Every town has a library and Solihull Central Library is the flagship for the borough. Over the…read moreyears the library has expanded in a variety of ways; they even have a theatre! They have information on events (mostly local), council services, education and work, business information and various local and family history. Unlike many other libraries that are local to Solihull, here they have a large amount of computers and a host of books on different subjects. There is pretty much a book for any subject and if there isn't then it's pretty easy to find out where to get the information you want. You can also rent DVDs and CDs. Librarians can be a bit boring and come across negatively and here some of them are no different. However, some of them are very friendly. They are all very helpful though and knowledgeable on everything within the building. I've been to the library theatre a few times and have really enjoyed the shows put on here. Before a show, or in general, I like to go to their cafe where they have some hot and cold snacks. The food can be eaten in or taken away. As the library is in a courtyard you can also enjoy the lovely water feature outside. This is definitely one of the best libraries I've been to in Birmingham.

Solihull Library is modern, spacious, bright, light and a provides a lovely space to read or ponder…read morein. With most of the usual library trappings (you know books, CDs, DVDs, internet) and some extras thrown in. Their local and family history department deserves special merit. They have an excellent children's library. Upstairs is also a public gallery with collections changing on a regular basis. Sadly, Solihull Library isn't what it used to be. They still have a fairly good stock of books and some CDs but the music library isn't what it used to be. There are plenty of DVDs but often they are just the modern rom-coms and nothing much else of note. Finding a member of staff to help you might be your biggest problem. If you are happy to stumble along without any assistance and use a self serve machine to issue and return your own books then this is probably the library for you.

Olton library is a real gem. It is very small but the stock is in excellent condition and the…read morestaff are always friendly and helpful. They have a good collection of fiction paperbacks, non fiction work and an excellent children's range. As always as a library they have computers and offer limited free Internet access per day. They even loan jigsaws for some reason although I'm not sure how they check if you've returned it all! Upstairs are several meeting rooms that can be hired and the local councillors hold their advice surgeries there once a month.

I am a fan of libraries and visit them at least once a week, I have 4 libraries that I use Olton…read morelibrary being one of them. However, as helpful as the staff are and although it is quite a small library it does offer a good selection of books, my only problem with this library is the parking and lack there of. I have often gone to use this library but ended up going to the Hobs Moat library a few minutes away as it is usually easier to park on the road at the side. They have a story session for under 5s on a thursday at 2.30 for half an hour

If they ever make a film of my life then I'd like the opening scene to be set in this library…read more Inside the building has wonderfully high ceilings and still maintains an impressive children's area. It holds a very special place in my heart as it is where I can remember discovering and enjoying books so much. I know this library changed my life as it kicked off my passion for the written word, reading and knowledge. I am now lucky enough to live within walking distance of this fantastic free book house and I often visit for a browse. Obviously I also get to enjoy a trip down memory lane and I can highly recommend revisiting some of your childhood haunts - it's good for the soul. The library has updated a little and offers 30+ computers with free internet for up to an hour a day.

This library is a great resource. It's set just off the Swan Island, making it convenient for…read morepublic transport both on the No.11 route and Coventry Road buses. There is a large area of parking at the front, although I have to confess that I've never been sure exactly what the parking regulations are there - so beware We've not been clamped yet This library is housed in a stylish building which opens out into a fan shape once you are inside. There is a learning resource room, and a table with lots of local information just inside the front door. Immediately behind the lending desk, the bookcases follow the fan shape of the library, and the whole space is bright and airy. The IT resources here are fabulous, with around 25 workstations available for public use. Each user is limited to one hour per day, and we have never had to wait to use a computer. The desks and chairs are very comfortable, and there is plenty of room to work. The terminals are within eyesight of one another (understandably, I know, for a public resource), but you might want to be careful with your passwords if you are checking your eBay listings! The library fills up at around 4pm with students doing homework, so it may be worth getting there earlier if you can.

A bright, spacious local library on Weoley Castle Square, Weoley Castle library offers books, DVD's…read moreand CD's to listen to and hire, plus a good range of local history and more. Based across two floors, the library offers a dozen or so Internet connected workstations for use by the public, but sadly doesn't offer Wi-Fi. Never the less, I find upstairs in the library a good place to sit quietly and get on with research and other work on my laptop. The staff are friendly and helpful, and there is often themed displays drawing attention to specific books. For instance, when The Hobbit movie was released the library had a section on JRR Tolkien including a collage of facts and artwork. As local libraries go, Weoley Castle Library is bright and modern and a welcome place to visit on Weoley Castle Square!

Weoley Castle Library doesn't provide much facilities in the areas that I am interested in but the…read moredo however provide books and access to information and novels of various genres and topics which I will happily get myself lost in. If they don't provide what you are looking for you can always ask and enquire with a member of staff about the books and items that are in your search criteria and they will pleasantly assist you with ordering the books from other libraries across Birmingham and they will notify and let you know when you can expect the arrival of your item and when to pick it up. The librarians, volunteer workers and members of staff are all very helpful, warming and inviting and they don't hesitate in any way to assist you and your local library experience.

Coventry main libery and is my number one place to loan books from…read more All books that i have used have been kept to a good standered and its impressive the range of books they have of offer. I myself like books on nature and the wild and some of the books i found were to me uterally amazing. They have such a range on all types of books, and they also have the computers which can be handy for doing a bit of work.

The central library is huge having obviously hundreds of thousands of books available. As others…read morehave said they are kept to a really good standard. Inside i am always suprised as to just how quiet it is. But due to its vast size im sure any sounds just dissipate. Some of the lighting if i remember correctly is very orangy, weird becasue it doesnt actually affect your reading. They also offer computers which you can use for a small aount of money. They also offer rental of some cd's and dvd's too which is a great addtion. If your into books or need to do research this is the place for you!

this library is well equipped and in the local social history can be found a book called Daddy's…read moreLittle Spy -by isabella rose which gives a clear indication of how witchcraft thrived in Wellingborough during the second world war. Detailed in local newspapers at the time and noting that even Sir Winston Churchill asked the witches for help to prevent Hitler invading England. Despite it being illegal to belong to a pagan religion during wartime. Punishment was imprisonment.

I live in the town centre and use the library quite regularly. There is a fairly good selection of…read morefiction and reference books to find something that will interest you. In addition the staff are polite and helpfull is you need any assistance. The library has very good opening hours, staying open til 19.00 most week days. Only real negative is the internet is £3.00 an hour to use within the library which is not really competitive with other internet cafes locally.

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 the cutest, smallest library for a country mile. It also seems to be one of the most…read morefrustrating with some bonkers idiosyncrasies. I am stunned by its opening hours. No word of a lie its doors are open a mere 14 hours a week. And it doesn't open on a Saturday. Country life hey! It has some great stock especially for children and offers not one but two public computers with free internet access (up to one hour per day.) There is an under 5s story time once a fortnight (just read your own books little ones every other week?) Tuesdays at 1:45pm. The Hampton in Arden Library Readers' Circle seems to gain private access to the building once a month on a Wednesday at 2:00pm. Beginners' Computer Drop-in Sessions (for any beginners still knocking around Tuesdays starting at 10:00am.) So a great place to visit but timing is essential . . .

From the owner: Solihull libraries offer a warm welcome to all customers…read more You can join the library and borrow up to 10 items for 3 weeks, with no fines charged and free reservations for items on order or in Solihull libraries. All libraries have PCs with access up to 3 hours per day for members, with free wifi for anyone without membership Regular events for children (rhymetimes and storytimes) and adults are held All libraries have photocopying and scanning facilities. Some libraries also have study space. You can join online without visiting the library for eBooks, eAudiobooks, eMagazines and eNewspapers, as well as other resources

The Library of Birmingham is a really impressive building, it opened in 2013 and it remains rather…read moremodern, it is located on Broad Street and is next to the ICC it is now supported by a West Midlands Metro extension which now goes to the library as of the end of 2019. The outside of the building really is an amazing structure, and inside it is over multiple floors and remains pretty modern as well as a balcony overlooking on a large section of books which is pretty cool. It has a floor count of 10 and it does have some exhibits and different public areas over that. There is also a small shop and cafe, if you prefer branded coffee there is a Starbucks and Subway at the ICC next store, although the Starbucks is pretty expensive there. Being over so many floors is a little confusing but the staff at the reception seem friendly enough to help you where you need to go, the toilets are also well maintained especially compared to others around the city which can be pretty dire. A great library while in the centre of Birmingham, I have to be biased and I still prefer my local Manchester Central Library though which seems to have a more spacious working area and also some pretty cool exhibits. 4*

Great Library! Large, spacious, very modern, easy to…read morenavigate, warm in the winter, selection of food and drinks in the cafe, interesting to wander around, easy to locate and great outside facade. It's a wonder that this place isn't more busy than it is!?