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 A lot of the standard text books I needed were out of date (an unfortunate testament to those darn council cuts!)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.

A nice local library, with a good range of books and nice features such as "100 albums you must…read morelisten too". The geek in me also like the automation, you can check the books out yourself and a you return the books to a robot which then send the books to the appropriate trolley, you can also ask them to p t your email address on the system so when your book is overdue it will email you, it must be said it would make more sense though if it told you before it was overdue. they also have activity for the kids like baby "bounce and rhyme" and they also have a drop-box so you can return your books out of hours

Updated library in new complex with Sainsburys so while away some time shopping and then pop in for…read moresome tranquil time and reading. internet usage available-great! staff friendly. easy to park in sainsburys-busy at peak times. always able to help there-good prompt service.

Used to go to this library a lot of times with my mother when I was in primary school-plenty of…read morebooks to choose of many genres and a quiet area make reading books and taking them (having to return them after 2 weeks, I think) very convenient.

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

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.

I have visited this library a couple of times and it is a very tranquil and traditional library…read more The décor inside hasn't really changed since the 1950s, I think. I think this is quite a charming characteristic though. They do stock really up-to-date books and they have a really good selection of adult non-fiction in particular for this medium-sized library. They have computers available for free Internet access, which is brilliant in my opinion.

For a small local library, this place is really quite cool. I always liked the vibe of this…read morelibrary, it's "split", if you like, into two parts - the reference library and then the main library. The reference library is nice and quiet, a perfect place to research, study or read. The staff are helpful and the surroundings make you feel your in the inner sanctum of old newspapers and manuscripts - I really like the heavy old wooden interior. The main library is much more modern. There's a great selection of books and you can use the internet here too but I much prefer reading in the reference library. Overall, a great place for books. I used to love coming in here to read and reflect, a brilliant local library.

Really cool library. Good selection and nice atmosphere…read more And they are so high-tech! I was late returning a book last week, so they emailed me with a reminder and a link to renew my books online! So easy and so convenient!

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.