The Carnaby Book Exchange is a space where you can leave a book that you have read, and in return…read moretake one away from the space for free. It is not a library per se, it is more a space where you can think, read, relax, explore and of course be quiet. It is excellent to find such a spot located close to Carnaby Street. That's one of the reasons why London is such a great city!!! Students at London College of Fashion created this project.

I love this quite and relaxed space in the middle of bustling London. Whenever I have to kill some…read moretime before a dinner date or cocktail night I come down here, snatch a book from the shelves, sit down in a comfy chair and read for 10 or 20 min. I've never exchanged a book, as I now carry a kindle but I love that I have the chance to read into other books and see if I like it.

I can't remember the last time I set foot into a library. But today seemed like a good day for…read morereading so when I found my nearest book repository wasn't far off (and open today) I figured I'd go have a nosey. Obtaining a library card was pretty easy. I gazed at the librarian's massively Sellotaped glasses whilst she reviewed my bank statement (proof of address) and typed my details into a prehistoric desktop computer. A few minutes later I had my card and began browsing. Amidst the folks sleeping in armchairs and studying at tables I spotted a small but surprising selection of titles. Overall though, the goods here are a little thin. Also, the Holborn Library could really do with some good curation. Besides the new arrivals shelf, most of the rest of the selection seemed a bit haphazardly placed. The building itself is rather depressing, is in need of a proper tidy, and most of the patrons do little to improve the atmosphere with their mostly down trodden stares. I ended up borrowing three titles and was amazed at how far technology has come: I was able to check my own books out with a simple swipe of my card. The self check-out bit might be Holborn Library's most redeeming quality.

I used to like studying in this library because it is relatively quiet...as the kid section is…read moreaway, in the basement of the library. However they recently moved the tables around such that it is now impossible to plug my laptop. Toilets are in the basement and very stinky.

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.

Everyday the library works hard to keep you and your private information safe and secure by…read morepreventing unauthorized access to your personal profile. Why would you want be anywhere else? Today, I visit the library to observe the events seminar, however, it isn't ready. Such is life!

I came here on a whim in search of a good place to bunker down and get some work done. I am not a…read moremember of this library but they have a good selection of books, movies, and CDs that I was impressed by...it made me want to join the library membership program. There were very large tables on the second floor that had plenty of space to spread out your stuff. The room was fairly quiet and there was a variety of open seats and tables. The room got a good deal of light and the courtyard outside is very beautiful. I would definitely recommend checking out this place.

The King's Maughan University is one of my favourite university libraries. It was near my campus…read moreand I would often head there to do some work. It is in a large handsome building between the law courts and Fleet Street. The library itself is similarly large, and seems to house Kings Humanities collection. It is a decent collection, and LSE is across the road if you need other social sciences books. The mix means that you can get a reading book if you get bored of your work. Rather than having large swathes of seating there a lots of little tables, and small seating rooms. The seats are incredibly comfy and there are dividers so you don't feel exposed. It can sometimes be a little chatty but if you need to crack on there is a beautiful dome roofed quiet work room on the ground floor and higher up there are individual cubical like offices where you can really concentrate. There is also a café in the basement where you can go for a break. Additionally, Kings Students are largely very friendly and there is a nice atmosphere about the place. The Kings Maughan Library is a great library that I would encourage ULU members and academics to make use of.

In a word, stunning…read more The building housing the Maughan library is absolutely magnificent. Housed in a 19th-century Gothic building, the library is beautiful and filled with period pieces both inside and out. However, because the library is in a grade II* listed building, nothing about it can be changed. Therefore, as a researcher, the labyrinthine stacks are not only intimidating; they are downright frustrating. No matter how many times one looks for the Journal of Medieval and Early Modern Studies, one inevitably finds oneself wandering around the first and first-mezzanine levels cursing under ones breath at the journal's seeming elusiveness. (And if one is looking for a journal title starting with a Z for the first time, (s)he will be baffled to find it on the opposite side of the library and on another floor with respect to the REST of the library's journals after bewilderedly wandering around the majority of the library's journal titles for 30 minutes. Infuriating.) More often than not, I find books I desperately want to consult are checked out, and the library's holdings aren't as numerous as those at the Senate House Library. While the interior furnishings are comfortable, contemporary, and functional, the library's mezzanine levels seem to confuse people. That is, they seem to confuse people into thinking if they're on the mezzanine level that they can have rather loud conversations with their friends without disturbing people studying on the main floor just below them. After unwillingly being subjected to conversations about one too many a drunken antic of an undergraduate, the library has left me a little jaded. For this reason, the library is, sadly, simply okay. Considering its beauty, location and history alone, it is a five-star facility.

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.

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?

Housed within the V&A Museum is a vast collection of art and design books dating back centuries…read more You must register in order to use the library but anyone can join. It then works on a basis where you find a book using the computer database, order it and then 20 minutes later it will be brought to you by a librarian. You cannot take books out of the library but you can ask to use the same books again the following day. I originally went to the National Art Library in search of books on contemporary textile designers, I had little luck with this. However, for history of art purposes I have found the library immensely helpful. The library is usually very quiet and has a limited capacity making it an easy and pleasant to work in.