The King's Maughan University is one of my favourite university libraries. It was near my campus…read moreand I would often head there to do some work. It is in a large handsome building between the law courts and Fleet Street. The library itself is similarly large, and seems to house Kings Humanities collection. It is a decent collection, and LSE is across the road if you need other social sciences books. The mix means that you can get a reading book if you get bored of your work. Rather than having large swathes of seating there a lots of little tables, and small seating rooms. The seats are incredibly comfy and there are dividers so you don't feel exposed. It can sometimes be a little chatty but if you need to crack on there is a beautiful dome roofed quiet work room on the ground floor and higher up there are individual cubical like offices where you can really concentrate. There is also a café in the basement where you can go for a break. Additionally, Kings Students are largely very friendly and there is a nice atmosphere about the place. The Kings Maughan Library is a great library that I would encourage ULU members and academics to make use of.

In a word, stunning…read more The building housing the Maughan library is absolutely magnificent. Housed in a 19th-century Gothic building, the library is beautiful and filled with period pieces both inside and out. However, because the library is in a grade II* listed building, nothing about it can be changed. Therefore, as a researcher, the labyrinthine stacks are not only intimidating; they are downright frustrating. No matter how many times one looks for the Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, one inevitably finds oneself wandering around the first and first-mezzanine levels cursing under ones breath at the journal's seeming elusiveness. (And if one is looking for a journal title starting with a Z for the first time, (s)he will be baffled to find it on the opposite side of the library and on another floor with respect to the REST of the library's journals after bewilderedly wandering around the majority of the library's journal titles for 30 minutes. Infuriating.) More often than not, I find books I desperately want to consult are checked out, and the library's holdings aren't as numerous as those at the Senate House Library. While the interior furnishings are comfortable, contemporary, and functional, the library's mezzanine levels seem to confuse people. That is, they seem to confuse people into thinking if they're on the mezzanine level that they can have rather loud conversations with their friends without disturbing people studying on the main floor just below them. After unwillingly being subjected to conversations about one too many a drunken antic of an undergraduate, the library has left me a little jaded. For this reason, the library is, sadly, simply okay. Considering its beauty, location and history alone, it is a five-star facility.

This is my local library, located slightly off Earl's Court Road on the Old Brompton Road…read more The 70s-built building won't win any prizes for architecture, but the inside is surprisingly light and airy. There's the usual lending and reference sections, and they have a video, DVD and music CD collection, as well as a special children's section and a small internet access section (for members only). Fees apply for videos, DVDs and CDs. Only members can take out books, but anyone can use the reference section. Being relatively small, the stock is a bit limited (especially the local history section) but is adequate for most people. My main use has been to borrow travel guides, of which there's a decent selection. It receives all the major daily newspapers, mostly read by a group of loyal pensioners who seem to go there every day. The library runs reading courses, has a reading group and once a week there's a toddlers' group called 'Baby Rhyme Time'. (I have no idea what goes on there!) The staff seem very pleasant, and there is a meeting room upstairs available for hire by community groups, seating up to 40 people. It's on the C1 bus route, and a few minutes' walk from the 328, 74 and C3 buses. Both Earl's Court and West Brompton stations are about ten minutes' walk away.

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.

The building may not be ancient but the treasures inside will keep you engaged for hours…read more Explore the various museum room and see if you're allowed to see some of the really old volumes. Rest in the cafe or sit and read a while in a chair or desk on the upper floors. Stroll the exterior and see the huge line that sometimes forms at (I guess) opening times? Enjoy the special kids programs at many times, and celebrate the love of reading young and old.

A magnificent and historic library - a wonderful place for scholars and other bookish people.read more

Housed within the V&A Museum is a vast collection of art and design books dating back centuries…read more You must register in order to use the library but anyone can join. It then works on a basis where you find a book using the computer database, order it and then 20 minutes later it will be brought to you by a librarian. You cannot take books out of the library but you can ask to use the same books again the following day. I originally went to the National Art Library in search of books on contemporary textile designers, I had little luck with this. However, for history of art purposes I have found the library immensely helpful. The library is usually very quiet and has a limited capacity making it an easy and pleasant to work in.

Now attempting to give itself a 'cultural makeover', this is essentially a glorious old building -…read morebuilt originally for normal people to meet up and learn - is now being almost swallowed by the glass and steel towers of the City. The building itself has the look and feel of Victorian England, that when you round the lovely corridors to the library, it's exactly as you'd expect. One of those libraries which just wants to make you stay quiet, of your own volition. It's got the hallowed smell of old books (of which there is A LOT) and nicely varnished wood. The stock is mainly about local interest and the history of London. They also have a dance studio and courses on offer here - check the website - but I came to use the library. If you need a quiet space for an afternoon to read something or do some research, you should wile away the hours in here. It's really really lovely!

This review is for the library only, sadly I have only looked longingly at the course offerings and…read morenot taken any (yet). The library is such a gem in ever odd spitalfields area full of old pubs, over-priced fashion shops, and financial corporations. The library is FREE to everyone and is exactly what a library should be: Well-lit, full of old books, packed with long study tables, equipped with free WiFi, and most importantly QUIET. Also, if you are on the hunt for a cute librarian to date, they have quite a few! The only downside is the hours. They have recently extended their hours to Saturday, but itis hard to fit my insomnia into their opening hours. The schedule is: Monday- Thursday: 10:00 to 17:30 Friday: 10:00 to 14:00 Saturday: 10:00 to 17:30 Sunday: Closed

Greet Street Library is based near to Upton Park Underground Station. I have been in this library…read moreseveral times and borrowed many books from there. I signed up at Stratford Library in Newham. I wanted to sign up at Green Street but people there wanted me to show them my bank statement and three references. That time I was new in London and had no references. One of my friend told me to go Stratford Library and sign up there. I got my registration there. Green Street is 10 minute was from my home. Here facilities is not as much good as in other libraries. If i want to go there and use my laptop then I cant get any plug for charging m

It;s always adventure to take even a walk on that street. It's not so far from home so from time to…read moretime when I'm bored I like coming here. Place is fancy, fun and people at shops are really friendly. it's very colourful and crowded and still this street has some charm.

I haven't been a member of a library for quite sometime, and I managed to forget the incredible…read moreamount of free things that comes with being one. I have frequented Hackney Library ever since becoming a member a few months ago. First of all, free films!!! Amazing!! The only problem is that the collection of decent films will only keep you going for a couple of months. The library is probably the only interaction I have with c.d.'s in this technological age. They are free to hire and there is actually some really good stuff. If the c.d.'s and books have not been there for a certain amount of time then you have to pay a small amount to hire them. The book collection is huge and diverse, and the abundance of computers are free to use. There is also scanning and printing available. I can't believe I neglected the library for so many years.

I remember when this library was nothing special, but since they done up the building, this is…read morereally a nice and modern library. Almost feels like a book store. They have a great selection of books and an impressive selection of DVDs to rent. This may no longer be my local area, but I still have my Hackney library card!