There are 6 things I love in life:…read more Chicken My wife Books What do you mean? This library has all 5. Perfectly balanced as all things should be. Shout-out to Geeta on the reception desk she makes a chicken. :)

good range of books etc ive used the computers but you have a time limit no good if your looking…read morefor car insurance etc not really much parking but the art gallery ia slways worth a look

What a lovely library! Mr. Snarky's printer is not quite working, so I headed to the library to…read moreprint out a form that I need. Lucky for me that the Bolton Bus Station is right across the street from the Library. I love this little crescent area, although traversing the street can be a bit hazardous with no lights and seemingly no hint of what drivers have the right of way. Anyway, this building houses the library... AND the museum, aquarium, and tourist information. A great way to get traffic through the building and to the library, but as another reviewer mentioned, it is quite noisy for your average library. That's why I took a star off because I am one of those people that enjoys reading and browsing through books in quiet at the library. For me a library should be an escape from the hustle and bustle outside. That said, one of the staff members who was helping me did tell off another patron for using his mobile phone in the computer area and asked him to head to a designated area for mobile phone use. So at least they are trying to contain the noise. While I didn't spend much time browsing the selection of books, I did get to have a look around and it certainly looks well stocked, but you never really know until you come in with a specific book in mind. Not sure how it is for research purposes, but it seemed quite busy with people looking through books, DVDs, and surfing the net. There were lots of staff and they were all helping other patrons and it was quite nice to see. The staff seemed very keen to help and were extremely friendly. I headed off to the right to to desk near the computers. A member of staff explained the computer system to me, printing prices, etc. You can book a computer for one hours use and if you are just doing something quick, then you also have an option for an impromptu 15 minute use. Printing in black and white is 10p and payment is collected when you collect your print job at the desk. I don't have a library card, so they let me sign in as a guest, you just need to sign in and provide and address and a member of staff will log you on. The computers and internet seemed to be pretty quick, which is always nice to know if you need to use them. The library also has wifi so if you do not want to use their computers, you can ask a member of staff and they can provide you with the information. On my way out, I stopped to look at the tourist information. They have some great resources for days out and even larger holiday booklets for much of the UK. Next to the tourist information is a section of DVDs and if you move closer to the door, there is an area with local announcements/advertisements, but also binders full of information on clubs, organizations, etc. that you can join. Lovely! If you travel upstairs you'll find the museum and aquarium. Must come back and check that out.

As well stocked as this library is, it feels very modern and cheap now. Even the bookcases look…read morelike they're from IKEA. It's also not revered as a traditional library in the sense that it can get very noisy, people talking and shouting, children running around screaming and laughing, and sounds from the computers which people are using. Shame really. But if you're just looking for books to take out with you, rather than sitting and relaxing and reading, then this place is probably okay for 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.

Ramsbottom Library is fantastic I go all the time with my girls, the staff are really helpful and…read moreit is a beautiful library. There are very good facilities, my eldest daughter loves going and choosing books and a dvd each week and my littlist goes to a baby group there each week. Fantastic x

Ramsbottom library is located in the centre of Ramsbottom, and also has car parking. The library is…read moremodern and clean and has a good selection of books and dvd's. The staff are extremely helpful and set up both my children and my accounts quickly. The children's books are on the ground floor, as are the adult fiction section. There are easy chairs and newspapers to read also. Upstairs there is non-fiction and a computer suite, where you can get internet access. There is also a coffee machine - the first I have ever seen in a library! There is also a room for courses that the library run. The library offers friendly service and good resources for a smallish library. I should also mention that you can access your account online and can order books from other libraries in Bury, if they are in the catalogue.

Not the biggest library in manchester, but its one of the few in my experiance that the books are…read morewhere they are supposed to be in order. If they havnt got the books you want they order them for you from other libraries and send an email or phone you up when they arrive. plenty of seats are available so you can spend time reading in peace and quiet. They also have several Pcs available for browsing the internet,but be warned these are popular and you usually have to book the day before.

Great place! as procalc said above, its not the biggest library but the staff are fantastic and are…read moremore than wiling to order books in. fantastic service and in a lovely place! Lots of computers and seats, and the occasional competition for the children. Guide dog friendly and they sell lots of knik-knaks.

Beech Hill Library has now closed but has reopened as a 'Book-Cycle', free bookshop. The former…read morelibrary is now operated by a 100% volunteer run charity. Book-Cycle Beech Hill has more books than the library ever had. How does it work? ALL books have been donated by people in the community, schools, libraries and shops. There is an amazing choice and it's grows daily. The price you pay is up-to-you! Book-Cycle is donations only. Of course they still have to pay everyday bills, but no wages. The parent charity is www.book-cycle.org

Beech hill library is now run on a voluntary basis where the public can donate books and also take…read morebooks home with them and best of all the service is FREE. the library also hosts local interest groups and is an ideal place to meet up.

A great little branch library, which is now also a designated Childrens Centre, which provides…read moreactivity sessions for toddlers/younger children. It's definitely expaned more in time, the staff are very friendly and as its part of the whole Bolton chain of libraries, you can reserve a book from any branch free of charge. Horwich library also has about 8 internet-accessible PCs, free of charge.

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*