Maplewood Public Library

This library is a great resource. The staff is the most friendly, helpful bunch I have ever run into. I don’t get in here as often as I should, but every trip is enjoyable.

The Maplewood Library is a must for all residents of the local community.
Helpful staff.
Beautiful layout.
Great selection of resources.
Nice reading room with fireplace.

This might be the cutest little library ever! I love the little section in the back with the fireplace and the nice chairs — I love even more that the room is for adults only! So you can kick back and read for a while if you want to get out of the house.
Their selection is a little lacking (the entire library system the Maplewood Library is a part of), as I have searched for many books in the system, only to not have them available anywhere (and these are not rare or random books).
The librarians are friendly and it’s been nice and quiet the times I’ve been.
My favorite feature of the library though, besides being able to read books for free — is that you can request anything, and they will call you when it’s ready for pick up. Brilliant! I love libraries!

Maplewood recently moved their library from what I imagine was a cramped, dungeon-​like space in the basement of the City Hall into the old poolhouse 100 yards away. The dungeon-​like aspect is sheer speculation, since I never went inside. However, it was ass-​to-​ass with the police department, where I have been inside, and talk about an uncomfortable space. For a library, that is. It works just fine for law enforcement.
Anyway, the library. The city renovated the long-​vacant (I think) old poolhouse next to the municipal pool into a new library facility. I finally ventured inside last week to open a library card. My visit was admittedly brief; I only needed the card so I could hop over to the Richmond Heights library and pick up a book for class. However, from my moment’s glance, this place is fantastic. The main level features a computer lab and a small area for the stacks. I made a very quick trip to the lower level just to check it out. The bulk of the books are down there, including the children’s section. Yes, it’s a basement, but it’s a wonderful basement. Well-​lit, brightly colored, and with a general feeling of happiness. I’m impressed that they were able to do so well with what was once locker rooms and public showers.
This is another of my useless reviews of places I haven’t really experienced. When I go back (and I will go back, especially when summer rolls around and I have time to read for fun again) I’ll be sure to update this review and give you information you can actually use. One thing I can tell you, though, is that this small library and the others like it (i.e. Richmond Heights, Webster Groves) are pleasant byproducts of the sometimes frustrating disjointedness of civic institutions and services that is St. Louis County.