Clinton Hill Library

"Loudest library I’ve ever been to, kids in the kids’ reading hour I can understand, but the staff here was loud and when I asked them if they could talk a little quieter, I was told, “libraries aren’t like they were when we were kids, they’re coworkers do they’re talking to each other about work.” When I asked them if they could ask the man watching tv on his phone without headphones if they could ask him to turn it off, they said that this is a public space and we can’t ask him to put headphones on if he doesn’t have any.” Which is true, but you can tell him it’s not the place to watch tv. And there were the people having actual phone conversations in the “quiet” area. I was told to just go to a different library where there was more space. Or the staff could respect and enforce the library rules. I might as well just study in a coffee shop. Who needs a library like this one?"

"Really not a place to study and read by all means. Kid Center should be called Center for Kids lol, your best bet is the Macon Branch if you need to get anything done. I really feel for the employees at Clinton Hill branch. Kid center should be enclosed in way for others to study."

"I cleaned part of the free standing printer, one table in adult seating area at back but attempts to clean a chair by adult computer station was pointless on account of permanent stains. Anything seems to go in this library (one of several) and what the librarians do when I'm there look "automatable" though on last visit the circus/guests/patrons tearing up the place with noises and stompings were absent and the librarian was unbelieveably busy helping, working alone."

"I love this library, the staff are truly fantastic; when I moved to the US 6 years ago I joined this library within my first week here…they made me feel so welcomed and gave me a lot of advice. The review mentioning only one member of staff isn’t correct…there’s usually at least 4 staff…some are working in the office sorting orders and returns. It’s extremely kid/nanny friendly with regular reading events for children…I love that it’s such a community inclusive space for everyone, that’s what these places should be. Great selection of books; I’ve borrowed fiction, biography, travel literature and lots of travel guides as well as cookery cooks and language learning materials. Outdoor seating is a bonus too sitting on a lovely street of brownstones. Get a library card and the library app and you can order anything from the library network and go pick it up. Set up the Libby app and you can download from thousands of digital titles. They have a bigger digital selection than NYPL. And it’s ALL FREE. Vote every year to stop them cutting funding and closing these wonderful spaces."

"Sure, it's great if you're a nanny with a screaming kid and want to talk to other nanny's about their screaming kids at the top of their lungs. If you're looking for an actual functioning library where you can read, research and do work...well, sorry. Seems like it's BPL's new policy to not only welcome these nannies, but to encourage their loitering, with a new creative writing program designed for...nannies. In a post-Covid city where public work space is already scarce - try finding an open table at a cafe these days - this is a misuse of public funds and an abdication of your basic responsibility as a library: to offer a place of learning and knowledge to the general public, regardless of income or status. Shame."