A wonderful small-town library, with an equally wonderful staff. (Beautiful and homey…read morearchitectural decor, and a superb collection of books and DVD's.)

Staff was very helpful when I wanted to create a library card. Glad I came to visit when I was in…read moreSaratoga Springs!

I love this library. When we first moved to NYS and started house-hunting, this library and the…read morevibe of downtown drew me to the Saratoga area. I was sad leaving the home, work and friends I had made over the previous 8 years and the library simply felt comfortable and welcoming. One of my initial experiences after our relocation was in their computer classes. Kathy is a wonderful teacher and I looked forward to seeing her smiling face. They offer a wide variety of classes and services for the public. I have taken several computer classes, an introduction to coding class, a cupcake decorating and a dessert class. I have also attended a preschool play group. The main floor features books, cds and dvds for adults. It also has a used book store that I check out regularly for unbelievable bargains. Every Christmas I do an advent tower of books (instead of a calendar) for my friend's little girls. They love unwrapping a book every day until Christmas. Purchasing quite a few of the books there helps keep my costs low for this tradition. There is also a cafe with baked goods, sandwiches, coffee and tea. There are plenty of computers for public use on each floor and help is readily available when needed.The lines are never very long at the numerous check out areas and they have some very practical options for busy patrons. I typically browse the catalog online at home and make my requests via computer allowing me to choose books from libraries all over the Capital region. I check my account regularly and often just run in, return books I have finished and pick up a stack of requested material they have gathered for me. The staff is very friendly and efficient. They make the use of the facilities very convenient. The lower level houses the children's selections, a playroom and story rooms. There are special holiday events , kids classes and so many wonderful activities hosted here. An events calendar is available in print at the facility and online on the website. The upper level has reference materials, plenty of study areas and the computer classroom complete with a 3D printer that can be hired out for projects. Parking can sometimes be difficult, particularly on the weekends or holidays and that keeps them from earning a 5th star. There is truly something for everyone here and I encourage you to visit and/or check out the numerous possibilities thru the website.

Hello, former librarian here who loves libraries! I often try to seek out a library to visit when I…read moretravel. I noticed that this branch of the Troy Public Library was near the area I was exploring, so I walked in and was surprised at the historic building - it's very unique, but a bit crowded. I was greeted right away by friendly and smiling librarians - love that. I had fun looking at the new books section, and I did use the restroom (you need a key from the desk to access it). This library doesn't seem like a spot you could really hang out and work or read for hours, but it had a good selection of new books and a small children's area.

This building is beautiful, and there is a great history about it on the library's Wikipedia page…read more Unfortunately, the day I visited, some work has been going on outside, so the exterior isn't quite visible at the moment. But the interior is quite interesting, even better that it's a library! It might take a nice stroll through to get the lay of the land. Rest rooms might be a bottleneck, some of the ones on the upper floor are currently closed, and you need the key from the front desk to use the ones on the ground floor. I'm also very glad that this library is part of my local library system. As much as I enjoy going to the library in my town, I'd certainly make the trip over to Troy to read and do stuff here.

Great library, the staff is very helpful…read more Ty. Eric. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Scotia Library is easy to spot as you pass by Collins Park on Mohawk Avenue. (Especially in the…read morespring and summer when the flower garden is a popping!) Housed in the Abraham Glen House, which was built in the 1730s and a part of the National Register of Historic Places, this local gem went through a restoration in recent years. Schenectady County made sure historic renovation standards were met during design and execution of the renovation, which included a new addition providing space for community programs and events, as well as restroom, sidewalk and curb updates improving accessibility for visitors. The staff of the Scotia branch of the SCPL system is wonderful! The librarians are always incredibly kind - a truly warm and welcoming bunch. In my visits over the years, I have witness dozens of exchanges with patrons and community members and have been impressed with the interactions I've seen - full of knowledge sharing, question answering, resource finding, and all with a heavy dose of genuine human connection. I often find something new to appreciate during my visits to the Scotia library. Most recently, I enjoyed walking through local students' art that was on display and taking a stop at the jigsaw puzzle table, fit with a sign explaining the benefits of puzzling and encouraging patrons to take a break to put some pieces together during their visit. Though this is a smaller branch, it has a decent collection of reading materials to choose from the shelves. (If you ask me, though, the magic of any county library system is the ability to request from other branches and have them delivered to your local library for future pick-up.) The bulletin boards and announcement flyers are always displaying upcoming events in the library system and the community as a whole.

This review for the Scotia branch. This very tiny and cute branch library sits in an historic…read morebuilding, which was a private home from the early 18th century until the early 20th. It may be, as far as we can tell, the oldest library building in the state (dating to 1707 - the sign in front saying 1730 is inaccurate) - possibly the whole country. When it was converted into the Scotia Library in the 1920s, the librarian's family lived upstairs for decades, until it was converted into a small community/reading room after being absorbed into the Schenectady County system; it is now inaccessible because of safety and capacity concerns. Unfortunately the medieval basement, with its many odd additions and nooks and crannies, is also not open to the public, but if you ever get a chance for a tour, seize it. Because it's an old house dating back practically to the Dutch period that has had numerous alterations and renovations (there was once an attached small dairy barn), the layout is idiosyncratic. There's a reading nook opposite the circulation desk, and to get to the children's room in the back you have to meander through four different rooms. It lacks a bit of lounge space, and has only two computers for public access to both the catalog and internet resources. That said, there's a comfy and cozy vibe to the place the library patron may well find pleasing on uncrowded days, and the tiny collection does try to address general readership. The branch has suffered from funding issues, although it's still open five days a week (closed Wednesdays and Sundays), most days are only part-time. Check out the Schenectady County Public Library website (scpl.org) for current hours. You can still get interlibrary loan from any branch and return items from other branches here. I will add there's a huge advantage to patronizing this library for families: it's adjacent to Collins Park, with its large fields, lake (although the swim beach seems to be permanently closed for undisclosed reasons), and playground equipment and sports courts, and across the street from that is Jumpin' Jacks Drivein, for your summer gross fast food eating pleasure. Right now they're tearing up the roadbed on one of the Freeman's Road bridge spans across the Mohawk for replacement, so there's a whole string of cheap entertainment for the younger set right now. There's also a Dunkin Donuts right across the road from the library, although it requires navigating a somewhat weird crosswalk setup to get there, it can be done without reparking the car.

I drive about 30 minutes every time I visit this wonderful library, even though I pass by at least…read moretwo other libraries on the way. It's absolutely worth the drive! I really appreciate the peaceful and welcoming environment, the excellent management team, and the thoughtful overall layout of the library. It's a great place to study, focus, and get work done.

I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and any times politicians needed money, they cut funding to libraries…read morebecause who needs to read, right? When I moved up to Clifton Park in 2018, I discovered this beautiful library and fell in love with it. Wonderful people, great events, very community minded. Thid library is, in a long life of reading, my favorite.

The help that works there is extremely nice and they go out of their way to find something for you…read more Another thing they are always having things going on like last night they had a movie they're always thinking of something to keep people busy with and they extremely care about children activities.

Not a good place if you need a quiet environment to study. I have come here daily to study for my…read moreNational Board exams coming up as I was hoping this would be a good place to have peace and quiet to concentrate and get into the testing mindset. That is not at all the case. There are loud conversations by staff and visitors and no one cares to enforce the quiet rules. I even reserved a study room and there were still loud conversations I could hear through my headphones. There are also people that just come in to wait for the bus, loitering, and have this as their meeting place for many things. They sit at the tables and talk with no intention of using the library for its actual use. Even though it is a public place there needs to be better security of noise levels and using the library for its intended use. Maybe enforce group study rooms, silent rooms, private rooms, etc. Staff is very friendly, welcoming, and helpful. I just wish it were a quieter, peaceful environment. Great place to come in, grab a book, and leave.

I take my kids to a local library at least once a week. We started going to this library a few…read moreweeks ago and it has quickly become our favorite. My kids love the children's section. It is bright yet cozy and the book selection is great. We've discovered many new titles just browsing here. There are numerous comfortable chairs and nooks to read in. One unique offering at this library is that they rent out Nordic cake pans in all different shapes, themes, and sizes. What a neat idea! Who wants to store a cake pan that you only use for one holiday? Now you can rent it. I haven't tried it yet but love the idea. This library also loans out passes to local museums and we recently checked one out to go to CMOST for free. There were passes available for almost all of the local museums. I also appreciate that this library has spacious family restrooms with changing tables.

They recently remodeled this library to reduce noise. Well, ladies, no amount of remodeling will…read morereduce noise if you speak alta voce at the circulation desk and laugh like school girls. Could we return to a time when librarians spoke quietly and shushed loud talkers? I'm not even 50 yet but I remember the good ole days.

I've gone more towards digital and audible books in my older age but can still appreciate a good…read moreold locally run used book store. My wife is more old school and took me by here on a friends recommendation and as I entered the space I was transported to my childhood when I didn't have an iPad and Amazon wasn't around. I remembered how my love of reading was nurtured in places like this where I discovered Zelazny and Tolkien and Moorcock for the first time. Where I discovered a love for all things science fiction in books like Lucifers Hammer and the Uplift Trilogy. Where I read about any subject I wanted from the history of the black death to the Occult writings of Crowley, Lavey, and Starhawk. The used book stores of my day were the fertilizers of my imagination as a kid and I had in many ways forgotten, or at least allowed them to slumber like Rip Van Winkle until awoken anew by the musty smell and creaking floor boards of this new reminder. I remembered how so many of these books have been taken and then returned to in turn be passed on to future generations. It warmed my heart to know there are still places like this around that manage to make the business model work. I had largely assumed that they were all gone to be honest. The owner, Dan, was knowledgeable and able to assist my wife with some recommendations for new reads. If you go here be sure to ask about the purple bucks which are basically a a paper rewards program in the form of purple paper money you can spend at the store. Also, be sure to call ahead before going to pay a visit. Dan is semi retired and so the store could be closed. Especially on a Monday.

Great selection in little cozy library setting. Prices are great to support local. The owner is a…read morelittle different. A real experience is when the former owner, Dan strikes up a conversation.