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Central Library

4.5 (2 reviews)

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18 years ago

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14 years ago

Great staff easy to join and good selection of books.

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Stoke Newington Library - Photo.  November 2006.

Stoke Newington Library

(6 reviews)

Stoke Newington Church Street, Stoke Newington

This Library is free to join, and stacks a large collection of both DVDs and VHS. They even…read moreoccasionally sell some VHS tapes for 50p, and I've slowly built a mini collection from here. Its great because its totally free to take out both books and movies! There is no Wifi, but there are public terminals to access internet with a time limit. These get really busy on the weekend. You might catch another network in the area on your laptop. Its a great place to read or to study, I used to come here to write essays. Its conveniently located and I would go for breaks to one of the many cafes across the street for a caffeine boost!

I was first drawn to the building, which was built in 1892. The entranceway is impressive: it's a…read morememorial hall, commemorating those who have died in war. I got a couple of pictures, but not enough to show it really. Inside is not so nice. Just as grand, it's a great barn of a building, and somewhat grey and dingy. This doesn't stop it buzzing with life. It's a largish library, and it took me a while to find the SF section. Actually 2 sections of shelves and a nice selection, so they win points there. There's also a large study area, including many computers, and a huge children's section. The children's section was full and noisy when I visited. I think they were about to start story time, and some of the kids were getting a bit fractious. Very much a living and used library, and the entranceway is a must see if you are into war memorials.

Paul Hamlyn Library

Paul Hamlyn Library

(1 review)

Bloomsbury

Inside the craziness of the British Museum, you can find a relatively tiny book-lined reference…read morelibrary tucked away in a corner of the building that offers the bibliophile and common wo/man alike an inviting respite. It used to be located in the, er, Reading Room of the British Museum, but that big domed room in the middle of the building now hosts exhibitions and the library has been marginalised. I'll admit, the library was quite dazzling in its days in the Reading Room. But never mind that; its relocation just means that fewer wandering tourists monopolize its reader seats. Just walk on in and take a seat in one of the fancy swivel chairs behind one of the dozen or so computers. Or choose one of the free desks and plug your laptop into the conveniently placed electrical socket (in the desk!) and work away. Some books are readily available for consultation, and other books can be delivered to you at your desk (just like at the British Library, but no need to sell one of your kidneys to get a reader card here!). For non-registered academics and independent scholars, the Paul Hamlyn library offers completely free access to academic databases like JSTOR (private, personal access to this database alone costs hundreds per year!); score. After studying in this well lit, intimate, free and comfortable library, take a walk around a room or two in the museum. After a few visits to the British Museum for the library you'll have bulked up your world knowledge enough to finally slaughter your grandma at Trivial Pursuit. But don't tell too many people, because I want this library gem all to myself.

CLR James Library - Floor 2 study room.

CLR James Library

(2 reviews)

Dalston

A small library that services Hackney residents that live around the vicinity of Dalston Lane, a…read moremain thoroughfare in Hackney. This is a comparatively limited library, with excellent ramps and disabled access. I love a library where you can find a seat, grab a book, have a peruse and use the computers. This is not quite the place to do that, there are only three computers and the book collection is small. It is a great local resource though, with space available to rent out, and it works closely with local schools. if this is your local library, pop in and join, It is essential.

This is a smallish library, but a useful one. It's the place I tend to pop into for photocopying,…read moreand they have a pretty good machine for that, which can do multiple pages if you know how to work the feeder! Of course they also have free computer/internet access, which is bound to be useful at times. As to books, though not huge they have a good range. On my last visit I was able to find something to get into. Personally I think they are better on non-fiction, but then I'm into SF, and I find the selection here as unimaginative as it often is. I've seen they've just started an SF reading group there, so maybe I'll check that out. They get in newspapers which are very useful if you are skint and looking for a job! Very popular with their clientele too There's big notice boards too, though they are situated between the two sets of sliding doors at the entrance so reading them means you keep triggering the doors which is sort of annoying even when it's not drafty. Staff seem pretty good there is a children's library, but it's situated off into the depths of the building somewhere, so I've never seen it!

Central Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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