Shrewsbury Library, or Castle Gates, is the representative library that I chose to visit for Shropshire. The library is housed within the building of an old school which is now Grade 1 listed. Darwin attended the school from 1818 so there is a large statue of him outside. The library was refurbished and re-opened in 1983/4. They have done their best to make it work in an old building, which gives it very studious character, particularly on the upper two levels, however makes the ground floor a little disjointed and squished.

There are beams and stone walls exposed throughout the building and great views of the castle through interesting windows. Even though it is in an old building there is a lift, loos and water bottle filling station. There is also a book bench and a small meeting booth.