It is impossible to speak to a person since they have locked out all possibilities of speaking to…read moreanyone in the automated system. What they fail to understand is that sometimes you may actually need to if you are unable to visit the store or renew online or over the phone for whatever reason. This also does not help older people. I'm all in favour of using technology in all aspects of life but you need to have a backup and the ability to speak to someone when it's required. It seems staff also favour the approach I mention but Idea Store management and the council are hell bent on continuing this ridiculous and unreasonable policy of no human contact. The services at the branch are actually very good, my poor rating is to ensure that management wake up and see this.

Like the other IDEA STORES (read: libraries that have been branded as stores with funky colors and…read moreplastic bags for carrying your purchases...I mean books) but this one's got more suits and a few more couches. I dig the Learning Labs here, because they're a bit quieter (less kids in the Wharf) and the Internet connection is decent....although not as stellar as the Starbucks connection a few yards away. Go, read, learn, and ideate your brain out here.

As the closest library to my house, this is a decent library...I mean IDEA STORE. I'm still…read moredeciding whether the decision to re-brand the Tower Hamlet libraries was a clever move or a confused one. Anyway, they have a good selection of books at this location, some DVDs, some computers (but don't count on getting one unless you get there early and sign up in advance even earlier.) Not a great place to study (but apparently, a popular place to eat your lunch for lots of folk, which I think is odd) unless you can snag one of the Learning Labs when they're not being used for knitting classes and the like. I guess one benefit of the IDEA 'STORE' aspect is if you check out a bunch of books, they give you a bag like you've bought something, and for a minute you don't feel like a broke student but like you've just scored some Waterstone best sellers. (Then you reach into the bag and realize the 'New Mediterranean Cookbook' was actually new in 1993.) The best part though, is the online catalogue and the ability to request other books from other libraries to have them shipped to any location. Now that's a brilliant IDEA. Ok, for that I will bump up to 4 stars.

One of the newer Ideas stores in Tower Hamlets, plush and modern on entering, Chrisp St has a large…read morecomputer room on the ground floor, for library card holders to spend a free hour on the internet or word processing. Upstairs is a large collection of books, DVDs, and CDs, as well as free wi-fi access for those with laptops. There are long tables to study on, desks with power plugs for laptops, and the latest newspapers spread across the tables. Feel free to roam on your own because the staff don't use much effort to help you out.

This Library is in desperate need of some TLC (Tender Loving Care)!…read more The building itself is fantastic, it's famous amongst people that live near it, and if they were to ever convert it or knock it down there would be uproar. Inside you have computer and internet access (as most libraries do these days) and obviously Books and some CDs etc. The collection of books is poor. An example of this is that the most recent computer book they had there as How to use Windows 2000. This is most probably due to the local Idea Store (Canary Wharf) being given prority. The staff are really friendly and are experts on the world of books, they'll be more than happy to help you find something. You need a membership to borrow books, but it only takes around five minutes to fill in the form!

As a history buff, avid reader, and past library fundraiser, there is no way I could skip a visit…read moreto the British Library. We enjoyed roaming the floors during an unexpected rain shower, and enjoyed all the historical tomes exhibited here. We did not sign up for cards, and therefor did not get to explore the rooms or stacks, but we did enjoy our walk around. During college (as a history major), it was frequently joked that you haven't really researched in a library if you haven't wound up making out in the stacks... well, after a day of research, I enjoyed some fun pictures and 'making out' with my husband, making this a thoroughly educational stop in our London adventure.

Would definitely recommend checking out the British library at least once! It's a beautiful…read morebuilding with a lot of bookd and exhibits, as well as a little coffee shop. If you plan on seeing any of the actual exhibits or checking out the areas that actually house the books, you'll need to sign up for one of their cards. I also can't really imagine getting much work or studying done here. It can be pretty difficult to find a seat and it's so loud and busy that you may be better off going somewhere else.

13. Stratford Library has some shortcomings and some positives. On the downside, it has garishly…read morepainted walls which don't lend it that tranquil library feel, and the entrance is horribly congested as the service desk gets in the way. But it is in a convenient location and you can access a variety of resources while there. Also, because of the multicultural demographics of the area, there are many titles in polish and Urdu, which is quite impressive. There is a large reference section, but I wasn't terribly blown away by the politics shelf, which is usually my first port of call. Unclear from staff how many books I'm allowed to take out. Kinda important guys.

The Grove E15 is not in Hackney.read more

If you live in Tower Hamlets you may or may not have heard of the Idea Store…read more The Idea Stores combine the best features and resources of a traditional library with an information services. There is also the opportunity to study over nine hundred different courses. Its purpose is to give people within the community the opportunity to have access to educational services, learning and facilities. The course duration can vary from two weeks to thirty depending on the qualification. The fees for courses are low and many people qualify for reduced fees. You don not need to do a course. Once you become a member which is free, you can simply use the facilities. There are currently Idea Stores in Whitechapel, Bow, Canary Wharf, and Chrisp Street.

This was my favorite Library when I lived in London! Membership is free, then you can use all the…read morefacilities and take the books home. Also, you may get some discounts around London with the Idea store card (entrance to the Tower of London was only 1GBP with the card! )

I haven't been a member of a library for quite sometime, and I managed to forget the incredible…read moreamount of free things that comes with being one. I have frequented Hackney Library ever since becoming a member a few months ago. First of all, free films!!! Amazing!! The only problem is that the collection of decent films will only keep you going for a couple of months. The library is probably the only interaction I have with c.d.'s in this technological age. They are free to hire and there is actually some really good stuff. If the c.d.'s and books have not been there for a certain amount of time then you have to pay a small amount to hire them. The book collection is huge and diverse, and the abundance of computers are free to use. There is also scanning and printing available. I can't believe I neglected the library for so many years.

I remember when this library was nothing special, but since they done up the building, this is…read morereally a nice and modern library. Almost feels like a book store. They have a great selection of books and an impressive selection of DVDs to rent. This may no longer be my local area, but I still have my Hackney library card!

Lovely old library with high ceilings, wooden panelling and a whole lot of character. The book…read moreselection is also broad and the librarians very helpful. The wifi was down when I went unfortunately but it seems it would be a good place to get a bit of work done so I reckon I'll be back soon! More books for your noggin'! c*

Beautiful building, but every time I go there more of it has closed and there are hardly any books…read moreleft now. There's also no photocopier, only five computers for adults and another five only for children only, which are unused even when there are several people waiting to use the adult ones. Staff are unhelpful.

Now attempting to give itself a 'cultural makeover', this is essentially a glorious old building -…read morebuilt originally for normal people to meet up and learn - is now being almost swallowed by the glass and steel towers of the City. The building itself has the look and feel of Victorian England, that when you round the lovely corridors to the library, it's exactly as you'd expect. One of those libraries which just wants to make you stay quiet, of your own volition. It's got the hallowed smell of old books (of which there is A LOT) and nicely varnished wood. The stock is mainly about local interest and the history of London. They also have a dance studio and courses on offer here - check the website - but I came to use the library. If you need a quiet space for an afternoon to read something or do some research, you should wile away the hours in here. It's really really lovely!

This review is for the library only, sadly I have only looked longingly at the course offerings and…read morenot taken any (yet). The library is such a gem in ever odd spitalfields area full of old pubs, over-priced fashion shops, and financial corporations. The library is FREE to everyone and is exactly what a library should be: Well-lit, full of old books, packed with long study tables, equipped with free WiFi, and most importantly QUIET. Also, if you are on the hunt for a cute librarian to date, they have quite a few! The only downside is the hours. They have recently extended their hours to Saturday, but itis hard to fit my insomnia into their opening hours. The schedule is: Monday- Thursday: 10:00 to 17:30 Friday: 10:00 to 14:00 Saturday: 10:00 to 17:30 Sunday: Closed