Libraries are gifts to those suffering from penury; i.e. students. Streatham Library is no…read moreexception. They have loads of books and CDs on a wealth of subjects that will satisfy the need for knowledge for all types of inquiring minds. One thing that sets this library apart from others is their impressive DVD collection; Blockbuster pales in comparison. Streatham Library has hundreds of new and classic mainstream and underground movies to choose from and they usually let you check them out for about £1.50 a pop. So, instead of getting ripped off at the cinema or at your local video rental store, go to this library, you'll be surprised at what you can find.

I was born in 1941 and went to Sunnyhill Road School and then on to Rosa Basset Grammar School. I…read morewalked home past the library every school day and at least twice a week from age seven I spent time in the library usually reading for about an hour and then checking out my books. What a wonderful library this is and what a haven it was. I've lived in Montreal, New York and now Los Angeles for the last 5O or so years but my memories of Streatham Library on a cold, rainy day are so fond.

New, shiny, clean, quiet, friendly…read more You can also rent DVDs for a small fee.

Lovely staff with easy to use self service machines. Airy, well lit and nicely laid out. The study…read moreand computer areas are generally quiet, however the most common rule breakers are the librarians themselves! I've never used them but know there are children's reading groups and a wide selection of foreign language and local literature. What I would like to see is a silent reading area with comfy chairs to relax in

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!

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!

The library is well stocked and they can usually get something that's not available on the floor…read more Its also easy to reserve. The staff are nice and helpful although there's one guy (older, bearded, glasses) who's really snarky, does the bare minimum to help, and talks to you like you're an idiot - strongly suggest avoiding him.

Having joined the Balham library a few weeks ago, I already managed to accumulate charges for one…read morebook. The joining process was easy enough...and yes they have warned me of the charges. I just forgot. I know ... I'm hopeless. The library in itself offers a wide range of literature and DVDs and also has a bestseller lending scheme. The more popular books have only a 2 week lending time and cannot be renewed. It gives more people the option to borrow it, but it got me in trouble as I forgot to give it back on time. Next to the usual volunteers at the lending desks, they also have an automated borrow and return system ... I guess it will come in handy in the few case you're too embarrassed with your reading choices to go to the lending desk. Balham library also offers free Wi-Fi and you can book a computer to use the Internet. As many other libraries these days it also offers courses in many different topics and has reading groups and kids time.

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.

Wimbledon Library is conveniently located on the high street but more towards Wimbledon Hill away…read morefrom hussle and bussle. It was opened in 1887 and the building has a very nice feel about it. It has recently undergone a bit of a refurbishment as previously it did look a little cramped in the main area. The usual areas are all there with Non-fiction, fiction, reference. I have used it quite a bit for studying in. The study section is located at the back of the library and there are a fair number of desks. The newspapers are also in that area so it can get quite busy. The library is all on one floor and off to one side is the Internet section. If your a registered user you can get an hour a day on the internet. It obviously is fairly busy during peak time but the 1 hour limit helps. I am not a parent but the library does have a good childrens section and often there are workshops happening for mothers and babies/kids. Another good thing is the library is on the Merton library website so you can search for books online and I believe they are adding online renewals.

Free internet Quiet(ish) working area…read moreFree computers No public toilets!!! so don't stay too long

I have been going here for many years and have always found the staff friendly. They often have…read moreevents on which are great for the family. There are a wide range of books and there are computers to use. If you need a quiet place to work this is a good place to go.

Another ugly building that houses a decent selection of books. I always wish that London libraries…read morewere made to look authentic and studious but I suppose that everything has to expand into a new build eventually including libraries.

I was hoping that the Clapham library could be my new place to study - no more spending the whole…read moreday reading the best page in the universe and making tea. But no, forget about it. It's only a very small library, with very few places to sit. There are two tables where in theory you could sit down and study, but they are right by the computers (with free internet), so it's not very quiet (and, goddammit, I was trying to get away from the internet!). It's also a bit run down, shabby sort of, not a very inviting or inspiring environment. And I can't imagine that their selection of books is any good, given the size of the library I mean. They also charge you for borrowing CDs and DVDs, which is a bit unnecessary. Well, you could still come here and use the internet and read all the papers, I guess.

This is a beautifully designed building with a huge, open interior and should be a wonderful and…read moretranquil place to read and study. However. To the person who thought it would be a perfect idea to put a children's play area on the lower ground floor at the foot of said huge, cavernous, open interior. Idiot. The shrill sounds of screaming toddlers is allowed to reverberate, bounce and echo off the walls of this huge interior dome making it impossible to actually do what most libraries are supposedly conducive to; studying and reading. Massive fail.

Once again, drilling down into the memoirs of youthful shenanigans, it was at this library that I…read moremanaged to single handedly piss off several members of staff by screeching loudly and chortling over a dusty copy of Lady Chatterley's Lover. I guess anything sexual was just inherently funnier when you were a teen, the cynicism of adulthood prevails!