Smethwick Library

Sorry Smethwick Library! I owed them a couple of books and only recently gave them back. I didn’t mean to do this but I completely forgot about returning the books back to the library. The staff themselves actually really understood when I told them about my situation. I did have a huge bill to pay but I paid it, just so that I could go back to being on great terms with them.
This library is also a hub for doing other things, like doing work in and they have other activities and reading groups which take place there.
They have a large selection of books and facilities to use. However, out of all the community libraries I don’t think this one is the best.
It’s not that spacious and I don’t find it that welcoming as much as other community libraries. I always find it a little louder than some other libraries, so I don’t spend much time in there because of that.

I quite like Smethwick library and the only reason i say quite like is because the staff can be super scatty and less than helpful.
As a library that’s had a large refurb through the Big Lottery fund you can expect it to be a bit shinier than others. It was the first library in Sandwell to have a community café in it and it’s pretty good. It’s cheap for a cuppa and has local café sandwich fare to eat. The important thing to remember is that is ran by and for the local community.
The best thing about the library isn’t the books and the building itself isn’t the most exciting or beautiful of old libraries but it has large meeting rooms that are free of charge for community groups and the voluntary sector to use. For this reason there is often a timetable full of stuff going on with some of it open to the public whilst others are for closed groups. If you are a regular hirer of the space though don’t expect to be able to store anything there as there just isn’t the room.
As a library they have a large number of computers stations and a newspaper section as well as the books you’d expect to find.

I’m bad with libraries — I rarely remember to take books back on time, which leads to all kinds of issues. So it’s a joy when I find other things to do in them other than borrow books. THIS library has rooms available free of charge to hire so I’ve been lucky enough to come here for business meetings on occasion — the rooms have high ceilings and many original features. I love that at one point there’ll be a stuffy business meeting, and then later that same day there’ll be a laughing yoga class. Brilliant!
The selection of books seems extensive (though I avoid the temptation to borrow in case it leads me to problems again.) and the home made cake in the café is delicious. It’s also a hand place to pop in to find out about any other local events taking place from their community noticeboards.