Central library

If you want a quick overview of the services and facilities we offer, see Bristol Central Library's Library Finder entry.

Location of services

Ground floor

Art loan collection, Children's Library, Lending Library, Music and Drama Library, spoken word, DVDs, videos, café.

First floor

Art reference collection, Business Information service, Disability Resource Centre, family history, Learning Centre, local studies, newspapers, Reference Library, public toilets.

Central Library services

Please see the links to the left of this column to connect to the main services within the Central Library. See below for other services;

• Computer access
• Drama collection
• Lending services
• Music and CD's
• Newspapers and Magazines

WiFi - available throughout the building, no cost, no password required.

Central library cafe

On the ground floor just inside the West entrance you will find the Library café. The café is open daily:

Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 10am to 5pm
Wednesday and Friday and Saturday 10am to 4.30pm
Sunday 1pm to 4.30pm

The café offers discounts to council employees and local businesses. With seating for  up to 40 people, it's a great place to relax and meet up with friends, or enjoy a quiet moment over a coffee, lunch or afternoon tea, including:

• Freshly brewed fair trade teas and coffees, cold drinks and freshly squeezed orange juice
• Salad boxes, fresh fruit and breakfast porridge
• Great soups and crunchy bread
• A wide range of sandwiches on Bordeaux Quay organic bread
• Homemade cakes, pastries and locally produced flapjacks
• Sweet and savoury snacks

The Library café was awarded third place in the Bristol Fairtrade awards in 2012 and holds a five star Hygiene rating.

Disabled access and facilities

See Central Library - Services for disabled people

Learning Centre

The Learning Centre is on the first floor of the Central Library. Here you'll find:

•Computers for public use.
•Current copies of magazines and journals.•Computer books for loan.
•Business books for loan.
•University and college prospectuses.

Map, public transport and parking

Here's a map showing the location of the library, which you can also use to generate directions.

• Pay and display parking is available at both the front and side of the building. In both cases disabled badge holders may park free.

• Deanery Road at the front of the building is closest to the level ramp entrance, and has three parking bays for disabled badge holders.

• There's more pay and display parking on College St, about a hundred metres from the library.

• There are nine parking bays in College Square, at the side of the building, via Anchor Rd.

• Apart from the parking bays, 'No waiting at any time' applies to all nearby streets.

• Bus services are accessible from College Green/Park Street, from Anchor Road, and from The Centre.

• Temple Meads railway station is a 15-20 minute walk to the library. Alternatively, buses 55, 8A and 9 stop at College Green, whilst numerous others go to The Centre.