This is the newest library in Lewisham - situated in the Downham Leisure Centre. It's on 2 levels…read moreand is very modern - great range of books, a computer suite where you can use the internet for free. They have a free film club too which shows adult and children's films for free. It's situated right next to the Costa Coffee so you can get your book out and read with caffeine! There's been some vandalism which is such a shame - the Downham Estate is a rough neighbourhood but having such a brilliant resource right in the middle of it should be respected.

Downham Library has been opened for 2 years now is an innovative library. It's the first library I…read morehave seen that has self issue terminals, where you issue and return your own library books. Downham has always been known to be a rough area, but nevertheless it feels like the staff work hard to engage with the community and make it a place that the residents can call their own. As well there being a good selection of books, DVDs and CDs and talking books, there are always loads of fun craft activities for children and story-times for babies and tots. There are at least 15 computers available for internet access. It's free and easy join the library (just show at least one proof of ID) and anyone can join, i.e.you don't have to be a Lewisham resident to qualify.

A great place of business practice especially for those looking to study, attend day-care for…read morechildren and research something online. I must also reiterate that there may be times, certainly, when being a member of an organization seems bothersome and you just want to be alone. Unfortunately this library is quite public oriented and remains very much a public facility. How sad would it be if we are left alone without any support and public assistance from a faculty such and this. Ultimately, we probably lose all faith in the public library system. True growth comes from striving together with our fellow members in the living realm of human beings, experiencing the rich gamut of human emotions. We must always remember that.

The Kilburn library on the Camden side of Kilburn High Road serves a number of purposes. Besides…read morethe typical services that you might expect from a library e.g the borrowing of books, DVDs, CDs, tapes, aswell as newspapers and magazines for reference, there are also serveral other facilities and services to make use of. These include a youth centre which is situated in the basement of the library's building. There are serveral courses running including French for beginners. There are PCs and free internet access available for members of the public, who live both within and outside the London Borough of Camden. There's also a children's play section. To top it off the library is set within a pleasant, open plan structure, creating a fresh, airy atmosphere within which to study, play or read.

A wonderful library space with a lot of useful books, in multiple languages as well (e.g Mandarin…read morefor example). It is worth getting a library card or coming for a visit just to check out the books or work in the space - it's the same building / door right next to the one to Canada Water station. It's right across from the mini lake by the station, so has pretty views. Sometimes there are children's events on the first floor of the library which involve singing and shouting, hard to concentrate in the rest of the library when that occurs. Three stars is mostly because the internet is unusable. It's unfortunate because otherwise the library would be a perfect space to work. The WiFi is unsecured but requires a pop up log in page to access. In the case you are able to get the log in page to load and enter your library card password log in after 30 minutes of waiting, you'll probably promptly get dropped off of it. There are various coffee shops and restaurants in London capable of hosting a WiFi connection that works for the same amount if not more people, why not this library?

The new Canada Water Library is amazing! Especially from the outside! My hubby and I think it looks…read morelike a Sand Crawler out of Star Wars, which gives it a big tick in our book and we hadn't even been inside yet! I was slightly disappointed that there wasn't a bigger fanfare about it opening (opened in November), but that might be because I don't read the local news! This library is really convenient, being right next to the tube station. It's also very well designed, with a coffee shop on the ground floor and some conference rooms/meeting rooms that can be rented out. The library seems to have a big range of books and it all feels very informal. On the upper floor, they have the special interest books, study areas and a lounging area with a great view of the pond. It's also a self-service library (like the Idea Stores in Tower Hamlets), which means (hooray!) no queuing! The variety of books seems wider than Idea Stores, which already appeals to me. I'm really happy to have a library which is so close to where I live!

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.

An older building which holds an attraction in itself Ware library is large! There is an area…read moreseperate to the main library where you can go to read newspapers and magazines which the library provide. Within the main building there is a completely seperate area for children which is seperated by a door and here they have story-telling sessions etc at pre-planned times. There are childrens chairs provided and plenty of books, videos and dvd's for the younger librarian. Within the main area there are computers for internet access and a wealth of books - some books are upstairs so disabled access could be difficult. The library also has a large notice board for local events/childminers etc and there are plenty of leaflets around the library telling of local events and any information that could be relevant to residents.

St Pancras library, just across the road from St Pancras station, and on the ground floor of Camden…read moreTown House, has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere for people of all ages, and from all backgrounds. The children's library (which is sectioned off from the main room) looks particularly good, with sofas, bean bags and games laid out on tables. I noticed there were lot's of activities and fun games for children to get involved in, such as 'story time', 'quiet homework time', 'family rhyme time' , and various craft workshops. The adult section is nicely arranged into rational topic sections, and along with books includes a rack of daily newspapers, Cd's, DVDs and cassette tapes. They also have free Internet and printing facilities (5p per page). I was particularly impressed by the amount of community information and support that is available here, with several filing cabinets full of leaflets and organizations contact details for people suffering various difficulties from financial problems to domestic violence. They also have workshops for elder people, such as a weekly computer sessions for Age Concern. Definitely worth checking out what's on as this place is likely to have something to offer you whatever your taste.

This place is great, shut on Sunday like most libraries (not islington central or stoke newington…read moreor stamford hill) regularly sells off cheap dvds (I got Ozon's 52 for £1.50 and Six Strong Guys for the same price, a bargain anywhere) and has all the newspapers. Plus, and here's the truely annoying thing, it allows anybody to use the internet. You don't have to be a member. So, for free, you can wander in here and ask to use the computer, and the librarian will book you on. You may have to wait, but you can always read a book. (They're like computers but faster.) Worst thing: when you book on, the system is rubbish, you can't see when slots are free, you can only pick a length of time on a certain day, and take pot luck. I start at 60 minutes, which usually means I have to wait a couple of hours, then reduce it to 30, then 20, and sometimes even then you have a half hour wait. Best is to book a day in advance. The only other downside is the percentage of tramps using the library to sleep, and I do that very rarely. I would have asked for them to be moved but they were all wearing Qype t-shirts. I would wear mine, but I haven't received it yet. (after 4 months.) Toilets are available and so is drinking water.

Apart from The British Library, libraries in London are ugly and Guildhall isn't really any…read moredifferent but the shop here does have a good selection of books available.

For a small village library, this has a lot to offer. There are a number of new computers for use…read moreof the internet available which you can book slots for at the counter. There is also a DVD rental service which stocks a few of the latest titles. The children's section is made interesting by there being brightly coloured bean bags and chairs for the kids to sit on when you browse the rest of the library. The staff are really helpful, and will help you yo order in books from other Essex libraries if they do not have it in stock. Old books are often for sale in the entrance so it is well worth a visit!