Such a beautiful building! The Bristol Central Library plays such an important role in the lives of professionals in Bristol, in that it is the nearest thing to a university library. It is open to people who cannot use the University of Bristol library (which is most of us). There's nowadays a big push to promote libraries to children, non-readers, people who want to socialise - but this library plays primarily a different role: it is an important part of Bristol's offer to attract young staff to the city. One unfortunate problem is that the library staff have the curious habit, as a recent reviewer pointed out, of putting non-reference books in the reference section. The apparent justification is that this will help preserve books. But there is not much point in preserving books if they cannot be read! This policy doesn't seem to make any sense. Put reference books in reference by all means - but why make it impossible for people to use the library for any serious reading by putting obviously non-reference books in reference?

This library is very very cute and it has a huge art session for the pleasure of the amazing Bristol art community and the stuff it's very kind and takes a step further to help you... BUT, like the rest of the city, it looks left for dead: opening times until 5pm are pathetic, smaller cities has at least 4 days 7pm or 8pm closing time (in this library just 2 days). There are no electricity plugs on the desks of the study desks of the second floor and this is a big turn off. Who doesn't need an electronic plus these days to study or to charge the phone? Other thing, the sign "don't leave your stuff unattended on the premises not even for a short time" its so discouraging. How about putting 2 security guards during (that short opening times)? So I would avoid to pack my bag to go to the toilet? NEGLECTED by higher powers

Sadly time is catching up with this most venerable of Bristol institutions in our increasingly post-literate society. In the 20 years I've used it yards and yards of shelving have been ripped out with the books sold off the space created now taken up with an overpriced cafe, acres of DVD's and extended seating area. As others have pointed out this is a very noisy library - not just the staff but the children from the nearby college who come here to fiddle on their iphones and whisper loudly to each other. With the basement already sold off to the adjacent school there is no question that in a decades time the rest of the building will be sold and what few books remain will be moved to a room above a shop - a fate which happened to Knowle library a few years back.

Wonderful building with a beautiful exterior style, inside the Reference Library is an excellent place to study with a large collection of reference books, the local history collection is very extensive. Lighting also very good which is important obviously when reading. Some people can be very noisy in here though including people chatting loudly on mobile phones in the library. Is the world going mad? Other times though things can be very quiet. The staff often make no attempt to keep their voices down which is odd considering their profession. I've found some of them though very helpful in going the extra mile to assist with requests. It's open access so you get quite a few tramps wondering in. Lockers are available as well as a photocopier for a price.

Library is great! Café though is miserable !!! I reckon, 2023 May. ...and the Library is worthy of better! Can't find if they have a separate place to give them it 2 or 1 stars. As I wanted to do just now after a long time now of I believe a sub standard and too expensive for a public venue such or up the quality nutrition per £ spent or something. Opportunity for a far more keen, happy at their work, serving keenly keen Library users we well A proper good keen high quality snack cafe business runner, to take over this great opportunity, -- and at last we have a proper! job Cafe or coffee and snack bar ... in Bristol 's much appreciated Public Central Library. -?? Approach the Bristol Library staff and ask how to apply maybe ?

Good study space - found it very easy to concentrate and do some work.There is a nice study space but is often a little busy.Just beware that the staff are incredibly loud and do not seem to care that people are trying to study.Also, I went to the library man and asked him where I collect my library card and this dude just says you gotta go downstairs in a very condescending voice.Like, come on at least be a little polite - you're having a very loud mothers meeting in front of all of the people studying, don't act mad at us.Not impressed.However, the lady downstairs getting me my card was very kind :)Nevertheless, a good study space.

This is a lovely building and great library- however, the staff are very noisy. when sat in the upper floor to study, they make no attempt to keep thier voices low, in fact some of them are so loud, you might think they were shouting. it's very off putting when you are trying to study and all the fellow visitors whether students or people just wishing to use the facility, do their best to keep noise to a minimum and the staff don't adhere to the general rule- keep quiet. Unfortunately, this happens everytime I use the library, which is 3-4 lunchtimes a week. I'm sure that if visitors made a noise, they would not be impressed.!!

A key problem with the Bristol Central Library is that so many non-reference books are placed in reference. This makes them impossible to use. If you have a book which realistically will take 3 days to read, it is simply not realistic to expect the reader to come in for 3 days and sit in the library. And why would it make sense? For example, given simply because it is what I was searching for: "Camillo Sitte and the birth of modern city planning". Obviously not a reference book! One of hundreds of such peculiar categorisations which unnecessarily restrict library use.

Such a valuable resource! Beautiful building (go upstairs to the Reference library) in which you can study in peace and quiet amidst the many wooden desks and huge archive of books and records. Large laptop area with power points. Small cafe downstairs. Well- stocked lending library with music, travel and language learning materials as well as fiction, biography, history etc. Decent opening hours (10-7 four days/week) although closed Wednesday's unfortunately. Always crowded near college exam time! Perfect location next to Cathedral on College Green.

The most beautiful library I have ever been in. Amazing architecture and so much space for privacy and seating. All public records are kept at this library so it is a interesting place to spend the day, even if it's to see what was going on in the local news on the day you were born from the newspaper archives. It's close to the docks so you can go and have a coffee or something stronger after in one of the many coffee shop's/bars that are situated at the watershed just behind the library.

Great old building, you'll always find a seat if you're in the centre of town and need a space to do some work. If you go upstairs it is really quiet, much quieter than the ground floor. (For those complaining about the noise) In addition, I will mention that the temporary display area on the first floor, in front of the reference library hosts some interesting mini-exhibitions, always worth checking out. I've found out a lot about less well-known local history from these.

The non-fiction selection is good and seems to get new books most weeks and rotate stock with other branches across the south west every couple of weeks. The reference library is a great place to work for a couple of hours if you don't want the noise of a coffee shop and a bit more table space. The internet is free and reliable. Can get a little busy during term time for the local colleges but I've always found space. And there's tea and coffee as well...

World's noisiest Library. Facilities are great, the people are the problem. No quiet rules are enforced and the librarians have loud and never ending conversations. If you find constant noise and loud talking distracting, this is not the library for you. If you want to sing, shout, take phone calls, teach students and generally be an inconsiderate ding dong then come on in, you're sure to make many friends with similar interests.

Extraordinary building, impressive selection of books and other resources, and helpful, friendly staff. I feel so lucky to have use of the place, particularly in an era of relentless privatisation and cuts. It feels like a little island of civilisation and dedication to the common good. Addendum: wish the staff would put a cork in it, though. Feels weird to ask a librarian to keep it down.

INCREDIBLE LOUD LIBRARY. It is full of crying children, people speaking loudly and eating everywhere and the stuff also does not respect the focus. it is impossible to focus on you study or reading. the private book shop seems to be more quiet than this library. It is really more a social play for internet or playing that q a quiet place where relax and reading is possible.

Great place but staff wasnt helpful. Tried to use a computer for people with disabilities. I am dylexic and the big letters help me type. I told staff member i am dylexic and i was told i need to use normal computers and these are only for people with disabilities. I wasnt able to do the work i needed to do. For central library i thought they would be more helpful.

Its a lovely old building that is well kept. It has a great cafe downstairs that isn't particularly expensive. Printing services, computers, free wifi and pretty much everything you would usually expect from a library. I mainly use it for free wifi. You can always find a place to sit with a power outlet. Wifi is pretty slow at times, could do with being upgraded.

I love visiting the Bristol Central Library because there's something for everyone. I like how expansive the library is and that there's even study pods for people to do their revising. I wish I was a member here but it's still lovely to go in and appreciate the range of books they have. It's an essential piece of Bristol and it's very central too.

A large, well kept library with a vast range of books covering many different subjects. A small cafe provides refreshments and plenty of seating is offered. The library also offers a number of computers and printing equipment, as well as a huge library of city records. Essential for those interested in the history of the city.

I feel there is something for everyone here. Peace and quiet in the reference library, exhibitions, lunchtime and evening talks, hot drinks and good food, and as with all libraries, the best of assistance with all manner of enquiry from helpful, friendly and knowledgeable librarians. All in a superb, historic building.

Shadow of its formal self. Not many books anymore but the place looks nice. Went to take my daughter there today in the school holidays just to keep her in the habit of visiting libraries but discovered the main central library for this apparent city is closed on Wednesdays. Welcome to Bristol.

A great location and building for the library. I like borrowing books from here that I do not want to pay loads or keep in the limited room I have. The travel section is very good for walks across the UK and the recent books for reading are worth checking. All is a free membership away!

It has so much potential! Beautiful building, handy cafe, friendly staff, high ceiling upstairs. But has a few flaws that make it a mediocre study space: mildewy carpet/smell, not enough tables near windows or hidden among books, and harsh fluorescent lighting throughout.

Beautiful venue, would be perfect for study or spending time reading, but sadly the staff are incredibly loud and inconsiderate of people working/reading. It's unfortunate, as it would be great to work in during the summer months due to it being lovely and cool.

Despite the website saying the library is open to 'browse and borrow books' there is no mention of the fact that one third of the library remains closed so there is no access to that area (true crime and cookery amongst others). A wasted journey therefore.

Very large and spacious library. Although I was told by the machine to put the booms in the bin next to me. And a staff member rudely said "did you just put something in the bin?" And I replied "yes" and her reply was "I just emptied that!". Very rude.

Its a lovely peaceful place, with a cafe, a lift and disabled access, the light dances through the building giving the place a restful morning feel of freshness, and calm, as the days darken , its cosy knooks afford a warm amber glow, its

Beautiful library ! Sign up process was good and staff very helpful in getting started. Good selection of books from south west libraries. I use the area to study and it is a great space for that, however i will agree with other comments

Very pleasant and friendly staff willing to help. Fantastic building architecture. However, some of the younger visiting students don't respect the fact that it's a library and use it as a talking shop. Overall...recommended.

A really top library with a great range of resources freely available: audiobooks, foreign language manuals, children books, music scores... A real asset for the local community, connected to the other Bristol libraries.

If your going there to work on your laptop, well dont go. Because as a nation we can't even plug a plug in an outlet because they are scared you might screw it up, public power points are all sealed up.

It's a fine library and a beautiful building, however some members of staff are genuinely rude, inconsiderate and even nasty. If you can get away with avoiding staff contact you'll have a lovely time

It was a good experience, but there was a sign at the desk that thieves always target the library to steal things Also, I had to leave early because there wasn't electric outlet where I sat. …

Great space + great staff. Best of all though is the CD music collection. Eclectic and good. They've not been buying new for quite some while but there's still lots there of real interest.

You can find all the books you’ll ever need here. The borrowing and returning process here is a breeze. I just hangout near my favourite section here. Van Gogh all books are available!!✨

Very nice building inside and outside. Staff very friendly and welcoming, happy to help you with your enquires. Huge amount of books that covers all your needs.

Lovely library, however wish staff wouldn’t be as loud when talking. Can be heard throughout the study area and make it hard for some to concentrate on work.

It's a very tranquil place to go and study. Never had trouble finding space. Has its own cafeteria. A bit too cold inside the library for my taste.

Nice building to work in. Helpful, friendly staff... But oh the Internet connection, snail like. 2 stars off because I was there for the Internet.

Very grand old library, some great architecture. The computers are very dated and slow. However great place to borrow and read books.

The library is very beautiful place for read with ckmplete focus. Quite and calm, sometimes there will be a bit of disturbance.

It's a beautiful library with old wooden furniture. But the staff are constantly talking loudly, and in general not polite.

Love the library. Quiet and peaceful. Staff always helpful and friendly. Looking forward to visiting after Covid …

Very helpful staff. Got me signed up with a physical card to replace my temporary online account in just a few minutes.

Beautiful building, fantastic librarians, wide range of books, excellent study space. Very good events programme too.

The reference library staff were incredibly helpful when looking for info on history of Bristol streets... Thank you!

Good place to study or read. The reference library area upstairs has a nice old feel to it. Toilets are dirty

I needed photocopying done. Was efficiently taken to the right place and a very kind person helped me.

Genuinly feels like new york. Came out with a book and a membership. I loved it such a grand feeling

Lovely place to work but absolutely freezing as most Windows are open. Had to leave as was too cold.

What a beautiful reading room, excellent resources and staff. Love the central location too.

I had snack and coffee and then went to quiet space to read and write from reference books

Bringing to become a favourite place, the reference dept staff very friendly and helpful.

Nice library in a lovely building. Internet computers upstairs and a cafe on main floor.

Nice big library open everyday. Also got events and stuff so worth checking out.

Great place, clean, relaxing and many books, DVDs and audio books to select.

Overall it is a very nice place to study, yet the toilets can be cleaner.

Great place to study. Friendly and professional staff members

Lovely building inside and outside

Beautiful architecture!