively the only person around. I spent about 15-20 minutes in total walking around, attempting to take the perfect pictures, and otherwise admiring the work. If I knew folks heading to Belfast, I would recommend they try to work in a visit, especially if they were already in the area. I would not advise drastically changing your schedule to incorporate nor spending heavy for transit to get there if it were significantly out of the way. Hopefully that guidance helps in planning if you should or should not plan a visit!

We stopped by CS Lewis Square during our vacation. It is a nice dedication to CS Lewis. There are a…read morefew unique art/statue pieces dedicated to his different stories. There isn't a lot here but it's cool to get some really nice pictures. It doesn't cost anything and takes no more than 15 minutes to see each of the statues. Well worth getting off the bus walking over to it taking a look and waiting for the next bus. Especially if you are a CS Lewis fan.