The old library is now back open after the Westgate redevelopment. I have been visiting on and off for a few weeks. My observations. Bad points1: Its disappointing to see how little the library has changed. The lower floor is pretty much identical as before (in fact better before). 2: There are only 2 cubicle disabled toilets for everyone to use. This means one sometimes has to wait up to 10 minutes. Very inconvenient and something that should have been addressed while the library was closed. Also fairly regularly it is closed for no apparent reason. Very annoying.3: Its a big library but the space is not utilised well at all. There are a number of curving desks which seem odd and waste a lot of space. There are also large areas which are completely empty. When its really busy there is not enough seating for everyone. 4: There are a number of garish sofas which are incredibly uncomfortable. 5: The wifi is inadequate when there are a lot of people using the library.6: Sometimes there are drunk and/or unruly patrons who cause a great amount of disturbance before they are finally ejected from the building. I know librarians aren't the most muscular people in the world but it usually takes all of them to coral the perp out of the building. Man up people or employ some security.7:No provision for drinks like a coffee machine or dispenser. Not even a water fountain meaning one has to leave the library for refreshments.8: Loud officious Russian sounding librarian gets on my nerves. This is a library not a place to practice English elocution.Good points:1: its clean2: Its free to use3: Staff seem very tolerant (maybe too tolerant) of patrons demands and waffling ons.All in all a bit of a disappointment. Cupdate: I don't go often anymore but when I do visit there is, more often than not, some kind of confrontation invariably involving some colourful character. the staff make an effort to corral the uppity patron off the premises, but really I have never seen such disrespectful behaviour in a public building. this is a shame and not at all a criticism of the library or its staff. it's just a sad consequence of the upside down, inside out, clown world we now must endure. They really need a security guard it's getting that bad.
Place hasn't changed at all in years, was expecting a renovation with the new Westgate, but no! Guy at the desk was super helpful and super cute! Not a regular visitor to the library but I'm extremely thankful we have such a great free service :)
I been taking my 4 year old here a bit. The kids library is separate from the main library. They generally have the craft stuff out on weekends and school holidays. Plus the staff do a storytime and rhyme time I think twice a week. Plenty of couches, tables, seats etc and its a clean and cosy place to kill a few hours. Staff have been totally friendly.
Really nice place but it's a pity that they put air conditioning on November... It makes no sense. It's difficult to focus on your reading if you are feeling cold. They said me to find a good warm stop in the library, and I tried without any kind of success. It's really a pity! So nice place but so uncomfortable just because a bad management on the room temperature. Most of the people are wearing thick sweaters, also coats... Somebody from the direction of this center shall walk around the two floors and realise about what I'm saying.
Cool space. A modern place. Great little space in the middle of Oxford to get away from the noise and study.
Oxfordshire County Library is a UK Library based in Oxford, South East England. Oxfordshire County Library is located at Queen Street, Westgate, Oxford OX1 1DJ, UK.
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