Came out of the gym earlier and noticed this 50s Bauhaus styled library next to it. What strange…read moreand something I've not noticed before is that there is literally a pathway that links the two buildings.

The Library is quite big in my opinion, it has many books and it provides a great service overall…read more The internet is quite nice, not too fast, yet not slow either. The cafe inside provides some yummi food and has many options. Its connected to the swimming pool and quite close to the tube line, schools and shops. However the library is usually full of young teenagers who, hardly understand the concept of a library. They speak very loudly and nobody tells them otherwise since there is hardly any official librarian strolling along to keep peace. I cant fathom why is a library noisy, yet this one is very often too much to work in. Not only the young teenagers but even the kids can yell their hearts out and you'd still hear it in your seat, since there is no walls separating the kids area from the adults section, just a bookcase.

My fascination with words and language comes from My Pop. When he came home from work, after dinner…read moreI would sit on his knee and read or try to read the paper with him. I thought that was fun, but my favourite day of the week was Saturday, because that's went we went to the library. I always left with at least three books which I devoured and that is how I came to love libraries. In the past few years I've been dismayed by systematic closure of libraries across the country, targeted by short-termist local councils looking for easy budget cuts. Luckily for me my local library is still open for business and it's not half bad. It's friendly, vibrant and a nice place to visit. The library is housed within the Croydon Clock Tower Arts Centre which is a truly beautiful building. The librarians are helpful, if a little stern, but maybe that's just me reacting to having to be quiet for once! The children's section in the library is bright, cosy, well stocked with old faithfuls and a few newbies as well. If you're a student it's not so great, as I found out when I was at night school, getting my degree awhile back. A lot of the standard text books I needed were out of date (an unfortunate testament to those darn council cuts!) and the computers (which you have to book) aren't strictly top of the line. Photocopying costs 5p a sheet, buy yourself a photocopier card if you are photocopying chapters and also to save you messing around asking for change! Overview the library may not be the coolest place in the world to hang out, but it remains an essential part of our local community and I hope it remains for many years to come.

Croydon Library really sets the standard for public libraries. Located across three floors in…read moreCroydon Clocktower, with a separate children's library on the ground floor, it really has something for everyone. In addition to the books, CDs and DVDs (which include films, instruction videos and recordings of opera and dance), the library also houses a local studies section with extensive records of Croydon's history, as well as the tourist information office. Internet access is free and there are lots of computers for public use; if you have your own laptop, you can also take it along and borrow a circuit-breaker to plug it in. Desk space can be at a premium, however - particularly at weekends and during school holidays. Overall, though, it's an excellent resource and something I'm quite proud to have in Croydon.

Housed in one of Shepherd's Bush's nicest buildings is an adequate, if not sensational, selection…read moreof books, videos and dvds. There are also helpful staff, and generally it has a very friendly and welcoming atmosphere where you don't feel like someone is going to spit 'shhh!' at you if you dare to make a sound. When I was a student I got my 'Lifestyle Plus' card from here. The card is an excellent thing. It cost me £20 for 12 months and I qualified for it by being a full time student. You can also get one if you are low income or on various benefits. It allowed me to go swimming for 50p a throw, and lots of other things like cheap tennis, free entry to some museumy type places, cheap theatre tickets and so on. All in the borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. What a great borough. Videos are cheaper to borrow from here than the videoshop, but obviously the selection isn't fabulous. A nice library though. Pleasant and welcoming for all the community.

It is a nice library, very user friendly, you can lend books, audio tapes, DVD's, videos and CD's…read morefor a good price with a large range. It opens till late 4 times a week, while it opens 7 days a week. If 2 or more people need to use the internet at the same time it is the place to be, they have internet stations for kids as well as adults. Also has a toilet, automatic doors and ramp for the disabled.

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

Unlike most libraries these days, you can still find a few books in this venue. Even a few useful…read moreperiodicals. My complaining aside, this is a wonderful community centre. Always packed with people studying, using the computers or just taking advantage of a free, warm, indoor space. This library excells as a low cost DVD rental facility. A lot of their titles are art house and interesting and also cater for languages other than english.

This library is in the main shopping area in Wood Green and has a huge range of activities for…read morepeople of all ages, cultures and nationalities and is open seven days a week!!. There is fast, free internet access with plenty of computers available and a very short waiting time considering the numbers of people that use the library on a daily basis. This is down to the efficient system, members get one hour, guests get half an hour. The staff are very helpful and will assist you to get started on computers and give you information about the most amazing amount of cracking other services such as Learn Direct, Post Natal Salsa for Mums and Babies, Weight Watchers, OlderPeople's Drop In, Maths and English Tuition for Teenagers and Story Time to mention just a few! There is also a huge study area for studious types and a seating area with broadband access for those with laptops and there are of course, toilets. The best thing is the 'buzz the place has. The address is; Wood Green Library, High Road, Wood Green, London N22 6XD.

Haven't actually needed to use this place yet but came around on a Sunday to peruse. Pretty cool…read morespace. Smaller selection but fairly easy to navigate and search for things on your own (tried to find a book that was recommended and it wasn't at the branch, shucks). There's lots of tables and spaces to meet and study with people or by yourself. There are computers, some you have to reserve and some you can drop in and use (but I think there's an hour time limit per day or something) There's also the museum of Brent and a cinema located in the same centre. Not sure how the cinema works but I went into the museum and it's awesome. It's definitely geared towards children, crazy interactive exhibits left and right, but I had a blast going through it all by myself. There's even a video booth where you can record your story about various school topics like bullies, homework, favorite hot lunches. For sure come here if you need a few hours to kill with children in tow in Willesden. :)

Maybe because it was a first library I happened to join in London I have a special fondness for the…read moreplace:) I still go back every now and then. It is never too busy, usually you find what you need. There are little cafe's inside the complex and cinema too. You can also get internet connection and borrow CD's and DVD's.

I lived in Forest Hill for two years exactly and I only went to this place three times. It's a…read moresmallish, long, stretched space next to the newly developed swimming pool and the choices of books seemed to concentrate on children books a lot. I never actually took a book home from this place, so I cannot comment on the staff at all. It is newly decorated, but it doesn't have much space and I had the impression to constantly bump into people when I was looking through the shelves.

Much improved since the refit with better opening hours too, the library is very modern and manages…read moreto attract local youngsters without it becoming too noisey.The children's section is a good size and the number of computers available means free internet access is available at most times for members. It is a nice open environment and is well layed out and spacious. It is only a small local library but seems to have a good selection of recent book releases although these could be better promoted.

Gayton Library has since moved from Gayton Road, round the corner to St John's Road, and is now a 4…read morestorey place. Each floor is laid out perfectly, with childrens books on ground, adult fiction on first and reference books on second, and lower ground, also holding a huge computer area for internet access. It has plenty of toilets, a coffee machine, and is really accessable for disabled users. A Wide array of books, music and dvd's makes it a nice place to visit. Having the childrens library away from the other sections, reduces the amount of interruptions you may get, and leaves the other floors peaceful and relaxing. There are loads of study tables on the second floor, and plenty of plug sockets for laptops etc. Staff are friendly, and willing to help with any questions, and will order in anything that they may not have. Overall, this is a brilliant Library, which since it's overhaul, I visit on a frequent basis. Tis just what a library should be.