Huge selection of books and other media, private space to work, small rooms to have specific discussion groups. Parking is generally available but can be sparse read more

Great resources. Friendly staff. Great parking lot in downtown Charleston. History Room.

I lived in Charleston for ten years before visiting the Main library. Three other libraries are closer to my home, and with ILL and transfer between branches, I can read any book I want without having to travel downtown to pick it up. This library is massive and reminds me of the library at my state university (years ago), while the other libraries in the system are more like "neighborhood" branches. This may be the flagship library, but every branch is impressive. Another fun fact is that the Main Library branch serves as an early voting location during election season. Ballots and books are two of my favorite things, and I'm glad the library does its part to serve democracy. I thought I'd have to drive around for a parking spot or park in a nearby garage. Not true- there's parking on the ground level, your first hour is free, and it's super easy to get in and out. The Main library is also open on Sundays from 2-5 PM, and it's the only branch with Sunday hours. Since Sunday isn't as busy downtown, it's a great time to explore this branch. read more

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Love this library. Well visited by the community all hours , even til closing. I always see people of all ages inside smiling, busy, or enjoying the activities provided. It's certainly well maintained, organized, and the staff can be assisting/informed if you ask. Shalom Shalom read more

Free book use! How can you not give it a 5. Building is beautiful. I went to vote and they supported the election. I would say that gets them a 5 as well. I was really impressed by the facility. Thank goodness for public libraries. We also get all our digital books through our membership to the library so it is just a great asset to our community. read more

Charleston County Public Library - Voting line well marked - Libraries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina

This branch is great! Large, open, clean, good selection and lovely, helpful staff. There is a parking garage underneath the library, and the first hour is free. Just make sure to bring your parking ticket up to the info desk to receive your exit code! Like all Charleston County public libraries, if you have a library card, you can place a hold on books, dvds, etc. online. Once ready for pick-up, you'll receive an email. The children's area is the best at this branch. A good variety of books and a nice play area with toys, puppet show theater, and computers. They have nice rooms for meeting spaces. I've also heard you can check out telescopes through the library, and I'm sure a plethora of other resources are available! read more

My introduction to the main branch came when I decided to check out the Holiday Book Sale this past December and have returned many times. Since giving up my home office, I love the fact that they offer public internet, wifi service, many MS Office Workstations (with nice, big monitors) and scanning capability (but, no fax). Even better, they're open on Sunday from 2-5! Though there is some meter parking, I always find a space to park in the good-sized indoor parking garage (which is open during library hours). Parking for the first hour is free which is great for a quick visit ... plus $1.00 for each additional hour. Unfortunately, didn't know that payment for parking was cash only. I had to use their ATM which resulted in a hefty fee (as it was not serviced by my bank.) read more

Since my home Johns Island library is currently closed for renovations, I've been using the Main branch of the public library. As Main, this branch is massive and includes countless physical and digital collections as well as many studying spaces and conference rooms. I just voted in one of the conference rooms! :) Generally speaking, I know what I want to check out before I get to the library, so I put my items on hold through their website. I receive an email when my holds are ready. Once I get to the library, my holds are sorted for me (all alphabetical by patron's last name). I grab my holds, check out at the self-check-out scanning machine, and I'm on my way. The librarians are helpful, kind, and knowledgeable, and parking is easy to find in the lot (and it's also free for the first hour). I highly recommend this branch. read more

I love this place and all the options they have for kids! They also offer discounted parking if you get it validated (we still have yet to use it, but it is an option). They also run events for kids as well. read more

If I could give zero stars I would. The disorganization of the fiction section is insane. Grouping every adult fiction book in the same category makes it nearly impossible to find the genre you want to read. At the very least fiction should be broken down into general, western, romance, sci-fi and fantasy, thriller, and mystery. As it is now it takes forever to find a book you actually want to read, it's no wonder no one has the time to go to the library when it takes so long to find a good book. There are no comfortable places to sit down and read all they have is hard wooden chairs, the librarians could do some better highlight books as well. read more

The Charleston County Public Library Main Branch is a wonderful resource in the middle of Charleston to do research, find a quiet place to do some work, or just find a good book or movie. They have an awesome collection of resources and a friendly staff that is willing to go out of their way to help you find what you need. They also have cool programs and events that are fun and informative. This library is awesome. read more

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Great refuge from the hustle in downtown. The library has resources for everyone! There is a dedicated children's section with the latest academic/learning programs. ABC mouse and more! The computers are free to use and open to the public. There's an area for college students and a quite spot for research and studying. I mentioned the library as a refuge because you immediately feel the calm shift upon walking in. Downtown is so busy, so if you are on a lunch break, looking for a study spot, or need an activity to do with your kids; it's the perfect spot! The staff is also very friendly! Parking is available out front on Calhoun or there's plenty of available parking in the parking f structure. Just ask for the parking code before leaving so you don't have to pay since your accessing the library. read more

For years, I heard rumors about the library's awesome movie collection. So, I was confused when I browsed the stacks without success. The secret? Those good movies are all checked out. Those new books reviewed in the New Yorker? They're at someone's house. But you too can get in line, by placing holds on-line! You can even renew those books before you rack up fines! Add your e-mail address for personalized updates on your incoming books, and your due dates. I also have to rave about the AV department. Regular showings of independent and foreign films, local music for free, you can't beat it. If only they had a beer and wine license... Weak weekend hours, Sunday only 2-5! And I miss the xylophone. Remember the xylophone at the old Marion Square location? A subtle indication that it was time to leave... now the intercom gods command your exit. Only 4 stars because one of the librarians hates you, or can at least do a very convincing impression of someone who hates you. You'll know her when you see her. read more

I love libraries, especially large ones that stay open late. I haven't been to this library since I was a kid so was pleasantly surprised to find it was open until 8PM during the week. Drinks are allowed, so long as they have lids, so I was able to go in and sit at a table and sip my coffee and do a crossword while waiting for the doors to open across the street at the Gaillard for the event I was attending. The desk staff was quick to ask if I needed any help and let me know that I was, indeed, permitted to bring in my drink (I thought for sure I wouldn't be allowed to). The library was clean and quiet and the children's center looked like a lot of fun. I'm planning on bringing my kids soon so that they can explore. read more

Our middle-school book club loved to meet weekly at the library. We were shocked to see sexually explicit books on prominent display for kids as young as 11. When we brought this to the attention of the area's manager, Andria Amaral, we were laughed at, which we thought was an odd response. (She stated later that these books are "medically accurate", which is untrue. We found that she has a history of promoting sexually explicit books to children.) When we spoke to the Deputy Director Darlene Jackson she was surprised at the graphic content being promoted to kids and soon the books were moved to a more appropriate location. About 3 weeks later, the books were back in the kids area, and in a more prominent location. We spoke to Executive Director Nicolle Davies who said that due to their Dewey Decimal system that they will not make any changes to book placement at this time. Library Board of Trustees Chair Andy Brack denied our request to create a Parent Advisory Committee to come alongside the library's efforts to provide age-appropriate literature to our kids. Sadly, our weekly group can no longer meet at the library due to the library's poor judgment about promoting graphic sex books to kids. (It begged the question, "What's next?") Additionally, we are very wary of our children having contact with an adult that works in a kids' area but doesn't seem to have a sense of what may or may not be appropriate for every age level that area serves, despite publisher recommendations. The paper covered this issue here: http://palmettobusinessdaily.com/stories/511103873-parents-object-to-placement-of-sexually-explicit-books-in-charleston-library read more

Charleston County Public Library - Saddened by sexually explicit books on display for kids as young as 11. You can do better, library. - Libraries Near Me - Charleston, South Carolina