My Review

9 out of 10 stars
Based on my experience of the National Archive at Kew and many other County Archives I found the Bancroft Library to be as welcoming and helpful. I was impressed by the scope and detailed knowledge of the archivist who provided me with a prompt and energetic service, supplemented by helpful suggestions and guidance. Most importantly I found what I was looking for.
I would however depreciate the fact that Council Committee Reports, which are bound into bulky volumes, lack the creation and addition of a contents list. I am not suggesting the pagination of the orginal contents: simply a list which on opening the volume randomly, and then working out from the list where you are enables one to work back or forth to find more easily what you want to read.
On entering the building the visitor may be impressed by what looks to be recent and is tasteful refurbishment. The reading rooms hopefully when their time comes will retain their 1900's look and atmosphere. My own plea is for the unimproved retention of the Gents Staff loo located off the second reading room, which puts me in mind of those in basement library of the Old War Office Library and that of the PRO when in Chancery Lane....that probably says rather too much about me, and should not detract from the unquestionable excellence of Bancroft Library.



Name: david saunders
Location: Tower Hamlets