A favorite place to research and relax on a lunch. I have done a bunch of genealogy work here and the local history section is top notch. A really fine library for young people or for those with many years under their belt. read more

Florence-Lauderdale Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Florence, Alabama

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I love libraries. Sometimes, late at night, I find myself organizing my stuffed animals in accordance to the dewey decimal system. Libraries are so organized. So sterile. So quiet. So full of think-i-ness. I mean knowledge. Remind me to take "think-i-ness" out before I post this. Laugh if you want, but the Florence library is awesome. Nice building. New building. Lots of places to sit in comfortable chairs and read. Big windows. Thought-inspiring quotes everywhere. And the librarians are bitter idiots. But that's true of all librarians. One of my favorite features is the reading room. Walk inside, and you find yourself in Sherlock Holmes' living room. Wood panels everywhere. Greek columns. Newspapers and magazines out your saggy butt. I want to sit and smoke a pipe while I read in there. They also have a entire wing devoted to gynecology. I plan to spend a great deal of time in there. Did I say gynecology? I meant genealogy. Honest mistake. Thanks. spellchecker. Not my least favorite feature is the coffee shop, the disgustingly cleverly named "Coffee-ol-ogy." Coffee, sandwiches, and all sorts of snacks. The 14-year old behind the counter asked where I was from when I asked for a "drip" coffee. "No one around here calls it a drip," she quipped. I then beat her senseless with the cappuccino maker. But don't expect to pay three bucks for a sandwich, a luke warm Coke, and sashay into the library. Nosiree, Mr. Fresh-Ground Paris Pants. No food or beverage in the library. So you have to sit in the lobby and enjoy your meal. Bonus - free wi-fi all around (I suspect they've blocked myspace). Five stars for this library. They're open until 7 most nights, which gives me just enough time to stop by, order a "drip," and Yelp like mad. read more

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We visit family here in Florence once every few years. The past two times we stopped in at this library to use the computers to check email and update the folks back home on our where abouts. I found the logistics of using the computers a bit strange. I had my daughter with me so we wanted to use the computers in the children's section. You have to sign in at the main information booth and then they send you upstairs for a code to get on the computer, then you have to go back downstairs to see the children's librarian to let them know you will be using the computer there. So basically, I spoke with three different people in order to use the computers. Once we got on the computer we were golden! (I believe each computer session is 30-45 minutes?) What I saw of the library (going up and downstairs!) was very nice. Large parking lot at the rear of the library. read more

Great library with excellent staff. Outstanding genealogy section with helpful staff. WIFi. Joe Burns read more

A beautiful library placed perfectly downtown Florence. Always has a friendly staff and a great selection of books. This library includes a book store and an awesome coffee shop in the building. Basically, you'll never want to leave. read more

I visit the Library each time I'm back in town for a visit. I graduated from UNA way-back-when. It's a fantastic library with a great selection of books and services. It's a model for lots of other libraries to follow. I've been around the world and I've seen many libraries in some pretty nice places. Florence has a great library. read more