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Barbican Library
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The Barbican Library is a vibrant public library in the heart of the Barbican Centre with books, spoken word recordings, DVDs, CDs and sheet music available for loan to all members.
Along with the adult library located on Level 2 within the Barbican Centre, you will also find the Barbican Music Library and Barbican Children's Library, along with places to sit, read and study.
Visit the library for
- Friendly, expert staff
- Books, audio books and graphic novels
- Newspapers and magazines
- CDs, DVDs and language sets
- Special collections in art, music, finance and London
- A dedicated children's and music library
- Free Wi-Fi and computers with internet access
- Printing, photocopying and scanning facilities
- eBooks and online resources
- Reading groups
- Events, exhibitions and activities
- Regular events for adults and children
- Support for your health and wellbeing
- Library of Things – located inside Barbican Library - helps you save money and reduce waste by affordably renting out useful things like drills, a sewing machine and a projector. Sign up now to the City of London Library of Things!
Find out about filming and photoshoots in Barbican & Community Libraries.
Accessibility
- The Barbican Centre has access guides on their website. Go to page 42-43 to specific guide for Library access: Access guides | Barbican
The Barbican Library is located on Level 2 of the Barbican Centre. The main entrance to the Barbican Centre is on Silk Street.
By train/tube
- Farringdon main line: 0.7 miles
- Farringdon Elizabeth Line: 0.4 miles
- Barbican Tube: 0.3 miles
- Moorgate Tube: 0.3 miles
- There is pre-bookable accessible parking available in Barbican Centre - please visit: Accessible parking | Barbican for more information.
- There is an induction loop at all service points to assist hearing-aid users.
- Paths are paved and smooth.
- The Library is located on Level 2 of the Barbican Centre.
- The simplest route to the Library is via the entrance to to the Barbican Centre on Silk Street: go through the doors, follow the corridor into the Centre, head straight on to lifts or stairs to other levels in the Centre.
- There are other routes to the Library via the highwalks across the Barbican Estate. Visit the Barbican Centre website for more information: Access guides | Barbican
- Library doors are automatic.
- The Library is located on Level 2 of the Barbican Centre.
- There are lifts and stairs to Level 2.
- The Music Library is reached down 22 stairs within the main library. A passenger-operated lift (110 x 140cm) also connects the two floors. It requires the button to be held in order for it to move, however, if you need assistance, staff will be happy to help.
- There are no toilets in the Library.
- However there are accessible toilets and changing facilities in many locations of Barbican Centre.
- The closest wheelchair accessible toilet to the Library is off Frobisher Crescent - Access by RADAR key. Right-hand transfer. Size 150cm x 173cm. In this small toilet, some wheelchair users may find difficulty turning.
- There are alternatives on Level 1 and Level 3.
- For more information and photographs of the toilets please go to: Accessible facilities | Barbican
Donations
If you would like to sponsor our programmes for adults and children, please consider making a donation to our libraries. 100% of all monies received from donations comes to the Barbican and Community Libraries service.