Huntsville-Madison County Public Library

Books & DVDs for free?! Well, here you can borrow them for about that price. They make it so convenient for you, too. Just login online w your membership, search for your preferred books, DVDs, and music CDs and place it on hold. Within a day or so, depending on demand/​popularity, you’ll get an email notifying you that your items are ready for pick up. Items will be labeled w your last name on the «hold» bookshelves to your left upon entry. You’re given 5 days to pick up holds before they go back onto the shelves or to the next runner up on the hold list. If your item isn’t available from this main branch, it just might be from another w/​in the system. And they’ll deliver it here for you, too, or to the branch closest to you. Yes, your membership is good at all branches w/​in the system. You’d be surprised at what’s available when it comes to books, DVDs, CDs, and magazines. And if it’s not, you can always place a request online to have them order it thru one of their vendors. Hopefully, it’ll be w/​in their budget. I’ve requested over 20+ books related to Photography and Astrophotography and am happy to say I was the first to break in the spines of those that were approved, most of which now sit on these shelves, if not on mine or someone else’s w similar interests. Books can be borrowed for 2 weeks at a time, or you can renew for another 3x which totals out to 6 weeks., that’s if no one else has placed a hold on it. DVDs can be borrowed for 1 week at a time, longer for older ones. Just be sure to check your due date or don’t be surprised when you see you’ve accumulated small late fees. Then again, I saw something on the news recently that said some libraries are doing away w those late penalty fees. Not sure if that applies here, but it would be nice not being penalized. 8)
FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY ⁴⁄₅
If you are budget minded or maybe a book-​hoard and want the items for keeps w/​o paying retail prices, stop by the «Friends of the Library» store located here at the library on your left as you walk in the first set of doors. They keep different hours, but it’s worth a quick peek. FotL membership is not required, but is available at a minimal cost. The volunteers are helpful should you have a special request or just need direction on where to find something and don’t have time or patience to peruse the shelves w the sometimes not so clear labels. Most mags go for about $ 0.50 cents each (including National Geographic, etc.), while books (business, hobby, religion, computer/​software, etc.), software & audio CDs, and the like can rate anywhere from $ 1 and up. The big books and special coffee table pieces can be found next to the front cashier counter. Special collectors’ items, rare finds, and some autographed pieces are behind the locked glass. Don’t hesitate to ask to see these as every item here is priced quite reasonably for these slightly used pieces.
EVENTS ⁴⁄₅
Surprisingly, their events calendar is quite booked. The local Photog group (Huntsville Photographic Society) meets here at least twice each month, along w other interest groups. And yes, they also have Yoga held twice a week on the 2^nd floor.
CUSTOMER SERVICE ⁵⁄₅
The staff behind the front counter are usually quite friendly and helpful, especially when you’re in a rush to just drop off DVDs (you can’t use the book drop off option outside for these and must hand it over to the staff for return). Geoffrey and a handful of others which I can’t seem to recall their names are friendly and helpful. And if you frequent this place, they may recognize you and greet you in the midst if their busyness, no matter how late you drop off that book or DVD. Lol.
DEAL BREAKER ⁰⁄₅
I used to spend hours at a time reading and researching in the mornings until about a year ago when I noticed a few heavy eyes in what appeared to be not-​so-​clean apparel just kicking it in the more comfortable seats/​couches throughout the library. I don’t mind peeps from all backgrounds expanding their knowledge and intellect at this library. In fact, I support and encourage that. However, if you smell like you’re from off the streets, carry yourself as such, look like it, and maybe even smell like it, you just may very well be from it. Although there’s security around here, I prefer cleaner environments, not one that may be used for day rest and shelter from the southern heat or cold outside to those who may choose not to get help. There are places, free ones at that, available locally for just that. Not this library.
VERDICT ³⁄₅
Until I see things improve around here, my physical time is limited when visiting to just perusing the new art/​photography display that rotates every 2 months, picking up items I place on hold, periodic Yoga classes, and a few of the photog monthly meetings. The online library system suffices for what I need for now. If you love reading and learning or interested in some hard to find tunes or movies, this just might be your place!
Solid 3.5 star

The staff here is usually very informed and helpful however since they are mostly volunteers you sometimes get that person who shouldn’t be dealing with the public. Overall a good experience. I changed my mind and lowered the star count of the Stars after someone was rude to me I tend to begrudge so take that with a grain of salt. Is it just me or does the building look like a prison. Just an observation. Good place very quite.

My family used to say that if any of the civil war generals came back to life and visited Huntsville, they would think the library was the town fort, based on its imposing architecture. Guess that’s because modern Huntsville is built off the Department of Defense.
Anyway, it’s been a while since I’ve been to the library, but I always thought that it was well-​maintained, with a large children’s section, tons of books on tape and older movies, and good research facilities. Whenever it was time to write my research papers, there was plenty of information. And if the books that I needed weren’t available, the library was part of a network of libraries across N. Alabama, so you get books sent from neighboring counties. Of course this meant that you had to be able to wait a few weeks, and who was ever a few weeks ahead on their term papers?
The staff was always very knowledgeable and quite helpful. I hope that’s still the case.
#Yelp365 — ¹¹³⁄₃₆₅