New York Public Library – Mulberry Street Library

Alice definitely went down this rabbit hole.
I was walking around close to this library (but this location was unbeknownst to me) when I saw a man with two NYPL DVDs tucked under one arm walking past me quickly. Immediately, a bell rang off in my head, and I thought, «there must be a library branch close by.» So I fired up my Unilocal app, and the Mulberry St. branch popped up immediately and it was 0.07 miles away. Sweet!
This is one of the best Manhattan NYPLs I have been to recently. Clean, well lit and with so much to choose from (I wonder if being in Soho has anything to do with the great selection).
Most of the branches I have been to in Manhattan have a similar layout. First floor has DVDs/​CDs and new release books. Second level is children’s section and a third floor for adults.
I like that this library starts on the first floor (ground floor), but the rest of the floors are below ground. It felt like I had entered a secret hideout with loads and loads of books. So cool!
And even though Uncle Sam is raping me, at least I know that my tax dollars are contributing to this excellent community cause.

They are so helpful! This library is cute and organized! Great location

I think this has to be the quietest public spot in NYC (aside from the occasional knucklehead in every library!) which is so nice, considering how loud the city can be. There are plenty of comfy chairs and tables for space if you really need some space to work.
This isn’t a massive library but its got a decent selection of books, magazines, etc. and doesn’t overwhelm you like some of other libraries in Midtown or Brooklyn.
Staff is polite and you can tell they love books and really enjoy what they do. I also got a fabulous movie recommendation from one of librarians with lavender glasses. I love dealing with happy people in NYC, it makes life so much easier!
Bonus: They’ve got super clean bathrooms. I love it!

This is a nice library at the corner of a busy street. I came here for the free wifi so I could do some work on my laptop. It was very crowded, especially for a Thursday afternoon around 3 pm. There was a nice upstairs space where most people, like me, were using their laptops, but for a library table, it felt a bit claustrophobic. However, I liked that it was pretty quiet. The downstairs area is for kids, and there were many of them on computers and reading books, probably all from the neighborhood and off for summer break. For a NY Public library, it is rather small.

Very nice setting. Clean, modern, pleasant surroundings. Modern computer systems. Helpful friendly staff. Hidden location.

I’m a huge supporter of the NYPL system and this is one of the best if not the best branches downtown. First floor and ground level have plenty of space to read and roam. Wifi is strong which is not the case at many locations and the staff is very helpful.

This is a little hidden treasure. Shhhhh. if you want to get some reading done, this is a great place. There are a few homeless people here and there but that seems to be unavoidable in NYC. Very clean and quiet. The library staff is very helpful.

I love this branch. It’s new and very well lit. The librarians are great and are willing to bend over backwards to help you figure out whatever esoteric thing you’re trying to research. It’s also a cool modern space tucked away on a quiet side street but with cast inventory inside.

The librarians here are pretty anal. There is this one librarian who walks around and tells you — for example — to not sleep and points other so-​called library «rules». One time i was almost falling asleep while I was reading and he came up to me and told me not to sleep. «It’s against the rules» he said. Really?!

This is one of the most beautiful and thoughtfully arranged NYPL branches! Was amazed when I walked into this SoHo location. It’d definitely been renovated recently, and the architect gave a lot of good thought into filling the space with light and air. Super adorable children’s area, and even a teen area (tons of YA books!) Wish I lived closer so I could make this my home branch!

Nice staff. Nice interior. They need more restrooms, though.

This is a nice library and I was surprised that they have Macs. Money was definitely pumped into this alley location. The bummer is it closes at 6. 5:30 and some security guard’s trying to shoo us away. 5:40 he’s trying to make us get up. Like, we can’t sit here? Just because the library is about to close, doesn’t mean that it’s currently closed. Let us be. Whole time there’s two guys sitting at the other computers yet he’s not bothering them. I guess since we are females and he knew we would give him less of a hassle he decided to bother us ?? The kiddy corner is cute. If I had a child I would definitely bring him/​her but… do children need to use Macs? Just curious.

One of the best NY libraries for getting work done while traveling for entrepreneurs and road warriors. Reasons:
— Free WiFi
— Plenty of Table Space
— Great Outlet Availability
— Variety of Seating Options
— Modern & Open Atmosphere
— Clean Bathrooms
— Quiet Visitors
— Extra computers if you don’t have your own, or need a double-​monitor
It feels like it’s a secret spot tucked into an alley, but that keeps it less busy than a more visible spot. Check it out!

This is one of my favorite libraries, for the muted lighting that gives it an inviting ambience, for the cleanliness that comes from still being fairly new, for the elevator that comes pretty quickly to take you to whichever of the three levels you desire, for the large section of Young Adult fiction, for friendly and cheerful help. The layout is appealing, new fiction, and new nonfiction, dvds, and noteworthy books by the checkout on the top level. When my laptop broke and I needed a computer to surf for a computer (sign of the times), I didn’t have a long wait because they had enough. And unlike in MidManhattan, the keyboards for these were grungy and sticky. If you like childrens books the way I do, and who doesn’t love Skippyjon Jones, Mulberry also has the second floor below (floor descend here), devoted to an area for books and tables for tots. Just don’t stay too long or the librarians (in any library now) get nervous and ask if you need help with anything. In these cynical times, I can’t blame them for being anxious and believing that I’m there merely for the beautifully illustrated picture books. Any Unilocalers who have kept all their childhood books, like I have, will understand.
Oh, and this library also gets five stars for its location… the brain requires fuel so remember that Chinatown and Little Italy are but a few blocks away!

This is one of my favorite spots in the city. With its exposed brick, cement floors, and maple-​trim, the Mulberry Street Library is as beautiful as it is useful. As you walk down the spacious staircase, glance at the quaint children’s library on the middle floor before descending to the decent-​sized reading room in the structure’s basement. Here, you may sit elbow to elbow with a diverse swath of fellow New Yorkers seeking quiet, free refuge.
Features worth mentioning include a friendly and helpful staff, available computers and laptops, and a decent-​sized collection of books.

I don’t often review public libraries, but when I do, it’s usually the Mulberry Street Library. Zing! Seriously, this place is a godsend. The lone bright spot in a long holiday weekend that brought such writing time disappointments as the new Vagabond Café and the same old Think Coffee, MSL was a happy accident that I encountered on my way to McNally Jackson book store. Good thing I needed to print out an email (does anyone still own their own printers, dude?), or I wouldn’t have had a reason to visit.
The location is delightfully remote – it sits on tiny Jersey Street, just south of the Puck Building and REI. Mulberry-​side scaffolding provides additional camouflage, with the charming facades of St. Michael’s and St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral right across the street to greet you on the way out.
Inside you’ll find a well-​kept, uncommonly quiet and well-​stocked small library staffed by friendly and intelligent people. There are at least three floors, with audiobooks, music, and videos on the ground floor, a children’s level below, and a computer/​media room as well as a spiffy and quiet reading room at the bottom.
While figuring out how to log into a library computer and print stuff took a good half hour (that’s what happens when you apply for your library card online, never activate it, and never use it), the gentleman at the help desk was impossibly patient with my biblio-​Luddism, walking me through everything and troubleshooting my flops.
What a wonderful place the library can be – and there are signs everywhere the NYPL is getting with the times: there are laptops available for borrowing (to use on premises) and a variety of basic computer training and job-​related workshops, in addition to all of the community and literary events. If only it were open every day, and late, I could dispose with the dreaded NYU coffee shop scene altogether.
Three cheers for tax money put to good use!

Love this branch of the NYPL.
First off, it’s clean and spacious. There are 3 floors filled with quiet study areas on the lower levels, a children’s area, a «tech» area with computers/​printers/​scanners, and more.
For the most part the staff are all fairly young, and everyone I’ve ever interacted with has been extremely kind, helpful and knowledgable. Once I stopped in to use the printer and was short a dollar, but the librarian helped me out and found some extra money on an old printing card. So sweet!
I mainly come here for the DVDs. As a whole, the NYPL has a decent selection of movie titles. This branch is not fully stocked, but just like with books you can request a transfer from another branch (free of cost).
I LOVE the email notifications as your due date approaches, and the option to renew online is helpful as well.

I love a good library, and this one is a novelty, here’s why:
This place is clean, neat, and has multiple layers. I have never seen it crowded, and it is QUIET. People respect the library rules here, as they ought to! There is free wifi and free book/​DVD rental.
This is a really good work & study spot downtown!

At first it seemed a little strange to review a library… but why not! This is my favorite library in the city. Its shelves are organized and clean. The reserved shelves are conveniently located right next to the check out desk. and the staff is super friendly and willing to help. I love making the walk and killing time in this library.

I was so excited when this new library opened across the street — and in Bowie/Iman’s building, no less. The design really makes good use of the limited space afforded to the portion of the building allotted to the NYPL, merging the SoHo aesthetic with the character of the original building as well as the classic library design.
Outside, there’s a book drop — not often to be found these days. Right next to the door is the check out/​holds, so it’s easy to grab what you’ve ordered online and go (highly recommend this option). The staff are courteous and helpful, making friendly observations about whatever book I picked.
On the lower floors, there’s a teen center where teens can… I’m not sure… study without the seedy influence of older people? For us oldies, there’s a large, open quiet reading room. If you want a place to study without distractions, this is the place. Although it’s nearly windowless, it’s not as disconcerting as it sounds.