Kings Heath Library

With the imminent closing of Osbourne’s, this is the only place to my knowledge in Kings Heath where you can get an A3 photocopying service. Judging by how many music promoters used Osbourne’s, expect the library to be the new hub of networking for these people as they form an orderly queue.
Once there, they could look at the facilities that this Victorian-​built library has to offer.
Of course there are books to borrow. There’s a good ratio of fiction to non-​fiction and pedestrian reading to more high-​brow intellectual reading, though the shelf that strains under the weight of every novel that Danielle Steele has written is the exception to the rule. (Thankfully, in the shelf above Ms Steele’s, we have the excellently strange and sublime social commentary offerings of Will Self.)
The staff are eager to help you to find a book to your tastes. Drawing a blank one afternoon, I mentioned a few authors that I liked, and they made a recommendation; they were spot on. ‘That’s what we’re here for’ said the librarian. Indeed.
The children’s section in a separate room is a bright, colourful place to engage young minds in stories and learning. They run regular activities for parents and children, from story-​times to craft workshops.
If your computer is having a malfunction, you can hire a PC here by the hour. Or if like many people, you don’t have a home printer, you can use the tech here to print your boarding pass. The PCs are always in high-​demand so always ‘phone ahead to book in.
And newspapers. I’m a self-​confessed hard-​copy-​a-​phile. Rather than getting my news from the websites of The Guardian, The Independent or The Mirror, I prefer to have the news in my hand as well as to hand. It’s far more acceptable and sociable to read with others around the table here than to flick through the broadsheets and tabloids in WH Smith…

One day all the local libraries will be gone, and we’ll miss them. For that reason alone you should support and use the one near you. This is a small local branch housed in an original library building — there’s something very comforting about the stone lettering above the door that spell out LIBRARY.
Having a young son means taking on the responsibility of making their brain huge, and libraries are an excellent place to start, and small libraries are actually great places to take little ones — much better than bigger ones, like the Central Library in town, if you ask me. My son likes to browse around and get spoilt for choice and it’s a good way to spend a quiet hour before heading back out onto the bustle and craziness of Kings Heath High Street. I hope libraries such as this one continue to be around as he grows up, but we may need a change of government for that to happen. Enjoy it while it lasts!

A lovely little library, which looks very nice from the outside too. I came in here mainly to use the internet access, but as a novel addict I did have a look around to see if there were any novels that took my fancy. Registering was a bit confusing, I had to register with them in general so that I could get books out, but I could only get a temporary card as my ID was inappropriate. However, I was still able to get books out and use the internet — hooray! Using the internet was a a long process too, I had to ask for a code and a pin and then book it myself through one computer and then wait until my allotted time to then use the internet on a different computer. Unfortunately, when I was finally able to use the internet I had to keep assisting the guy next to me with his computer. The staff were very pleasant and I was able to get a couple of books out without any trouble. Is it quite a small collection of books and there are not many computers, but it is handy if you want to grab a random book or try your luck with the computers!

I am an avid reader, writer and essayist and libraries have been like a second home to me throughout my life. My parents would take me to the library every Friday night when I was a child and unlike some kids I was happy to go along and get my next adventure or tale in paper or hard back.
The problem with Kings Heath library is that it doesn’t have a community feel to it. Hidden away next to the Police Station some in the area do not even know where it is.
After moving to Kings Heath I went to the library and tried to take out a couple of books. I was told that I couldn’t use my Central card on their system. I walked away disappointed and went back another time and was told that I could use my Central Birmingham library card. Confusing, right? When it came to finally chosing something to read, I couldn’t take a book out because I owed a quid on my account. They wouldn’t take payment for it at Kings Heath and said I had to square up the quid with the Central branch. When I got to Central they told me that Kings Heath should have taken my money.
It’s typical that in a recession the Libraries falter first. Kings Heath library has a bad selection of books. Fiction contained mostly Mills and Boon, not my type of read whatsoever. The service is bad, overstretched and underpaid. I wouldn’t recommend coming here until we get rid of the Tories. This library is desperately underfunded.