Queens Library

I am lucky to have two branches of library in a short distance from my house. I love this newly renovated branch. I’d been here so many times after it re-​opens but I feel obliged to make a review today as I am loving that they re-​open its Saturday service starting this year. As I was looking on their information board, they have so many programs lined up for the year. I attended the adult coloring for today. It was well attended. They have other creative programs for adults eg water coloring, meditation exercises aside from teens and kids program.
It is a three floor modern building, has elevator going up and down for those who needs it, has meeting rooms in the lower and upper level, teen space is on the main floor, lots of bookshelves, various movies selections, lots of computers to avail, plenty of magazines and other paper materials for everyone, welcoming lounge on each floor, well lit building, self serve kiosks and a ²⁴⁄₇ kiosk outside the building. Did I mentioned that the building is made of see though clear /​green glass wall? You will find peace in here even by simply hanging out in here.

The library is really beautiful after their recent renovation. There are 3 floors, and lots of nice space for reading.
UNFORTUNATELY, it’s impossible to get any reading done on any floor because the staff is always so loud! Nobody in the library is able to concentrate, and we are forced to listen to the staff’s loud gossiping. I noticed that several people were really upset and actually told the librarians to be quiet. What kind of library has loud librarians that don’t allow you to study?

Brand new with new off the press books and very clean. I’m lounging on one of their chairs as I’m typing up this review. My kids are upstairs enjoying the children section while I’m sitting on a comfy chair reading. So comfortable and peaceful.

This quiet library, although cramped, overpacked and poorly designed is still a nice little place to go. They have a decent selection of books for both children and adults.
I can’t wait for the branch’s expansion to be complete — they are moving across the street!

This is my neighborhood library, and when I have time and when my free time coincides with the very limited open hours, I stop in to browse the books and the pathetic CD selection. The book selection isn’t bad, and I guarantee that if you are a book nerd like me, you will find something interesting. The library is housed in a pretty dilapidated building, and it makes me feel so bad that government really doesn’t give two hoots about the public library system. I have spent many wonderful childhood days the library and its a great place for kids. It sure beats sitting at home watching TV and going to the mall. OK, I digress… There are a few computers you can use for 30 minutes at a time. There are recent magazines and newspapers. The CD collection is pretty sad, but sometimes, I find something I like. This location has many Indian selections, including many many Bollywood soundtracks. The Central Library has a better CD collection. Overall, this library isn’t bad, but it could be much better. I recently noticed that they moved across the street to a much more palatable and newer building. I have to visit, and report back ;-)

Across from the Glen Oaks shopping center, sometimes the Glen Oaks library across the street can go unnoticed. Whenever I go to this library on their late Thursday hours, I can usually find a parking spot on the side road. This library, like the majority of the libraries I go to, is not a large building and it can get stuffy in there at times. This is why the staff door on the side is open all the time to circulate air. There’s a big ramp at the entrance so this is great for handicapped patrons.
For the two times I’ve been here so far, I came here for their DVD collection to borrow certain DVDs as a favor for a friend. I can’t decide if this was a good thing or bad thing, but the DVD section is divided into genres: Drama, Comedy, Broadway, Instructional, etc and then alphabetically by movie title. When it comes to foreign movies, they have a whole section dedicated to Hindi DVDs.
I did also check out their language learning section, but they seem to be behind the times with audio cassette tape lessons, something I haven’t seen since I was in high school.
When it comes to Chinese books, the books fill up three shelves while the Korean books fill up two shelves. Next to it, is a windowsill collection of Mandarin DVDs. Other foreign languages collections include: Hindi, Urdu, Malayalam, and Gujarati. The nonfiction section only spans a few, short aisles here and there. There’s only four tables spread out for studying and about four computer stations, which are occupied every time. The place looks cramped, but serves its purpose.
The last time I was in the library, I found it odd for a little boy to be sitting in the middle of the aisle playing video games. What’s the point?
A good thing about this library is that there is absolutely no line when I’m ready to check out library items. So, for this library, I can be in and out.
Oh, and I even called the library by phone twice and the librarian was very patient and nice on the phone.
This library has a little bit of everything, but isn’t very extensive in borrowing materials.
PROS: easy check out, friendly staff
CONS: cramped library, doesn’t have a lot of borrowing materials, stuffy inside