Comments on: Left luggage: a cheeky trick

By: BLreader

BLreader — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:19:20 +0000

It might interest you to know that the Library is changing its policy – from February 2011 there will be a size restriction on bags and a charge for the lockers. See the Library’s website for full details

By: missthrifty

missthrifty — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 20:33:07 +0000

@rag No, the thought hadn’t occurred to me – partly because the modest amount of traffic to this VERY niche post is insufficient to “block” the locker facilities, even if every single person who read it went on to make use of the locker rooms. Partly because, as a British Library cardholder for the past 8 years, I have never yet encountered any problems stashing my belongings there. (Although perhaps that’s because when I go there, I get there early?) And partly because I haven’t heard, read or been able to find anything about plans for the BL to begin charging for lockers…

By: rag

rag — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 10:52:52 +0000

Have you thought that you’re blocking the whole facility for the library users who are REQUIRED to leave their belongings before using the reading rooms?
The cloakrooms and locker rooms are frequently completely full because of people mis-using the facilities and selfish people like you are going to force the British Library to start charging for the lockers.

By: jusme

jusme — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:26:27 +0000

Hi Miss thrifty! Oh I misunderstood, I thought it would be ok for me to leave my stuff for 1-2 days! Thanks alot!

By: jusme

jusme — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:11:51 +0000

Hi sorry it’s me again. As you wrote this article in 2008, has there been any changes to this policy or you have made use of the lockers in BL recently so it should be fine? Thanks alot!

By: missthrifty

missthrifty — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 08:02:47 +0000

@jusme You are welcome!

The BL locker room is downstairs: the stairs/ramp are to the right of the main desk as you walk in. It is open when the BL is open, so it isn’t one for leaving stuff in overnight, if that is what you were hoping to do – if memory serves the BL reading rooms close at 8/9pm-ish on weekdays. I have never had any safety/security problems.

By: jusme

jusme — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:43:20 +0000

Hi Miss Thrifty!

Thanks! I have been searching around online on storage of luggage and found that I could do this.

Is the locker room locked at any time of the day? And it should be safe to put stuff in since I would be the only one with the keys (sorry I sound extra paranoid) ? Lastly how easy it is to find the BL’s locker room, any clues/direction you can provide too? I hope there aren’t many long flights of stairs along the way?

Thanks much! I hope it works for me as I am staying in London for a few days [coming from Paris (via London St Pancras) and going to Cambridge (via London King Cross)] and I hope to find a solution whereby I need not bring the luggage around.

By: Cecilia

Cecilia — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 15:17:00 +0000

Hello, do you know until what time you can access the library’s lockers at night?

Apart from the enormous amount of money needed to leave you luggage at Kings’ cross Left Luggage (it’s 8 £ now!) they close at 11 p.m. and since I’m going to a gig on Friday night I might as well be running late…

Thanks!

By: admin

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:55:19 +0000

@Graham Can you really never find a free locker in the BL? Whenever I am there, irrespective of the time of day, there are scores of them!

Besides, if the lockers are all full, you can always leave your coat/bag in the manned, secure cloakroom…

- Miss T.

By: Graham

Graham — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:45:29 +0000

I see….so this is the reason why one can never find a free locker in the BL! I agree that £6.50 is a bit steep but how about leaving them for those of us who actually go there to do work? Might want to think about that next time….