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.

There is something nostalgic about libraries. Gone are the days of borrowing 8 books at a time and…read morepaying 5p fines for late returns. I'm wondering when they'll just have stands that you just touch your IPad on and hey presto you have an e-book that you can borrow for 4 weeks :) - it would automatically remove - saving us from fines. This library has a number of computers that you can use for free with your account. If you don't own a printer, you can join this library and print away, printing is really cheap - like 5p per page. They have a small coffee machine, with some tables and chairs, but to be honest, it's not terribly comfortable so you probably wont spend too long reading here.

I do this thing about once every five years…read more I realise what a great thing reading is and what a great resource libraries are. So I head into my library, and talk to the bearded guy about how I'd like to renew my card. So he looks up my details and gives me that disappointed look, just like the one your dentist gives you when you tell him you haven't had a check up in nine years. I did this very recently at Fullwell Cross. It was a great experience, if only because I was fascinated by how the library has kept the exact same smell for the last twenty-odd years. Fascinating. It's not only the smell that has stayed the same but also the books. The majority of them are all very 1980. By that I mean big, bulky and with a ripped-plastic cover with brown marks on it. If you're looking for some new books, I don't think this is the place for you. But if you're not too bothered about that then there are some great things to discover here. And afterall, it's free. Any place that offers you something for free is surely something worth checking out. In summary, I found the place kind of amusing. It hasn't really changed or grown, the shelves are a little lacking in love and there's barely anything in the way of new content. But it's still kind of nice; and much quieter than the world waiting outside. A pleasant, if slightly depressing experience.

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.

Great venue for professional meetings, forums, conferences and functions (Middle Entrance into the…read morebuilding) I say that because it's a very professional and well maintained building. Up stairs is like a mini version of 'The House of Parliament' so if your talking political. As soon as you walk in through the middle entrance though the double door on the left to the enquiry desk is the Lister room very spacey and great if you're looking to have a big group. Next entrance is great for fun events performances and information fairs (Right Entrance into building). Or maybe your not looking for any such thing and you've left your course work to the last minute and your legging it down to the (Left Entrance into building) Library? To finish your work? Nojust me? The shame the shame well as you walk in your see stairs to your left but we'll go there later. Downstairs is the children's section and teenage fiction not the biggest library and it closes at FIVE with no day where it actually stays open that bit later so if your coming from school or work your not going to have any time to get anything done. Oh yeah upstairs is the reference library a place to study use the computer and read the paper. If you choose to want to study here I mean it come early time waits for no man. You can't miss this building because it's famous for its giant clock that dings every hour so if your making your way there for any reason you'll know if you're on time.

This library is a modern take on the word as books seem to be a sideline!…read more Although the traditional building (a Carnegie library) still stands in the High Street, the entrance to it is now in the modern extention off the ajacent square. There are banks of computers and a large audio and dvd lending section, a small lending library which comprises mainly of fiction. The reference section is on the first floor (there is a lift) and is TINY!!! There are toilets and good disabled access.

The redevelopment of this library has transformed it into a more modern, bright better atmosphere…read moreas I remember the old one being more dark and gloomy. As this is the nearest library I have studied here many times and found that younger people are starting to study there. They have wireless internet access and a computer room as well as a large children's section which they hold events in sometimes. There are three different sections containing adult's books and 2 floors (ground and 1st floor). They also have a visual/audio section from which you can borrow DVDs and audio tapes. Overall the new library is a nice improvement!

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! )

Small discrete and guaranteed concentration as this is a very quiet library if you're the type to…read moreget easily distracted well traffic outside is one less thing for you to worry about as it's on a quite road so the only thing you will see is a bus which are usually rare and the odd pedestrian. It's the kind of library where if you go to the big library you never find what you're looking forwhich would most likely be a book, you come here bingo you're likely to find it.

A nice freindly local library, modernised a couple of years ago, so good access, disabled toilet…read more(kept locked, key on request) Lots of internet stations. decent amount of books. They always have a good display from local artists, both in the library and the attached Waltham Forest Direct office.

Not very big, but the staff are friendly, has an up to date electronic check in / out system for…read morebooks which can make things faster / easier & does seems to have a decent selection of new / recently released books on offer. Has a separate study area. What is a bonus is the fact you can sign up online & once registered fully can order books over the internet via their library catalogue & get them delivered to the Leytonstone branch (or others) for a fee of 60p per book. So when you see or read a review about a book that interests you - just look it up on their library website - reserve a copy, collect from the library when they notify you it's arrived, pay the 60p & save yourself a fortune in future book purchases!