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.

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 love libraries, they usually are a very good reflection of the community. And this one is no…read moreexception. Peckham is a very vibrant neighbourhood and you can feel that in the library. It can be pretty busy out here, sometimes noisy. Contradictory for a library, isn't it? Well, that's the charm of Peckham Library, you find every kind of people here. And indeed, a lot of cultural content, which is what is library is here for initially. Whatever you fancy reading will be here: history, biographies, novels, Sci-Fim encyclopaedia, etc. Everything. Same thing for DVD, if you're of those who still uses them. They have poetry classes, reading classes for kids. And much more. Personally, the library is a good workspace for me, mainly because it give me direct material for what I do. And I can rest a bit with some great readings after work. In short, I love Peckham Library and it's a bit of an escape heaven for me :)

this library situated in peckham won an award for its architecture…read more there are many floors in the library and many area and sections for different use....council office is situated there, meeting rooms and much more....on the top floor lies the library, very large and with spectacular views.....seperate computer, children, adults area...many librarians on hand to help out....many desk areas and books, cds, dvds and refrerence area...even the toilets are spectacular...worth a visit

Now strictly speaking, this library is only supposed to be open to the esteemed students of London…read moreSchool of Economics. If you fit that description, or have a friend who does, or if you just have any friend cheeky enough to accompany you on an adventure, you'll find one of the best libraries in London nestled away discretely on the top floor of this otherwise anonymous building in LSE's city centre campus. There is no need for ID cards to get past security on the ground floor. Just walktz by looking academic and make a beeline for the lifts. What you'll find at the 5th floor is one medium-sized room replete with textbook oak-panelled shelves lined with all sorts of tomes and journals, magazines and newspapers, as well as old, creaky leather armchairs in each corner where you can enjoy them. Needless to say, without an LSE card, you can't take them out. But this is a perfect environment for whiling a few hours away from the bustle of central London. If you grow tired of reading, step out onto the balcony for a view across the rooftops of Lincoln's Inn Fields. There is also a rooftop cafe in the same building.

The Shaw Library is one of the atypically wonderful things about LSE. LSE as a university is pretty…read moreheavy going with high work loads, a strong emphasis on individual work and a generally smug pseudo-corporate operating mentality. As such being a student there can be a bit of a drag sometimes. The Shaw Library however, goes against all this and is something of a haven. It is a large open plan room with arm chairs and sofas. There are books in the bookshelves but people rarely read them. The dailies and weeklies are set out on a table at the entrance. Thus, the library feels a little like a gentlemen's club. People sit around reading, and some do a little work (although noise is discouraged, so no laptops). It serves most students though as a place to go for a nap, and the majority of people there are generally asleep. There are also free concerts occasionally at lunch times. The Shaw Library is a great place for ULU and LSE students in need of a quick break.

This library is a modern take on the word as books seem to be a sideline!…read more Although the traditional building (a Carnegie library) still stands in the High Street, the entrance to it is now in the modern extention off the ajacent square. There are banks of computers and a large audio and dvd lending section, a small lending library which comprises mainly of fiction. The reference section is on the first floor (there is a lift) and is TINY!!! There are toilets and good disabled access.

The redevelopment of this library has transformed it into a more modern, bright better atmosphere…read moreas I remember the old one being more dark and gloomy. As this is the nearest library I have studied here many times and found that younger people are starting to study there. They have wireless internet access and a computer room as well as a large children's section which they hold events in sometimes. There are three different sections containing adult's books and 2 floors (ground and 1st floor). They also have a visual/audio section from which you can borrow DVDs and audio tapes. Overall the new library is a nice improvement!

This quiet library has a good collection of books, and all you need is a recent utility bill to…read morebecome a member. There is free, if a little slow, internet as well, although you are encouraged to limit your time if there are others waiting to use the computers. There are a couple of videos available for rent as well. The erratic opening hours mean that you won't be able to come here regularly, but it still is very convenient for those living nearby. There are signs up for a weekly book club, and there are also newspapers and periodicals available for browsing. The bright exterior and friendly staff make this library a pleasure to visit.

Great little library which has everything you need. Lots of new and old books, plenty of computers…read moreto use, a big children's section and lots of dvds and cds to borrow. They do a reward scheme where for every 5 books you take out you get a free dvd or cd which is a really great idea. The late nights on a Tuesday and Thursday are great too. Lovely staff and a big part of the community.

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!

Penge is an exceptionally small library providing a collection of popular fiction and non-fiction…read morefor adults, teenagers and children including material from basic and popular up to GCSE level. The collection in here is quite basic and fiction wise you are more likely to find current Richard&Judy's summer reads side to sidee by the mills & boons type novels. There are Key Skills books and Travel guides on popular destinations. The library will of course order in any books you request from the central library. There is also a children's reading corner and there are children themed activities on offer during the week. There is also internet access available (4 computers) and you do not need to be a member to use this.