Great spot. I love the scanning machine. And that is pretty much all I used it for. The book selection is okie. I got a few book online and going to library does help. This is one of the quieter libraries and study or working here can help you focus. read more

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Reopened in August 2021! New HVAC system apparently. It's a relatively small branch, but they have a good selection of kids books and adult fiction, a smattering of non fiction. The important thing to remember is that they can request any book from any other BPL branch, so don't be afraid to use the catalogue or ask the librarians for help (politely). Self checkout machines actually work. Signage in a multitude of languages. Clean restrooms, gender neutral single stalls, family friendly discreetly between the entrance and the library.Excellent wifi even outside. They've set up chairs and tables outside, and there's a citibike station literally right there. So happy they finally reopened! read more

Brooklyn Public Library - Windsor Terrace Library - Libraries Near Me - Brooklyn, New York

Great selection of DVDs for such a small branch, I guess this is where they keep a lot of them, tiny selection of audiobooks. Good for having holds delivered via holds. Staff is pretty unhelpful. It's packed with kids messing around with the self checkout machines, and the staff won't check you out even if the machines are overrun by kids who don't know how to use them and are fighting with each other about who will check stuff out. I haven't run into that at other branches, even a small one. I didn't see bike racks outside but there are street signs. It's pretty loud, but less echoey than the Park Slope branch, so probably no worse for working, if one must. It's close to a few blocks with lots of okay neighborhood food and one coffee place. read more

This particular branch of the Brooklyn Public Library is great. Lots of computers for use and they have black and white printing for $0.10 a page. Also, they have color printing and a scanner! Color prints are $0.25 per page and the scanning is free. Great programs and events here and you can reserve and pick up a ton of books, CDs, DVDs, etc. Great location for picking up titles reserved thru the BPL system. The librarians are helpful here as well. read more

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I just moved to NY and did not have internet at home for over week (and no open wifi floating around the nabe). The wifi at the library was painfully slow so I asked a woman what it took to use the computers and she really just acted like I was ruining her day by asking her. The book selection really sucks. I realize that I can go online and request books, but sometimes, don't you just want to wander into a library and get a book right then and not have to wait. The selection of periodicals is also terrible. For instance, the most recent issue of people was from January. WTH? I browsed around while waiting for my turn at the computer and was really disappointed overall. read more

bibliophiles who miss the suburbs, rejoice. here is the seedy shopping mall of tomes. it is the epitome of florescent office lit, formica'd cinderblockedness. grab the gothic romance and drive to burger king. see if your crummy escapist book passes the mustard. read more

Now this branch has the automated system where no clerks assist patrons check out and return. You use the self-service system when in checking out items and return them through a drop hole in the wall where a clerk behind it scans them accordingly. I always found this system quizzically primitive--and why the scanning manual laborers are hidden--while they seemed to boast the self check out as some miracle invention. Compared to NYPL and Queens system, however, even this self check out method's accuracy is questionable; the system should require the card holder's password at least for him/her to access it, but this Brooklyn machine doesn't. It does not even make sense when it comes to this regression of returning method; the service is now more backward than the previous stage of clerks' scanning items (in front of you) as you returned, one by one. I wonder if they are kidding patrons by letting us count on nothing more than a hole in the wall or this is just a make-shift for another transition--whatever toward something more reliable, because otherwise, how can we know the reason the scanning clerk is hidden from our sight? Isn't it because they don't want to be seen while they slack off? Queens now has the automated service that issues a receipt for each returned item, and some locations have it outside working 24/7. The reason that I am vigilant is because I can't tell you more just dropping items in the hole does not mean they are checked in right back to the system; you can never get relaxed until it is reflected in your account. A testimony; an item that I had returned was still listed in my check out account even after 24hours from my use of the hole in the wall. Since it was not supposed to take more than a couple of minutes--and they had no other means to return, no off hour slot, etc.--I found it unsettling. It was already the item's due that day and I was doomed if it would not be processed in two hours. They close over the weekend; I would be fined. This was such a disaster that I called the branch to inquire on the item that I had dropped the previous day. After some investigation, a clerk found the title re-shelved in the ready to check out lane without being processed for check-in. Thus the item was database wise still 'checked out' by my name but it was physically back in their DVD shelf. Now I am too traumatized and scared of these people's incompetence and unreliability. Good thing I was vigilant enough to track the item down and called but I am not sure how many patron possibly feel responsible for --or obsessed with--what they already returned as I did. Just a simple question: if they only have one drop hole to attend to with relatively less volume to handle--they have no off hour slot or patrons to assist as I already mentioned--how come this sort of error possibly occurs unless they are too dumb even to scan the items they are sitting all day for? Added to it, this branch is famous for not having titles the data base claims they carry in shelves. Meaning? They can't care less their performance as a branch in the system. Those people who sit behind the information desk are some unfortunate and deplorable cases in one way or another and you can't expect any decent help from them. One major hazard of this automated system they brought in is a branch runs practically librarian-less; those renovated and automated ones only have clerks. Even if they have a librarian, I almost never have run into one. This saves them some money--they don't have to pay clerks as much as they pay librarians. Thus, their 'can't care less' service's deterioration seems to have no end. Another piece of work from BPL. read more

When your branch offers the following weekend hours (Sunday: closed; Saturday: 10:00AM-5:00PM) and a patron is choosing to visit your branch with the express purpose of using the photocopier or free internet terminal with printer, would it not be unreasonable to assume that those services would be available for the full duration of the posted business hours? When dealing with a public library in this city, one should never assume anything (fill in the blanks if you care). For some reason, the Brooklyn Public Library has made an executive decision to shut down all machinery, including copying machines and internet terminals, fifteen minutes before closing time. So that means if you have any other business to conduct at the library besides using the self-check out or picking up your reserves (I don't count interactions with the information/"help" desk and its surly employees as worthwhile pursuits), do not bother coming to this branch at all. read more

I have no idea why so many reviewers are harshing on this branch. It's a totally normal library! The litany of offenses seems very un-NY. Even the high raters are quasi-complaining. So bizarre. It's a library-- it does what libraries do: there are books there; you can borrow them for free. If they don't have the book you want, you can reserve it through the system's website and pick it up at this branch. It's nice to see kids and families there, picking up and returning books and chatting (the children's section seems pretty big for the size of the library itself). Library staff has always been very helpful to me and unbitchy. And for a library, it has a super- slow creep-to-person ratio. Maybe I just have low expectations for libraries but this branch seems to be doing what it's supposed to do. read more

I've never noticed a noise issue really per se with this library. Though, I've also never sat in here to do work. There are a ton of kids in this neighborhood however and half the library is dedicated to having a fairly involved kids section. Hours are pretty good. Some days they are open until 8pm which helps and they are now open on Saturdays. I usually just come in because I place books on hold and pick them up because its the closest branch to my neighborhood. Had an issue with my card not working once and the librarian fixed it up for me. Had an issue once with my *cough* "Walking Dead" comic book anthology wasn't in its place on the reserve shelf for me and they actually have a separate area sometimes for comic books. Appreciated because kids take stuff off shelves that look cool. It's a solid library and they sometimes during warmer months have like farm produce sales outside in the front and random stuff going on. read more

Where do I start? Do I start with the noise level that's louder than Grand Central when the kids get out of school from across the street, or the creepy guys that hang out there during the day to either take a nap or use the computers, or the women that work there that totally get a bug up their asses when you ask them for help or a question?!?!? WHERE OR WHERE OR WHERE?!?!?!?! read more

I think that there is no control . Noise everywhere , it looks like a KG not a library .

Kids corner with PCs for toddlers with great software. They also have several study desks, computer desks and PCs available. I'm not too familiar with the automated checkout, but there is always someone to assist. read more

Great library, super reliable but just a heads up it is closed for reconstruction and due to open in the year 2020. :(

Is there a drop slot, for books- outside of the library? We need to return while it is closed.

Excellent neighborhood library that serves the intergenerational community. Librarians are always helpful.

The children's section is a lot better than the Ditmas Park one. Parents are conscious enough to put unwanted books back in the shelf's and the sing a longs are great. Besides one bitchy librarian the rest of the staff seem fine. Overall, a clean and well run library. read more

Although there are serious limitations in this branch library--i.e. more books and audio materials needed, more access to computers--the librarians and clerks who work in this branch have been very helpful, friendly and encouraging. There are also programs such as a lunchtime gathering to which patrons in the neighborhood brought a very diverse array of ethnic dishes The library is also very encouraging to children and teens. The atmosphere is warm and friendly as well. The library is very well used. When school is not in session on holidays and weekends, Windsor Terrace is bustling. It should have increased materials --books, videos, computers--to match the obvious needs, use and interests reflected in the diversity and numbers of persons of all ages for whom Windsor Terrace Library is a frequent destination. read more

It's a great library if screaming kids and men who loudly curse while using computers is your thing. It is totally the Wild West of libraries. Before someone accuses me of being from the suburbs, I am a lifelong native Brooklynite. read more

It's super convenient that I can order books from anywhere in the Brooklyn Public Library system and pick them up right here in the nabe. The hours are limited, and I'm obviously not the main target audience (lots of kids around mostly), but they're clearly serving lots of people in the community. If I want a place to study, I go to the main branch. I appreciate this location for what it is. The librarians have always been helpful when I needed them. read more

Community library great for ordering books and picking up. Lots of information in the lobby on what's happening in the community. However, unless you are under the age of 13, or tryna stay warm in the winter or cool in the summer, you will most likely be irritated by the loud noises coming from the kiddie section/playdates and local school kids. The space is just too close to the adult section to control. Its small and quaint with lots of kids, being kids. Mostly a "help yourself" vibe, "no asking if you need help". It's clean with no "stranger danger" concerns. It does have a nice section for computer use, copies and scanning but if you need a quiet place to study, read or do any kind of research - forget about it!"Kid friendly" library great for ordering books and picking up. Lots of information in the lobby on what's happening in the community. However, unless you are under the age of 13, or tryna stay warm in the winter or cool in the summer, you will most likely be irritated by the loud noises coming from the kiddie section/playdates and local school kids. The space is just too close to the adult section to control. Its small and quaint with lots of kids, being kids. Mostly a "help yourself" vibe, "no asking if you need help". It's clean with no "stranger danger" concerns and it does have a nice section for computer use, copies and scanning. It's also open late one day during the week. If you need a quiet place to study, read or do any kind of research - forget about it! read more