Birkenhead Library, opened in 1934, is a pretty impressive building. It is looking a little tired…read morelately and could do with a bit of attention, but it is beautiful nonetheless. The library is one of 24 on the Wirral and offers a substantial number of books as well as an extensive media section. There are a number of computers with free internet access to library members. As I have a couple of local libraries within walking distance, as well as my univeristy and the city's central library in town, I tend not to use Birkenhead Library for academic purposes, however, on occasion, this has been the only library around which has a required text in stock. As well as this the archive and local history section are quite extensive and have proved useful to my genealogical research. One of my main reasons for visiting, for example was to view the book of rememberance, kept in the foyer, which contans the lists of local men lost in the war, my great uncle is amongst the names. The library is open until 8 o'clock every day, including Sunday. CLOSED WEDNESDAYS

Birkenhead Central Library has always been a place where I could relax,meander among the books,pick…read moreup this,pick up that. My son lived there when he was studying for his various exams. Now a grown man he often speaks of The Central Library with deep affection and gratitude. Since the building has been improved with many nice touches,especially the comfort of the foyer and decent toilets it is somewhere to shed the hustle and bustle and cares of the world. I am a Friend of the Library and admire the work the staff put in to provide interesting talks and ethnic days. It is a gem. To even think of closing it would be a crime against the people of Birkenhead.

We took part in a walking tour of Liverpool with a wonderful guide and were lucky to have had an…read moreextended stop here in the Liverpool Central Library. What a gorgeous place with so much history! When you look at the building from the outside, you would never know, like many other sites in Liverpool, it was hit by firebombs during the blitz in 1941. Most of the inside had to be rebuilt with the exception of a couple well-preserved victorian-styled rooms. The damaged areas initially were rebuilt in a very uninviting way: having few windows, it was very dark so it was difficult to read the very books it held! The library had a make-over and re-opened in 2013 with lots of windows in a gorgeous, bright atrium with interesting Harry Potter-like stairways. We toured a special room which held extremely rare books including the The Birds of America by John James Audubon which is on display and features life-sized hand colored prints - one of the most expensive books in the world! We also toured the Picton Reading Room which was supposedly designed so that its unique acoustics can send a whisper echoing around the entire space. If I lived in Liverpool, I would be spending a lot of time at this library!

I've always loved this building ever since I moved to Liverpool in 1999 but since it's renovation…read morefrequenting this place has become even more of a pleasure. It's main central section (which is on four floors), bathed with light from the magnificent domed, glass roof above, is beautifully laid out and draws one in to look closer at the stacks and special displays. But the real delight (in my opinion) is to the right as you walk into the building, namely the Hornby Library, Oak Room (housing the famous and incredibly valuable Audubon's 19th 'Birds of America' illustrated book - well worth a look along with several other precious items in this area) and Picton Reading Room which is without doubt one of the most beautiful spaces in Liverpool. The children's library, housed underneath the Picton Reading Rooms, is also wonderful - a really great place to take your little ones for some cerebral stimulation. The icing on the cake of this stunning building however is the roof terrace on the fourth floor, accessible to everyone. The views are simply breathtaking, particularly on a sunny day. And the added bonus? There's a nice, spacious Costa coffee area to the left on the ground floor and a delightful outdoor terrace looking out over William Brown Street and St John's Garden's where you can read your chosen book and sip a very pleasant latte or cup of tea in the sunshine. Liverpool at its best? Without doubt.

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.

This little local library is fairly well packed with books. I think they've done a really good job…read moreof labelling everything as well so that both those who know the Dewey Decimal system and those who don't can easily find their books--by number or by subject. I thought they had a decent range of craft books as compared with most small libraries, though most of them were knitting and embroidery books, which don't interest me that much. The general fiction section was decent, as was the children's section. Definitely a good small local library, and also worth a visit for those of us who have Liverpool library cards and like to pick up random books at one library and drop them back off at Central when we are done. ;)

Even though Formby library isn't my nearest library, it's by far my favourite. It has a lovely…read moreatmosphere and a great selection of books and I always leave with a bag full. The staff are always helpful, friendly, polite and nothing is too much trouble. It's spacious, welcoming and comfortable and also a huge plus is that it offers ample parking space. The only criticism I have is, as I'm a huge fan of short stories I think it would be helpful if there was a short stories section as I find it difficult to locate this type of book, but in saying that, that's my only minus about this brilliant little library.

Spellow Lane Community Library is an average library hosting an adequate range of books as well as…read morefree internet access with a limited log-on time. It has recently been newly refurbished and full marks for it too. This library would perhaps appeal more to the younger generation as it contains a lot of children's books thus for the parent and child, its ideal and also easy to locate amongst a busy main road. Children would benefit from most of their facilities and take advantage of their audio books and CD/DVD collection which can be loaned for a small fee depending on the type. Books are also available to read in large print which may be ideal for some. A small library, albeit a fairly average one but great for children.

Walton Library is not the biggest of libraries but still hosts a wide range of books to suit all…read morebackgrounds including children's books too. It has free access to computers with internet access where you can spend limited time on PC's before you must log in once again. The library itself has had a new facelift and the ergonomics of the layout are much better than many years ago. The building can easily be accessed for wheelchairs as there is an outdoor ramp and car parking is available on the side street for public use. Overall, this is a decent and peaceful library as you can hardly hear any outdoor traffic because of its soundproof windows. Make sure you make the most out its resources.

I used to live practically around the corner from Walton Library, so even though it's not the best…read morelibrary around, I did visit it frequently for the sake of convenience. They do have a fairly sizeable children's section, a usually quiet reading area, computers for Internet use, and an interesting section of local history books. They also tend to regularly have a trolley of books for sale, which was another main attraction for me. I managed to get a Jeeves and Wooster omnibus for 50 pence, as I recall, as well as several other great finds. The books are on a self-check-out system, the first I'd ever seen, though I'm sure this is becoming more common. Usually the system works, but on occasion it causes problems and you'll need to go to the desk. All of the libraries in the Liverpool system are connected, so if you can't find what you want at one, you can have books ordered in on loan from other libraries around the city. Also, if you live in Liverpool, library cards are free for any library in the city.

Breck Road Library is a very nice library.As you walk in there is roughly about 20 computers that…read moreyou can use to go onto the internet.The library itself is very clean and tidy it even has a public toilet.The only problem i think is that it doent have that many books compared to other librarys.The staff are very helpful and a very nice to my children when they come in with me.They have many clubs that come and use the library including jobclub and childrens book club when you can bring your child in on a certain day and someone would read them a story.I would give this library 8/10 very good but not enough

Not a bad library, as mentioned in another review great services but lacking in the book selection…read more Not a single geology or fossil book to be found! Helpful staff and always clean and quiet.