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.

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

I have been an active member of Highgate Library since January 1991…read more And that was when, Margaret Thatcher was still the British Prime Minister. I only live around the corner from this Camden library branch, which is Holly Lodge. And even up to this day, I will always use the services at Highgate Library, for hiring out DVDs, PC printing and the photo copy machine. And I even reserve books and DVD from Highgate Library. Highgate Library is literally right next door to Highgate Cemetery, the place of Karl Marx's tomb.

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!

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?

I really wanted to like this little library tucked away behind Leicester Square that is open to the…read morepublic and has free wifi, but my days of having access to the greatest academic libraries in London has quite obviously turned me into a snob. It's in a pretty and historic building; it has reasonably comfortable seating; it has free wifi; its location is tops, but its reference books aren't of any use to me and it only has one toilet. Really? I mean, really? Just one toilet? This is inconvenient, especially as some people come to the free reference library JUST to use the toilet. They should just rename the place Free-Public-Toilet Library.

An excellent reference library they also have play readings…read morehere & I get my free copy of West End Extra here too

Of all the university colleges in London SOAS has the most individual character atmosphere. It is…read moredefined by its strongly, sometime radical, left wing political sentiment and generally has a bit of a hippyish atmosphere. In addition to normal uni courses the also run a night school, which I attended for Japanese lessons. As a result of which I was given a university library card. I used the library a few times to do my class work and other university work. It has a great selection of interesting books on the region and so is an good place to browse. There are a number of work places and though a little shabby it is a pleasant enough place to work. Unfortunately, the organization system is pretty dire and it can be very hard to find the books you need. Additionally, their entry policy is fairly militant and, even as a member of the University of London; you need a particular research purpose to be granted access.

Placed on the SOAS university campus, suitably behind the British Museum, SOAS library houses the…read morecountries most extensive academic collection for the study of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It holds over 1.2 million volumes alongside considerable archival holdings, special collections and increasing electronic resources. The reference centre is open from 9am - 11pm Monday - Friday, 9.30am - 5pm on Saturday and 11am - 6pm on Sunday. If you are not a student of the University of London, you can still access it for free for 3 days within a 12-month period as long as you bring a form of ID such as a passport. If you want to use it for longer than this, £12 day passes are available, as well as £30 month passes, £70 for 6 months or £100 annually (£150 for borrowing rather than just reference). From art and music to economics and finance, politics and religion to linguistic and language - every subject is covered. So if you have anything relating to Africa and the East you want to study for educational, work or personal reasons this is the place to go.

The Library of the London School of Economics has the biggest selection of social sciences books of…read moreall libraries in Britain apart from the British Library. The building was designed by Norman Foster and associates. Yet, somehow I've always found it a difficult place to do any work. The selection is genuinely incredible, and when I wrote my dissertation I only had to use the British Library catalogue for PhD dissertations. It is open to all alumni, members of the University of London and if you're doing research you can gain access too. The reason it is an unpleasant place to be is the terrible design. Whilst it does have some immediate visual impact, and is all steel and glass it is hardly Foster's best. LSE I fairly notoriously hard work and so consequently the Library is always busy which means it is often hard to get a seat. As such the decision to sacrifice the middle of each floor to an open spiral staircase is bizarre. Furthermore, the steps of the staircase seem to be awkward for most 18+ year olds. The staircase itself is unshielded and prompts vertigo. There are lifts though, in which, comically, the voice sounds like Cartman. The floors and desks are largely open plan, which I dislike as I work best when I can shut myself away. The LSE library has an incredible selection and good opening hours. Unfortunately, it is a terrible place to work.

The British Library of Political and Economic Science is part of the London School of Economics. I…read moream not sure if it is fully open to the public, but for postgraduate researchers with Sconul band A, most of its collection is available to borrow. They reserve some 'course books' in a little ghetto for their students, which is fair enough I suppose. I use the BLPES regularly for my research. It has an excellent collection of historical texts on political economy, as well as the expected volumes on economic theory and applied economics. There is an archive in the basement. The reading room is surprisingly small, but there is normally a seat free. The archivists are knowledgable, friendly, and helpful, but not afraid to enforce the silence rule (a good thing). The library also has a large collection off-site, which can usually be ordered for same-day delivery. Strangely, there are also a number of documents of historical significance housed on the top floor, in open access. I presume they have been tucked away because, as textbooks on economic theory, they are outdated. Really they should be in the archive as some of them are in delicate condition and are gathering dust up on the top floor. They are literally gathering dust. Often I have to blow the dust off like Indiana Jones. There are lots of different work areas. In busy times they have a system to prevent people 'booking' desks all day by leaving their stuff around. This is a good idea, but it needs to be enforced more rigorously. The archive staff would clear them desks in a flash. Some minor criticisms from the point of view of the external user. Despite having a log-in account for renewing books, external users cannot pre-order stack service texts online like registered students, instead you have to fill in a slip at the issue desk. I do not see who this benefits. Also, the men's toilets are always, always really smelly. Worse than some public toilets. Slightly off-putting when filling your water bottle from the purpose-built water taps (there are fountains outside the toilets but you cannot fill a bottle here). Finally, the stairs are really scary. A spiral staircase spans five or six floors in an open plan central column. You are often tempted to lean over the edge to give yourself the willies. Perhaps they are getting the budding economists used to dealing with this temptation so they don't all leap off the top of buildings during the inevitable global economic crisis. That's my theory.

Inside the craziness of the British Museum, you can find a relatively tiny book-lined reference…read morelibrary tucked away in a corner of the building that offers the bibliophile and common wo/man alike an inviting respite. It used to be located in the, er, Reading Room of the British Museum, but that big domed room in the middle of the building now hosts exhibitions and the library has been marginalised. I'll admit, the library was quite dazzling in its days in the Reading Room. But never mind that; its relocation just means that fewer wandering tourists monopolize its reader seats. Just walk on in and take a seat in one of the fancy swivel chairs behind one of the dozen or so computers. Or choose one of the free desks and plug your laptop into the conveniently placed electrical socket (in the desk!) and work away. Some books are readily available for consultation, and other books can be delivered to you at your desk (just like at the British Library, but no need to sell one of your kidneys to get a reader card here!). For non-registered academics and independent scholars, the Paul Hamlyn library offers completely free access to academic databases like JSTOR (private, personal access to this database alone costs hundreds per year!); score. After studying in this well lit, intimate, free and comfortable library, take a walk around a room or two in the museum. After a few visits to the British Museum for the library you'll have bulked up your world knowledge enough to finally slaughter your grandma at Trivial Pursuit. But don't tell too many people, because I want this library gem all to myself.

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!