Sheffield Central Library

I went to the lending library today to scan a document, received excellent attention and help with this technology which is a mystery to me. The library staff are always very helpful, friendly and efficient. When I need a book that isn’t in, they order it for me. Also an interesting small display in the library entrance hall.

It's a lovely library with great potential and generally friendly staff and useful resources. However, it's sloppily run. For example, the reading room staff allow some patrons to make multiple phone calls and others noisily eat full meals they've brought in before lying down on a sofa for a nap and loud farting, in full view of the staff. They also do not publish their Christmas/New Year closing times on their website or on their Google listing resulting in a wasted journey. The sign that shows Christmas closing times that is on display within the library foyer is still there well into January.

The staff are great, but as a library (especially a central library) it's really bad. There are very very few places with plugs where you can work on a laptop. Also, the mens bathroom is in the gallery which opens after and closes before the library, so for a good chunk of time there is only 1 single toilet men can use for the entire library (which isn‌'t wheelchair accessible and often has a line). Honestly if you want a space to go and work in town, signing up as a member to use the Sheffield Hallam Adsetts library is a far better call (there are loads of available desks and it has a larger range of books that you can borrow if you pay £30 a year)

We had a great mindfulness session today provided by the Centre for Mindfull Life enhancement

A library of books, graphic novels, manga, board games, DVDs and music. Friendly helpful staff.