Please explain the local library system in London, England
My grandparents will travel to London to stay with relatives for a few months, and plan to borrow books from the local (and NOT university) libraries.
Question
1) Am I right that each borough has its own library? See the map below.
2) If the answer to 1 is 'yes', where can I find a website that lists ALL the borough's libraries' websites, instead of Googling each borough?
3) Does the City of London (1 below on the map) have libraries? I do not grasp this: Wikipedia claims that The City is "not a London borough"?
4) Can books be transferred between libraries of different boroughs? For example, if City's libraries do not have a book, but Westminster borough's libraries do, can Westminster Borough's libaries loan it interlibrarially to City's libraries?
Although I grasp that anybody with proof of UK address is not confined to his/her borough's libraries and can register with any borough's libraries, it is much easier for my grandparents to request interlibrary loans instead of registering with and then travelling to 6 boroughs' libraries depending on which has the book.
Afterword: After the answer below taught me about the London Library Consortium (or LLC), I found a better map under that shows all the London boroughs, plus highlights the libraries in the consortium. This signposts all the individual libraries in the LLC.
Best Answer
Aye and many.
Here's a map of the London Libraries Consortium libraries.
The London Libraries Consortium has 14 boroughs but not all of them so it's highly doubtful it's doable (or if doable then feasible) to do interlibrary operations outside of these 14. Within these 14 "able to borrow and return items to any libraries".
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Does London have a public library system?
The London Public Library (LPL) is the public library system of London, Ontario, Canada. All 16 locations city-wide offer services and programs for adults, teens and children residing in London and the surrounding counties of Oxford, Middlesex, and Elgin.How do you use the library in London?
In general, anyone can read the books, magazines and newspapers. If you want to borrow books you need to become a member. *To use the PC's or free WiFi, you usually need to be a member or a guest member. Any UK resident can become a guest member with proof of residence.How many libraries are there in London?
There are over 360 public libraries in London and most Londoners are never more than a mile away from their nearest one.What libraries are in London?
The best libraries in LondonTHE BRITISH LIBRARY QUICK TOUR | LONDON
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Answer 2
The previous two answers are correct regarding the library system in the UK, but I feel I should warn you about the requirements about joining a library.
You usually have to be a permanent resident and proof will be needed to join a library, receive a library card and checkout (loan) books.
The City of Westminster requirements to join a library require you to bring along proof of address such as:
- a recent utilities bill (last six months)
- rent/child benefit/pension book
- current driving licence
- bank/credit card statement (last six months)
- building society book.
You can still use the facilities of libraries if you are not a member, but you will be not be able to loan out any books. For Westminster libraries your grandparents may qualify for a short stay membership, but I am not sure what library benefits that will give them.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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