New York Public Library – Kips Bay Library

I am only giving two stars and not one because I am a big fan of libraries and think that they are a great service, in theory. If you want helpful and pleasant staff members, this IS NOT the place for you.

It is alright, almost like a mini-​library. Not the friendliest bunch of workers, but maybe it’s from working in a modernist disaster.
The elevator is known as the slowest in existence, but the stairs to the children’s collection — the second floor — are like fire stairs that are not in the main part of the building. It is my biggest complaint about the library. I don’t like my kids coming here because there is a large suspect population and then those stairs that are half outside.
The a/​c in the summer almost does not work at all.

Libraries get four or five stars from me usually. How can you be down on a place that offers free education and adventure, for the moment or for loan? Yes, this library is one of the smallest I’ve seen, with bright lighting that shows off how immaculately clean the floors are and reminds me of a supermarket, but is does have a decent collection of craft and cook books and is well marked. There are tables in the back for reading and computers and from what I’ve seen, fewer homeless people than at Mid-​Manhattan library. It’s not a place I would spend hours in – I went during a slower time during the day but I would imagine those tables can get crowded, but if I lived in the nabe I’d use it for borrowing books, the way I do my local branch.

If you want books, this places has them. If you want tax forms, not so much.

Definitely not an inviting, cozy library or a great place for studying, but it’s near me and I request that my books/​CDs/​DVDs be delivered here. There’s two floors — the ground floor (which is just one big room) has the adult collection and a bunch of tables for reading/​studying. The upstairs (which I didn’t even realize existed until about the 10^th time I went in) has a decently-​sized children’s collection.
The library is open until 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday, and is also open on Saturday, which is very helpful.
Like other’s have said, the staff aren’t amazingly friendly, but I’ve never had any major problems with them either. They’re just a bit curt.
General NYPL tips: if the library system doesn’t have an item in its collection, you can do an interlibrary loan request and they’ll deliver it from a library in another system or state, though it does take some time and you can only request 3 items at a time this way. In addition, the NYPL does have a bunch of electronically-​accessible e-​books and audio books if that’s your style.

A haven for all those weary travelers and street-​sleepers out there. This is by far one of the smaller public libraries I have ever seen, but it’s clean, comfortable, inviting and has WiFi.
While I would not recommend this for some serious reading, if you’re looking for a spot in midtown with free WiFi and comfortable seating with no drink minimum; this may be the spot for you.

I love little libraries like this. Pretty quaint. There isn’t a huge selection of books and the staff is not super friendly, but if you want to just sit on your computer and get work done, it’s perfect.

I was excited to check out location as it’s close to my apartment, but it’s a mess. There is practically nothing to choose from, the staff is rude, and you can never find anything where it’s supposed to be. The people at the desk act like they would rather die than answer your questions. I guess the way to do it is reserve whatever you want online and go in to pick it up, but I’m sad it’s not a good place to browse.

Barest, tiniest, saddest branch of the NYPL I have seen. There is barely any content in this little Starbuck sized space. Adult stuff on the ground floor, children’s/YA stuff upstairs.
I love libraries but this space makes you want to turn around and leave. The librarians are rude and argue in front of patrons– awkward. Ran by to return a book another time as three librarians were walking out, and they wouldn’t let me leave it in the book drop. Wtf? Ladies, you give librarians a bad name.

Tiny spot, but it’s a local library and it gives you what you need, now that we can order books and have ‘em delivered to whichever location!
The librarian was friendly as I was searching for a book, and we also filled out forms to SAVE this library! So drop on in to help them out on that, books make the world go ’round.

Is a review really necessary? After all, it’s a branch of the NYPL system, which is great. I can request pretty much any book or movie I want and have it sent directly to this library, which is only a few blocks from my apartment. NYPL system, 5 stars!
However, this SPECIFIC branch is quite small, so if you come in to browse you’re unlikely to find that many books. There are only a handful of tables, and every time I’ve been the tables are too crowded. To top it all off, the staff here is extremely unfriendly. It seems like they purposely avoid eye contact so they don’t have to answer questions, and when they accidentally meet your gaze and are FORCED to help you, they are curt and rude. With a few other branches not too far away, I would suggest trying those out first.

In general, I’m a big fan of libraries and bookstores. I did grow up with the city of books (
) at my finger tips, so I guess it’s not surprising.
Despite the fact that this branch of the New York Public Library system is tiny, a little dingy and staffed by feisty old ladies, I love it. I mean, where else can you get free books and movies? What’s not to love?

Small branch with one VERY loud librarian. Crowded the weekday I went, but that’s what libraries should be.

This is not very reader nor computer friendly. Just your basic library to pick up and drop off books. The selection is very small but luckily you can just request the books online and pick them up here.
I’ve seen prettier libraries!