Park Slope Library

Ishaan Horwith

Honestly a pretty underwhelming library, that doesn't follow traditional norms and library standards. The building itself is quite small and lacks a lot of books, making that bad enough, the staff isn't really any help and actually come off as quite cold. Their is no etiquette in terms of noise control, meaning babies and toddlers are allowed to wander about screaming, crying and dropping things, not a great place to work or check out a book, but the outside garden is nice

P W

Lovely space but I have never been in a library in which the staff themselves are SUPER loud. They don't make any effort to speak quietly at all, quite to the contrary. There seems to be no awareness for the fact that they are in a library. I'm not saying they need to act like church mice, I'm saying they are LOUD. They also seem to think their back office area is sound proof. They are even loud compared to typical office chatter. Much louder than a coffee shop. They sound like they are working in an outdoor depot. The space is cavernous and therefore echoes. They'd be loud even without that affect, but with it, you can't escape (I tried). One of them clunks around in loud heels providing a stiletto back-beat to cacophony. The irony is that most library visitors are quiet and carry themselves with the soft demeanor that is typical of, well, libraries. However, the staff's behavior is contagious, and any time a guest interacts with them (say to look for a book), they start conversing loudly together, like they're out on the street or something. The whole reason people keep it down in libraries is bc they're met with quiet upon entering. Btw, I'm a young male and don't mind a bit of noise. This is just ridiculous and really annoying if you're actually trying to get some work done, study, or read a book. There is a difference between the constant drone of a busy space, and the incessant piercing STAFF voices. I'm wearing nice Sony noise cancelling headphones, with a sound blocker playing, and it's not quite cutting it. These people, the contra-librarians (rsrs), are oblivious. Perhaps a quart low. Strange, unordinary, annoying af, and a shame.

Lady Ace

The library near my apartment is closed due to elevated rates of COVID. I had to make the trek here to return a few books. They only allow one person at a time. They only had an officer in the lobby but, no library staff to answer any questions or for assistance. The officer was friendly and tried to help but, he didn't know the answer and he wasn't able to find anyone to help. The library itself is beautiful and I can't wait until it's fully opened again.

Eva Schicker

What a gem this branch of the Brooklyn Public Library system is. Tucked away in the heart of Park Slope at the intersection of 9th Street and 6th Avenue, this library invites you to come in and find a beautiful space for reading, studying, researching and writing. Immediately upon entering through the grand doorways, (there is also a ramp for wheelchair or stroller access) you find yourself in the quietly extraordinary classical revivalist architecture of the now landmarked building designed by Raymond F. Almirall in 1906. There are two grand, non-serviced fireplaces that give a warm feeling to the reading areas, and a lovely plaque honoring Andrew Carnegie, the great philanthropist of his era building hundreds of libraries around the world. The children’s book section is delightful, and there is a foreign language book section that is ingenious. Also, there are desktop computers for reading and book research. There is so much to say about this library that it is better you visit it in person and see and explore for yourself. Highly recommended. Keep supporting your local library!