Shoreditch Library

I’m a big fan of libraries. They’re kindda like churches — temples of peace and tranquility, where you can sit and collect your thoughts in much needed warmth (or air conditioning).
But more than that, libraries serve me well whenever I move into a new city — providing me Internet access whilst I wait local at home connection, local papers and insights, and the opportunity to peruse the shelves and read. And read. And read. FOR FREE!!!
Shoreditch Library on Hoxton Street has been a relief and a haven from the insanity of adjusting to life with flatmates. Internet access when I need it and printing when I want. Books galore and friendly service, this is pretty much everything your local community library should be.
This is no central city library so the wealth of books and selection isn’t massive but it certainly beats spending my hard saved £ on one book wonders!

JUNE 2009 UPDATE
I am deducting 1 star for my new pet hate. Places that are too lazy to scan your items out properly so you end up being stopped by the security guard. He is embarassedyou are embarassed. It can’t be that hard to scan out a book! Bad library!
MAY 2009
I have been quite impressed with Shoreditch library so far on the few visits I have paid so far. I can’t comment on the whole selection but in my areas of interest they have a good selection.
The thing that has most impressed me has been the ability to renew by e-​mail, which seeing as the most of Hackney’s councils methods are well behind the times, was a very pleasant surprise. And you won’t keep a book forever due to laziness because after 5 renewals they will ask you to prove the book still exists (b*gger, I’m sure I have it somewhere) by asking that you bring the book to renew in person.
Rather good.

I don’t spend very much time in libraries these days as I don’t have the time and I buy most of my books online.
But after listening to a certain person bang on about how amazing the Soprano’s was and how I was missing out on a valuable life experience by not watching it I felt compelled to watch it. The only trouble was it cost about a hundred squid to buy so off i skipped to my local library to rent out one series at a time for free. I love free things and I now love the Sopranos.

I am a sucker for a library. They are one of my favourite places ever, a place where people choose to come and immerse themselves in all things literary.
This is not the biggest library in London, and it may not have the best selection of books ever, but it has a lot of computers and IT resources available, if you’re ever stumped for Internet access in Hackney and are in possession of a prized library card, then this is the place to go.
Another great thing is that they have conference and meeting rooms for you to rent out. A great local resource that you should definitely check out.

I am a bit of a geek in the sense that I really like libraries. I have ever since I was a child. Shoreditch Library allows me to indulge in my guilty pleasure and it is always pretty quiet meaning that you can really browse and enjoy what it has to offer.
It is also great for internet access, photocopying and printing; most of which are free or very cheap to use meaning that you don’t have to complete your tasks in a manic rush. If you need somewhere to focus on your studies or any projects in general, this place is wonderful as it has adequate space for you to work without being cramped.
The range of factual and resource books is great but if you are looking for a little fictional indulgence, it doesn’t have the widest range of material but you can submit requests.
A lovely little haven of quiet!

The Shoreditch Library, while not blessed with the largest selection of books on the widest range of subjects, is a handy local resource which is probably little used owing to its somewhat obscure location near the post office down Hoxton Street.
While lacking a little non-​fiction wise — a sad thing in an area in which a library is so greatly needed — the Shoreditch Library does have a good selection of fiction and foreign language texts along with DVDs and CDs which are largely free to borrow.
In addition, the library offers photocopying and printing services; free computer and internet access; and plenty of space in which to study which is a veritable Godsend for those Shoreditch residents unfortunate enough to live in one of the area’s many postage stamp sized flats.

Great space, lots of books, lots of little chairs to sit and read. Vast number of internet computers downstairs and a separate area that runs computer courses. Didn’t notice a children’s library which is probably a good thing. Also check out their perpetual book sale for bargains, bought a turkish video last time I was in, looked like a cheesy detective movie, haven’t watched it yet– but I plan to. Also keep alert for being flirted with by any of the more bookish students from the local college, the number of times I didn’t realise what was going on until the girl in question got fed up and stopped standing next to me pretending to look at shelves, well

Huge and very modern library. It’s on the edge of the local community college campus, and I think was built as part of that development. The main, ground floor has a great selection of books. I think the SF section is always a good test: here they’ve managed to go beyond the usual film tie ins and fantasy and got some real SF. Authors like Isaac Asimov, Poul Anderson and Sheri Tepper are represented, though not in depth. Not perfect, but definitely above average.
Downstairs is a huge area of computer terminals: definitely a resource for college students!
The lighting is actually fairly dim, but that does make for a calm atmosphere. It’s all very nice, right down to a lovely kids play area and art work on the staircase walls.

A large, pleasant library, with a decent range of books, some DVDs and CDs, and computing facilities (including free internet). There’s a toy library and you can read magazines and newspapers on the lower floor.
It’s also a good place to get community information — there’s an area with leaflets and notices about all sorts of schemes and services.
The staff are helpful but the way the service desk is arranged leads to confusion — you never know where to stand to return or check out your books, and if you choose wrongly can find everyone else getting served before you.
There are sections for particular kinds of books — gay interest, Turkish — and the building is wheelchair accessible.