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.

The Huddersfield University Library is the biggest library in the Huddersfield area. It is not only…read moreopen for students, but also to any member of the public that pays a small fee annually (and it really is worth it). The library has 6 floors, with hundreds books on any subject. It also has magazines, newspapers and scientific journals that are boring. The library offers a number of bureau services such as laminating and binding. As a student you also have access to PCs and iMacs. There is also a wireless network for all you laptop nomads. This is for sure a very interesting place, where you can spend hours.

One of my favourite places for peace and quiet. I love floor 5 with its new spacious design. It…read moreseems so clean when we in the applied sciences have all the old cold buildings its refreshing to go somewhere soi clean and spacious. The library assistants are ever so helpful. worth booking a group room on floor 3 if you need to get together and talk through a presentation.The private rooms have computers in too.

I give this library four stars because it's the kind of library I like - your mileage may vary…read more It's as old-fashioned as libraries get now they've all been overhauled (i.e. not very really). But it has a nice romance section, good large print provision, and though it has 'puter access and an audio-visual section, they're not the all-singing all-dancing type that seems to threaten to push the books out of the building altogether in some bigger libraries. The place is tiny, but the seats are comfortable, the papers are up-to-date and the staff are pleasant. It does exactly what a library is supposed to do and fulfills all the functions you could require of it. What more could you ask?

Small local library. Resonable selection of books and jigsaws. About 10 computers for internet…read moreaccess. Offers printing facilities and photocopying. Staff have always been helpful and let the kids stamp their own books.

This library has nice, helpful staff, a good audio-visual section and what seems like a perpetually…read morechanging layout! I do wish they'd stop tinkering about with it. It's not very intuitive: non-fiction is spread about both around the walls and on shelves in the middle of the library. Fiction has moved into what used to be the 'Ad-Lib' Gallery - but not all of it! It's not a major problem though: if you know what you want you can always find it. The newspapers are tidy and up-to-date, and there is computer access. The building is well-lit with natural daylight as well as artificial light, warm but with good ventilation and is in general a pleasant place to visit.

So the new library…read more... After a £9m investment by Lord Laidlaw himself this new library is a breath of fresh air. I visited both today and yesterday after vein officially opened to students and just wow! Open spaces, coffee shop inside, computers everywhere but also a modern feel. Having WiFi throughout and plug sockets at both tables and private booths the library really caters for the modern student and the new ways of collaboration and mobile personal devices everywhere. With over 6km of book shelving the new library will mainly catering for law students but will initially be home to the majority of books from the Eddy B library whilst it undergoes its two year refurbishment program. If you're around Leeds and fancy a coffee or a browse do take a look inside!

This library built me. Made me the person I am. I remember coming here after school everyday after…read moregetting dropped off by the 621 bus. Coming from Nabwood Grammar. A great large iconic building with so many floors and resources, this was a real library. All kinds of colourful characters would visit. Students, professors, retirees, vagrants, and families would be here. The ground floor inremmebr where people would scavenge for the daily newspapers. And all fiction books where I would get my first taste of Stephen King. Can tee had homemade sandwiches plus snacks and jacket potatoes were good and affordable. But the 5th floor was my spot. The reference floor where students would come and study. With its large tall windows bringing great light into the building and vast views of Bradford City. Such a shame this building is no more. I don't live in Bradford anymore but memories still linger and there will always be a special place of this library in my heart.

Bradford's main library isn't exactly entirely trad: walk into the reception seating 'n' eating…read morearea and you might think it's a social club - packed, chatty and really a little noisy, somewhat short of becardiganed ladies in flyaway spectacles saying 'Shhh!'. But its facilities are pretty cool: all your fiction, reference and research needs are catered to. There are regular library sales which are both cheap and eclectic, great for picking up some intriguing vintage bargains (that look cool on your Ikea bookshelves). Multiple floors, decent loos, nice and warm in winter and a ton of info available on local news and events, a good children's section and that great retro 70s architecture. Pretty damn good if you ask me.

I refuse to pretend that I have any knowledge whatsoever about the game of chess. I once watched a…read moredocumentary about an eight-year-old Chinese girl who was humiliating scores of adults on a global scale, by mercilessly beating them. Unfortunately, I did not glean any tips from the programme, such was the speed of her moves. My Mam did attempt to teach me the rules one rainy afternoon when I was a child, but I soon lost interest, and the headache inducing Hungry Hippos made a return to the table. During the Summer months, the huge chess boards which are painted onto the ground, are often in demand. The novelty sized chess pieces make the game more visually interesting, and a large crowd is often attracted to the commotion. The characters who participate are a varied mixture of people, young and old. There is a lovely communal atmosphere to the proceedings, with strangers often engaging in a game together. Thus far, I have only been a spectator of the sport. I do not think I would be very well received if I sauntered over to the boards and casually challenged these earnest, mathematical types to a Hungry Hippos tournament. I'll just watch.

Ok, I love a good library, so I'm already biased. Really, this isn't quite what I'd count as a…read more"good" library. When I think of a good library I think of a huge library packed with more books than a person could ever hope to read. This library (at least in this location, it's possible it's spread across other buildings) does not have endless books. It has books, but it focusses on a few, small-ish sections with only a couple of themes, the most extensive of which seems to be the arts section. That makes sense, the library is housed in the same building as the art gallery (closed for work on the roof in 2016, to reopen in 2017 some time). Still, it would be nice if more options were available, but this isn't the place to go pick up the latest best seller or to find the book you need to help you finish your essay. So why is this a five star review? Because of the building. Even without being able to explore the art gallery half of it, it is incredibly beautiful inside. It's a grade II listed building that was constructed between 1878 and 1884. It's all arch ways and vaulted ceilings, the marble staircases are framed with sculptures of dogs fighting, begging and guarding the books. Beautiful tiles line the floors and walls, giving a slightly Turkish effect and exploring all of this is a real treat even if you've never really been all that fussed about books. The Leeds tapestries are also on display here, a modern series of tapestries celebrating the city and deserving of study. There's a cafe on the ground floor which looks and smells very good and is certainly popular. There's also a gift shop and with a slightly more specialised shop attached, selling paintings, sculptures and jewellery by local artists. Across several of the floors are spaces for study and learning. Don't go in expecting to borrow any book you can imagine (unless you want art books or books on family history). Go in to explore the beautiful architecture. It really is something special.