Best local library?

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Permalink Reply by Clive Carter on June 23, 2015 at 0:58

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Permalink Reply by Liz on June 23, 2015 at 14:15

Being a member of Haringey Libraries means that you can use all the libraries and their free wi-fi as well as their online services.

Stroud Green and Harringay have a good selection of fiction (lots of new and up-to-date stock) including graphic novels and a well-used children's library. It also has DVDs and music to borrow. In terms of printing etc I think you'd have to ask as I've never used that service - they do have a photocopier. The non-fiction section is small but lots of very up-to-date books. I've recently borrowed the latest books by Owen Jones, Nick Cohen and Alan Johnson's excellent memoir from there for example. It is quiet and friendly although there may be times when it is over run by toddlers who have come in for the song and story sessions :) 

Haringey Libraries are, presently, well resourced and looked after (probably some of the best in London) but new members are badly needed. So please join and borrow and use them regularly!

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Permalink Reply by wholepint on June 23, 2015 at 16:06

I use Stroud Green and Wood Green the most (just because they're closest.) I make use of the clunky-ish Haringey Libraries app quite a bit to reserve and order books to Stroud Green (as well as renewing to avoid pesky fines), but they also seem to update their collections regularly. 

Am pretty sure you can use wi-fi on any device once you're a member, but I tend to go home for that. 

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Permalink Reply by Matt on June 23, 2015 at 16:22

Thanks all! I visited and joined up at the Stroud Green & Harringay branch today. Lovely little place, and my two-year old thought it was brilliant. Didn't offer what I wanted IT-wise though, but as a library in the traditional sense very good and will be back.

Will give Wood Green (nicely appropriate typo FPR!) a go too.

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Permalink Reply by wholepint on June 23, 2015 at 16:26

Also they do a few kids events (Messy Afternoons and Rhyme Time) which your 2 year old might like :)

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Permalink Reply by Angela on June 23, 2015 at 18:50

I must admit I gave up going to libraries a few years ago. When my children were younger we found Hornsey library had a better range of books, plus it was open on a Sunday so we could go together as a family (I don't think the WG one was then).  And now their school libraries cater very well for their age/reading levels and interests.

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Permalink Reply by Michael Anderson on June 24, 2015 at 4:52

I have to admit to bias as I once worked there, but I think Swiss Cottage is the best public library in London. It has specialist collections of works on philosophy and psychology as well as extensive stock on other subjects. Free wi-fi, study space and anyone can join, you don't have to be a Camden resident. It's also very beautiful.

http://modernarchitecturelondon.com/buildings/swissc-library.php

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Permalink Reply by Luci on June 25, 2015 at 10:39

Outside Haringey, Islington Libraries have free reservations - the central library is between Highbury tube and Holloway Road. They're slower to get new books than Haringey and Camden, but they're free and Haringey particularly tends to have many of the books I really want to read in the west of the borough.

Camden Libraries - I worked in the Town Hall and used St Pancras Library there for some years, but have only been to the relocated branch, now at the back of Kings Cross Station, once. I regularly use Holborn Library, Theobalds Road good for selection and newly published books - I normally get the 341 which stops nearer me (or you) and nearer to the library too than the tube (nearest station on Piccadilly probably Russell  Square). Queen's Crescent is a much smaller but friendlier branch library and is a short walk from Gospel Oak station so easy to get to via the Gospel Oak to Barking line overground from Harringay Green Lanes, and could also be combined with the Kentish Town City Farm and/or Hampstead Heath.

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Permalink Reply by Luci on June 25, 2015 at 10:25

From Vale Road, you can also check out:

St Ann's Library, Cissbury Road  N15 - probably about the same distance or slightly closer than Stroud Green, without the uphill walk from Green Lanes, and again, there are children's activities there. There's a computer room, though I know nothing about printing and scanning from your own device via Wifi, or even from their computers, as it's not something I've tried to do.

Marcus Garvey library is one of the largest libraries apart from Wood Green in the borough (the other larger one is Hornsey). It's in Tottenham Green Leisure Centre on Philip Lane, and you can get the 341 bus there. They have organised stay and play for children on Monday and Tuesday mornings, with Messy Play/craft activities and singing, and toys and a dressing up  box on other days, a reading garden with some ride on toys outside the children's library, and a much bigger selection of books than Stroud Green or St Ann's. There's also a study area upstairs. At the moment, I like it better than Wood Green and think that from where you are it's as easy or easier to get to, and the children's library is on the ground floor, whereas at Wood Green that is upstairs. I say at the moment because there are planned changes to both Marcus Garvey and Wood Green.

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