Plainville Public Library

Having worked in a library myself, I understand that things don’t always go as planned; however, when you have employees who don’t know or follow the system… chaos reigns.
My experience all started when my girlfriend could not get a book from the Bristol Library and we tried to pick up a copy in Plainville. We confirmed prior to our visit that the book was available online.
When we arrived at the library, we could not find the book in the stacks where it should have been. We went to the circulation desk to see if perhaps the book hadn’t been shelved yet. While the kid at the desk tried to be helpful, customer service was not his strong suit. He also went and tried to find the book in the stacks and came up empty. After that, he seemed to be at a loss as to what to do. I asked if we put ourselves on the waiting list, would we be called when the book was found? He seemed to think that was a good idea, and then proceeded to stand there blankly. After an awkward few moments, I suggested that we follow him back to the circulation desk to process the hold request.
After scanning my library card, I asked him if he had my most recent phone number on record. His response without verifying the number was a confident, «Yes!» With no idea how to respond back to that, my girlfriend and I walked out of the library trying to contain our laughter.
A couple of days later, I received a letter in the mail from the library. The good news: my book was found (if that could be believed). The bad news: Handwritten at the bottom of the printout was the following message, «Please update your phone number when you are in next. We use it to notify you of your available holds. Thanks.»
All that being said, it is a fine library with a sufficiently sized collection of books for the town it is located in. This library is a definite upgrade from the one in the previous town I lived in.

The best
of the
old and
the new
The Plainville Public Library is actually two libraries in one. The original part was built back in 1931 and is a very impressive looking stone building. Of course as the town expanded the need for a larger library quicker became apparent. However it wasn’t until 2004 that the new, much larger section was opened.
The great part is that instead of just constructing a whole new building or moving to a new location the people in town showed great wisdom and sense of aesthetics in keeping the original part and just adding on a new addition.
The results are stunning. The old part still has fireplaces and great woodwork that makes you feel like you are in an old house rather than a public place. Comfy chairs and huge windows gives a sense of relaxation and serenity. A great place to do research or read a novel.
Of course the new part is more prosaic and utilitarian. Not big on aesthetics but extremely efficient and useful. Almost 100,000 books and a huge variety of tapes, CD’s and computer stations. A place to get things done. Lots of space, the whole area is intelligently designed and very easy to navigate.
So at this library you can have a choice. Go to the new part and get something done in a modern environment or just step through doors of the old part, relax and slow down time. Plainville Library truly has the best of both worlds
.

I love this library! When I wanted to become a member of the library the staff here took time out of their day to ensure I got the application and show me around the library, the older gentlemen, I have forgotten his name, helping me was very kind and showed me how to order books they don’t have, from other libraries. A woman behind the check out desk told me they had books for sale to hold me over while my application got sent in the mail. They also sent out a letter to my home address because none of my mail gets sent to my new address yet. Very friendly, very helpful and very resourceful. The library itself is beautiful and has a lot to offer! Small town plainville library rules :)