Such a refreshing change, a local library that really is part of the community. Different areas…read morewith different things on offer including computers, children's library (including play area), cafe, even comfortable sofas for relaxing with friends or a good book. The upper floor offers a large community room that can be hired even out of library hours. The staff go out of their way to be friendly and helpful. Oh yes, and it's all housed in a unique building. Must be visited. =^..^=

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.

Offering a quiet, pleasantly spacious environment and a much broader range of books than its…read moreBoldmere, Kingstanding and Perry Common equivalents, this friendly public library is, in my opinion, one of the best in North Birmingham. The atmosphere inside is very relaxed, the staff are very helpful and the library's children's section is impressively large. A wide selection of large-print books and CDs are available (you don't see this often in a library!) and the genre-categorised aisles are wide and easy to browse. IT facilities aren't exactly brilliant and you're likely to have to wait around a while to gain access to one of the few computers dotted around, but state-of-the-art self-service machines cut down queues a s staff are very friendly.

I have always been able to go to the library and get both help and information whenever it was…read moreneeded the staff are so helpful and friendly and always do their very best to help and advise. Erdington would be a much deprived place without the library.

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.

A crashed computer sent me over to this public library for the first time since my school days…read more Without access to the internet, and feeling a bit lost, the staff here were brilliant in explaining how the system works. You'll need to be a registered member of Birmingham Libraries first, but once you are, the staff can set you up with access details and then it's as easy as 1,2,3. Be warned - there are time limits to your browsing, but if you just want to check your emails or do a little bit of research then this is perfect. Situated by a huge car park, the convenience is second to none. It's also perfectly accessible from Four Oaks train station. The library also houses an impressive selection of books, audio-books and DVDs to hire. There are also plenty of chairs dotted round in case you just can't wait to start reading your book before you get it home. They also have a small section of books for sale for those reads that are just too good to give back!

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

This is a lovely community library run by Birmingham City Council. It is attached to Walmley's…read moreCommunity Hall so it has a nice community feel about it. There is parking to the rear and a handy returns box if the library is closed. It is a shame that is closes over most lunch hours as this is often the time I am free to browse their selection. They offer lots of things for children including an under 5s story time and a homework club on Fridays. Monday 9-1 and 2- 5 Tuesday - CLOSED Wednesday 9-1 and 2- 5 Thursday 9am - 7pm Friday 9-1 and 2- 5 Saturday 9-1 and 2- 5

Olton library is a real gem. It is very small but the stock is in excellent condition and the…read morestaff are always friendly and helpful. They have a good collection of fiction paperbacks, non fiction work and an excellent children's range. As always as a library they have computers and offer limited free Internet access per day. They even loan jigsaws for some reason although I'm not sure how they check if you've returned it all! Upstairs are several meeting rooms that can be hired and the local councillors hold their advice surgeries there once a month.

I am a fan of libraries and visit them at least once a week, I have 4 libraries that I use Olton…read morelibrary being one of them. However, as helpful as the staff are and although it is quite a small library it does offer a good selection of books, my only problem with this library is the parking and lack there of. I have often gone to use this library but ended up going to the Hobs Moat library a few minutes away as it is usually easier to park on the road at the side. They have a story session for under 5s on a thursday at 2.30 for half an hour

This is an extremely friendly and homely library that offers a warm welcome to everyone that steps…read moreinside. The adult section is well stocked with both fiction, non fiction and reference books, there are also free newspapers to read. For adults they offer a family history group, job club and hold regular councillor surgeries. The children's library is a real find and one of the best in the areas. They have a huge amount of stock for the under 5s, school children and even a dedicated teenage fiction area. There are plenty of computers some dedicated for children's use only. They provide great story time sessions for ore school children and an amazing homework club for those a little bit older. And then there are the staff. They are all so friendly and helpful!

A nicely ran library where you can use the internet free of charge - they have one pc that you can…read moreuse whenever if it is free or you can book up sessions, all you need is the number on your library card. They have some dvds for rental at £2 a week, £1 for kids dvds. They also have a toy library on every other Tuesday which you can join for a small fee and borrow some toys for the two weeks. Good selection of books, they will also order in anything that is in a different library, they usually charge £1 for this.

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.