However, as early as World War I complaints were being made there was insufficient space for books and readers.

[1] The central library is in the heart of Reading on Abbey Square on the corner of the King's Road, on the former site of the Reading Abbey stables where the horses of medieval churchmen, nobility and royalty were stabled.

The Holy Brook runs underneath the Library and it is near The Oracle to the south west and to the north lies the beautiful Forbury Gardens.

The Central Library contains over 100,000 books including a children's library, a large selection of fiction and non fiction books, and free Internet terminals provided as part of The People's Network.

[citation needed] It also provides loans of CDs, DVDs, and videos for which there is a small charge and also has a large collection of vocal and drama sets on the second floor.