Cambridge Public Library

Wow — really amazing public library. Beautiful, bright, open and modern space.
+ computers & printers
+ super cheap parking (small lot though)
+ patio! Yay!
Lastly, they partner with other area libraries which is a nice perk.

A really modern, bright, and (mostly) quiet place to read or study.
It’s a pretty popular study destination most afternoons. They have tons of seating, but you may have to walk around a little to find a spot unless you’re there early or late in the day. Most days I’ve been able to find a spot without too much trouble. On a nice day, you can hang out or study on the huge lawn or benches outside as well.
The windows everywhere make it really bright and cheery inside. If you want something away from the sun, there’s a older section of the building that feels more like a law school library. The A/​C is usually on full blast; so if you’re sensitive to cold, don’t forget a sweater. There are electrical plugs everywhere and it’s generally pretty clean. For the most part, it’s pretty quiet. On the first floor, you will sometimes hear kids running around or people talking. The second floor is typically really quiet.
There are a couple vending machines for drinks and snacks. There’s also a photocopier and printer you can use for a fee. In addition to books, they also have DVDs, CDs and magazines you can rent out. Their movie and music collection is pretty up to date.
The Cambridge Public Library is a really nice place to study or read. As a poor student, I was grateful for the free DVD and CD rental service as well!

This is the most amazing, space-​age, well-​stocked library I have encountered since childhood. I am grateful to the Minuteman Library Network for allowing me access to it, and for making me an honorary citizen of Cambridge thereby!

Pleasantly air-​conditioned, sunlight filled heaven in the heart of Cambridge that is public aka FREE and has TONS of newly released books. Not to mention computers, printing, and tons of desk space for studying! The library staff are also amazing and super helpful.
Personally my favorite out of all the other great libraries in the surrounding area including the slightly intimidating Harvard Widener library and the Boston Public library)!

Come for the free air conditioning, stay for the books! This is a really beautiful, clean library with lots of desk space and natural light.
It can be a bit noisy on the first floor/​mezzanine, but the second floor is always pretty quiet. It’s nice that there are different volume levels to suit people’s study preferences.
It gets crowded around noon, so come early if you want your choice of a study spot!

Such a wonderful resource for Cambridge-​dwellers! The building itself is BEAUTIFUL with one section as a modern glass construction and the other as an older, almost castle-​like tower. I also loveee the ebook selection they have online!

Beautiful resource right at your fingertips! Clean, airy, and large workspace for anyone looking to get work done — or to take salvage in literary bliss.

I love this place. Great quiet place to study while taking in the sunshine. There are open windows and outlets everywhere.

This review is for the main branch, and oh, what a wonderful public resource! The librarians here are so helpful and approachable. There are plenty of computers to chose from, amazing options for single or group seating, and plugs everywhere for power access. It’s fun just to walk around and look at the interesting architecture throughout the joined buildings.
You don’t need to be a resident or show any identification to come in and use the basic services, as well as the bathroom and water fountains. Signing up for a card with a local Cambridge address took me about two minutes, one piece of paper to sign, and I was checking out books within the hour. Free public WiFi, requiring no password. Very, very clean and handicap accessible throughout. The self-​checkout makes it super quick to get out the door, with a receipt to tell you exactly when you’ll need to return.
I’ve been to many libraries, in various cities and countries — and feel so lucky that this is close. Much care and design were put into these facilities, and it shows!

It cannot be understated that this is a world class library, an essential, amazingly valuable asset to greater Boston, to Massachusetts, and to the entire United States of America. A great place to spend as much time as possible in… so well designed, so many excellent books, great staff. Visit this and the main Boston Public Library (the Central Library in Copley Square) both, do not simply go to one or the other.
This institution can save you or your family’s life, it can raise you or your family up from poverty. It can help keep you from being suckered. It is the treasure you think you are looking for but perceive it to be in all of the wrong places. The treasure of the most value besides friends, health, and family is not under ground, not in the sea… it is in this building, it is knowledge. It is just barely within your grasp, waiting for you.

Under ground parking! So many places inside to read and study. And of course, tons of the latest books and magazines. A huge DVD library too.

Awww yeahhh, this is a great place to hang out. So many different places to sit and read or use a computer. And you can bring food and drinks. God knows it took long enough to get built, but the results are hella awesomeeee. Also you’ll leave with an armful of good books/​DVDs – what beats that?

My fav library ever. Library has never been this nice or easy to navigate! They even have classes/​events there for all ages thruout the week. Just fabulous.
I’d have given it 5 stars if it wasn’t for my recent experience there. I had little time left in my meter and was waiting to check out. A new lady that works there, with strawberry blonde short bob haircut was checking ppl out along with another girl. Both busy with customers, fine. I can wait in line like a civil human being. What irritated me was that despite the fact there are people in line waiting, she took her sweet time and chatted nonstop even after the transaction was over. Talking to the other person about her mother, etc. I looked at her like Are you serious? She looked back at me and looked away continuing with her chatters. Thank god another employee came to open a register seeing the line was getting longer.
Just inconsiderate. I haven’t had this kind of experience at CPL til this past week and I’ve been going there for almost 10 years now. Still my fav library but her behavior was appalling.
Keep up the good work, library!

One of the best public libraries I’ve ever been to (and I am that dork who visits every town’s library when I pass through, seriously). What a great building, with plenty of study room and books.
To the reviewers who complained about noise, teens, and food being allowed in the library: sure, it gets loud — and yes, it’s sometimes hard to find desks — but this is what it looks like when a community effectively uses its space! #civiclife4lyfe (and while you are probably now going to complain about hashtag usage on Unilocal,I read about this literary device called ironic usage while I was in the library once, and it stuck with me). Thanks to the staff and patrons, the library is clean and free of crumbs. I’ve crossed the bridge over here to come at all hours of the day, and while it can take some time to find a seat, I haven’t been shut out. And if you want true quiet, you could go to the second floor’s quiet reading room (no cell phones or computers… although let’s be real, the library’s wifi is pretty fast).
Also on the second floor: individual study desks, all of them benefiting from the light coming from the floor to ceiling windows (sometimes it can be a little bright in the afternoons, so just make a stack of books next to your desk for shade). Ground and first floor allow food and drinks: the right side is nice for group projects (and gives you easy browsing access to new books), while the left side looks is a classic old-​school reading room. (By the way, have I said how beautiful this building is?) The children’s 3^rd floor is Curious George themed. The bathrooms are generally clean and I appreciate that you don’t need to open a door to enter (say no to germs, everybody).
Because it’s tied to the Minuteman system (and because they are one of the better stocked Minuteman libraries), it’s very rare for the CPL to not get access to a specific book — and because they order so many, you can get bestsellers relatively quickly. The volunteers and staff are great.
It’s no exaggeration to say that a strong public library system changed my life, so three cheers for the CPL and the work that they do!

What do you imagine when you hear the word «library»? Is it yelling and Skittles? I hope so.
Don’t come to the CPL with the expectation of quiet. That’s definitely not the atmosphere they’re going for. Each level has its own clamoring ecosystem similar to a high school cafeteria. L1 even had that gross vending machine smell from open bags of Doritos and cans of fruit punch. Why is there food here? Why is everyone talking so loudly? Is nothing sacred? If only they brought on some stern, old-​fashioned shushing librarians, this would be a pretty good place to do library stuff like read/​study/​think. Kids these days, amirite?

Is it just me or does anyone else also unwittingly think of the word «mothership» with a heart full of eager anticipation every time they walk in?
This impressive library is composed of two wings– one that is a very modern space full of light from the abundance of windows and the other is more traditional, with a Harry-​Potter-​esque, cavernous feel but both equally beautiful.
This library has everything and I could browse endlessly. As a preschool teacher, the children’s books area in particular is spectacular– a wonderland, a playground (sometimes quite literally with all the children running around), and I never leave empty-​handed, far from it! Another wonderful thing about this library is that we were able to easily arrange for a librarian to come to our preschool a couple times a month to read to our kids– she even so graciously helps me lug some of my books back to the library when it’s time to return them!
Sections are well-​labeled, parking is unusually affordable, and they even have an «express lane» self-​checkout option that is so convenient and remarkably easy to use.
I seriously cannot say enough good things about this beautiful library full of seemingly endless resources and a range of environments to enjoy them in– it literally is as good as it gets!

Oh, how I love thee. Books galore with spacious surroundings.
You can EAT and DRINK at this branch!!!
Bags for your umbrellas when it rains…
Huge lazy-​boy type chairs…
Who needs Netflix? Not me. Endless DVDS :)

A year and some months later I am about to graduate grad school and I’m still perfecting my thesis. They are open 1−5pm on Sunday during the winter.
I love this branch.
The quiet floor is the 2^nd floor. There is a quiet room behind the reference section, but its so quiet that no electronices are allowed. It fits up to 7 people, but you can’t work with anyone in there. I think its solely for reading/​writing aka the stone ages. I want to use this room because I sometimes get distracted easily… but that’s fine, I still adore this branch.

I LOVE this new building – it’s airy, comfortable and easily accessible with its own parking garage – the cheapest in Harvard Sq, btw!!!
This library embodies what I can only assume is a new philosophy about libraries – that they should be lively, energetic places for lively, energetic intellectual pursuits. Rather than the dark and forbidding libraries of old, complete with their own scary old crone of a librarian, the Cambridge library is full of people reading, working on computers, working together in small groups.
Patrons are allowed to talk quietly anywhere in the library except the quiet study area. After school high schoolers are sprawled out in the snack area, joking with their friends and doing homework. Wonderful!
Please don’t confuse this description with one describing noisy, disruptive chaos; this library is none of those things – it just is not the cemetery/​library of old.

I love this library.
I love walking to this library.
I love being in this library.
It’s so beautiful.
And. So. Full.
Huge selection.
Bright airy spaces.
And the librarians are so knowledgeable and helpful (at least the ones in the teens section).
I also like how convenient it is, putting books on hold and getting books from other Boston libraries delivered to the Cambridge branch. wheeoo!