From the outside this library is a bit shabby and could do with a lick of paint, but once you get…read moreinside there are lots of different services such as a photocopying machine, computers which enable you to go on the Internet (I think you have to book that), DVDs that you can rent as well as the usual books to choose. It is very nice on the inside, it's just the outside that makes it look a bit uninviting.

Great surroundings. Large space. Everything you need from a library…read more Easy access, and hours. Love the exterior.

Not to be confused with the John Rylands Library on Deansgate, this library is located on the South…read morecampus of the University of Manchester and is a great place for students to find literature for their courses without having to pay the hefty prices of buying new texts from Blackwell's. I missed my library tour in fresher's week therefore I was always completely disoriented when it came to exploring this library. I mainly stuck to blue 2 and 3 where the books on languages and linguistics are kept, occasionally branching out to green or orange and getting lost in the labyrinth of corridors before finding somewhere to sit. I tended to avoid the library in exam time as the chaotic atmosphere and queues for the computers (when you really need to look something up and half the students are on facebook...grr) are irritating and not conducive to revision. The short loan section is on the ground floor and is really useful to find texts which have all been taken out in the normal library. I learnt to photocopy and return the texts straight away as the fines are hefty and soon mount up at £1 a day. You can then reward yourself with a coffee in the little café next door to that section. My favourite memory of the library was as part of a tutorial for my course when we got to go to into a special little room tucked away in a corner. The room was complete with a lady with white gloves who showed us some of the earliest forms of European printing including Gutenberg's Bible, which I think had been brought over from the other John Rylands library. Wow! If there's anything specialist and delicate that you'd like to see then you can make an appointment at the front desk.

The layout of this library is pretty similar to that of Chorlton Library and Didsbury Library - the…read moreonly thing that struck me about this library were the signs warning customers that thieves are in operation in the library. They were especially abundant in the wonderful little area where children can read and play. This upset me, as it was not something I had to worry about on my weekly trips to the library as a kid. So be careful. As it is a Manchester library, you can use the same library card as the Central Library and the other aforementioned libraries and expect the same facilities, eg one hour's free Internet use per day (although there are not as many PCs as in Chorlton Library so be prepared to wait). The library is generally quiet, but not silent, so it's a good place to work if you can no longer stand your housemates' music or you find yourself getting distracted by the Jeremy Kyle show, and you can't be bothered to trek to the University library or into town. In the entrance there is also a useful selection of leaflets about events and goings on at local theatres and museums, and a board which is generally used to advertise English/Spanish/guitar lessons.

I love the architecture of Withington Library alone never mind the mind altering contents…read more In fact this building was designed by Manchester's first city architect (Henry Price) who also designed Manchester's famous Victoria baths as well as Didsbury library a few miles down the road. I couldn't begin to describe it's true style, but it's frontage at least harks back to the classic Roman/Greek style (of course not on the scale of Manchester's main library). It has recently reopened after a 3 month refurbishment although, and perhaps rightly so, they haven't really done a great deal to it bar restore it's natural charm. If you look up as you enter the building you'll be treated to a wonderful glass dome above your head: in fact I've only just discovered this so whether it was 'reanimated' during it's recent clean up I'm not entirely sure. Inside they have an extensive section of computing; a large children's area; books available in many, many languages e.g. Arabic, Bengali, French, Gujarati, Persian, Polish, Chineseand others, easily creating for the area's large cross section of society. There is also a good computer suite (always busy!) for accessing the net and studying should you need to. I tend to hire my Murakami books here and if they don't stock the title you're after they'll take your details and order it in for you. As it happens a guy who works there is fellow Murakami fan so he's gotten most of his back catalogue for me. Alongside the books they have a fairly extensive music collection (mainly CD) and DVD & Video's again they'll order in anything you require (within reason : ) ). I found a bit of Philip Glass and Brain Dance electronica, next to the likes of Bach, Hip Hop and Sade (she always finds her way into libraries doesn't she?). I might even take up the offer of ordering in Lost which I gave up on Sky last yearif there's a cultural drought on I may just pop into the library and hire for a few weeks. Open till 8 most nights of the week but closes early afternoon on Thursday. There is a book reading group, a MP's surgery and various coffee mornings held there too.

I found this library very pleasant. :) They've done a wonderful job of using their space well and…read morepacking in a good selection of books. The history and travel sections are particularly good. They also have a good sized computer lab so you can check your email or get some research done. The only area I would say they could really use some work on is the children's section--there are only two very small shelves of children's books and the shelves are not full.

Stockport Central Lending and Reference library is located on the A6 (Wellington Road South) near…read moreGrand Central. It is a vast building filled to the rafters with every book on any topic you can imagine. It is the biggest library in Stockport. On the main floor you can nosey at all the books, use the internet for free (which you have to book in advance), browse the dvds and pick up information on classes and courses available in Stockport. Upstairs is the reference library which houses thousands of newspapers on film, maps, reference books, magazines and newspapers, and some wonderful historic books about Stockport. The staff are so helpful and will assist you to find any book you require. You can take out a library card and borrow up to 10 books at any time.

You could easily spend a day here. I love books and this library with its high ceiling is one i can…read morehighly recommend

Ormskirk Library is definitely without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best libraries I have been…read moreto apart from the fact that it is not the biggest. Inside appears modern, clean and has freindly staff to help you find the right books. There are also modern facilities to aid your experience, such as the self loan/check-in book machines. The computers are of great quality providing brilliant ergonomics to add to your comfort. As well as this, the lighting is fine and each book category is well noticeable with big signs denoting each section. Overall, I was impressed by the pleasant atmosphere as it wasn't too warm nor did it feel crammed or awkward when browsing in between aisles. A decent library and one worth keeping note of.

I have been a librarian in two vastly different libraries--one a massive university library in the…read moresouthern US, and one a tiny home town library in the northern US. I didn't like this library ... Here's why: While they are clean and well arranged, they do not offer a whole lot. I think it's a poor use of space the way they have arranged the shelves diagonally across the floor. They could have fit many more shelves in. There's no excuse for a library to NOT have certain books, especially if they have the space. Every library should carry certain classic novels like Jane Eyre, all of Jane Austen, all of Dickens, etc. All libraries should have certain children's books like Where the Wild Things Are, Grimms' and Anderson's fairy tales, etc. In short, every individual library should seek to provide the best possible selection of reading material on any given subject. Obviously this can't be achieved in every tiny detail--but I think this library could do a lot better than it does. Work on it ... It needs it.

The only other person to write a review is grossly overexaggerating probably out of some sort of…read morebias. It simply isn't as bad as they made it out to be. It's a centre used by teens, adults and most often children considering that it's located next to a primary school and baby centre. It's a small and comfortable library, with a great children's area with jigsaws, colouring activities and great books. It's obviously not going to be some huge and grand library because it's just a presumably poorly funded council library located on a main street. It fulfils exactly what it says it does. But for what it is it's a great little library. It's got pretty much all of your basic needs. The other person is just a little snob who probably doesn't even live in the area. If you like books, comfortable lighting and sofas, free WIFI and computers, very cheap printing, you'll probably like this library. Also, why are you coming to a predominantly children's library for its political books? Obviously it won't have a great selection. The rest of the genres are well fulfilled though, I've taken out quite a few books and loved them. The fiction here is great :) (the staff maybe could be a little nicer, but it's in the middle of council estates. it's kind of our thing)

What an amazing and historic landmark! I would recommend anyone tour through the Library. The…read morearchitecture is beautiful and the rare manuscripts and artifacts they house are incredible. They are having a special display of one of Shakespeare's plays, one of the oldest New Testaments, even artifacts from King Nebuchadnezzar's palace. They will all be on display which will be quite amazing to see. This is a must see in Manchester! Truly amazing how it has stood the test of time.

Love spending time in libraries while on holiday (vacation) Stunning late-Victorian neo-Gothic…read morelibrary , John Rylands Library opened at the turn of the 20th century and is a gorgeous remnant of Manchester. Potter-heads would appreciate the look and feel inside the library is inspired the design for Hogwarts. I'm not sure if the Factory Records exhibit is still on display, but I'm a huge fan of Factory Records bands (ie. New Order, Joy Division, Happy Mondays etc.) and bands that came out of Manchester, the Smiths, James, Buzzcocks, The Fall to name few. It was an experience seeing original handwritten lyrics, instruments played, old punk zines, photos and badges on display.