If libraries are to have any kind of shelf-life in the future, then West Bromwich is going about it…read moreroughly the right way. This library (the main one for the Sandwell district) was refurbished last summer and has definitely benefited from the changes. Once you're inside the tall, imposing old building, the layout is bright and spacious. There are plenty of places to sit, lots of newspapers dotted around, a couple of vending machines and of course lots of books. I had a browse through the fiction and biography sections and saw plenty of interesting titles both old and new. My only two complaints are that there is a television pumping out News 24, which is really distracting; not to mention needless. I know libraries aren't the havens of silence they once were, but seriously?! The other quibble is that the CDs, of which there are a decent amount, are in no order at all so if you wanted to look for anything specific to name or genre, you'd be screwed. So overall, good but just a few nuts to tighten.

Cannot fault this place. They have done well in todays world of Tory cuts to all our loved…read moreservices. It is a pleasant place to visit and I always find the staff going the extra mile to help both in the library itself and when I call them on the phone. Use it or lose it guys

Sandwell Central Library is the biggest Libraries in the borough and boasts the largest and most…read morevaried range of stock in the local borough. It is a massive Library to say the least but there is definitely something for everyone at Sandwell Central Library. I have only been here on a small number of occasions and there were times where I did get lost in the Library. However I have enjoyed being here and it is a place where you certainly can get peace and quiet. The Learning Centre at the Library offers free public access to the internet via a large number of computers, study guides and careers information. So if you do need advice about getting on the job ladder, there will be staff at the Library who will be happy to help you out. The latest bestsellers, blockbusters and classic films on DVD, a variety of newspapers and magazines, local and family history books as well as books on CD are some of the items you will find. Sandwell Central Library is worth a visit and there are books for all ages and tastes.

this is a big libary with plenty of choice and internet connetions as wellread more

The Library is situated right next to the Hill Top Community Centre. It might not be the biggest of…read moreLibraries but there is something for everyone and the Library offers many popular titles. Having attended Hill Top Library since my early childhood days, I am already familiar with the Librarians that are currently working there. Without question the staff are very friendly and they will answer your questions/queries without any hesitation. Hill Top Library is accessible for disabled users and there are books for all ages. The latest booksellers, books on CD's as well as DVD's for children are some of things you will find at the Library. And that's not all. There is free access to the Internet and email as well as printing facilities being available. You can also get support with homework and have access to online information resources.

If for outside Great Barr is a very inexpressive building, inside it's a neat and very cosy place…read moreto make your studies and researches. With very modern standings, this library looks like a bookstore and the well organised titles just make life easy for students and people who frequent the locale. The modern space is a result of a recently refurbishment in the place. They have a full wheel chair access, free internet for the users and some really nice activities for the children such as under 5 years story times. An excellent service that bring the community together. The staff is really friendly and helpful anytime.

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.

If libraries give us power, then someone needs to stick 50p in the meter at Oldbury Library…read more It's not the staff, it's not even particularly the books because there's a broad and well-stocked amount of novels. It's just that the place lacks heart somehow. It's not what a real library should be. Just having books doesn't make a library any more than kicking a ball doesn't make me Lionel Messi (or even Lionel Richie). From the outside, it looks impressive. Well, that's not difficult in Oldbury - a town seemingly as devastated by ill-thought out redevelopment as the poor souls are by the cans of Special Brew they hang around the bus-stops clutching. The problem is that the library itself takes up approximately a quarter of the building it inhabits. The first time I ever walked in I quickly found myself thinking 'is this it?' Now let's be realistic, no-one's expecting Birmingham Central Library here - even the one that's shutting down. Well, I'm not anyway, but surely a town such as Oldbury deserves sufficient resources to be able to have more books than can fit in more than one fairly small room. Apart from the novels, the remaining shelves are filled up with random selections of books that often seem to be there to make up the numbers. It's as if by having a handful of music biographies and one or two sheet music books they can say 'we've got a varied music section'. One sad thing is the lack of human interaction. To get a book out at Oldbury, you're encouraged to use the self-service machine. If you're unfamiliar, this works exactly the same as the supermarket ones, only without unexpected items constantly turning up in the bagging area. In my experience, library staff can either be lovely human beings or self-important snobs. I couldn't tell you what the staff in Oldbury are like because I've never had chance to interact. This happens in libraries all over the West Midlands - it's almost as if a librarian's job is now to show you how to use the self-service machine so that you never have to speak to them again. I've got a book out from there at the second (a Paul Weller biography if you must know), maybe I should deliberately return it when it's overdue so I can see what the staff are like as I pay my 12p fine? One possible upside to Sandwell Libraries (of which Oldbury is one) is that one can get up to thirty books out at any one time. Now, I must say I've never tried reading thirty books in one month, but unless you own, or desire to need, a pair of very thick and strong spectacles and have an addiction to coffee or pro-plus; you're not going to want or be physically able to get through that amount of books. Even my housebound, bookworm Nan couldn't do that! If you think you could though, you'll love it - although you might burn out the self-service machine. It comes down to this: If you want to borrow the odd book to read here and there, Oldbury might have it and it'll probably a nice, neat modern copy. If you want somewhere you can lose yourself in, maybe sit and read or research or do your homework/coursework/housework/account fiddling, somewhere that's some kind of focus for the community; Oldbury isn't your best option. However flash the new building, it's like my fridge at the sec - there's not really much in there.

Whilst I prefered the old libary the renovation is fresh . Like the self service machines . Libary…read moreis well stocked .

i dont mind this library staff are nice very clean and if you are after a book they are most…read morehelpful so yes i like this library

great library plenty of choice and parkingread more

Excellent public library with a vast selection of books plus a reasonable range of DVD's and CD's…read more Superb computer suite too. However, more effort could be made to keep the books in some semblance of alphabetical order on the shelves.