Boston Public Library – West End Branch

Yep, it’s 2016 and I still frequent the library. I just can’t quit them books. I refuse! You can’t crack open a Kindle and smell it. You’d look unhinged.
This particular branch is on the small side and desperately needs some remodeling. The book selection also leaves something to be desired, but that’s the brilliance of reserving books online. You can have almost any item delivered to your preferred branch for pick-​up.
Old-​fashioned shelf browsing isn’t the easiest here as most of the shelves are short and you need to repeatedly stoop and bend over. I may look young, but I have the joints of a 90-​year-​old.
Aside from its shortcomings, the West End branch is still a perfectly serviceable library. It’s conveniently located, rarely busy, and the staff is friendly. Give them some foot traffic if you’re in the area. You don’t want to witness the tantrum I’d throw if my go-​to library were shuttered.

A cozy, little library that I frequent weekly, the West End Branch more than fulfills my literary needs. Given the small size, don’t expect a huge selection of books. However, the online hold request system solves this problem, making it easy to obtain any book, DVD, CD, or even sheet music in about 2 – 3 days (unless you’re on a waiting list). For those looking for a respite from walking, there are a few tables and chairs for leisure reading in addition to computers. I’ve also seen flyers for weekly events such a history discussions. The staff are pretty friendly as well and help facilitate a quick checkout process.
Although the hours are somewhat limited (latest closing time is 8PM on Thursdays), there is a drop-​box near the entrance for those who can’t make it prior to closing.

Great spot for book pick up for those of us working in the MGH region. Be fair warned that it does seem to be a homeless hang out and sometimes smells like urine but at least everyone gets to experience the library.

This branch is pretty typical of the BPL. It’s small but staffed by good folks who can help you find what you’re looking for and get your holds from the shelf lickety-​split. I pick up my holds here every so often (request them online, pick them up at a specified branch a few days later) and I’ve never had to wait in line or deal with any weirdness here. Sometimes the librarians at other branches make you wait until they check your returns in or other such nonsense. At the West End branch, I’m in and out in a minute or two, and they know my last name is not Adam. I like that.

I love my neighborhood library. It has great options for kids, tons of DVDs, and best of all, they have a toddler storytime on Wednesday mornings that I’ve attended for the past year or so (they also have pre-​school storytime on Tuesdays). The Children’s Library Lauren can be a little bit brusque, but at the end they pull out a bunch of toy cars and blocks and my kid is in heaven. I use the inter-​library loan system all the time and it’s great and easy to use. They also have a children’s corner with toys that I can bring my little guy to on a rainy day and let him play with puzzles, blocks, etc. They definitely have a lot of activities for seniors too, which is nice to see. Whole Foods and CVS are right next door, and Starbucks is across the street too.

I’m not one to fight the Boston-​over-​NYC fight, except wait, yes I am. And perhaps no better place to fight it than on this ground, as I’ve had numerous lousy experiences with the NYPL system.
I hope that this branch, convenient and well-​staffed, is representative of the entire system. It isn’t ideal for browsing the stacks, and I suppose that isn’t the point, but my hold requests have arrived very quickly on average.

Friendly and knowledgable staff, pretty good selection in the branch, really kid-​friendly.

Situated near the Whole Foods and across the street from Café Podima/​Jobi Liquors, the BPL’s West End branch is an interesting house of tomes.
Lauren’s comparison to an elementary school library is apt here: it’s relatively small, and the shelves are easy to reach for everyone. They also apparently have movie events going on.
One downside to this place is that the the hours aren’t really that good. Thursday is the only day that they close after 6 (in this case, 8 PM). So while it’s a nice, quiet, and quaint library, its hours aren’t wonderfully conducive to the 9 – 5 life.

So, this library location is nothing like the Copley location. West End branch is small, old, and outdated. It reminds me of my elementary school library.
However, even though this library appears to not be on par with the central, Copley location, the staff is extremely friendly and helpful. With the aid of the bpl website I know which of my books are available here and which are not. I have to say, that even though this location is smaller the books that I have been looking for are almost always available here.
I never use computers at the library but they do have them if you need them.
West End branch is my little Boston library jewel.