Shiverpool Review

The Library itself deserves five stars. It carries a fantastic collection for my studies and (if you arrive early for first pickings) has quiet spaces to settle in for an entire day. I cannot fault any of the facilities and the quirky mixture of old and new is a splendid treat - nothing beats mulling around the Hornby Library and Oak Room during my breaks. Alas, I firmly dislike the cold nature of the staff I have encountered. They are set on avoiding interaction with some visitors at all costs and actually make me feel quite uncomfortable when it comes to needing anyone on duty for enquiries or help. Every time I have approached the counter to ask a question, I am usually just spoken over as they assume they know what I want or am dismissed as they claim busyness - even when there is no one else in sight. Eventually, I tend to give up and will walk away without the help I had sought out. This jump to the gun attitude really puts me off, and I feel as though the increasingly technology-forward environment they have set up just presents a precedent for the public to see to themselves and not bother their all-day social break.

Furthermore, I also disapprove of the rapport the staff appear to be willing to build with older regulars that literally results in open mockery of younger users. I wouldn't mind the mockery so much if anyone behind the counter could bear to offer me five minutes to speak, and could perhaps refrain from labelling me as, what feels like, a "time-waster" - I guess that's one way to get rid of me!

Having said that, I will still visit for the amenities until I have finished my studies.

Impeccable dining room reference..in other world..where it is a pleasure to study !!! also at the bar you can enjoy fantastic shortbreads ..

Great library with helpful staff and access to computers and a wide range of literature. The building is incredible and has a really unique design, well worth a walk through if you're in the area.

The library provides free power and Wi-Fi so you can work. You need to enter your name and email address to the network.
The network is somewhat limited. Specifically, port 5003 is blocked (used by FileMaker).

Really GORGEOUS!
Entry is also free .. Not to be missed.

Good place to visit for a peace of mind, to relax read, study and borrow books. As well as having computers for public use, you are able to use your own device and get access to free wi-fi, although be warned that you may have to request for the wi-fi password, I had to do this in order to use my tab, the staff are very accommodating and will assist you. There are ports on some of the tables to connect your device.
On the ground floor there are very comfortable seated areas where you can purchase refreshments hot and cold drinks, packed snacks or fresh cakes. It is a very small shop so don't expect it to be like Greggs, it is sufficient and pleasant for it's surroundings. And most importantly there are abundance in literature available for every "flavour"!!! Oh yes and let us not forget that they have disabled access and toilets which are kept clean regularly by the cleaners, so overall it is a very clean and pleasing atmosphere!

Fantastic, genealogy ,information available,
Cafe, bit over priced, but overall really great library ,old & new!

Huge modern library, terrace on top, free entrance to visit, nice design combining new and old, internet access, lots of sitting/reading/studying places. 24h book return outside

One of the most awesome libraries I have ever been! A pleasure to visit all the halls and exhibitions there. Highly recommended!

Such a wonderful library, so sleek and modern but with a beautiful outside aesthetic.

Not to mention the smell inside of the books is wonderful, I could spend hours in here and I plan on it.

A place that you should not miss if you come to Liverpool. Go up to the viewpoint.

Impressive place, really good equips, not the most new books.
Policy os silence si rubbish.

If you just want to spend some time surrounded by old books and maybe enjoy a chat with the person by you, or maybe you want an excuse to flirt, this is you library.
Definitely not for students

Breathtaking place, Picton reading room definitely a place you should visit in the library.

Beautiful library and friendly staff. Very recommended to drop by.

Brilliant place to work, plenty of books and a beautiful public rooftop terrace with a unique view of the City. A most visit for any tourist and local alike.

This is such an amazing place!! We visited on a rainy Sunday, expecting to just have a look around. We ended up staying for hours! There's 5 floors split into various sections. The top floor is slit into meeting rooms with an outdoor section, which gives amazing views over Liverpool. The very bottom is dedicated to children, with every book imaginable. There's loads of comfy places to sit here where you can curl up with your little ones and read. Toilets on all floors.

Amazing place for books lovers. Four or five floors, lots of computers available, good Costa coffee on the first floor, beautiful combination of old and modern architecture depending on the room you are. Nice view of Liverpool from the opened terrace. Worth the visit!

An awesome place. It is an old building on the outside but modern on the inside and with a reading room that leaves you with your mouth open. Highly recommended to visit.

Library with such a nice view of Liverpool at the rooftop.

Very good place to visit and / or read for a while.
In the best area of downtown Liverpool.

I don't like the staff. They are stressed and unfriendly. And there is a veeeery bad organisation of the books. You never find what you are looking for in the sector it's supposed to be. The closing time is too early and the books are too few. The only thing I like is the reading room which is very very nice and quiet.

Some great workspaces and always a pleasant environment. It can be a little busy but it's always worth a visit, particularly the round reading room.

Repulsive humans....

I can't believe I just saw a woman changing a baby's nappy on a computer desk. As well as students eating crisps and nugat bars at keyboards. There's a park outside and baby changing in the toilets . Durh.....

Picton reading rooms fantastic but love the whole library.

I dropped here purposely to see the incredible interior after checking out reviews. I was not disappointed. I m fact I m so envious of those who can access the facilities at the drop of a hat. It s modern, it s Georgian and highly technical with old fashioned charm. You can happily use this as your hideaway all day.

Old and new come together in this superb library, with workspaces, computers, cafe and books - thousands of books.

Liverpool Central Library has re-opened after being closed for some time for a massive renovation. Two extensions from the 60s and 70s have been demolished; the Picton Reading Room and the Hornby Library have been restored; and the central space completely re-figured. The re-figuring has been done in a very modern and attractive way, with a four storey Atrium and a roof top viewing terrace. The whole is extremely attractive and impressive. There is also a small cafe with indoor and outdoor seating and access to all levels via escalators and lifts. It is well worth a visit and should make Liverpool very proud.

Fantastic modern library with a full range of public services. Walk through the main entrance and see the fantastic view from the ground floor all the way up the centre of the building up to the top of the atrium.

On the ground floor to the right is the children's library, Discover, the old international library renovated and restored so original architecture can be seen. Events are held here on occasion as well such as music gigs.

On the first floor above the children's library entrance is the main attraction. The Picton library is inspired by the round library at the British Museum. A must see.

Through the Picton is access to the Hornby Library, where the library main exhibitions are held, and if no exhibitions are on there will be rotating displays including the original charter of Liverpool. Off to the side is the Oak Room where the gorgeous Birds of America book by Audubon is on display.

On the third floor are the archive and research stations where you can view microfilm or ask for help searching the vast collection of the Record Office.

On the fourth and top floor are meeting rooms which can be rented and access to the roof terrace giving a good view of the city.

Beautiful Library Impressive architecture where the old and the modern combine. It is well worth visiting and enjoying it.

Great selection of books, great new architecture and attentive staff. Well worth a visit

This is a really beautiful library. Throughout my secondary school years, it has been an extremely useful place too. I have many memories of being at this place and as a young teenager who didn't know much about navigating life, I was able to sign myself up with my own library card thanks to helpful staff.

The library's design is photogenic and beautiful to see, especially the Picton reading room. While I haven't read any books from the Picton room, it's certainly fascinating to see the variety of books they have, and to witness history in the form of old books. The architectural design of the room is also stunning.

There's many floors to the library, providing such a wide range of books. Apart from the book selection, it has also been very useful as a public space, somewhere I used to come a lot whenever I needed to study for exams. The view from the roof is beautiful and somewhere relaxing to be when taking a break. The library even works as a social space, with the game area being a place I have met up with friends before.

This is definitely somewhere to visit for anyone who is ever in Liverpool.

Magnificent library It is worth taking 10 min to visit inside.

A great location a wide selection of books and other facilities and a cafe! Great place to relax and unwind losing yourself in a good book or just checking your emails and stopping by for a few games on the Xbox.

Extremely helpful staff. Be sure to study/take a look in the Picton Reading Room when you vist - quite impressive.

Absolutely fantastic. If you're visiting Liverpool, the library may not sound like a good place to visit but it totally is! Not only is it a good place study, it's also a great place from an architectural point of view. It is a gorgeous and delightful blend of old and new. A must see in Liverpool.

Thorough selection of books, wonderfully revamped architecture. I would like to live near this library.

A good mix of new and old with lots of free events on

Great, modern facilities and a wide variety of books.

A fantastic library for many reasons but not least the Picton room with its domed interior, and the children's area/performance space.

It is quite a shock to view the grey 'classical' exterior of the building and then to go inside the brilliantly lit 'ultra-modern' Interior. A Liverpool experience.

Amazing building. We only popped in cos the museum toilets were closed temporarily! But a really nice building, obviously well used and respected.

Spectacular library inside and out with ample opening hours, numerous Internet stations available and a cafeteria inside (on the ground floor).

It has two reading rooms, with the superior ideal for working with your laptop, although the visit of tourists is common.

In recent years they have made a major reform. On the top floor it is possible to access its terrace, where you can enjoy the views of downtown Liverpool.

Since being done up, this is one of the most downright beautiful buildings in the city. Great view from the top, too!

One of my favorite places in the city of Liverpool. Free WiFi and computer use. The amount of times I have used the library to help me study and look for work over the years has made a huge difference to my life. The quiet room is exceptionally beautiful. They often have interesting exhibitions for adults and shows for kids during the holidays. Given that's it's near the art gallery a d museum I would recommend to anyone visiting Liverpool. Only negative is the personal hygiene of some of the visitors mean that you might have to swap seats.

Historical buildings are gathered together, and it seems that this is a separate space. This is a favorite area where you can feel as if you are time slipping.
The building is very clean and comfortable. It is a comfortable library with old design and modern services.

Wonderful place to study with or without your computer in Liverpool.

came from the Midlands to search for family history and could not view original records in search room as they were booked up for a couple of day - even though i saw only a couple of people in search room and I explained I was on a day visit, thinking they may have squeezed me in for an hour - but no
Also they said I needed to know which churches I was looking as those were the only records I could view for but if one is doing family history for 1st time how would you know the churches?
good email contact but not very helpful on the help desk and search room desk unfortunately - more search facilites for people on day visits with no appointment would be good

Beautiful building, lots of great resources and a wonderful place to do work in.

The most beautiful library I have ever been to, especially the modern stairs going up in the middle of the library, it s definitely worth going up them to the top and looking over Liverpool from the rooftop balcony. The old part of the library is also such a beautiful and one of a kind place!

A big library with a cafe inside. Free entry for all. There is a large section for kids of all ages.

I work here. I know I'm staff but it's a truly beautiful place. We do our best to give you all the service you would expect from a library like this. The picton reading room and Hornby library and oak rooms are a must we also have computers on floor 1 but please bare in mind that these are very busy.

Took my 8 year old to research her Ancient Egypt project only to find that there was a magic show on, not just once but 4 times. The noise and screaming was deafening and my daughter was completely unable to concentrate. There was not a single seat free in the entire adult library due to students, not using the books for research but on their own laptops. Ended up spending a fortune on photocopying and brought the work home to do. Apparently this is every day of every school holiday. We won't be returning.

Beautiful building holding a community hub, museum of the area, and library. Highlights include a Cathedral-like reading room, exhibitions on the history and culture of Liverpool, and a room dedicated to natural history and ornithology which includes an original copy of Audubon's 'Birds of America'. Few non-capital cities are privileged to have a library this extensive. Highly recommend a visit.

Besides the great facilities, very helpful and polite cleaning staff! They were great whilst helping me find my charger. Big thanks!

This is a great library with plenty of space. I think it's sadly under-utilised and would love to see it become more popular. It's free, and there's so much knowledge contained within.

I used to go here some weekends to chill out, or to look through the microfiche and find old local 2nd team football results for my old man, who couldn't make it down himself.

Beautiful, big selection of books, lots of events.

The space inside has amazing lighting, the architecture is beautiful even though as the stairs are confusing, the last floor has a balcony with an amazing view and the places inside are so beautiful and so different from all the other libraries I ve been in my life! Definitely will visit in the future

Amazing discovery room for families with kids of any age