New York Public Library – Yorkville Branch Library

I thought this branch of the library was a-​okay with a pretty good selection of books. I know that people have complained about staff rudeness and issues with the book drop. I didn’t speak to anyone on staff and didn’t witness any rudeness, and I did not have to use the book drop. I will say the building is nice inside, like it has some UES history, and I like the feel.

Kinda rude staff (some) but decent little nook to study.

Summary:
Great local branch to come to for some reading or studying. Great selection of current books and movies.
Selection:
I tend to buy all my new books but this place has a great selection nonetheless. The movies are fairly current and you can’t beat the price when Netflix’s selection sucks.
Atmosphere:
Fairly quiet before school lets out, after which, kids come in and ruin the quiet. High schoolers these days… am I right?

In reading the reviews I see that I am not the only one with the frustration about the Book Drop! This library is a fine library — however — the staff always close the book drop and make you wait in a super long line up to return your book. There is no logic to this!!! They say it is because it is «close to closing time.»
I have a solution — leave the book drop «Open» and put a warning :” these books may be scanned in until tomorrow if you drop them at the end of the day” (I will pay the .50 cents gladly for the convenience).
It is so inconvenient that they are constantly closing the book drop for no reason. (And as the other reviews mention — they are rude/​hostile when you ask them if you can just drop your book).

I just wanted to return 1 book.
«Out of Order» sign on the book drop. This is a slot in a desk!!!
The nasty and arrogant woman at the Information Desk told me the library was closing soon. Pointed to another staffer and told me to get on his line. There was a line of about 8 people and they were People were checking books out !!!
When I reached the front of the line the man took the book tossed in to a small box and smiled nastily.
I have had nothing but terrible experiences here. I live a block away but I go a few blocks over to a different library.
Yorkville branch needs to change their ways. They do not know how to treat people with respect!!!
New York Public Library System Needs to overhaul this branch.
Y O R K V I L E not Yorkville

They have all the books I need. What made me give 3 stars is that people are way too noisy here

I decided to give this branch another chance. It’s more convenient for me and they have a book drop. Well, at least most of the time.
I got there today to find an «Out of Order» sign on the book drop. This is a slot in a desk. It can’t be out of order. When I questioned this, the arrogant woman at the Information Desk told me that she had put this up because the library was closing and that I had to wait on line. That line had more than 10 people with multiple books to check out. I just wanted to return the book and be on my way.
I have had nothing but negative experiences here. I hate to be the guy who criticizes a fine public institution like the NYPL, but this branch needs to change their ways. They do not specialize in customer service or know how to treat people with respect.
I WILL NOT BE BACK. I’d rather walk the two extra avenues to Webster. Don’t go to the Yorkville branch.

no book drop!

This is the next closest library to me. Maybe it’s the closest. Their reading room is rather small, their hours of business is rather short, the staff and patrons frequently talk too loud, and the branch is not close enough for me. The free wi-​fi is invaluable!

On a goof I got a library card about two years ago. I’ve never found the occasion to use it. I’m a Amazon junkie. And because of Amazon, a library visit always seemed unnecessary. However, one day i found that a book i had in ‘my cart’ wasn’t available but was on «back order». Anyway, it was available at the library.
The NYPL system has done a really fine job making things available and adjustable online. I logged onto their website using my Library card # and reserved the book. A few days later I got an email telling me it was available for pickup. Books are checked out for 3 weeks and if you need more time you can renew it online up to ten times (10x)! Late book fees are $ 0.25 a day or less. And late fees can be paid online too. I’m game for anything that keeps me away from a long line!
This location features a beautiful building tucked away in the middle of the street. It would make a great townhouse for someone but it never was a private residence. It was designed, built and paid for as a Carnegie Library. The Yorkville library was the first Carnegie library built in NYC, opened December 13, 1902. Its a shame the renovations are aesthetically «municipal». The interior looks like a ordinary DMV location with stacks of books. Meh.
James Lord, the original architect, was no slouch. He did both Delmonico buildings and the Manhattan Appellate Courthouse (27 Madison), very expensive, very ornate and designed to make a statement. Through years or renovations, the Yorkville library has been bleached out, marginalized, homogenized, turned into a plan Jane. I’ll bet there is a fortune in marble, rare woods and moldings hiding behind all the drywall.

It’s nearby, clean, and dependable. All in all, it’s decent.
The library has a beautiful townhouse façade, typical UES. It’s small but doesn’t feel cramped. It doesn’t have a very big selection either but I always request online then just pick my items up.
Wish they had longer hours.

The NYPL system is the only one in the country that is more expensive than simply buying the book online. The lack of after hour drop boxes and earlier closing hours insures the only people that can return their books on time are the homeless and the unemployed.
The overdue fee on DVDs is $ 3 a day — since when has the NYPL turned into a Blockbuster.

High
Ceilings,
Lots of light,
But few outlets
At one of the better branch study spots.

This compact, well-​lit little library comes in the guise of an old, grand UES townhouse. High-​set windows and light-​pine furnishings inside give it a clean, airy quality. There are three reading/​working spaces on the main floor: periodicals & comfy reading chairs in the front, small round reading tables in the middle, and two long rectangular tables (one with laptop outlets) in the back. Kids get the run of the second floor. Although I didn’t know this library back in ’07 circa Diana B’s review, the place does look like it’s been renovated since then.
There are the occasional crazies here — and let it be known among ye ladder-​ascending kids of NYC that craziness afflicts rich and poor alike, so that’s not some euphemism for the benighted few who come for the public restroom — but 97% of the time people are quiet and respect each others’ space, and there’s just enough space here for that to be possible.
I’ve checked out every NYPL branch on the East Side between the 60s and the 90s in search of a good backup workspace. This is the one for me.

So like I grew up going here. A local library branch.
(I do love books, however)
Renovated long ago. In need of it again.