Enoch Pratt Free Library – Hampden Branch

We only go here because our local library is under construction and this is the next closest branch. They have a nice kid’s area, but there are crazy steps out front so if you walk and bring a stroller, good luck lugging it up those stairs. If you drive, there are never any close parking spaces. They should really make it handicap accessible or work out some kind of parking arrangement with the funeral home next door. Or at least put the bookdrop at sidewalk level so that you can unload your books before going up the stairs. Otherwise, lugging heavy books and kids is too much for such little reward with this library.
The librarians are friendly and helpful and have invited me to their Mother Goose program every single time I bring my boys in, but it’s during the work day so we can’t go. They do have a pretty wide selection for kids and it’s all in one place so you don’t have to worry about them getting lost. I wish they didn’t have the kids computer turned on all of the time because my boys get distracted by it.
It would be nice to have more selection for adults too, but I’ve only ever really gone there to pick up holds from other libraries.
Also, I think it would be cool if this library did more fun events and things at the Hampden park/​playground or were more involved in the other happenings on the nearby Avenue. There are always tons of kids and families at that playground and I bet if they did a summer bookgroup there they’d get a good turn out.

A lot of people, even those who live in Hampden, do not know this library exists. Sure, it’s about the size of my bedroom, has a teensy selection, and has wacko hours, but a little neighborhood library is better than no library at all, am-​i-​right?!
This is not a library where you can spend hours searching for hidden gems in the stacks. There are no stacks. It’s very small and most of the books here are for children. However, its important to remember that this little schoolhouse-​sized library is part of the Enoch Pratt system which means that you have access to anything in the main branch and can pick it up from the Hampden location.
You can have luck finding best sellers (if they aren’t checked out) and you can rent documentaries for free. The staff is relatively helpful.
Also a plus: Free wi-​fi, public computers, five free prints per day, and a copy machine.