Fall River Public Library

This library sucks, for lack of a better term.
The selection of books is small.
The layout is terrible.
The clerks are incompetent.
In short, this library sucks.
I have been to myriad libraries across the country, and this one falls DIRECTLY at the bottom of it. From Schenectady to Seattle, I have never encountered a more disorganized, under-​staffed, sketchy, superfluous, insubstantial or unsatisfactory library as this one.
I’m incredibly disappointed that it’s so close to my house. I’d gladly walk an hour or talk a bus to reach a library even a little better than this one.

The
people’s
university
The first library in Fall River was started in 1861 and sort of moved around over the years. The amazing building that now serves as the library was opened in 1899 and renovated extensively in 2001.
Amazing is an understatement when describing this library. Built in the Renaissance Revival style it is more of an art gallery or museum than a traditional library.
Just incredible marble pillars, vaulted ceilings, murals and art work, cool fireplaces and exquisite staircases. A library that is just dripping with history and cool stuff.
Like most old libraries it also has lots of odd little nooks and corners to explore and weird rooms just filled with weird stuff.
It also function as a very useful, convenient and practical library that has everything you could want to do research or work. The staff here were great and loved showing off their grand library to us.
Simply an amazing and stunning library that is indeed awe inspiring. A library that is so wonderful that you just might not even notice that it has books.

Where to see Renaissance Revival style, ornate fireplaces, elaborately designed ceilings, mosaic tiles, grand marble columns, a breathtaking rotunda and an quantity of artwork bordering on impressive?
No, it isn’t Florence.
It’s the Fall River Public Library. And you should check it out.
If you’ve ever been inside the Library of Congress in DC, you’ll get a similar — albeit less pretentiously gilded — vibe here.
And typical of libraries of the era, above the main entrance is inscribed in Latin:
DA MIHI, DOMINE, SCIRE QUOD SCIENDUM EST.
Grant that the knowledge I get may be knowledge which is worth having.
Love it.
Works by Robert Spear Dunning can be viewed here, including Still Life With Peaches and an ambitiously large portrait of George Washington in the style of Gilbert Stewart. Other 19^th century Fall River artists are represented in the library’s art collection. An interesting mural by Ludovico Cremonini, various works of sculpture and a marble bust of Robert Burns can also be seen here.
Ornate iron grids seem to reinforce the ends of many shelving units. There is an impressive variety of texts and an outstanding array of children’s literature.
And the library offers wireless internet, fax and computer access — all gratis.
The Fall River Collection — unsurprisingly — features material relating to the history and inhabitants of Fall River.
The Estes Collection honors local authors who went on to publish their writings.
And my opinion is that this is one of the city’s hidden gems.

Built in 1899 in the Italian Renaissance Revival style, the Fall River Public Library is a patently impressive building.
It’s interior holds 3 treasures 1) remarkable art and historical displays 2) a collection of books that rivals many big-​city libraries 3) a caring staff that goes beyond the extra mile to aid you in your learning-​quest.
From the library’s pink staircases to its mysterious stacks (complete with frosted-​glass floors and ceilings) you will feel as though you have entered another dimension. It is the perfect place to read or find a book. Plus, the FRPL is home to a massively creative kids-​space with activities and great librarians. I believe they still let you borrow movie projectors. The place is the bomb. Go make friends with the workers and drink from the rich well of Fall River knowledge.