Bolton Central Library

What a lovely library! Mr. Snarky’s printer is not quite working, so I headed to the library to print out a form that I need. Lucky for me that the Bolton Bus Station is right across the street from the Library. I love this little crescent area, although traversing the street can be a bit hazardous with no lights and seemingly no hint of what drivers have the right of way. Anyway, this building houses the library… AND the museum, aquarium, and tourist information. A great way to get traffic through the building and to the library, but as another reviewer mentioned, it is quite noisy for your average library. That’s why I took a star off because I am one of those people that enjoys reading and browsing through books in quiet at the library. For me a library should be an escape from the hustle and bustle outside. That said, one of the staff members who was helping me did tell off another patron for using his mobile phone in the computer area and asked him to head to a designated area for mobile phone use. So at least they are trying to contain the noise.
While I didn’t spend much time browsing the selection of books, I did get to have a look around and it certainly looks well stocked, but you never really know until you come in with a specific book in mind. Not sure how it is for research purposes, but it seemed quite busy with people looking through books, DVDs, and surfing the net.
There were lots of staff and they were all helping other patrons and it was quite nice to see. The staff seemed very keen to help and were extremely friendly. I headed off to the right to to desk near the computers. A member of staff explained the computer system to me, printing prices, etc. You can book a computer for one hours use and if you are just doing something quick, then you also have an option for an impromptu 15 minute use. Printing in black and white is 10p and payment is collected when you collect your print job at the desk. I don’t have a library card, so they let me sign in as a guest, you just need to sign in and provide and address and a member of staff will log you on.
The computers and internet seemed to be pretty quick, which is always nice to know if you need to use them. The library also has wifi so if you do not want to use their computers, you can ask a member of staff and they can provide you with the information. On my way out, I stopped to look at the tourist information. They have some great resources for days out and even larger holiday booklets for much of the UK. Next to the tourist information is a section of DVDs and if you move closer to the door, there is an area with local announcements/​advertisements, but also binders full of information on clubs, organizations, etc. that you can join. Lovely! If you travel upstairs you’ll find the museum and aquarium. Must come back and check that out.

As well stocked as this library is, it feels very modern and cheap now. Even the bookcases look like they’re from IKEA.
It’s also not revered as a traditional library in the sense that it can get very noisy, people talking and shouting, children running around screaming and laughing, and sounds from the computers which people are using.
Shame really.
But if you’re just looking for books to take out with you, rather than sitting and relaxing and reading, then this place is probably okay for you.

A fantastic public service, located close to the Albert Halls in Bolton town Centre.
This is Bolton’s main library are is therefore quite large, which a reference section, DVD hire section, Internet access points and a shop.
I’ve always found the staff to be very helpful, they will order in books that they haven’t got for you.
In the basement of the library building is an aquarium and on the upper floor there is a museum

As bolton’s main library, this is the probably the best place to go for any kind of information. It’s got a huge reference section, about 60 internet accessible PCs, a study area, a tourist information desk and if that wasn’t enough, also houses the local museum, art gallery and aquarium.