Reviews of John Harvard Library. (Shop) in London (London).

John Harvard Library

35 Reviews

24 Comments

Shop

Library

211 Borough High St, London SE1 1JA, United Kingdom

Description

Information of John Harvard Library, Shop in London (London)

On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.

Sometimes there are places with not the best rate, this is this case but this doesn’t mean that they are giving a bad service to their customers, sometimes in the internet the people only post reviews when they are not happy with the service, so sure you’ll find a good service here too.

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Reviews of John Harvard Library

J. i.

Reopened. Cafe reopened now to. Adult book selection not as good as other Southwark libraries. Though children’s section is good. Was rather frustrated that they tried to fine me for books I dropped though the book drop they advised people to use during lockdown only to find they hadn’t recorded the books as returned. Was able to sort fairly quickly though.

H. B.

The library has finally reopened with a light refurb and lots of brand new books. Cafe is still closed -6 Jan 22.

A. A.

It is a lovely library compared to others but the only problem I have is the fact that when people are trying to study and work and, you know, make the money that the government takes to invest in the libraries (correct me if I'm wrong) all I hear are children singing "if you're happy if you know it" etc. etc. It really throws of mine and some other people's concentration. It is mostly like that in not going to lie in all the libraries. It's really ironic that in a library you are supposed to be quiet but noise is being made at that level. Maybe try to separate that from a place of reading and work. I understand parents have young kids but maybe create an even more secluded section for these type of activities where the sound is reduced.Thank you.

S. F.

Fabulous staff and overall great service! Feeling like reacting to previous comments to bring some more positive vibes and encouragement to this place's reviews. Yes, there are homeless people but a public library should be a haven for everyone. Being from outside the UK, the fact that a public library even has a café inside its premises (and without any hard wall separating it from the book area) is a little strange to me but I mostly go there to pick up books to study at home. Probably that a quiet and enclosed study room would solve the noise issue. Either ways, I agree that a library should focus on providing a good inclusive environment for reading before any other uses. Some areas could be better organised such as the Independent Comics/Graphic Novels section. Other than that I feel really lucky to live close to this library! A big thank you to all of the great staff, librarians and security agents alike!

R. C.

Fabulous staff - kind, personable, thoughtful. Love 'em. Good selection of books and periodicals. Slightly temperamental check-out machines, but staff are always willing to offer help with a smile. But the ongoing music from the cafe is just AWFUL. It's also pointless: for the last ten years, most people have just used MP3 players if they want music. I can't see that the music serves anyone except the cafe staff. The music makes the library inaccessible for me and many other dyslexics. We can't just tune out noise to concentrate on what we're reading. It's such a shame. A good library was always my sanctuary, a place where I could escape the rest of the world and immerse myself in reading and learning. Now it's just another coffeeshop. I think the John Harvard meant to be a library with a coffee shop. But the coffee shop takes over: it's a coffee shop with a good reading material. Suggestion: Do what they do at the Canada Water library: have a coffeeshop, but one that doesn't constantly pump out music. Please.

D. Q.

I think this is very good for a local library. The range of books is better than I am used to for a public library, and it is easy to order books from the other Southwark libraries. I always find it calm and orderly. The staff in the coffee shop are always friendly and the prices are good for the area. The library staff are generally neither friendly nor unfriendly.

G. S.

Just down the road from the heaving Borough Market is an oasis of qualiity & quiet. Good coffee and a range of cakes at very reasonable prices compared to BM. Plenty of seating on benches and large kitchen-style tables forcing you to mix. You can even read the papers and periodicals. They even have secure bike parking outside.

D. R.

Doesn't have a really good athmosphere to work. In general is a bit dirty and homeless people occupying some useful spots just standing there. There is a corner with tables and plugs to work but the plugs were I tried didn't work

S. O.

Lovely library with a nice children's area, lots of family activities plus a fab café.

T. C.

A lot of druggies always using toilet

B. I.

Nice coffee shop and good range of books.

E. m.

So much noisey.

J. a.

The John Harvard Library 📖 is awesome, they have lots of seats 💺, bench areas, desk areas where you can charge your laptop 🔋⚡🔌💻, loads and loads of books 📚, I think they may sell coffee ☕ and drinks 🧉 at the entrance but I did not sit there so I am not 100% certain, it was very busy, you should probably get there early to get a seat as the early bird catches the worm 🐛! They have toilets 🚻. Library was really really clean ☺️ There is a fantastic Archive Research Library whose staff are amazing, very very helpful 🙌🏽 and I accidentally overheard some history in that there were 40 Forty Thieves in the Elephant and Castle area 🚨! I can really recommend this library 💯👍🏽. 😘

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