Huyton Library is by far the most comprehensive of Knowsley's libraries, with a large selection of…read morebooks and resources. It has been housed in a new, stylish building for about the last ten years, and provides a spacious, pleasant environment for browsing and reading. It also has the customary Internet access, presumably free, though I've never used it. I've always found the staff friendly and helpful. Attached to the library is a small gallery that regularly houses exhibitions by local artists. It's worth paying a visit if you're in the area.

Excellent staff, excellent accommodation, excellent service, would recommend highly. Stayed there a…read morefew times now and would say it's better than most. Your own space in a luxury apartment, right in the heart of the city centre

A really useful alternative to the university library.read more

What a beautiful old building; up the steps and inside it's a little musty and only a small room,…read morebut nevertheless it's dedicated to books of all genres. I noted the main sections were seemingly quite fitting to village life, from hobbies, to cookery and gardening. Anyone a fan of Delia? She features here plenty. They also had a great little history section and the fiction wound it's way around the outside of the room- lots of choice here but if you're a frequent visitor and a fast reader you may need to travel further afield to find something new!

Helpful staff and good selection of books! old building with lots of history and great information…read moreof the history of woolton

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 spent many a happy hour here as a child, being as I was, OBSESSED with reading 7 books a week…read more Not sure what happened to me. Probably because I only read boring economics tomes now I've been jaded. I must return and pay my fines sometime.

Widnes Library has a wide range of current, relevant books on offer. Seating is plentiful, and it…read morehas a café which sells cheap tea, coffee, fizzy drinks and food, overlooking an LCD TV. There are crêche facilities avaliable, and regular tuition groups in spanish, guitar and other skills. The childrens library is large, and it is designed specifically for children in mind, with a lots of books, toys and a relevant colour scheme. There are computers on the top and bottom floor, each with a relatively uncensored access to the internet.

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.

St. Helens Local History & Archives Library holds an abundance of records - useful to those…read moreundertaking family history research. The centre is based within the Gamble Building which also has a public library and art gallery on other floors. The history and archives section has many popular resources steeped in history that include local newspapers, Parish registers and photographs. In addition, they have a wide range of other material as well as that of a purely genealogical nature. All information can be accessed through card indices, calendars, bibliographies and information files in the Search Room. There are also friendly and knowledgeable staff available to assist. This library is ideal for anyone wishing to research St. Helens past, whether you wish to trace your family tree or just to have a browse at some interesting archives.

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.

From the exterior, Old Swan Library certainly doesn't look like a library with it's Victorian black…read moreand white features. It was only when I noticed its sign that I realised. Well, this library is definitely one of the smallest I've ever visited but has quite a modern look about it, featuring free Internet access as well as an adequate variety of books to suit all ages. This library is well laid out, there are bright lights, several tables and a couple of helpful staff at the reception. There's not much more to it than that I suppose, although one thing which struck my attention was the amount of north west tourist leaflets on the front desk. At one point, it felt like I was in a tourist information centre! Old Swan Library is a pleasant place for a relaxing read or study but because of its size, it doesn't offer a huge range of resources but I guess it doesn't necessarily have to if you're not looking for anything in specific.

As a local teacher in Old Swan, I cannot praise Old Swan library highly enough for all of the work…read morethat they do with our local school children. I recently took my class of Year 3s to the library where we were given a wonderful session on research and each child was presented with a library ticket. Reading is such a wonderful gift to be given in life and my pupils were enthused and delighted with their library tickets and by meeting the friendly and helpful librarians. A substantial number of children have returned to the library to complete research for a recent topic. This is a wonderful library with first class staff who are a real asset to our local community. Well done Old Swan library!