Who says you need to go to a Library, just to study. Take walk with me. As you enter straight away…read moreyou see this huge space in front of you some times it's taken up with old ex library books which are on sell. Some times it's just an empty space so you have room to breathe. Ground Floor is for the cuties, because they have a children's section ranging from baby books to post toddlers, toddlers all the way up to teenagers. That's on your right as you enter. On your left they have the adult section range of books from a range of authors weather you're a romantic and love to be swept away by love stories to if you're a vampire waiting to feed on the next best horror book. Maybe there are a few basic skills you want to improve, there are books to help with that and the best thing isthey are just so simple. First Floor: Exhibition Area Asians history as well as present one of they're focus is around 'The oldest and most famous highway in the Indian sub-continuant'. Gloucester and York Rooms Two rooms used for meetings, public meetings, fun events for family and children. Toilets. Second Floor: Reference Library some where you can study, read the newspaper surf the internet. Redbridge Museum is on this floor which gives you the history on Redbridge, Gants Hill Dagenham, Wanstead Park with brail translation and touch screen information.

As local librarys go this one is pretty good. Spread over many floors it quite distinctive and has…read morelots of services for people of all ages. Even has a local museum of ilford. The reference library is very good and about the same of most library in this class. On the ground floor they have a lively main area and you can use pcs if you wish. Also they rent out other media of most of librarys now like cds and dvds. Its location is right of of them main high street and has a car park very near by

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.

Central Library (or Bexleyheath Library as it is more commonly referred to) is the main library…read moreserving the Bexley Borough area. It is the biggest and has the most comprehensive collection of facilities. These include a large variety of books covering all genres to borrow. There are also extensive free to use IT facilities and internet access. It is an ideal place for school children or college students to study and work or for those without web access at home to log on and check emails. I used the facilities recently to browse through the university prospectuses which were upstairs and sat in their quiet zone to help a friend select a course. The quiet zone was a good place to concentrate and the nature of the zone was well respected by all who used it. DVDs and local history archives are other among the many other things on offer at Central Library which has become an important part of Bexleyheath life as activities such as reading groups, guest speakers and children's activity sessions are offered. The DVD and CD hire is a good way of entertaining yourself on a budget as the rental costs are a significantly lower than those at places such as Blockbuster although the titles are not always as recent or as well stocked as rental shops. The library can get busy at times and although I have never experienced it being cramped, you may have to occasionally wait for a member of staff if you need help. The staff are always cheerful and enthusiastic as well as helpful when it comes to locating items. Getting to the library is easy as it is near the Broadway where almost every bus in Bexleyheath stops. Parking in The Mall or in local pay and displays are available too. Be cautious of parking wardens as they patrol the area regularly.

This is a very friendly library for kids, who will enjoy the fun activities available in the…read morelibrary especially during the school holidays, they can also have access to computers, which they will enjoy using. The book range is good, staff are helpful and kid friendly. The library is well lit and modern. Parking is available via Broadways parking areas, DO NOT try and park on the road as Traffic wardens appear as if by magic ticket you and disappear again!!. The location of library is VERY GOOD, the cinema is nearby as is a range of shopping facilities. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Canning twn library can be found on the very busy barking road canning town…read more Open 5 days a week from 9.30am till 5.30pm excluding thursday as its open till 8pm. Closed wednesday and sunday. Accessibility-disabled access. Public transport -many bus routes avaliable Trains-canning train station They have a huge selection on offer ,newspapers and magazines,books,audio books and a large selection of novels. They also have on offer not only books in english but books in foreign languages too. Free internet access,printing and photocopying. Also a lot avaliable for disabled kids and adults, ICT disability suite including wheelchair-accessible desks. They also have alot of clubs during the day and evening which include a homework club. Great plce to go and chill out and study as its very quiet and relaxing.

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.

This Library is in desperate need of some TLC (Tender Loving Care)!…read more The building itself is fantastic, it's famous amongst people that live near it, and if they were to ever convert it or knock it down there would be uproar. Inside you have computer and internet access (as most libraries do these days) and obviously Books and some CDs etc. The collection of books is poor. An example of this is that the most recent computer book they had there as How to use Windows 2000. This is most probably due to the local Idea Store (Canary Wharf) being given prority. The staff are really friendly and are experts on the world of books, they'll be more than happy to help you find something. You need a membership to borrow books, but it only takes around five minutes to fill in the form!