Even if you're not a registered library user for Birmingham this library is worth a visit. Due to…read moreundergo some restoration and expansion the architecture of this library is captivating and there are still great original features inside. The staff at this library are committed to their community and regularly run family history events to help you with your genealogy.

It's a lovely looking library from the outside. It's one of those buildings which has most of its…read moretraditional features which makes the place more unique and vibrant. I'm a fan of period buildings so that's why I find the Bloomsbury Library a treasure. A lover for books, this library has some books which I hadn't managed to find in the main Central Birmingham Library; so I was advised to visit this one to take a look at their book stock. I was pleased to find that the one book I'd been looking for by an African American author was present. I'd been looking for this book for over 5 months, so it was a relief to finally gain access to it. Since then I've continuously checked if they have other books which I can't find from other libraries. Not always successful, I still like visiting the place once in a while.

This place will never change! I used to go here when I was little and recently visited to see if…read moreanything has improved but nothing. It is still the same, rude staff who act very arrogantly if they are better than someone who has just walked in. No hello or a smile, old books etc. Give this a place amiss!

I've always found this building stunning in it's Victorian, gothic design and whilst it's new Tesco…read moreneighbour has provided the library with some benefits it also makes me really sad how joined they are. You can no longer use the original front entrance and so you don't get the same sense of grandeur upon entry through those big arched doors. Instead you enter through Tesco via the super accessible push a button to open doors that make you feel stupid when you can't also just open them by approaching them. Despite these gripes it is still a stunning library. It still has an old counter desk with partition and rather than overly bright strip lighting there is cosy lights over hanging the book cases. This enhances the aesthetic of the building and the beautiful stained glass windows. As the library is so small you feel like you are exploring a little bookshop, one with hidden surprises of a proper coat stand, comfy armchair and oversized tall chair. With books in an array of languages, easily signposted, as well as an upstairs for activities and a toddlers club it is a great little library that feels inviting.

Springhill Library I…read morereturned to Springhill Library to find that shock horror! It had been merged somehow with a Tesco's! Now walking through the joint entrance I was struck by the smell of Donuts, and very nearly followed my nose into the food colussus. Returning to my intended destination I found myself in the tranquil setting of this charming little building with high ceilings and original fixtures. Returning my slightly overdue books I had the chance to look around and soak up the atmosphere and found it to be a very nice place to sit and take in some literature.

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.

I quite like Smethwick library and the only reason i say quite like is because the staff can be…read moresuper scatty and less than helpful. As a library that's had a large refurb through the Big Lottery fund you can expect it to be a bit shinier than others. It was the first library in Sandwell to have a community cafe in it and it's pretty good. It's cheap for a cuppa and has local cafe sandwich fare to eat. The important thing to remember is that is ran by and for the local community. The best thing about the library isn't the books and the building itself isn't the most exciting or beautiful of old libraries but it has large meeting rooms that are free of charge for community groups and the voluntary sector to use. For this reason there is often a timetable full of stuff going on with some of it open to the public whilst others are for closed groups. If you are a regular hirer of the space though don't expect to be able to store anything there as there just isn't the room. As a library they have a large number of computers stations and a newspaper section as well as the books you'd expect to find.

Sorry Smethwick Library!! I owed them a couple of books and only recently gave them back. I didn't…read moremean to do this but I completely forgot about returning the books back to the library. The staff themselves actually really understood when I told them about my situation. I did have a huge bill to pay but I paid it, just so that I could go back to being on great terms with them. This library is also a hub for doing other things, like doing work in and they have other activities and reading groups which take place there. They have a large selection of books and facilities to use. However, out of all the community libraries I don't think this one is the best. It's not that spacious and I don't find it that welcoming as much as other community libraries. I always find it a little louder than some other libraries, so I don't spend much time in there because of that.

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!?

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.

As Birmingham Central Library closes its doors as we patiently wait for the birth of Birminghams…read morenew library I am constantly on the hunt for librarys that will provide me with the books and resources I need to support my studies. Tower Hill is small, friendly and local and good for families, however they are limited in the times they are open but try the best they can to meet your needs. There is an IT suite, access to a toilet and on road parking outside.

A great local library that has plenty of books in it. The staff are super helpful everytime you…read morevisit. They have a few computers with internet on, a photocopying machine and study area - so everything you would expect and want from a library. Its open everyday except on a Wednesday, and on Tuesday its open until 7pm.

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.

Libraries are one of my favourite places and I pop into this little one any time I find myself in…read moreHarborne. It's at one end if the High Street but happily close to Waitrose so it works well for me. Because I'm used to the central library being my local, it feels I've stepped back in time to the sort of library I had at school when I step into Harborne. However, it does have everything you need as apart from fiction it has decent sections of most non-fiction genres and a few large print books too, CDs and newspapers. Sometimes I find a shelf of old books for sale and there is an array of information about the local area and great staff that help you out. Delightfully, you do have to still speak to staff as unlike central library, they haven't got the automated desks! The downside is they close at 5pm (except late night on Thursdays) but at least there is a library.

I can't get to this library as often as I used to go there before but when I did go there a few…read moretimes, I was a fan of the library. It's especially great for spending a couple of hours having a snoop through all the good reads and locking yourself into a great read. I'd advise you to leave a few hours spare to get the best experience as possible. It's got a brilliant children's library in there, so for those with children living in the Harborne area or close to the library then it's somewhere you should visit. There's all the useful equipment to help your children with homework and there are computer services for you to use. Like most libraries it does what it's meant to do. The librarians are friendly, they have some fantastic books and they offer events/workshops/activities within the community that are exciting and enjoyable for the whole family.