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.

I really like this library. It's very conveniently located for me and for many of the residents of…read moreEast Finchley on the High Road. I've always thought that the building looks exactly how a library should look-very old and historic! I think it gives a good feeling for learning. Inside the library doesn't take up a huge amount of the building and is actually qutie small, although they do have a seperate room for computers and children which I think is a really nice touch. The selection of books is pretty good and ordering books from other libraries is relatively cheap and doesn't take too much time. I've always found the staff there to be really friendly and while not always the most helpful of people it's not from lack of trying. Sometimes it feels as though they don't know their product quite as well as they should but they're so polite and friendly that it's difficult to fault them for it.

Great place! Have spent many a rainy day with the kids here. And the rhyme time is a great way to…read moremeet local mums

Awesome I genuinely love working with bookstores and…read moreauthors. There's something special about spaces filled with stories, creativity, and people who truly appreciate books. Even when bookstores are crowded and full of energy, they still carry that classic charm that reminds you of how real bookstores used to feel before everything became generic. Helping bookstores and authors grow through authentic promotion and marketing is something I truly enjoy because every book deserves the right audience and visibility.

Beautiful and charming old bookstore! Three floors with lots of books! Friendly staff! Love…read morevisiting this bookstore!

This newly refurbished library, set on two floors, ticks all the boxes for me. There's a cafe,…read morechildrens corner, quiet spaces, reading chairs (with window views), self service check-in/out and lots of internet access points. There's also a green to the front entrance, which the locals use as picnic space. It's a pleasant little getaway and the staff are always pleasant when I visit.

The building may not be ancient but the treasures inside will keep you engaged for hours…read more Explore the various museum room and see if you're allowed to see some of the really old volumes. Rest in the cafe or sit and read a while in a chair or desk on the upper floors. Stroll the exterior and see the huge line that sometimes forms at (I guess) opening times? Enjoy the special kids programs at many times, and celebrate the love of reading young and old.

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.

Friern Barnet Library has a good selection of books to suit most tastes. They have an especially…read morelarge collection of fiction story books covering the whole of one wall. I find their selection of non fiction somewhat hit and miss. I was looking for anything by Wayne Dyer and could only find one called 'Your Erroneous Zone'. This was his first book and he has since written about a dozen more, but they did not have any. So although the library is large, the books can be a bit on the old side. There is no cafe here so you cannot get any refreshments. The other thing to note is that it is closed on Monday's. I found this out the hard way!

Friern Barnet Library is a lovely purpose built library, it's architecture being in keeping with…read morethe surrounding area. Being all on one level it has good disabled access. It not a large library but holds a surprising amount of stock particularly adult fiction and also a good children's library and small teenage area. The library has 6 public computers which are free for the first hour of use each day to registered members, minimal charges are made to non-library members. The library now has a small coffee machine for the public to purchase hot drinks whilst they are relaxing with their newspapers or studying. The library has a small team of well trained, experienced staff who are always extremely friendly and helpful. This is my local library and although its status is only that of a small community library I think it is one of the nicest in the whole borough of Barnet!

Big Central Library for the Islington / Highbury areas, but again - not the easiest place to get to…read morevia public transport unless you live very locally. Have to catch a bus down from Highbury & Islington tube station - otherwise it's quite a long walk along a busy & uninteresting road. Big fiction section - although I've never had much luck finding really recent / newly released books here. Decent non fiction section as well. Big dvd collection.

Great staff easy to join and good selection of books.read more

My life in the last few months hasn't been particularly action-packed. As a result I've become a…read moreregular visitor to the library. Paddington Library is my local library, though as a library member you can use all the libraries that are within the borough. It is quite a small library, arranged over two floors. The top floor has fiction, some computers, comics and DVDs. The basement floor has more computers, desks, and a diverse, but limited, range of books of other genres. I mostly use the fiction section. It seems to cover most of the classics and key works of significant authors. The DVD section is similarly small but it has a good foreign shelf. Additionally, whilst library staff are generally not famed for their charm the people here are alright.

Large, quiet with very friendly and helpful staff…read more Automatic checkouts and returns are very effective and really speed things up. Quite a large travel section. Food section is smaller. Good range of fiction titles. They will get you books from other Westminster libraries if you request, but there is a holding fee. The online renewal system is extremely handy

The library has a nice feel to it but someone needs to tell people not to be talking in the library…read morewhilst people are trying to concentrate. It is very disrespectful and rude! After all it is meant to be a library. If people want to talk on the phone or to each other there are other facilities they could go to such as cafes or restaurants.

Hi, this library is so nice and the study room is always so quite. I really recommend it. However,…read moreI really would like a coffee machine due to sometimes when I leave my space and I come back again, someone is in my place... I think it could be so much easier and comfortable if one coffee machine were in this place. Apart from that, this library is really lovely.

This Library is free to join, and stacks a large collection of both DVDs and VHS. They even…read moreoccasionally sell some VHS tapes for 50p, and I've slowly built a mini collection from here. Its great because its totally free to take out both books and movies! There is no Wifi, but there are public terminals to access internet with a time limit. These get really busy on the weekend. You might catch another network in the area on your laptop. Its a great place to read or to study, I used to come here to write essays. Its conveniently located and I would go for breaks to one of the many cafes across the street for a caffeine boost!

I was first drawn to the building, which was built in 1892. The entranceway is impressive: it's a…read morememorial hall, commemorating those who have died in war. I got a couple of pictures, but not enough to show it really. Inside is not so nice. Just as grand, it's a great barn of a building, and somewhat grey and dingy. This doesn't stop it buzzing with life. It's a largish library, and it took me a while to find the SF section. Actually 2 sections of shelves and a nice selection, so they win points there. There's also a large study area, including many computers, and a huge children's section. The children's section was full and noisy when I visited. I think they were about to start story time, and some of the kids were getting a bit fractious. Very much a living and used library, and the entranceway is a must see if you are into war memorials.