Barbican Centre, London EC2Y 8DS
Welcome to Barbican Library
Opened in 1982, Barbican Library is the largest of the City’s
lending libraries and includes a major music library and a lively
children’s section.
The library holds over 125,000 volumes with special collections on
London history, financial analysis, arts, classic crime and spoken
word recordings.
Also available are books in large print, foreign fiction and a
collection especially for young adults. The library also
stocks a great choice of DVDs and Blu-ray disks, from the latest
releases and classics to box sets of popular TV series and titles
for children.
There is an excellent collection of maps, travel guides and
language courses, and reference works such as directories and
telephone books are available for consultation. The library
has Wi-Fi access and laptop points as well as a number of study
spaces and areas to relax and read items from our wide-ranging
collection of periodicals and newspapers.
Our Libraries Online suite offers free access to 24 computers
and we have printing and self-service photocopying
facilities. Outside of normal opening times, the Library
Information Wall (just outside the library) provides out-of-hours
access to the internet and also a self-returns facility. As
well as a regular programme of talks and events there are monthly
art exhibitions on show in the Library foyer.
Barbican - 30 Year Anniversary
Barbican Library opened in April 1982 and we have been bringing
you the best in world fiction and popular music for thirty years.
Now you can choose your favourites from our selection and the
results of the vote will be displayed to mark the occasion of our
30th Birthday.
Please join us here in the Barbican Library on 19 April 2012
between 12pm and 2pm for a celebratory drink and piece of birthday
cake to see if your choices were the most popular.
Just tick your favourite book or album from each year and don't
worry if you've not read a book or listened to an album for each of
the years. Just tick the ones you have and move onto the next year
- it's a simple as that!
Please complete by 31 March 2012.
Vote for your favourite fiction
Vote for your favourite album
The London Collection at Barbican Library
Follow the link for further information about the London
Collection
The London Collection at Barbican
Library (246kb)
Help yourself to happiness
Titles to boost your mood and
well-being (1mb)
Friends of Barbican Library
The Friends are just that—a group of volunteers who love the
Library. Their aim is to provide the Librarian and the
Library team with some extra help at events and collaborate on some
special projects.
Current projects include helping the Barbican Library recruit
more members from amongst City workers and practical help at
workshops, talks and meet the author sessions. Joining the
Friends is free—all that they ask is for a few hours of your time
each year. For more information please contact the group via
the Barbican Library.
Starting out on the Internet
Free and friendly sessions at the Library to help you get
started. For further details contact the Library
Introductory tours
Please contact Barbican library for information on the next
library introductory tour.
Reading groups
Barbican Library has two reading groups which meet the first
Thursday of each month for an hour; lunchtimes at 12.30pm
and evenings at 6.00pm. A third group meets the second Tuesday
of each month at 6pm. New members are always welcome to join,
please contact the Library in advance to confirm the date of the
next meeting.
Careers advice drop-in service
Job hunting; information and advice. Please contact Barbican
Library on 020 7638 0569 for further information.