Airedale Library

“Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover”…Surprise yourself and discover a ‘Gem of a Library’ in Airedale, Castleford. In search of sanctuary from my children on School Holidays I unearthed a delightful ‘oasis of calm’ in the centre of Airedale. I had previously ignored this establishment as it wasn’t a historical Carnegie type library with grand architecture, but as the old saying goes… “Don’t Judge a Book By Its Cover” couldn’t be more true here. Inside the library is large and open-plan, yet inviting with oversized armchairs to relax in … or private areas and meeting rooms to hire… even it’s own cafe! Furthermore, it boosts a full range of children’s and adult’s actives like ancestry for researching your family history for free! (see #AiredaleLibrary on social media for info) All run by exceedingly helpful staff, which in my mind adds up to a first-rate library. Go on...you won't regret a visit.

Me and my friend came here to use the printer and was greeted in the must unpleasant way possible. At the library door we were faced with a man who must of thought he was a body guard. No hello, no smile, no welcoming. He asked for our age and we told him we are both 18, 19 next month. He laughed in our face as if we told a comical joke. A large women wearing glasses marched out of the computer room and exclaimed that we NEEDED TO BE WITH AN ADULT AND HAD TO LEAVE. and marched back to where she came from. The look on her face was as if we were holding someone at gunpoint. She didnt ask for our age beforehand. We felt extremely targeted and picked on so we offered to show ID, in which the male staff member accepted that we were both adults. I think it was disgusting from the female staff member to be so rude and unwelcoming to two teenage girls. They were acting like security guards at buckingham palace, however we only came to use the printer for a parcel. I hope this staff member is spoken to about this incident because if someone spoke to my children in that manner i certainly would be having words. she should be ashamed!

so, i just want to keep in simple and straight. me and my friend who are 18 (turning 19) walked into this library today to be greeted with a man with glasses on asking us for our age. we kindly said that we are 18 to then be screamed at by a sizeable middle aged lady to ‘GET OUT’ because ‘WE NEED TO BE WITH AN ADULT’ completely excusing the fact that we have already showed this man our ID. she wasn’t even in the room at the time so she voluntarily walked in, shouted at us to then stormed back out of sight asif we were tresspassing or intruding her privacy. i would appreciate if she camly approached us and told us the policy. but no we had to two people on our back despite the fact we came in silently and only wanted to print something off and the fact we are both adults! i believe that something should be done about this, imagine it was two individuals coming to inspect the library and they was greeted in that manner, it is utterly appalling. even if the person walking in was underage they should be welcomed in a nice way, especially considering it’s a library. and may i add that the man had my ID with him for countable minutes and took it to his computer which again is not right. he should have just checked it and we would have been on our way printing one simple thing that came in to do. genuinely a joke and i will be taking this further because it had made me very upset and targeted!!

This small library has a lovely atmosphere. There are various groups held there and I happened on a knit and battery held on Wednesday. Many crafts were being worked, not just knitting. I had taken some books in to be recycled and the young guy who helped me was knowledgeable and made the experience at the library great

Nice, modern library. Has access to computers and I have never had to wait to use one. Has a nicely decorated Children's corner. Often has activity days and groups meeting there. There is also a small cafe on site and toilet facilities. Has wheelchair access ♿