Artizan Street Library

Artizan Street Library functions as a library as well as a community centre. I use this place for its main function — as a place where you can borrow books, CDs and DVDs — while others come in here to peruse periodicals, to use the computers, or to participate in Pilates or Zumba classes.
The books section is not bad. There’s a good selection of non-​fiction books and fiction (children, teenage and adult) books, as well as a small section of graphic novels. I borrow a fair amount of crime fiction from here, so can attest to the wide range of authors they stock. Rather usefully, they also have some quite nice cookbooks which may come in handy if you, like I, will be making yet another New Year’s resolution to cook more often.
The librarians here have always been helpful and friendly. In order to get a membership, you need to work or live in the City of London and provide proof of that, and, voila, you qualify for a library card. Membership is not required to enter the library, only if you want to borrow items or use the facilities.

Picture this. You leave Monday morning and have printed your documents. The closest place near you is Artizan Street Library and comes recommended by your hosts. You look up their website and see they open at 8am excluding bank holidays. Monday isn’t a bank holiday, so you should be ok, right?
I arrive at 8:10am and they’re not open. Finally someone arrives and asks me to check back in 30 minutes. I run back and start packing. In 30 minutes I return with my luggage with me. I try the door again to no avail. Nothing. I was very displeased with this time consuming experience.