Brixton Library

Well placed library in the centre of Brixton, right next door to the legendary Ritzy Cinema.
The library has normal books for loan as well as reference book also. One of the most pleasing areas is upstairs in the study /​computer room to the left of the main staircase. Once inside there is gorgeous winding staircase leading up to what looks like part of the reference library. It was cordoned off last time I was there, so sadly I didn’t get to have a poke around. Thinking about it I’m not sure that it’s ever seen it accessible to the public, I’ll have to go back and have another look!

I’m going to come right out and say it:
I think that libraries are one of the most important things we’ve ever come up with.
So, yes, maybe I’m biased.
This is the Tate (yes, as in THAT Tate) memorial library– he didn’t just endow the museum, he endowed three libraries in South London. It’s a gorgeous old Victorian building, with lovely, knowledgeable staff, and a generally excellent selection of books and whatnot. They will, of course, get you anything in the Lambeth Library world.
But that’s not all! Free wifi! (usually) clean toilets! Computers!
Books? Fiction. Nonfiction. Graphic novels.
Training for the Life in the UK test. Job centre. Book reading groups.
The librarians will engage with you, suggest books for you, and ask your opinion of books.
They put up brilliant displays of local history (including a recent history of the Brixton Riots).
What else?
They have a LOYALTY CARD SCEME. I know. It’s a library. They give you stuff for free. What on earth would you want with a loyalty card scheme? See, if you borrow anything five times, you’ll get a DVD or audio music rental for free.
I’m sure they have more. They’re a brilliant resource full of lovely people. Write your MP, councillor, etc. and save them. It’s probably the best use of your tax money.

This is a nice sized local library with a really good selection of books, CDs and DVDs, nice staff and plenty of space to sit and read. I find it a little odd at times browsing through the shelves when people are clearly just sitting in there hanging out all day, chatting to one another — I always seem to interrupt important conversations just by wandering by looking at the books, and get funny stares from the (usually) men I’ve dared to pass. But apart from that it’s your bog standard library.
There are usually books on sale near the entrance for ridiculously low prices — I recently paid 20p for a big fat book on Tom Stoppard, for example — and there’s a small collection of books /​pamphlets on local history too.