Good local studies collection on the first floor. No public records per se, but lots of books to…read morehelp set the context for your family history. And the staff double teamed and help retrieve items of possible interest. Very impressive!

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.

Best food in Belfast so far. Linen Hall breakfast is fantastic, vegetarian Linen Hall breakfast is…read moreevery bit as good. Poached egg on avocado toast with walnuts and feta highly recommended. Service quick and friendly. Atmosphere absolutely beautiful and a library to boot. Prices lower than many others of lesser quality and ambience. Don't pass up this Belfast gem.

The Linen Hall library is plonked inbetween two banks which for something steeped in so much…read morehistory, it was somewhat a surprise (borderline disappointment) to actually find out where this place was located. I love books, bookshops, librarys, words, dictionaries, the old 'shift+f7' shortcut on word, but there is just too many flaws with this place to make it five stars. Yes it has the history, yes it has a proper traditional uneven floors and some books which you know if you tried to sell you could probably get a holiday out of it. But... and I don't strive to be controversial, the entire library and the entire experience is ruined by the coffee shop. It is an old-fashioned library set in the heart of Belfast's city centre. The Library is tiny compared to Queen's Library and simply cannot compete for the depth of knowledge or academic texts. But what is has is character. So why, please tell me, would you take this terrific library and stick a chain coffee store in the middle of it. If you step outside and throw a book, you will probably hit a coffee shop. Don't stick one in the middle of the blooming library. It's not necessary, it's trying to capitalise on the experience of going to the library and if it were to be taken out, you could put in a few squishy, coffee smelling sofas and a couple of newspapers to read. The library has character, it has history, it has a proper library atmosphere. It should not have a chain coffee shop (even though it is a NI coffee shop) in the middle of it. Let it be a library. Don't try and make money out of it.

Close to work, so that's a bonus. Opens until 8 o'clock on a Thursday evening. Parking can prove…read moreto be a challenge. But nice and bright space to work. Free WiFi and a good few sockets to charge up your phone. If you get bored you can always look out the window and stare at the lagan. #ThroatPunch to anyone who chitters in the library.

I like this library, and have used it a lot as I always seem to end up living around the Ormeau…read moreRoad end of the city when it's time to look for a new place. Their noticeboard is huge and is packed with info about community groups and events, and they have a really decent children's section for those of us who like to be nostalgic by rereading Just William and Billy Bunter. The fiction section is of a decent size too, although some of the non-fiction categories could be a little bigger I think. The best part of this library for me is the big reading tables right by the window, perfect for browsing over one of the newspapers on offer and watching the world go by.

Armagh City Library located on Market Street is a public library offering book borrowing, free…read morewifi, public computers, audiobooks, newspapers and faxing, scanning and photocopying facilities to members. It's a warm, welcoming, small library located in a beautiful, square, Georgian style building dating from 1815 (the building itself is called Market House). There are some comfy chairs and sofas to relax in and as with all libraries a peaceful, quiet vibe pervades. If you are a member of public Libraries NI you can use your library card in any public library. So if you are visiting Armagh from Belfast or Newry, or anywhere else, you can use the full Armagh City Library facilities and also return or borrow books there. For locals Armagh library run various events including adult and children's book and reading clubs, patchwork quilting and knitting groups throughout the week. I love public libraries and wish more people used them. If you want a book which is not in your local branch, for a few pence, you can order a copy in from another library. Why spend a fortune buying traditional or electronic books?! Nowadays even top, popular, best sellers and new release books are available free from public libraries or can be ordered in for you. It's also free and easy to join a public library - just pop in with proof of identification showing your name and current address e.g. a bill or driving licence. Painless! So go on - do it!

Belfast Central Library is a great institution. One of the first libraries opened in Ireland, it…read morestill provides the general public with innumerable services and facilities. There's a lovely cafe on the ground floor selling coffee, tea, hot chocolate etc. and after you've refreshed yourself you can make use of the free computer and Internet facilities which are available for use throughout the building. The top floor houses the only dedicated Music Library in Northern Ireland, which is a great service and costs a small amount to rent out the Cd's. The Library also houses a number of special collections including archives, extremely old books (i.e. printed before 1500AD!), Irish Language manuscripts, literary manuscripts, maps, postcards, photographs, theatre and cinema collections. It also holds the F. J Bigger Library and Archive (a practising solicitor whose chief interest was Irish antiquities, he devoted his life to the study of Irish archaeology and Ulster history.) The building also houses a fine collection of maps, both contemporary and antiquarian. There's also the 'Theatre Collection' which consists of three thousand Irish theatre programmes. It's quite a comprehensive historical collection (the newspaper reviews, posters and programmes date from 1821 onwards!) In the Library there are various facilities available for use including public lifts, public toilets, meeting rooms, exhibition Space, a fax service and photocopiers. Call in to the alluring old building and check out some of these helpful services. The staff are hospitable and the building is a beautiful example of Victorian Belfast. N.B. The Library are currently carrying out some renovations and at the moment the outer facade of the building can't be seen (such a pity!) hopefully this will be completed soon though!

Although it is a fine resource I have mixed feelings about Belfast Central Library, having spent…read moremany hours in the Irish studies section researching local history. Just about anything in that line that you might need is available like other large formal libraries there is a system of requesting a book that staff will go and get for you. Mostly that worked fine but there were occasions when staff members really didn't seem willing to help and it creates a bad impression and puts me off using the library unless I'm really desperate. There are other libraries in the city with a much more welcoming atmosphere. On the other hand the opening hours are useful if you need to come here after work and there plenty of computer terminals for access to library members, with quite a good lending section on the ground floor and a useful coffee shop downstairs.