Brooklyn Public Library – Williamsburgh Library

I don’t want to hate because it’s a library, and I know funding has been cut. But … what a disgrace. They have rented out the upstairs rooms as studio space for MUSICIANS. People talk more in libraries than they used to, but BAND PRACTICE? Come on. Boom boom boom while trying to read. Because I can’t focus, I’m writing this review.
… and as mentioned by other reviewers, the blond woman at the desk is very rude, half of the computers don’t work, and there are so few books that they should change the name of the establishment. And why is it WilliamsburgH?
All of the librarians here are significantly louder than any of the small children and shout across the library to each other. SHUT THE FUCK UP.
2 stars because I can print here.

Wonderful library that has a decent selection of books. We came home happy with about 3 – 5 books each from our first visit.
The lady at the front desk was extremely helpful. We filled out the online forms on the Brooklyn Public Library website prior to coming to the library branch in person. This makes it faster and easier for the librarian to locate us on their database. After providing a valid state ID (and proof of NYC residency) we were given library cards to sign (at the back white bar). It also came with a mini key chain version of your card. She explained the resources that were available at the library, such as the computers, pamphlets, branch hours and phone number to call to renew books.
At this branch you can only drop off books inside during open hours, since they do not have a drop box outside. They have two machines inside, where you swipe your library card and then scan the barcodes of each book. It then prints out a receipt with the due date for each book.
It was a very great first experience!

This place is awesome, they couldn’t legally not let me in even though I’m obviously homeless and wasn’t wearing shoes. When they caught me sleeping in the handicap stall in the men’s restroom they were totally cool about it. The only reason I don’t give them five stars is because they kicked me out when I began shouting obscenities at random people even though they were totally asking for it by making eye contact with me.

Don’t go! A very unpleasant blondie lady doesn’t lift up her eyes… you could wait there forever without anybody asking you
not a nice place… plus computer don’t work…
So it’s lost time

«this review is for the one hour (of audio; 5 hours of walking) tour of williamsburg by this library… fantastic! the audio tour is a fascinating social history of williamsburg… we loved it and highly recommend it. it’s on the library web site»

I walked into the library to activate my card because I wanted to take advantage of their iPad app that let’s you check out e-​books.
I got sucked in.
Good God, I love libraries.
Firstly, the librarian was wearing a paper Max «Where the Wild Things Are» crown. No, seriously, she was.
Secondly, LIBRARY!!! ALL THE BOOKS!!!
Thirdly, there’s a children’s side & an adults side. In the middle lies reference & such.
Fourthly, did I mention they have an app?!
The only things that made me sad were:
a. I wanted to check out alllllllllllllllll the books and learn allllllllllll the things.
b. There wasn’t as large a selection as I’d imagined.
c. Which made me think that when I die, I really want to donate my books here.
I will absolutely no question be back here.

Not many people know that there is a public library in Williamsburg. My cab driver didn’t even know until I told him, and he said he has passed it a million times without knowing. Even I didn’t know until my boss sent me there.
I didn’t get to spend much time inside, but the library has tall ceilings and lots of natural light. It was nice to see people reading and using their laptops/​library computers… it brought me back to middle school! Although I would never have another reason to stop by this library again, I recommend it to those who are looking for a quiet place to study, work, read, etc.

I am a huge fan of libraries but this had the smallest fiction section I’ve ever seen in my life! They had NOTHING! I’m hoping there are better libraries in Brooklyn but since this one is so close to me it was a huge disappointment. And I really didn’t appreciate the woman at the front desk on what seemed like a personal phone call when I was trying to get a library card.

Do you live in Brooklyn?
Do you not have a library card?
…
Are you insane?
It takes ONE LETTER addressed to you.
ONE!
ARE YOU CRAZY?
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR???
It is so aggravating seeing such a fantastic resource untouched by my fellow peers. I understand most people lose their relationship with the public library when they graduate from elementary school…
…but in my mind, those people are really, really dumb.
Remove yourself from that category.

Believe it or not, this place helped ease my transition to New York. When I was jobless and broke (not that it’s much different now), I could depend on the good ol’ library to help keep me occupied without having to pay a dime. Hooray for reading books without having to pay for ‘em!
I was really impressed with their advanced membership system. Signing up to become a branch member was very easy: I brought a piece of mail addressed to me along with a photo ID and within minutes, I had a shiny new library card! The card also functions as an account debit card so you can put money on it anytime to pay for copies on the Xerox machine, late fines, etc. One swipe of the library debit card accesses your account so you can be added to the queue to use the public computers (internet included). I usually see kids MySpacing more than anything else, it’s kind of funny. Just check the large LCD displays to see how many minutes are left until your computer is available.
Requesting books are a breeze, too. Like most libraries, you can place a hold on a book and ask for it to be transferred to your nearest branch. You can choose to either receive an email or a phone call to know when you’re book is ready, and when it is, you can pick it up within 14 days.
The location is convenient enough for me to walk from my apartment or, when I’m coming home from the city, hop off the JMZ at Hewes. Plus they had all the voter registration materials I needed when the primary was around the corner. There is room for improvement, however: longer, more consistent hours (open every morning of the week) and expansion of the book collection, please!