Manchester Central Library Reviews Summary

Category: Public library

Address: St Peter's Square, Manchester, M2 5PD, United Kingdom

Phone: +441612341983

Rating: 4.7
based on 152 reviews.

Building and Architecture

Pros:

  • "The building itself is really beautiful and is worth a visit."
  • "This old public library has been beautifully restored."
  • "It's a fantastic building, both inside and out."
  • "A fabulous, historical, circular building in central Manchester well served by tram."
  • "The architecture in/out is stunning."
  • "It is a true architectural gem."
  • "Manchester Central Library was open in 1934 and is a big part Manchester unique heritage and history."

Cons:

  • "They took out some of its most defining characteristics and now there is NO SOUL."
  • "I am extremely disappointed in how they have done a butchery of the original internal architecture."
  • "Given the vast sums spent on refurbishing Manchester Central Library, I'm surprised that no money was spent on double glazing the windows."

Staff and Service

Pros:

  • "Staff increased. Polite, friendly, helpful, professional."
  • "Staff are very polite and happy to Help and they sanitise all the books."
  • "Staff are very helpful too."
  • "Friendly and helpful staff - lovely cafe staff too! Thank you!"
  • "All the staff were helpful and friendly with directions around the building."
  • "The staff are extremely helpful and there is a nice café inside too."
  • "The library staffs are all very nice and friendly."

Cons:

  • "It's almost like my complaint has invoked attempts at taunts by staff."
  • "This lady don’t deserve this seat. Please check this old lady behaviour."
  • "Staff like to show their power."
  • "I asked the librarian at the information desk for help about how it worked and she was incredibly rude and demeaning about the whole thing."
  • "However went to get a coffee and interrupted a member of the cafe staff talking, when I asked for a coffee I was served then the other cafe assistant said as I was saying then proceeded to talk about other staff."
  • "Staff especially Security are completely useless many who just stand/quickly walk around to act as if job is actually 'done'."
  • "The reception workers probably need some training or something."

Facilities and Amenities

Pros:

  • "Free internet and charge points, massive archive of books and records."
  • "Snacking while reading is allowed."
  • "The central reading room is breath-takingly beautiful, with its big central glass cupola overlooking walls lined with marble columns and book cases, and polished wooden desks radiating out and lit by low lamps, filled with readers studiously beavering away."
  • "The toilets are very good and the best thing is that there's a praying room."
  • "Very beautiful new edition of children library full of fun activities and books."
  • "It has excellent children's and reference sections, performance and meeting spaces plus a cafe and some exhibitions and plaques."
  • "Library members have an 1 hour of free computer use - some machines are also connected to a scanner."

Cons:

  • "The chairs aren’t so comfortable."
  • "Only gripe is that there aren’t many plug sockets."
  • "Didn't see a charging point in the cafe area."
  • "The room with black and white floorboards are not available at the moment."
  • "There's a limit to computers and media area is closed."
  • "Great library, but very very cold. Make you take a blanket, gloves."
  • "The library has nice facilities, but is way too cold! I was freezing after a few hours of working."

Atmosphere and Environment

Pros:

  • "Every move you make in the reading room causes even the tiniest sounds to echo across the dome shaped interior, which encourages everyone to be quiet!"
  • "The reading room is really big and quiet."
  • "Huge and quiet reading room on the upper floor."
  • "Central library is brimming with creative energy!"
  • "Gorgeous library with lots of space to revise in peace, including the silent room where you could literally hear a pin drop!"
  • "Amazing Study space, any Manchester Student should visit for a study session."
  • "Wonderful place with nice architecture."

Cons:

  • "Went down last week after 11.30am and all closed."
  • "The reading room is quite hot."
  • "Noise, chatter, unruly children and food of all sorts are permitted making for an unsanitary public place."
  • "Although the facilities are very nice it is really NOT good if you want a quiet place to study or read."
  • "A nightmare for those who are looking for a quiet space to work."
  • "Unbelievably noisy place. Freely tolerated by noisy staff."
  • "I gave up after not being able to tolerate the laughing, giggling, whispering, phones constantly going off and throwing things at each other."

Accessibility and Convenience

Pros:

  • "You can't get more central than its location in Manchester."
  • "The changes on the ground floor have made the library much more accessible and engaging."
  • "The layout and signage is very user-friendly, lifts to all floors."
  • "It's located right next to St Peter's Square so very convenient."
  • "There are Charging points under the study tables."

Cons:

  • "The downside is homeless people can go there too."
  • "You have to take the stairs or the elevator to access it."

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