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.

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!

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.

This quiet library has a good collection of books, and all you need is a recent utility bill to…read morebecome a member. There is free, if a little slow, internet as well, although you are encouraged to limit your time if there are others waiting to use the computers. There are a couple of videos available for rent as well. The erratic opening hours mean that you won't be able to come here regularly, but it still is very convenient for those living nearby. There are signs up for a weekly book club, and there are also newspapers and periodicals available for browsing. The bright exterior and friendly staff make this library a pleasure to visit.

Great little library which has everything you need. Lots of new and old books, plenty of computers…read moreto use, a big children's section and lots of dvds and cds to borrow. They do a reward scheme where for every 5 books you take out you get a free dvd or cd which is a really great idea. The late nights on a Tuesday and Thursday are great too. Lovely staff and a big part of the community.

Great tiny local library, not many books but the staff are very helpful and alway good for DVD's…read more Very good for the local children. Arts and craft activities and story telling sessions

Kings Langley is a very sweet small library. Should be placed in a village to be honest, but the…read moreroad is off the High street. I came on a Thursday when they open from 2pm to 6pm which is understandable considering where it is. The services they provide are books, magazine for hire. The use of their computers for an hour to book. They also have free wifi. Photocopiers and a fax machine. A single wide table for studying. Also leaflets on what to your local area and surrounding area. This library is actually a quiet one compared to some; which I like. I'll definitely return because my favourite coffee shop is not far. (Fred & Ginger).

What happened to signal in this library ? In order to caught signal you have to leave library…read moretrying to get it outside the library. Used to be very good signal, why nobody cares about it? they know about this problem , but do nothing , Very disappointing Others library don t have this problem at all!

Great library. It's improved immeasurably since it's refit, and it has a great stock of books. The…read moregraphic novel section in particular is very good with a great selection of alternative titles as well as the usual suspects. The staff are helpful and there's a nice atmosphere. There's a fair few PCs too, and members can use the internet for free.

When my flatmate and I first arrived in Shadwell/Whitechapel, we were faced with many an uphill…read morebattle. Both out of work and in need of income we were engaged in what turned out to be a fruitless but frantic search for jobs. This, of course, requires much patience and a sturdy web connection. Alas, BT was giving us what I've now learned is a rather routine shakedown, and it was a couple of weeks before our flat was wireless. Promptly, we found Idea Store Whitechapel. What is an Idea Store, you ask? You must not be from Tower Hamlets. Idea Store is basically a library on uppers, a lending institution augmented by classroom and meeting facilities, wifi throughout, an extensive computer network, and, at Idea Store Whitechapel at least, a wall-of-windows fourth floor café. Our cynical assumption was that it was rebranded thus in order to make library going sexier to the locals. Consequently we sneered at its pro-community attitude assuming more sinister and parochial motives. We soon discovered that there was no need to be hating. If a rebranding is what it takes to create a functional public service combining books, resources and lifelong learning such as this, then so be it. Call it whatever you want. Doris, for instance, or Sunset Beach. Seriously, though, I love libraries. I'm not so big on ownership (you're not likely to see many postings for me about shopping) but I'm very big on books and public resources. The very idea of receiving a volume that has passed through other hands thrills me, as does the handing of it back. The romance of the continuum of ideas is what makes library going important, and what makes the Idea Store's initially cynical-seeming rebranding rather apt: it is a store, or cache, of ideas, affording sharing and interchange, the backbone of any constructive society.

Since the Italian manager hired the Italian dance teacher, things changed for the worse. Both…read moreunprofessional and rude. It used to be excellent. So disappointing...