Bedminster Library

A word of warning: Bedminster Library is more comparable to a drop in centre than a library. There is never a quiet moment and usually a lot of fuss, most of which is related to the computers. Situated in the heart of a thriving community, the library has a steady influx of customers. However, there are only five computers and since computers seem to take precedence over books in this library, people soon get frustrated and impatient if there are none available (which is most of the time). However, if you happen to be interested in books, the library boasts an impressive range of these, and there are an array of good DVD’s for hire too. The staff are very accommodating, and all live up to Librarian stereotypes a treat. It would be good to see a little more diversity amongst them, though…

I am not an avid library visiter, so to arrive at the Bedminster library was a revalation. The few librarys I have frequented in my time have often resulted in my bordom reaching new unheralded levels, and for my sanity to be tested to the limits by the unnatural quiet that seems to exist. However Bedminster has given a fresh new vibe to the library scene. Everything is very welcoming from the outset you feel like you belong there, rather than being an unwanted visitor. The people behind the counter are also very helpful, when I asked for something that one person couldn’t find, she then asked each of her co-​workers before very apolagetically asking if I could come back in an hour when someone who might know where my mystery request lied returned from thier lunch break. I duely returned, and was welcomed with a smile as the women who served me previousley, she directed me to a new colleague who then immediatley took me to the book I was after and apolagised to any delay I might have suffered.
All the apologies were not necissary as it was my own ignorance that rendered me unable to figure out a simple catalogging system.
Brilliant library, excellent serivce, and bizzarley a great selection of DVD’s!

Local libraries have certainly gone uphill since my day. I was expecting this place to be pretty basic basic but the first thing that greeted me on entering was a widescreen plasma showing the BBC News channel (on silent obviously).
They also have six PCs, all with internet access and one with a scanner. This was what I’d come to use and though I didn’t have a library card never mind an appointment, the staff were able to get me straight onto my choice of machine almost instantly on both visits (to be honest I was expecting them to be a bit jobsworth about it); and when I had problems with the scanner, the (younger male naturally) librarian turned out to be a dab hand.
The book collection looked a touch small, though there was an extensive library of apparently up to date DVDs (the woman next to me was returning the My Bloody Valentine remake — nice!). One word of warning: if you expect your libraries to be quiet, on both of my visits a group of mothers and toddlers assembled in the children’s corner for a singing group. Sweet for two minutes but then it gets a bit much!

This library is quite small but has a large range of fiction and non-​fiction books, it often buys new books, it also includes DVD rental with a fairly large selection and has several PC’s for internet access. The staff are helpful and friendly.