I have given central library one star for many reasons. As the main library of imperial, you would expect it to have a 24 hour service cafe but that's not the case. Their cafe closes early on many of the days and I'm forced to walk to south Kensington for food. The way the counters in the cafe are arranged show that their are no thought put into them. Hot food is put before the cash register which makes the line long, but it doesn't move. I would recommend moving the hot food next to the door, while cakes, muffins and these things could become self service to speed up the service. When it comes to hygiene, central library fails to deliver. The bathrooms are never cleaned and it always smells. The toilet seats are always dirty and unhygienic. The soap dispensers don't work and instead of putting an automatic water tap (for hygiene), they still use old taps, even in the refurbished part. The design of the library also lacks as they have a staircase connecting all five floors where the 4th and 5th floor are quite and silent study floors. The staircase is connected openly to the floors and the noise from the people using the staircase keeps coming into the seating area. I wouldn't say it's the students fault as imperial doesn't provide areas were students can relax with their friends for a short period of time without going down to the cafe or standing in very small corridors next to the toilet. Even for stapling your papers, you have to go to the first floor to do it. The printers do not have staplers in them and it is always inconvenient to staple papers. I would expect them to have the latest energy saving technology as well which they don't have! This should be a state of the art library of one of the best universities of the world and I would say it's a huge disappointment!

I miss this place. This library was like my second home when I was in my final year studying mathematics at Imperial College. The central library was excellent. I remember the good old (but loud) fourth floor. But funny enough I really liked the noise as I can just pop on some earphones and get some good solid work done. Man, the good old days. In exam times this place was home. I never did this, but I remember a guy that came to the library on Saturday and never went home until Wednesday. Absolutely insane. I definitely miss my student days at times.

Toilets run out of service too often, dirty all the time, with long queues. Bad air quality, especially on the first three floors, I can use breathless to describe. Bad water quality from water fountains. People occasionally chat loudly in silent study zones. Food at library cafe tastes even worse than before.

Lots of academic books that cannot be gotten anywhere else. It's Imperial though, so access is only available to Imperial students, and is usually quite packed during weekdays. Imperial needs to make more work spaces!

Walk in with clean clothes. Walk out drenched in sweat. Otherwise I cannot fault it.

Where else will you find such a large library, open for 24 hours on most days?

Large library, which gets very busy during exams period, and quite hot

It feels so good to be back here. A very stimulating environment

Always overly crowded. Bathrooms are abysmal.

The library is great as is the Union!!

Good library with cleanliness issues

Great resource. Staff very helpful.

I herd but I didn't visit ever.

It's named after me. 5 stars.

Good place for a coffee

Balzato all’entrata

Great library!

Great place

Great uni!

HOT