Oxford Central Library
Oxford Central Library
4
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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4.0
17 reviews
Excellent
5
Very good
9
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
1
Sparking1
25 contributions
May 2018 • Solo
The public library in Oxford is fantastic since reopening in the Westgate shopping centre. The collection of books is expansive as is the collection of audio CDs. There are daily papers and many pcs for guest/member use (as well as printing facilities at 20p per A4 sheet). The two floors offer many comfortable seats and workspace areas for laptops, phone chargers and other devices. I especially like the chess tables on floor 1! It’s also great to see such facilities available until 8pm most nights of the week (not weekends though).
Written 21 May 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
permia
Ireland66,169 contributions
May 2024 • Couples
It opened in 1973 and since then it has served well the community. Impressively over half a million items are available to be borrowed.
Conveniently located centrally and within a popular mall.
Conveniently located centrally and within a popular mall.
Written 15 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nicolaplayford
Oxford, UK87 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
A really lovely children's library set away from adult library. This place is bright and colourful with a wide range of books.
You can feel this is a safe space for children to explore and the books you can see are carefully thought out encouraging children to enjoy and learn from books. The fact its high up with large full windows looking over the street makes it even more interesting for the children. A very good experience for children and the staff are lovely and friendly, very informative
You can feel this is a safe space for children to explore and the books you can see are carefully thought out encouraging children to enjoy and learn from books. The fact its high up with large full windows looking over the street makes it even more interesting for the children. A very good experience for children and the staff are lovely and friendly, very informative
Written 9 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tim B
11 contributions
Jan 2018 • Couples
Oxford central library remains unfortunately unscathed by the recent redevelopment still unbelievably no access for wheelchairs, was the refurbishment kept secret from them? Oxfordshire’s flagship public library surely deserves a 21st Century facelift or maybe just a new lift
Written 17 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lazenlondonuk
London Uk296 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
I remember the old library.It was just the same.Same lifts,same department layout,its just been given a make over but is practically the same.
It appears to have been missed off entirely of the large pillar maps at the entrance to Westgate as despite 10 minutes perusal I could not locate it on there.
One addition I did notice was a very expensive looking Yamaha "Digital Piano"with headphones for public use.
Plus there are more computer terminals BUT these ,unless one is a member are restricted to 15 minutes use at a time on a rotational unbooked basis.
Strange because terminals in the satellite libraries are now 30 minutes and were
until recently 1 hour.
Seems they are trying to force more people to join in order to use to beef up the numbers and make the staff look needed as a library an book 2 hours uninterrupted.
Many of these terminals are extremely uncomfortable to use.No where to place coats bags belongings except on floor,neck craning and sticking ones rear end out required
to get within reading distance of the screen etc.
The mouse cable was so taut and short I could not pull it to a comfortable position.
The staff seem friendly enough in a dim sort of way.The white walls are covered in slogans like the Peoples Republic of Korea exhorting study and reading and the joys of
intellectualism.
I could add one of my own by Mark Twain "A big thick encyclopedia is a very useful thing.For propping up a wonky table leg eeping a window propped open....."
The atmosphere in the place is reasonable enough .
My overall impression was this place is absolutely stuck in its opening era 1970s and is petrified of anything approaching real change.
Compared to the gigantic New York size architectural wonder of the Eminem library in Utrecht-a similar small town-this one in Oxford looks positively has been and cheapskate.
I did not see any dirt or junks loitering in there but there were large groups of tourists and students being given guided tours.
It appears to have been missed off entirely of the large pillar maps at the entrance to Westgate as despite 10 minutes perusal I could not locate it on there.
One addition I did notice was a very expensive looking Yamaha "Digital Piano"with headphones for public use.
Plus there are more computer terminals BUT these ,unless one is a member are restricted to 15 minutes use at a time on a rotational unbooked basis.
Strange because terminals in the satellite libraries are now 30 minutes and were
until recently 1 hour.
Seems they are trying to force more people to join in order to use to beef up the numbers and make the staff look needed as a library an book 2 hours uninterrupted.
Many of these terminals are extremely uncomfortable to use.No where to place coats bags belongings except on floor,neck craning and sticking ones rear end out required
to get within reading distance of the screen etc.
The mouse cable was so taut and short I could not pull it to a comfortable position.
The staff seem friendly enough in a dim sort of way.The white walls are covered in slogans like the Peoples Republic of Korea exhorting study and reading and the joys of
intellectualism.
I could add one of my own by Mark Twain "A big thick encyclopedia is a very useful thing.For propping up a wonky table leg eeping a window propped open....."
The atmosphere in the place is reasonable enough .
My overall impression was this place is absolutely stuck in its opening era 1970s and is petrified of anything approaching real change.
Compared to the gigantic New York size architectural wonder of the Eminem library in Utrecht-a similar small town-this one in Oxford looks positively has been and cheapskate.
I did not see any dirt or junks loitering in there but there were large groups of tourists and students being given guided tours.
Written 6 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Betterxtogether
Oxford, UK1,066 contributions
Nov 2018 • Solo
I found a wide range of books here and helpful staff. I was able to find the books I wanted and liked the layout.
They also have an app which I used to see if the books I wanted were at that library or located at another.
I feel the £1.20 reservations fee is a bit much and don’t remember there being a charge for it years ago. But I understand that it needs to have some income
They also have an app which I used to see if the books I wanted were at that library or located at another.
I feel the £1.20 reservations fee is a bit much and don’t remember there being a charge for it years ago. But I understand that it needs to have some income
Written 5 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lottie
Oxford, UK10 contributions
Feb 2018 • Solo
Central Library (now known as County Library) has finally had a well needed refresh and modernization as part of the Westgate redevelopment.
The library has been brought into the modern age, and not only is there ample more space for our beloved books, there are also extra areas installed for quiet study time, and modernized computers for those needing to use digital services.
There's some great new features to the library, some of which which will be of real use to members of the public. If you require assistance with a service provided by Oxfordshire County Council there's a team of Customer Service Advisor's based at the library who you are able to go and speak to if you require help.
The children's area has also really been developed, and its really lovely to see a designated area for music too.
The only downside is that the lifts weren't updated as part of the refurbishment, therefore access to the library is restricted for those who use a wheelchair.
The library has been brought into the modern age, and not only is there ample more space for our beloved books, there are also extra areas installed for quiet study time, and modernized computers for those needing to use digital services.
There's some great new features to the library, some of which which will be of real use to members of the public. If you require assistance with a service provided by Oxfordshire County Council there's a team of Customer Service Advisor's based at the library who you are able to go and speak to if you require help.
The children's area has also really been developed, and its really lovely to see a designated area for music too.
The only downside is that the lifts weren't updated as part of the refurbishment, therefore access to the library is restricted for those who use a wheelchair.
Written 16 March 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle G
Birmingham, UK92 contributions
May 2017 • Couples
Canteen staff were just rude and I would not go there for a coffee again.
They had no angers and a permanent attitude problem
They had no angers and a permanent attitude problem
Written 12 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michail2014
Oxford, UK4 contributions
Oct 2019
Every bit worthy of a famous university city. Weekly language cafes. Separate kids' section, but W.C.s embarrassingly not segregated and occaisionaly U/S..
Written 11 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rayrest
Fenton, UK7,992 contributions
Feb 2018 • Couples
Oxford central library is a modern building that is located near to westgate shopping centre and has great facilities. Well set out and of course, quiet.
Written 5 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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