Liverpool Central Library atrium

Liverpool Central Library on William Brown Street in Liverpool, England, is a public library whose atrium and Picton Reading Room are among the city's most photographed interiors. Part of the cultural cluster that includes St George's Hall, the Walker Art Gallery and the World Museum, the library was extensively redeveloped and reopened in 2013, combining the Victorian Picton Reading Room and Hornby Library with a modern glass-roofed atrium. The circular Picton Reading Room, opened in 1879 and modelled on the British Museum's reading room, has tiered galleries of books beneath a coffered dome. The Hornby Library holds rare books and prints, including Audubon's Birds of America, and can be seen by arrangement. The new atrium soars above the entrance, with a glass roof, a sweeping staircase and light-filled landings. A rooftop terrace gives views over the city, St George's Hall and the surrounding area when open. Photography is allowed in the public areas, though visitors should be quiet, since the building is a working library. Midday natural light pours through the glass roof, offering the best conditions for images of the atrium, while the reading room is lit more evenly at any hour. A typical visit takes thirty to sixty minutes. Entry is free. Weekday mornings are quieter, whereas lunchtimes and after school can see more readers and students. The library is a short walk from Lime Street station, about five minutes on foot, and sits beside the Walker Art Gallery, so it combines well with a museum day. Staff can advise on access to the rooftop and the Hornby Library. A cafe on site offers a place to sit after photographing.