St Pancras library, just across the road from St Pancras station, and on the ground floor of Camden…read moreTown House, has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for people of all ages, and from all backgrounds. The children's library (which is sectioned off from the main room) looks particularly good, with sofas, bean bags and games laid out on tables. I noticed there were lot's of activities and fun games for children to get involved in, such as 'story time', 'quiet homework time', 'family rhyme time' , and various craft workshops. The adult section is nicely arranged into rational topic sections, and along with books includes a rack of daily newspapers, Cd's, DVDs and cassette tapes. They also have free Internet and printing facilities (5p per page). I was particularly impressed by the amount of community information and support that is available here, with several filing cabinets full of leaflets and organizations contact details for people suffering various difficulties from financial problems to domestic violence. They also have workshops for elder people, such as a weekly computer sessions for Age Concern. Definitely worth checking out what's on as this place is likely to have something to offer you whatever your taste.

This place is great, shut on Sunday like most libraries (not islington central or stoke newington…read moreor stamford hill) regularly sells off cheap dvds (I got Ozon's 52 for £1.50 and Six Strong Guys for the same price, a bargain anywhere) and has all the newspapers. Plus, and here's the truely annoying thing, it allows anybody to use the internet. You don't have to be a member. So, for free, you can wander in here and ask to use the computer, and the librarian will book you on. You may have to wait, but you can always read a book. (They're like computers but faster.) Worst thing: when you book on, the system is rubbish, you can't see when slots are free, you can only pick a length of time on a certain day, and take pot luck. I start at 60 minutes, which usually means I have to wait a couple of hours, then reduce it to 30, then 20, and sometimes even then you have a half hour wait. Best is to book a day in advance. The only other downside is the percentage of tramps using the library to sleep, and I do that very rarely. I would have asked for them to be moved but they were all wearing Qype t-shirts. I would wear mine, but I haven't received it yet. (after 4 months.) Toilets are available and so is drinking water.

Love this place. Located just off the high road behind the church…read more A beautiful, traditional building with a great selection of books regularly topped up with the latest titles. Separate child's library so kid's can enjoy their books and adults can do the same but in peace and quiet.

My mum always points out how amazing it is that the local libraries cater for adults as well as…read morechildren. Even more, she is always amazed at the facilities Londoners are offered, when you compare to the lack of them in El Salvador, I can understand her astonishment. It is especially great that the children's section is so complete, and that taking books out is free! (as long as you are registered) It is a good place to take your little one for her to socialise with other children and for you to take a breather from being alone with your child. On Mondays there is an event were a lady reads and plays songs to the children. It is on a first come first serve basis so be there early if not they might not let you in. It has happened to me before. Books are great for the grown ups and there are plenty to choose from, as well as, free internet access, CDs and DVDs to rent (for £1 or some for free). I have become more of a bookworm because of this library, and I guess that can't be bad...

This is the newest library in Lewisham - situated in the Downham Leisure Centre. It's on 2 levels…read moreand is very modern - great range of books, a computer suite where you can use the internet for free. They have a free film club too which shows adult and children's films for free. It's situated right next to the Costa Coffee so you can get your book out and read with caffeine! There's been some vandalism which is such a shame - the Downham Estate is a rough neighbourhood but having such a brilliant resource right in the middle of it should be respected.

Downham Library has been opened for 2 years now is an innovative library. It's the first library I…read morehave seen that has self issue terminals, where you issue and return your own library books. Downham has always been known to be a rough area, but nevertheless it feels like the staff work hard to engage with the community and make it a place that the residents can call their own. As well there being a good selection of books, DVDs and CDs and talking books, there are always loads of fun craft activities for children and story-times for babies and tots. There are at least 15 computers available for internet access. It's free and easy join the library (just show at least one proof of ID) and anyone can join, i.e.you don't have to be a Lewisham resident to qualify.

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 little local library. A high level of stock including recent fiction, language tapes and…read morebusiness guides. Internet access also available. Staff are incredibly helpful. Books can be checked in and out using the automated desks (2) saving time. Late close time of 7pm allows commuters to use the facility. There are also often art exhibitions. The library also holds many free reading events for children. Books can be ordered online from other libraries and held for collection.

Under no circumstances should you engage in converstion with the elderly Chinese gentleman - he…read morewill keep you tied up for hours with some pretty awful rubbish of how he was the one who influenced Einstein, secretly walked on the moon before Neil Armstrong and won the Victoria Cross for beating Karpov at chess etc.....

Now strictly speaking, this library is only supposed to be open to the esteemed students of London…read moreSchool of Economics. If you fit that description, or have a friend who does, or if you just have any friend cheeky enough to accompany you on an adventure, you'll find one of the best libraries in London nestled away discretely on the top floor of this otherwise anonymous building in LSE's city centre campus. There is no need for ID cards to get past security on the ground floor. Just walktz by looking academic and make a beeline for the lifts. What you'll find at the 5th floor is one medium-sized room replete with textbook oak-panelled shelves lined with all sorts of tomes and journals, magazines and newspapers, as well as old, creaky leather armchairs in each corner where you can enjoy them. Needless to say, without an LSE card, you can't take them out. But this is a perfect environment for whiling a few hours away from the bustle of central London. If you grow tired of reading, step out onto the balcony for a view across the rooftops of Lincoln's Inn Fields. There is also a rooftop cafe in the same building.

The Shaw Library is one of the atypically wonderful things about LSE. LSE as a university is pretty…read moreheavy going with high work loads, a strong emphasis on individual work and a generally smug pseudo-corporate operating mentality. As such being a student there can be a bit of a drag sometimes. The Shaw Library however, goes against all this and is something of a haven. It is a large open plan room with arm chairs and sofas. There are books in the bookshelves but people rarely read them. The dailies and weeklies are set out on a table at the entrance. Thus, the library feels a little like a gentlemen's club. People sit around reading, and some do a little work (although noise is discouraged, so no laptops). It serves most students though as a place to go for a nap, and the majority of people there are generally asleep. There are also free concerts occasionally at lunch times. The Shaw Library is a great place for ULU and LSE students in need of a quick break.

Wimbledon Library is conveniently located on the high street but more towards Wimbledon Hill away…read morefrom hussle and bussle. It was opened in 1887 and the building has a very nice feel about it. It has recently undergone a bit of a refurbishment as previously it did look a little cramped in the main area. The usual areas are all there with Non-fiction, fiction, reference. I have used it quite a bit for studying in. The study section is located at the back of the library and there are a fair number of desks. The newspapers are also in that area so it can get quite busy. The library is all on one floor and off to one side is the Internet section. If your a registered user you can get an hour a day on the internet. It obviously is fairly busy during peak time but the 1 hour limit helps. I am not a parent but the library does have a good childrens section and often there are workshops happening for mothers and babies/kids. Another good thing is the library is on the Merton library website so you can search for books online and I believe they are adding online renewals.

Free internet Quiet(ish) working area…read moreFree computers No public toilets!!! so don't stay too long

This is such a wonderful community resource. They run sessions for preschoolers every day - from…read moreSprouts for the babies to Little Caterpillars and Baby gyms for the older ones. Mandy, the senior staff member who runs all the sessions is amazing - always there for a friendly word or to offer advice. They are starting new sessions all the time - for a new mum it's perfect. There's a wonderful cafe, run by Sue and Gay who work so hard to feed all the kiddies (and are so patient with my wild boys)! The Limelight pre-school there is wonderful - my son is very happy there. They also run classes for the community in literacy and parenting skills, have regular sessions for OAPS and people with special needs - a true COMMUNITY centre - truly wonderful