What are the opening hours?

Monday 9:30am - 5:30pm Tuesday 9:30am - 7:30pm Wednesday 9:30am - 5:30pm Thursday 9:30am - 7:30pm Friday 9:30am - 5:30pm Saturday 9:30am - 4pm

Barbican Library - City of London Libraries

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Barbican Library - City of London Libraries

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Books, audiobooks, DVDs, mags, study, wifi, PCs, print, talks, classes. And comfy sofas! And of course... knowledgeable & friendly staff!

The Barbican Library is the City of London's leading public lending library. Membership is free, and you can choose to borrow from a huge range of books and audio books, DVDs, music CDs and scores (sheet music). In addition you can download eBooks, eAudiobooks and eMagazines, stream newspapers and choose from a large range of electronic resources including Medici TV and Naxos Music Library. We also offer:
Two high quality electronic practice pianos (headphones provided)
CD listening post & individual CD listening booths (headphones provided)
Children's and adult reading groups
Baby rhymetime & storytelling sessions
Regular exhibitions programmes in the main and music libraries
Read to Succeed - A reading and literacy initiative for 5-14 year olds (contact the Children's Library on 0207 6289447)

Internet & electronic resource training sessions are also offered, and we have free public access to computers and the Internet & free WiFi access. Visit our website for more information:
www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/libraries/barbican-library

And visit our catalogue to see what we have in stock:
https://col.ent.sirsidynix.net.uk/client/en_GB/default

You can also find us on Twitter:
Instagram and Spotify.

01/11/2026

Welcome to November's eBook of the month on Libby, Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. This was Jane Austen's first novel to be published, in 1811. It has been adapted for film and television many times, including the most recent adaptation released last month. If it's a favourite why not revisit it, and if you've never read it before why not head over to Libby and download it.

Shoe Lane Library - City of London Libraries Artizan Street Library and Community Centre - City of London Libraries

31/10/2026

From 29th October-12th November it is Libby Reads UK digital book club, and in honour of The National Year of Reading, our friends at Libby will be providing 3 free titles with unlimited simultaneous use as both eBook & eAudiobook on Libby.

Boleyn Traitor by Philippa Gregory for adults
The Fox Hunt by Caitlin Breeze for YA readers
And Hari Kumar The Race Day Disaster by Rashmi Sirdeshpande

Shoe Lane Library - City of London Libraries Artizan Street Library and Community Centre - City of London Libraries

28/10/2026

Today at Shoe Lane Library we all had lots of fun with our LEGO session which was led by the LEGO group!

26/10/2026

⭐ Staff Picks: All-Time Favourite books❤️

We asked our library team: What’s Your Favourite Book(s) of all time?

Swipe to discover some of their picks! ➡️

💬 What's your favourite book of all time? Tell us in the comments!

23/10/2026

This week is Green Libraries Week, we have lots of books in our libraries about everything green, or you could explore the collection of eBooks and eAudiobooks on Libby.

Shoe Lane Library - City of London Libraries Artizan Street Library and Community Centre - City of London Libraries

21/10/2026

Today is the start of Green Libraries Week, why not come into one of our libraries to browse the many books available covering all things green. And borrowing a library books is the ultimate act of recycling and sustainability.

Shoe Lane Library - City of London Libraries Artizan Street Library and Community Centre - City of London Libraries

19/10/2026

Join Barbican and Community Libraries for Get Online Week from 19-25th October 💻📱✨

We’re hosting specialised sessions covering a variety of online support and resources for all!

Digital support doesn’t stop after Get Online Week. You can access a range of digital resources and support at Barbican and Community Libraries all year round, including:

💻 1-to-1 IT sessions
🌐 Learn My Way
🖨️ Our Makerspace
🔗 Our website

💬 Ask a member of staff to find out more!

15/10/2026

"Va**ng – The Facts, the Risks, and How to Talk to Your Teen", Thurs, 22 Oct, 6pm, delivered online by KIP Education. Designed to help parents/carers understand the realities of va**ng among young people, providing knowledge and coping strategies. Scan QR code in poster below.

12/10/2026

ACCESSING LIBBY or Overdrive - From 13th/14th October in addition to your library card number you will also need your library pin / password to access Libby/Overdrive. At some point on 13th/14th you will be asked to log back in with your library number and pin/password. If you don't know, or have forgotten it, you can use the forgotten password function from the login page on our library catalogue https://col.ent.sirsidynix.net.uk/client/en_GB/default or contact one of our libraries for help.

Shoe Lane Library - City of London Libraries Artizan Street Library and Community Centre - City of London Libraries

10/10/2026

Today is World Mental Health Day, we have lots of stock in our libraries to boost your mental health, and there are also lots more eBooks and eAudio on Libby and Borrowbox.

Shoe Lane Library - City of London Libraries Artizan Street Library and Community Centre - City of London Libraries

Address

Barbican Library, Barbican Centre, Silk Street
London
EC2Y8DS

Opening Hours

Monday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	9:30am - 7:30pm
Wednesday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday	9:30am - 7:30pm
Friday	9:30am - 5:30pm
Saturday	9:30am - 4pm

Telephone

+442076380569

Website

https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/services/libraries/barbican-library

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