Wendy B.
Yelp
Charming, open, sunny library. But honestly, I wouldn't call this a library. I would call it a community center/day care with a tangential interest in books.
Front desk help isn't great. With the exception of Miss Kelly (who is wonderful), most of the front desk staff usually seems uninformed and impatient.
The first floor is supposed to be kid-friendly, but it seems like it's trying to appeal to parents who avoid spending time with their kids. The library has some activities and wide selection of books. The main criticism of the children's department is that there is a huge bank of computers with "educational' video games in the middle. You will often see an unaccompanied preschool aged child with eyes close to the screen. Maybe if they're lucky their parent is absorbed in their smart phone just a few feet away, occasionally yelling to the kid.
The "library" also just installed a wide-screen tv with video games in the children's department. The last time I was there were 3-4 out of shape tweens lounging on chairs, playing video games, eyes glued to the screen. There were just as many younger children standing nearby, also staring at the screen like zombies. Always depressing to see children being babysat by media, rather than sharing the experience with family. When I asked management about the tv, they said, "they need something to do..." Instead of reading? Or learning? Are we really spending our tax dollars on lazily babysitting someone else's kids?
Another criticism would be that staff doesn't seem to encourage parents to read *to* their kids. When reading to your kid, the book you choose shouldn't be solely restricted by "reading level," but rather focusing on whether the child is understanding and having fun (i.e. *not* strictly reading drills). Unfortunately the librarians' understanding of books on the shelves seem limited by reading levels, shutting out the opportunity to share some pretty great books with younger children. It seems more reflective of young librarians who have studied kids academically, but perhaps don't hang out with many in their free time.
The last time I was there I asked a librarian about a series of children's books. Not only did she not know what I was talking about, but they were right behind her, and she was sitting, parked in front of the shelf, blocking my ability to reach them, and didn't even try to move (!). Again, in general, it seems this library is less interested in promoting reading & more adept at distractions.
We used to take our kid here often, but after all the world now knows (but apparently the staff does not know) about the unhealthy effects of screen time & background tv on attention span, and the worsening affect of video games on social disorders, I feel this really isn't a healthy place for kids. The last time we went we spent more time helping our child avoid all these loud distractions, rather than actually enjoying BOOKS. It's so sad.
Front doors are usually flanked by homeless people, often smoking. So if that's a concern for you or your family's health, be forewarned.
Lastly, most of the departments in the library can be loud. There are so few truly beautiful, peaceful, meditative places in this world. It's a shame when a library with as much potential as this one as this doesn't fall into that category either.
