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.

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.

This is what a real library should feel like, it's barely changed since I last visited as a kid…read moresome 20 years ago as a child - even the leaflets rack is in the same place and looks suspiciously like the same one! I love the large entrance as you walk in because it makes visiting the library feel like a proper special occasion, the check in/out counter is in keeping with the decor of the building and so is everything in the place. This has a lovely peaceful air inside, the acoustics of the building means it has a very hushed quality which takes me back to the days of the librarian who really would tell you to 'shhhhhhh!'. The selection of books is excellent, this library is bigger inside than it looks from the road and is literally crammed with bookshelves and racks. If I'm looking for a particular book I can usually find it, or if it's not available then reserving a copy is an easy process and they rarely take long to become available. I like the childrens area because it's fairly enclosed so I can safely leave my older girls' in there while I browse the adults books. Sometimes I'll let them watch the baby in there and show her some books, but she's a mummys girl and soon gets rid of the hushed atmosphere I was telling you about earlier when she notices I'm gone! The non fiction section is fantastic and I often find something to pique my interest; everything from books about American literature, a biography of Charles Darwin, introductions to knitting and cookery books are available. I find it a fascinating area of the library and if I happen to be in there without the kids then I'll pick something interesting and sit down to have a read - if it interests me then I'll book it out, if not it's five minutes wasted in a lovely environment.

Kings Norton Library is only a little library but facilitates a lot. They have a cute little…read morechildren's area with a wide variety of books for children to read, enjoy and learn from. The seating area within the children's space is fun, colourful and enticing for any child. The seats are really comfortable too! They also supply various computers for your use, a large mature reading section and a great supply of novels and informative reads for teenagers too. When Kings Norton Library was my local amenity, I would go here all the time to enjoy the peace and quiet they have to offer whist getting lost in a good novel. Come to think of it, I really miss going to Kings Norton Library and I will most likely go out of my way to venture there again soon.

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

Coventry main libery and is my number one place to loan books from…read more All books that i have used have been kept to a good standered and its impressive the range of books they have of offer. I myself like books on nature and the wild and some of the books i found were to me uterally amazing. They have such a range on all types of books, and they also have the computers which can be handy for doing a bit of work.

The central library is huge having obviously hundreds of thousands of books available. As others…read morehave said they are kept to a really good standard. Inside i am always suprised as to just how quiet it is. But due to its vast size im sure any sounds just dissipate. Some of the lighting if i remember correctly is very orangy, weird becasue it doesnt actually affect your reading. They also offer computers which you can use for a small aount of money. They also offer rental of some cd's and dvd's too which is a great addtion. If your into books or need to do research this is the place for you!

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.

I've added a photo as before long all will change! sigh…read moreThere are plans to move and update the library. Whether this willbe positive or not, I will let you know. As with most other reviewers her, this library holds so many memories! I went weekly as a child; my children went twice weekly when they were young; and I went every night when I was doing my degree! xx

Whenever I'm away, this is the place I miss the most. I can't wait to get back there at the…read moreweekend! It's a smallish library, but there's a great selection of books, and a good study area with all the reference books to hand. The computer terminals are all internet connected, you just need to get yourself a password. You're only allowed an hour online if there's a queue (and there often is), but hey it's free! The librarians are always friendly and helpful too. The only thing that's missing is Sunday opening and a coffee shop. ;-)

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

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.

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!?