St Bride Printing Library

I wandered into the St. Bride’s Printing Library one afternoon whilst wandering around on my lunchbreak. It’s a small building tucked away behind St. Bride’s Church and the library covers (according to their website) «printing and related subjects: paper and binding, graphic design and typography, typefaces and calligraphy, illustration and printmaking, publishing and book-​selling and the social and economic aspects of the printing, book, newspaper and magazine trades.» If I’m honest, these are not the type of books I’m interested in. However, the library offers much more than just books. There are often exhibits featuring original copies of famous books, seminars and lectures, and the most fun of all: Lunchbox Theatre. The theatre specialises in 45 minute plays, starting at 1:00. Perfect for your lunch hour if you’re in the area. They recently ran a series of The Canterbury Tales – very rude, but great fun! Tickets are less than £10 and it’s always a great show. Be sure to get there on time though, they don’t allow latecomers in!
This little library is well worth a visit, I highly recommend it for an afternoon outing!

Go here to get a sense of history of London as a major book trading center. Nigel gives great lectures about Fleet Street. I loved being in the press room surrounded by trays of typefaces. The librarian was kind enough to let us page through old hand-​set books. There is a reading room with beautiful wallpaper.