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GO Libraries in London

Libraries are fantastic sources of information if you are new to an area and there are plenty of excellent libraries in London .

One of London’s top libraries would be the British Library [map], NW1. Every publication produced in the UK and Ireland has a place in this vast library including books, periodicals and newspapers.

The latest incarnation of the British Library was completed in 1997 and houses 14 separate floors crammed with information including special collections of maps and music as well as literary and historical information from a range of geographical areas such as Ireland and Eastern Europe.

The only thing that’s stopping you from finding what you want at the British Library is the scale of the building so as an alternative to getting lost amongst the archives perhaps you’d prefer to try a local public library.

There are 395 public libraries in London and the resources of a public library are available to everyone in the local community. Public libraries contain a wealth of information on every subject and there is also Internet access available, microfilm facilities and refreshments on hand in many libraries.

Many libraries in London also operate homework clubs. A homework club is open to eight-12 year olds who not only receive curriculum materials but also have access to study and revision support from well-trained staff.

Joining the library is simple if you live, work or study full time in the borough where the library is located. To join you have to supply the staff with two forms of identification, one of which should be a formal document showing your address.

If you live outside the borough of your selected library but work or study full time there you will also need to get your employer or college to endorse your application form. If you live outside of a particular borough but are a member of your local library you may also use selected facilities by producing a current borrower’s card and some form of ID.

Main local libraries and information centres:

Organisation:	Local History Centre
Address:	Islington Local History Centre, 245 St John Street, London, EC1V 4NB
Telephone:	020 7527 7988

Organisation:	Hackney Central Library
Address:	Technology and Learning Centre, 1 Reading Lane, London, E8 1GQ
Telephone:	020 8356 2542

Organisation:	Pimlico Library
Address:	Rampayne Street, London, SW1V 2PU
Telephone:	020 7641 2983

Organisation:	Westminster City Archives Library
Address:	10 St Ann’s Street, London, SW1P 2DE
Telephone:	020 7641 2180

Organisation:	Victoria Library
Address:	160 Buckingham Palace Road, London, SW1W 9UD
Telephone:	020 7641 4287

Organisation:	St James’s Library
Address:	62 Victoria Street, London, SW1 6QP
Telephone:	020 7641 2989

Organisation:	Department of Trade and Industry Library
Address:	1 Victoria Street, London, SW1H 0ET
Telephone:	020 7215 5000

Organisation:	City of Westminster Library
Address:	Westminster City Hall, 64 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 6QP
Telephone:	020 7641 6000

Organisation:	The London Library
Address:	14 St James’s Square, London, SW1Y 4LG
Telephone:	020 7930 7705

Organisation:	House of Commons Library
Address:	No 1, Derby Gate, London, SW1A 2DG
Telephone:	020 7219 5545

Organisation:	The Photographers Library
Address:	81a Endell Street, London, WC2H 9DX
Telephone:	020 7836 5591

Organisation:	The Entertainment Library
Address:	48 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7QD
Telephone:	020 7930 4500

Organisation:	The British Library
Address:	St Pancras, 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB
Telephone:	020 7412 7332

Organisation:	Swiss Cottage (Camden Central Library)
Address:	88 Avenue Rd, London, NW3 3HA
Telephone:	020 7974 6522

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