Chipping Barnet Library

Very good library. Lots of new books factual and fiction with lots of copies not just one. If you a member lots of opening times.
Really good.

How was Chipping Barnet Library?
No staff except the uniformed security men.
Impossible to get into without a current library card to open the electronic lock.

A small group of visitors busy eating, chatting loudly and listening to their phones playing on speaker.
Just don't confuse this venue with a real library.

Right now there is a guy right behind me having a Zoom meeting with speakers on. There is a lady next to me watching YouTube videos about make Up, also very loud. What a chilled environment to revise for exams (note the irony)

Fantastic library that has helped me study through GCSEs, A Levels, University, and now helping me with work.

Great space. The only issue is the noise from members of public, often students who are too anxious to study alone and arrive in groups. They are not spiteful, but their noise does sometimes distract others, including other students.

We need to keep our libraries alive.

The best place ever! Long opening hours, clean, convenient location, helpful staff. I owe all my studying to this place!

Wow! That is a lot of quietness to enjoy... the Library which is said is opened 1991 is a modern self service one with membership card entrance... there are days you can find staff to be helpful with your queries.
Lovely setting and gorgeous open space library...the roof/ceiling is fantastic... the wood gives you a freedom feeling...full of warmth! Love Barnet's character!

This library is a staple piece of the barnet community giving our children and residents a place to learn, study and just relax in general in an environment surrounded by knowledge. The library is alway maintained to excellent condition with such a wide range of literature. The open space does allow for such a peaceful experience consistently. However I must say that the new self-service hours seem to be a double-edge sword. on one hand it allows members of the community, students especially to have access to the facilities across wider hours, but it also causes massive inconveniences. Toilets are locked during these time and members are forced to use nearby public toilets, for mothers and women especially I find this to be very concerning especially during 'certain times'. And the lack of service also.

Lots of people complained about pre-covid, particularly the security guard. I do remember those days. But since the library reopened, I have only good words about everything. The staff were very patient and helpful each time. It's easy to reserve books online and collect them when they are ready (which you can track online). It's quiet in there. Plenty of hand gel to remove the anxiety of touching any common area. The self service hours are easily accessible (no more security guard or entering pins, as there are always staff inside just doing organising work.) It's such a pleasure to be able to get books for my young ones from there. My older son loves to go there with me and take the chance to skim through the boom shelves too.