Tompkins Square Library

in this library they told me about English courses in great detail and accepted me for classes, I still have a low level but when communicating with Stephanie Burnes I felt very comfortable, thank her very much I think that all the employees are as welcoming and friendly as she is

I read about how you can see the best view of Tompkins Square from the top floor of the library, I was super excited to see the park I work and recreate in frequently from a new view. I was disappointed to find out that 1. the windows on the 3rd floor are inaccessible unless you stand on something and 2. the public isn't allowed up there, only students are. Don't know if this has always been the case (since it was written about being open to see) but very sad to know an amazing public view isn't accessible for public use. Plus no bathroom.

Serves diverse needs as is fitting for the East Village. Hard copy may have to be ordered in but no shortage of Internet accessories, cultural events, & educational forums... Like I said... fitting for the East Village

Was hoping to have an online job interview from this location but was told I can’t have it because there are no private rooms. Children’s area on second floor looks great.

There has been a recent renovation after a few months closure. There is a beautiful new floor and the first floor is now more open. However, there is no adult restroom. Also, they have placed the charging table back where it was previously so that you are blasted with cold air from the window air conditioners. I also might have thought they would have more tables with plugs on them. At times, there are no seats available near outlets to charge phones and laptops. This is a problem that plagues libraries all over the city. In the Villages, east and west alone, this library, Ottendorfer, Hudson Park and Jefferson Market have inadequate charging outlets. It's not that books are passe but in this time, tablets, phones and laptops are what is used for reading. On a more positive note, the staff at Tompkins Square could not be nicer or more helpful.

"This library offers exceptional service, making it a standout in the neighborhood. I frequently visit to charge my phone, especially since I often use Uber and DoorDash around here. Their facilities cater perfectly to my needs, enhancing my overall experience. It's truly the best spot for community members like myself. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a welcoming and convenient space for books quiet time and computer lab"

It might have been a nice experience considering that it is clean and there is air conditioning. But there were almost no dr. Seuss books, and apparently I really offended a woman in the children's department. She deadass looked at me in the face like I was stupid and speaking to me was beneath her (for asking where the restroom was). I returned her attitude with kindness, but that sucked. I know bathrooms in the city are rare, but yeesh! I'm still a human.

I love this library! The best teacher Kathryn Bonn works here. Her lessons always interesting and she inspired me to explore New York more! Thank you ❤️

I used to love to walk to this NYC public library branch years ago when I was a student at NYU. At the time, the vibe was COMPLETELY different from the big and overwhelming NYU Bobst library. Years later the vibe in this neighborhood, all around this library branch has so completely changed. I was walking through Tompkins Square Park recently with a small group and we were all looking for a bathroom when I suggested the library! It was so strange walking back in after, I don't know, about 30 years!! The building is still small and cozy and well-maintained. The top floor is still a lovely and fun children's floor with story times, play areas, and lots of books! The other two floors are filled with adults, it was a bit difficult to find a place to sit, but we did and we were so delighted to grab a periodical and rest and read for a while.

Lovely library in a great location. I stopped in to have my library card renewed so that I could continue using my card through the Libby App. I typically listen to audiobooks.

I love the NYPL system, and the Tompkins Square Library is such a convenient spot to pick up the books I've placed on hold online. The process is super easy, and I really appreciate having access to this resource. This branch is on the smaller side, and while the natural lighting could be better (think white fluorescent lights), the space is very well utilized.The staff are friendly and helpful. I don't spend much time here since I usually just pop in to grab my holds or return my books but if I do have a moment, there are quite a few shelves to peruse around. While not the biggest or flashiest library, it's a solid and reliable neighborhood spot that I'm so so grateful for!

A passenger who sat next to me on the subway shared a common interest in public libraries and documentaries, and he recommended visiting Tompkins Library. Even though it is very far from Astoria, he preferred this library because it has a good collection of documentaries. Indeed, I was greeted with three DVDs propped on the desk facing the entrance - and the collection included three copies of RBG. As a beginner in fishing documentaries out of whole bunch of DVDs, I wish the library put more DVDs on display with a small description. I recently applied to be a volunteer at NYPL, and if I am chosen, it would be great if I could be the one creating a documentary collection with a description memo.

Today we visited this library for the first time, for the purpose of attending a slide show lecture by a local photographer (Paul Adrian Davies). It was a really enjoyable event - but in addition, the library itself is very welcoming. Admittedly it's small, but it's well-utilized. Also; the woman at the Information Desk was incredibly friendly and helpful. We discovered that she's been obtaining books about the Lower East Side from other branches and there were also other interesting book collections.

It's a pity that in this building to get to the library. The elevator for people in a wheelchair does not always work.

They have a sign saying libraries are for everyone... clearly this is not true because when we are anted to go out stairs without having a kid, we were yelled at by the lady at the front desk who then kept staring us down for the rest of our visit and kept giving us nasty looks. Avoid this library! You'll find a much better selection at nearly every NYPL location in the city!

My favorite branch in East Village. Professional staff, the selection of books is fantastic, the children's section is great. There are many different classes, workshops and events in this library. My favorite are english classes and drawing circle for adults. I have nothing negative to say about this place. P.S. This is a library, NOT A PUBLIC RESTROOM. Remember that!

Hmm, lots of negative reviews, which I wasn't expecting as I've had a positive experience so far. Most of them seem to be due to the lack of a public bathroom, but honestly, with this library's proximity to the park, can you blame them for not having an open door policy for the bathrooms? That would be totally unfair. I have come to expect that going to a New York Public Library is not going to be an elite experience, simply because they are city-funded aka underfunded. Overall, I found it to be spacious, good amount of space to sit and the children's floor is big and open. I was able to get printouts a few times; if the computers are occupied, they'll loan you a laptop if you have a library card (which is super easy to get, you can get one on the spot). Also saw a sign for English classes and beginner guitar lessons (if I were child-less, I'd totally go). The best part, though, are the weekly children's classes. Since I had a baby a few months ago, I wanted to see if there were any programs offered by the library and was pleasantly surprised. There are a plethora of fun and interesting classes for every age from newborn to toddler to young child. There is a super fun music and movement class, with a guitar-playing and singing teacher; so many regulars come to this class, it's packed and totally lit! If you have young children, get the class schedule upstairs and go, your child will love it! My newborn even had a blast.

I guess I lucked out on gaining access to the restroom. The wait to get a laptop or even desktop was pretty long. Over an hour. Yikes. I decided to wait and read because it was hot out. The staff also needs to learn to smile more.

Well having not even left my house yet, I urge one not to go. Having read a lot of reviews about no bathroom facilities, I gave the library a ring to find out for myself. After a very low and miserable, half hearted greeting, I knew what I was in for. I politely stated that I wanted to come in and do some work, and explained that I heard a lot of reviews of there not being any facilities. The women replied, there are no bathrooms for adults? What? Is that even legal? The woman was so nasty. Let her dwell in her cave(lib) in solitude, it's not even worth it.

Nice library! It doesn't have as large or great a collection as other libraries, such as the 53rd St. library, but it's still nice. There are a few tables for people to use. The children's collection is the largest part of the library. The librarians have always been very nice to me. Service is very quick there. They have several rooms for events, such as book club meetings. These rooms are quite comfortable for 10-15 people. Each time I've come it's been very calm and never too crowded. The location is quite easy to get to. It's not a library I would spend a lot of time in but it's nice to relax there for a little while.

It seems like this library is never open. On two days of the week it doesn't even open until noon, and four out of the six days it's open it closes at 6. Hourswise, it doesn't really serve the adult, working audience. When I visited this library, the walls were almost bare. Where were the books? Children were running around here and there and doing homework. The kid working behind the counter didn't want to help me because the building was about to close in ten minutes. This is not a library, it's a daycare center.

Horrible! no bathroom and no establishments nearby where you can buy something quick and go to the restroom. How do people get their study on and get their caffeine fix?

They have books here, also DVD's, and friken late fees... I thought I would use the libary and get a few dvd's without the netflix wait... so the dvd's I got were weekly rentals, and I assumed the late fee would also be for the same rental period... but, nope.. So I had more than a couple of dvd's, and they were more than a couple of days late... $3 a pop, per day... nearly my annual netflix bill in late fees later, lesson learnt... libraries aren't free!!! lol... Next time you get something from NYPL, just know, my late fee paid for that, and the thing next to it..

I use two branches of the NYPL as I'm equidistant from both. Tompkins is larger and more comfortable than Ottendorfer. And they have a cool copy machine on which you can actually scan documents to flash drives free-of-charge. Plus, there's a couple of cute librarians behind the counter. What's not to like? Well...because the lighting on the new book shelves sucks, I give Tompkins just 4 stars. The thing about the bathroom? Too many junkies in the area. The staff was finding used "works" in the bathroom. They had to close it down. As a neighborhood soup kitchen volunteer, I can tell you that the homeless seek library bathrooms as comfort stations. Need I say more? It's unfortunate but as they say, it is what it is.

Local library branch facing TS Park, in Lower Manhattan. Its Center for Reading and Writing offers FREE lessons in basic literacy and English as a Second Language to adults.

My favorite activity for my 15mos old baby is on Friday 11am "Music and Movement" with Ms. Emily. She's my favorite librarian in all the libraries I attend with my baby story times. The way she connects with every infant and toddler in her classes in amazing, what a wonderful teacher she is. I simply love her...Mother Goose and Wednesdays at 2pm are also great! I only wish the basement was more decorated with children friendly atmosphere. It's just a plain cement wall with rugs other than I love coming here to see Emily play her guitar, sing to children and read her wonderul books.

From my quick experience here, I was pretty shocked at how run down this library had become. I knew the library would be small, but this was definitely the smallest library I had ever seen - I am assuming its mainly a place for kids in the area to go. The main reason I stopped by the library was to print a few copies of my resume since I just moved here and do not have a printer. I explained what I needed to do, and the librarian got me a guest pass with my out of state ID and said all the computers were taken so she would put me as next on the waiting list, but that it would be 30 minutes. I was so confused - all I needed to do was print something, not get a session for surfing the web. Luckily, a guy got off one of the computers as she was saying this, I was able to get on and print my stuff. Once I printed it from that computer, I had to go to a different computer by the printer to pay for my pages (.15 each). What I don't understand is why they don't make the computer by the printer accessible so that if you have a USB stick or just need to grab the document from your email you can just do that there instead of having to use one of the desktops that people are using for longer times. Overall I think this place has the potential to be a really quaint small library, but its clear that they are being underfunded and for quite some time. I hope that they get more funding soon so they are able to at least add a few more computers!

Great neighborhood library with a nice children's area and good programs. It's places like these that make a neighborhood a real neighborhood.

Decent library. Pretty small, pretty mild 'til 3 when the kids came

Great library even in the NYPLs with many supports in culture, education and language. If you have a will to improve something or open a new door, they will help you for sure.

Very small, comfortable library and the location is great right across from the park. I just avoid going at busy times like after school when it gets crowded with kids. The staff is good. Just treat them nicely and they will take care of whatever you need. I've seen some patrons really be jerks, but the staff is always professional. Some of them are really exceptional people.

This particular NY public library is set up well for people to actually USE the library. I'm also thrilled that the Tompkins Square Branch is open on Saturdays.

Contemporary fiction is smartly represented. Famed lyricist and former area resident Yip Harburg (Over the Rainbow) is pictured on a wall. So is Debbie Harry and Jean-Michel Basquiat. A great place in the neighborhood and a reminder of why the ever gentrifying East Village is still cool.

By far one of the worst-staffed libraries in the city. The workers (I cannot call them "librarians" because doing so would imply that they are professionals with some sort of knowledge of library services...scratch that: I can't even call them workers because that implies they actually do work) are so rude and lazy. There is one in particular (a grumpy, obese woman who often sits behind the desk) who exemplifies this rudeness and laziness. Multiple times, I have placed items on hold for me at this library, and when the nypl.org website alerted me that they were ready to be picked up, I was unfortunately stuck with this staff member to check out my held items (although the other staff members are pretty much useless as well). And about 25% of the time, she refused to do so, claiming that they weren't ready. I am confident that she was just too lazy to get up and actually look for my materials behind the counter because one time I saw my items on the desk. When I asked, "Well maybe those might be the items I put on hold?", she glared at me, grunted like I imagine an old bear would after being awaken from winter hibernation, and took her sweet old time getting up off her chair. She then decided to see what the other staff member was doing behind the counter, and felt compelled to gossip with her. She then decided to check her phone and text/email some people before finally scanning my items to check out. She left them completely scattered in a pile on the desk, which forced me to pick up each individual item to stack to put into my bag. Then, she had the nerve to insinuate that I was taking too long gathering my items, saying "There are other people waiting." Excuse me?!? I was speechless. I had so many choice words running through my head that I couldn't decide on any phrase that would do justice to the thoughts I was having. As for the rest of the staff, they seem to be more concerned with gossiping amongst themselves and letting library patrons wait until they are finished gossiping to start check-ins and check-outs. I would compare my experiences coming to this particular library to going to the DMV. You wait to be served for way too long, and when you finally reach the front of the line, you realize that the person who is supposed to help you really has no interest in doing so at all. I could go on and on about my other experiences, but I quite honestly don't want to write a book. And, my grasp of the English language would not be able to describe just how BAD the service is here. As for the library itself, it is old and run-down with a limited selection of CD's and DVD's. Some days, there is a security guard there who walks around waking up the bums that fall asleep at the reading tables. Now you may ask, why do I frequent this library when I always have these bad experiences there? Well, the library's only redeeming quality is its location on the north side of Tompkins Square Park. It is useful only out of pure convenience for patrons in the east village and alphabet city. If this is your local library, then I truly empathize. I recommend going to the Ottendorfer Library on 2nd Avenue near St. Marks Place instead. I have always had a pleasant experience with the staff there as they are knowledgeable and extremely helpful.

It's in a cool location and they have A/C. The Staff is Friendly from what I experience. They change from time to time. Computers are up to Date. Annoying Teens some times upstairs. But it's quiet most of the Time.

I wished I could give this library a NEGATIVE REVIEW..... I was inside doing my school work ... I needed to go to the bathroom and I was told that there's no "public restroom at all" and was told to go ACROSS THE PARK TO GO TO THE BATHROOM.... So I had to PACK everything with me and go outside to use the bathroom which was LOCKED ... And now I lost my spot in the computer and can't get my work done and have to go to another library . I tried to explain it to the male librarian there that i didn't just walk in randomly looking for a public restroom that I was inside with a library card in hand . He was completely rude and dismissive . Very disappointing I've been to many libraries this one is truly the worst of them all miserable people .

this was my home library when I was growing up on the Lower East Side before it became known as the East Village. I came in here today to use a computer. They don't have many desktops available but they do have laptops available for use.

A city is only as good as its libraries, and this library shares with New York one major problem: no bathrooms. This is a shameful condition. Human beings have to go to the bathroom. It's just a fact of life. I thought public libraries were for human beings. This library has no bathrooms. It must not be for human beings. In that case, I don't know what it's here for. Okay, I realize it's across from a park which most likely also doesn't have bathrooms, and maybe the library doesn't want to be the park bathroom. But come on! Millionaires live in this neighborhood! You wonder why people are peeing in your doorway?

Tompkins Square Park Library has a great baby / young kids program. The children's librarian, Miss Emily, is AMAZING and her dedication to kids and charming personality set this free program ahead of any other options I have found downtown. She never fails to keep a large room full of babies and toddlers engaged while sneaking in fun quips or jokes for the adults at the same time. I learn educational teaching tools from her and my son hangs on every word when she is reading stories, singing songs with her guitar, or directing arts and crafts projects. I feel very fortunate that Tompkins Park Library has found a star like her and I hope the library will continue and grow the programs she organizes. The library's front entrance stairs make entering with strollers pretty tricky, however. It would be nice if there was any system in place to help lug those upstairs or a secured area to park them by the front doors.

A great place for babies and toddlers! The children's space on the upper level is the most welcoming I have seen so far. The high ceilings and windows are beautiful, especially for toddlers used to small East Village apartments. The Friday music class with Ms. Emily is amazing! My now 11 months year old clapped his hands for the first time during the class, has since learned how to climb stairs in the library and just adores the play space upstairs. I am sorry to hear that people are disappointed about the lack of bathrooms but if you ever had to change a diaper in a "normal" public bathroom (especially in some of the other libraries), you'll understand how much parents appreciate the Tompkins Library "children only" policy. And FYI there are public bathrooms in the park about 3 minutes away. In my experience the staff is extremely friendly and very helpful. Keep up the good work!

This library has become absolutely lovely! This is a compete change from the past because the staff has changed quite a bit in the last few years, from not too great to wonderful. I see excellent reviews re: children's activities, but it is also really great for adults. And any bad reviews are from the past. It is a shame about the toilet but there were serious, serious issues and as one reviewer wrote, likely the problem is due to the facing the park--and that has been a problem. I think the staff would support a public washroom, but right now it is difficult to take care of. They need a larger budget to take care of custodial work--they do not have much of a budget to do what they really would like to do.

I came in here around 4:00 on a Friday and they close at 5 - supposedly. They started making closing announcements and shutting off the lights at 4:45 when there was still a lot of people browsing, working on computers, and waiting to speak with library staff. 5:00 means 5:00, not 4:45. Very annoying.

I have attended the Children's programs in the basement and have only praise for Ms Emily's interaction with the children as well as her focus on drawing the nannies into the educational processes relating to their charges. Ms Emily conducts a particularly enriching program once a month concentrating on a particular aspect of early childhood education which I--as a grandmother--find quite helpful! The rest of the library (and the librarians I have had contact with) is not as praiseworthy however. (There is a bathroom upstairs so I do not understand the complaint about "no bathroom". It is locked--as it should be--because it is connected to the children's library.

Awesome old library. Has a great first floor with high ceilings and a nice staircase. The librarians are smart and helpful.

The last time I was in there was a really live-wire librarian. So engaging and funny. That seems new.