Tucked away up one of the side streets that connect Stirchley and Bournville, Stirchley library is…read morefairly small, with a not-that-massive selection of books and a few internet ready computers. One of the only points of novelty I can find about it is that it seems to have exactly the same frontage as the Selly Oak library (now closed) a few miles up the road. There's not a grand deal to talk about, but here's a couple of points about it that may be of interest to you. A fairly large segment of the books seem to be large print, and the children's section definitely looks like the sort of place that would interest little kids. There's probably not a lot of reason to visit this library if you don't actually live in Stirchley. This is probably down to budgeting issues. However, if you do live in the area, I'm sure this library will forefill your expectations of a local library.

For some reason when I have walked past this library before I have always thought it was closed. It…read morejust does not seem obviously open, unless it is just me being oblivious to the world around me! Anyway, after discovering it was in fact open, I decided to go in and take a look around as I am an avid reader and I like going into libraries as they are usually quiet and have a good selection of books. I noticed there they were a few computers inside, which is always handy if you are out and about but need to check something online or need to use a computer. The library itself is fairly small and they did not seem to have a great selection of books, there were not many staff or indeed members of the public inside, which was a bit sad. Overall, it was a fairly basic library.

I have been using Cannock library since moving here 5 years ago. At first it was very inviting with…read morehappy smiling and helpful staff. In recent times the library has been modernised with self service machines and fewer staff and in my opinion this is not a progressive move for the library. The few staff that are left spend their time chatting to each other without regard for library users and no longer give the impression that they are there to help. The books are not returned to the shelves correctly and often the alphabet restarts some way along which is annoying. The self service machines are shut down early so that staff go home on time and yesterday when my husband and I visited the library we were told that we couldn't access the adult area as they were preparing it for redecoration. I feel that again this could have been done outside library hours and not in library user time. On the whole Cannock library no longer gives a personal service to its users and is not welcoming.

Very friendly staff helped my children to use the library for the first time letting me sit back…read moreand watch. Great choice of children's books and multimedia and computer access upstairs for those who need it. Good opening hours with two late nights and Saturday opening too. Good occasional book sales as well.

I honestly thought libraries were meant to be quiet and peaceful so you could study or have serious…read moreplanning or paper work. I didn't realise it's a place where people just meet up to chat away. Staff visitors everywhere. There was even a meeting when I arrived, which is understandable if it's brief, however there was never one peaceful moment.

My local library always welcoming friendly and accommodating and the computer/printing service is…read moreinvaluable to the community.

This used to be my local library but I didn't visit all that often. I popped in recently and was…read moreastounded by the amount of activities they offer the local community. I'm sure if I still lived in Sheldon I'd be visiting every week. Yes this library still offers all the books, reference material and computers you'd expect but they haven't sat on their laurels and the staff really seem to understand both their current cliental and potential customers. Every Saturday from 2:30pm they offer a board games club followed by a console games exchange. They've understood that loads of people play video games and bring the community together to play swopsies; a genius idea in today's economic climate. Yes they have computers with internet access and even a computer club for those who need extra guidance but the building also has free wi-fi for library card holders - Sheldon Library is the future! They offer a Job Club if you need help with your CVs or job applications and have even extended this to an Enterprise Club. So, if you've had a good business idea and want to turn it into a career then these might be the people to start with.

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.

The craft gallery is located inside Bilston library in Mount Pleasant…read more The Gallery can be accessed from the main entrance, and is located through the doors straight ahead when you enter. The Gallery has many different exhibits that change within a few months, giving the gallery a lot of variety all the time. The Gallery heralds a lot of the Black Country artists and showcases both professional and amateur artwork. There is a museum attached to the gallery as well which takes you through a history of the black country. School visits are very popular in the gallery, but there are lots of times to visit when it is quiet and you can enjoy the wide range of art.

I have been coming here since the days of yardley wood secondary school! I really like it not the…read morebiggest selection of books but a fantastic building and great staff