I love the library. I was very fortunate a weekly visit to the library was very normal in our house. I even remember going alone on foot as young as 5 or 6, I grew up in a small rural village to return my books and choose something new. It was my first bit of independence and I loved it, it made me feel very grown up, handing back my books, on time and then browsing the shelves for something new.

I love books, but rarely buy them, I have a few of course but I don’t see the point of buying when you can borrow.

We are extremely lucky to have such a beautiful well run well stocked library within walking distance, Mayfair Library and I have been a member for years. I go every week. Usually after work for an hour or two. It stays open until 7pm Monday - Friday which is great. It’s like Borders or Waterstones without the coffee, I don’t mind that, it’s free.

My friends and work colleagues find it funny when they say coming for a drink? And I say no I’m going to the library but for anyone like me, hooked on books (and films if you have an old fashioned DVD player) it makes complete sense.

You take your books out and unlike the old days when they had to be back in two weeks, you now get a months and you can even extend online if you need to.

Getting married or need a space to host a business meeting or event? The ceremony rooms at Mayfair Library in London are primarily used for hosting wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships, as well as being hired out for business events, meetings, product launches, and talks. This beautiful Victorian library offers two distinct, high-end function rooms available for booking through the Westminster City Council room hire booking system. For a wedding or special event the fees range from £1400 - £2000 depending on the day of the week and the time slot you want, the usual booking is for a 1hr time slot but you can extend this to 1.5 hours or 2.0 hours depending on what you need. The reason I know is because Reg and I looked into getting married at this particular library. Rates to hire out the lovely rooms for meetings and other events start at £123 per hour which is very reasonable for the area. Local hotels are a lot more expensive.

And for anyone with kids wondering how they are going to get through the school holidays, my sister, the library is the best place to take them. Ours has a “Summer Reading Challenge” program running at the moment sponsored by the Arts Council encouraging kids to read with incentives, badges and certificates when reading goals are reached.

A love of books and reading is definitely part of who I am and the Mayfair Library is a beautiful building to find peace and quiet, an escape from the hustle and a local free service I for one really appreciate.

You probably wouldn’t know it’s there tucked in between Harry’s Bar and Mount St Gardens unless you were headed there specifically but I highly recommend walking in and checking it out.

The building alone for architecture lovers and the stunning stained glass windows are worth a look even if you never join and check out a book.

The smell is the very best thing about stepping into a library. So if you can’t get to Mayfair and experience our gorgeous grade II listed building then seek out your own local public library.