I'm going to come right out and say it:…read more I think that libraries are one of the most important things we've ever come up with. So, yes, maybe I'm biased. This is the Tate (yes, as in THAT Tate) memorial library-- he didn't just endow the museum, he endowed three libraries in South London. It's a gorgeous old Victorian building, with lovely, knowledgeable staff, and a generally excellent selection of books and whatnot. They will, of course, get you anything in the Lambeth Library world. But that's not all! Free wifi! (usually) clean toilets! Computers! Books? Fiction. Nonfiction. Graphic novels. Training for the Life in the UK test. Job centre. Book reading groups. The librarians will engage with you, suggest books for you, and ask your opinion of books. They put up brilliant displays of local history (including a recent history of the Brixton Riots). What else? They have a LOYALTY CARD SCEME. I know. It's a library. They give you stuff for free. What on earth would you want with a loyalty card scheme? See, if you borrow anything five times, you'll get a DVD or audio music rental for free. I'm sure they have more. They're a brilliant resource full of lovely people. Write your MP, councillor, etc. and save them. It's probably the best use of your tax money.

Well placed library in the centre of Brixton, right next door to the legendary Ritzy Cinema…read more The library has normal books for loan as well as reference book also. One of the most pleasing areas is upstairs in the study / computer room to the left of the main staircase. Once inside there is gorgeous winding staircase leading up to what looks like part of the reference library. It was cordoned off last time I was there, so sadly I didn't get to have a poke around. Thinking about it I'm not sure that it's ever seen it accessible to the public, I'll have to go back and have another look!

There is a study area which is meant to be quiet (though the library is an "open-space"), with…read moreabout 20 comfy seats and where you can plug your laptops. Wifi is free and it works! The library also has a coffee area with many seats and laptops can be plugged there as well. Toilets are clean - 1 for each gender, plus 1 for disabled people.

Great book selection. Let down by rude male librarian ( glasses and long curly hair) today who…read moreappeared to think that just by virtue of being in the children's section I was responsible for all the books left on the floor by previous toddlers. Refused to accept he had wrongly accused me and tidied up around me and my children with sarcastic comments . Such a shame. Clearly in the wrong job and a discredit to the normally helpful staff. Left us reluctant to return.

It's worth a trip up mountainous Herne Hill Road to catch a glimpse of this lovely old building. I…read morerecently moved to the area and joined up - it's part of the Lambeth group which also include Brixton and Clapham libraries - finding there to be a fairly small but surprisingly eclectic and nicely presented selection of books, some DVDs and lots of quiet places to sit and read/study/rest from the slog up the hill. It's probably easier for me to drop off my finished books in Brixton, and there's definitely more to choose from at other libraries in Lambeth, but once in a while I'll certainly be back to Carnegie. Might take the bus though

Several years ago, Lambeth tried to close down many of its libraries, one of which being the…read moreCarnegie. Many protests and petitions later, it remains an operational library. The building is perhaps more impressive than the books it houses. This imposing, grand early Edwardian building rather stands out in this heavily residential area of Herne Hill. Despite living practically next door, I very rarely actually use the library. The selection of books is not the largest but they still have a reasonable range, while the books that they do not have can be ordered in. They do however, have a really good children's room with books for all ages. I do feel rather connected to the library in some way. It is not fantastic but quite a significant part of the community.

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

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!

Beautiful and charming old bookstore! Three floors with lots of books! Friendly staff! Love…read morevisiting this bookstore!

Cute bookstore. We were walking around in the neighborhood and came across this bookstore. The kids…read moreloved looking at the the children's books. They also had a great selection of fiction and nonfiction books. I would definitely come back here if I'm ever visiting Marylebone again!

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.

Would definitely recommend checking out the British library at least once! It's a beautiful…read morebuilding with a lot of bookd and exhibits, as well as a little coffee shop. If you plan on seeing any of the actual exhibits or checking out the areas that actually house the books, you'll need to sign up for one of their cards. I also can't really imagine getting much work or studying done here. It can be pretty difficult to find a seat and it's so loud and busy that you may be better off going somewhere else.

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.

The Charing Cross Library is on the intersection between Covent Garden, Chinatown and Trafalgar…read moreSquare. It is part of the borough of Westminster and so open its residents, though you can request books for other libraries. The entrance to the building is quite discreet. The library itself is arranged across two floors. On the ground floor are books and DVDs. On the first floor are more books and the computers. The library has a decent fiction section and is notable for its large selection of Chinese language books. Charing Cross library is a small place but does a good job in trying to serve the interests of its community. It is worth visiting, particularly if you are looking for a Chinese language reading book.

This is my local library at work. What distinguishes this library from others is that it stocks a…read morehuge selection of books in Chinese. It also has a lot of manga/comic books, although these are in English and not in Chinese (unfortunately for me, because I am used to reading them in Chinese! Japanese translates better into Chinese than English!) There are two floors, a good selection of books, and they even sort the books into newly arrived, books you should read etc. near the door which I appreciate very much when I am just browsing for a new author. There are computer desks upstairs for use, and mainly reference books and language books there. Stocked downstairs are the Chinese books, Sci Fi/Fantasy/Crime and Children's books. The staff are quite nice and helpful in general, some staff can speak Chinese, of which I'm sure the Chinese community are very appreciative. The book reservation service is also very efficient. They sort it by name and stack the reserved books on a shelf so you can use the self check-out to borrow books. Yes, they have state of the art machines there, doesn't that make you just want to come and visit?