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Libraries - information and advice


Enquiries, access and opening times

Barbican
Mobile Library
Shoe Lane
City Business Library
Guildhall Library

Download a map showing the library locations (535kb)

Textphone New textphone number

The City of London’s libraries textphone service is designed to make it easier for deaf or hearing impaired individuals to contact us.

Provided they have a textphone, callers are able to communicate clearly with our staff by typing what they want to say and receiving a reply on the screen of their textphone. To contact any of our libraries dial 020 7332 3803.

24 hour renewals (touch tone phones only) 020 7638 0568

Libraries feedback form - use this to send us suggestions for improving our service.


Barbican Library

Silk Street, London EC2Y 8DS
General enquiries tel 020 7638 0569
Enquiries to Music Library - tel 020 7638 0672
Enquiries to Children's Library - tel 020 7628 9447
Fax 020 7638 2249
Textphone 020 7332 3803
Email barbicanlib@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Map showing the location of Barbican Library
Barbican Library webpage

The library is fully accessible by wheelchair and a variety of access facilities including hearing induction loops, a reading magnifier machine and enhanced computer screen viewing and listening facilities are available.

For information on disabled access to the Barbican Library visit Disabled Go.

Opening hours

Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday opening hours

The Library will be closed on:

Monday 4 June
Tuesday 5 June

Monday, Wednesday - 9.30am - 5.30pm
Tuesday, Thursday - 9.30am - 7.30pm
Friday: 9.30am - 2.00pm
Saturday: 9.30am - 4.00pm

The out of hours returns unit is situated just outside the library. You will need to know your borrower number to use this facility.

Getting there

Nearest tube stations are Barbican, Moorgate, Liverpool Street and St Paul's (not wheelchair accessible). Bank station has lift access from Docklands Light Railway to street level only.
Rail stations are Farringdon, Barbican and Moorgate (not wheelchair accessible). Liverpool Street is accessible. Bus routes 8, 11, 26, 35, 42, 47, 48, 55, 56, 76, 78, 100, 133, 141, 214, 242, 271 (seven days a week), 243 (Monday - Saturday), 21, 23, 25, 172, 501, 505, 521 (Monday - Friday).

More information on the accessibility of tube stations and buses is available on the Tube website and the Transport for London site.


Mobile Library

Opening hours and locations:

Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday opening hours

The Library will be closed on:

Monday 4 June
Tuesday 5 June

  • Monday 10.00am - 4.00pm  at Devonshire Square
  • Tuesday 10.00am - 5.00pm at Little Somerset Street
  • Wednesday 10.00am - 4.00pm at Stoney Lane
  • Thursday 10.00am - 4.00pm at America Square
  • Friday 10.00am - 4.00pm at Devonshire Square


Shoe Lane

Hill House, Little New Street, London EC4A 3JR
Tel 020 7583 7178
Textphone 020 7332 3803
24 hour renewals (touch tone phones only) 020 7638 0568
Email shoelane@cityoflondon.gov.uk
Map showing the location of Shoe Lane Library
Shoe Lane Library webpage

The library is fully accessible for people with disabilities.

Opening hours

Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday opening hours

The Library will be closed on:

Monday 4 June
Tuesday 5 June

Monday, Wednesday to Friday 9.00am - 5.30pm
Tuesday 9.00am - 6.30pm

For information on disabled access to the Shoe Lane Library visit Disabled Go.


City Business Library

Contact details:  020 7332 1812;  cbl@cityoflondon.gov.uk

City Business Library, Aldermanbury, London EC2V 7HH
Map showing the location of CBL (535kb)
City Business Library webpage

The library has an internal stair lift and a wheelchair accessible toilet.

Focus Research in the City

Tel 020 7600 1461
focus@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Opening hours

Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday opening hours

The Library will be closed on:

Monday 4 June
Tuesday 5 June

Monday to Friday 9.30am to 5.00pm
Closed Bank Holidays


Guildhall Library

Aldermanbury, EC2V 7HH
Map showing the location of Guildhall Library
Guildhall Library webpage

The library has an internal stair lift and a wheelchair accessible toilet.

Tel 020 7332 1868 / 020 7332 1870
Textphone 020 7332 3803
Email guildhall.library@cityoflondon.gov.uk

Opening hours

Diamond Jubilee Bank Holiday opening hours

The Library will be closed on:

Saturday 2 June
Monday 4 June
Tuesday 5 June

Monday to Saturday 9.30am to 5.00pm
Items from the Store cannot be retrieved between 12.00 noon and 2.00pm on Saturdays.
Closed Bank Holiday weekends including Saturdays

Getting there

Bus routes 242, 25, 8 and 501 (to Cheapside), 11,15, 23 and 26 (to Queen Victoria Street),
43, 76, 133, 141, 214, 271 (to Moorgate), 172 (to London Wall). Nearest tube stations are Bank, St Paul's, Mansion House (Bow Lane exit), and Moorgate. Rail stations are Farringdon, Barbican and Moorgate (not wheelchair accessible). Liverpool Street station is wheelchair accessible.
For blue/orange badge holders there are parking bays in Basinghall Street, Gresham Street and Aldermanbury.

For information on disabled access to the Guildhall Library visit Disabled Go.


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