The... book museum, contains real piecea of history. The tools that barbaric man actually used before the internet. Stained pages, dog ears and weighing up to 5 pounds. People go to the library relive the book era. Maybe someone could market a book sanitizer, for those antique collectors who can save money by reusing. One man's trash is another mans treasure. That way you don't have to buy ebooks from local businesses and support the economy. read more

Dope library. The employees are pretty interactive. It is a great resource to have for our community.

The Great River Regional Library system is great! There is a wide selection of books, DVDs, music CDs and more. I like that there is a good selection of tv shows on DVD in addition to movies. The library also lets you hook up to Overdrive to check out electronic books. I have a kindle and I love that I can borrow books that way. Some other reviews have commented on the unsavory patrons of the library. I think it just goes with the territory of a library. It is a good place to work on your resume and search/apply for jobs if you do not have computers of your own. Go to any public library in the country and you will find this. Libraries are still needed to help fill this role. read more

Great River Regional Library - Cozy reading spaces. - Libraries Near Me - St. Cloud, Minnesota

See all

This library is a truly wonderful contribution to the greater St Cloud area. It is large, clean, and offers so many wonderful resources to all types of people. The children's and juvenile sections are excellent. Upstairs, library-goers can borrow a computer for varying purposes or just use the library's free wi-fi. There are also numerous study rooms that can be checked out for anyone with a library card. The only reason that I don't give five stars in this review is the inconvenient organization system for print resources on the second floor. I've never seen a central library like this one that completely disregarded the Dewey Decimal System. Whereas I like browsing books, plays, and anthologies thematically, the organization here is alphabetical by author. This system only works if you already know exactly what you want when you walk through the doors. So if you're bringing children of any age, looking to use the internet, study quietly, or already know what you want: this is the library for you. If you're looking to browse, drive to Minneapolis. read more

Great River Regional Library - Libraries Near Me - St. Cloud, Minnesota

Viewed from the air, the Great River Regional Library is supposed to look like a book with the pages fanned out. If you're on the second level of the library, sitting in one of the little window alcoves, you're virtually "sitting" in one of the pages. Architecturally, I love that. There is a lot to love about this library, and a few things that aren't so great. First, what I love: This library is massive, with room to add more materials and grow. It has meeting rooms for small and large groups, study rooms, public spaces for big meetings, a small coffee/snack counter, a used book section where you can find old books, movies, and record albums very inexpensively. The children's section here is phenomenal. It's laid out so that it's kid-friendly, Kids can browse through the illustrated books and find something to love. This library has a massive movie collection, which includes the latest DVD releases as well as hard to find classics, and many television series. The music collection is pretty sizable too. Upstairs, you'll find fiction and non-fiction for adults, a teen section, several areas with computers where you can use the Internet and for a cost, use their printer/copier. There's a nice section of tables where you can sit and work. The tables have attractive lamps and plug-ins for your computer or accessories. The library has wi-fi throughout. The library is a definite improvement over the previous library. Now, onto the drawbacks: I once went on a police ride-along with the St. Cloud Police Department. It's common knowledge that the library has become a bit of a hangout for the underbelly of St. Cloud... so much so, that during my ride-along, the officer I was with found a person they were looking for for questioning hanging around outside the library when we drove into the parking lot. This gives the library an uncomfortable feeling. When I was a child, I used to love going to the library, but I would not let my children go to this particular library unattended. At times, it can get a bit unsavory. I've been here on numerous occasions when the police have been called. It cannot be an easy place to work. A friend of mine was mistaken for a criminal while at the library. I wish I were making these stories up, but I'm not. As a result of all this, the bathrooms are often used by those who may not have access to bathrooms elsewhere. They frequently smell unpleasant and aren't always clean. Avoid them. The last time I used the upstairs bathroom, a male patron was in the stall watching pornography on his cell phone. It was audible to the entire bathroom. In working at the tables on the second level, I've been frequently interrupted by folks who utilize the library as their hang-out. One time, there was a gentleman talking so loudly on his cell phone, that everyone on the second level probably could hear him. Another time, there was a gentleman who was speaking so loudly to others in the library that we were privy to his entire conversation. When he got done talking to one person, he moved along the windows and began the very same conversation with the next person he passed by. Another time, I saw some disturbing behavior by a gentleman with some mental issues. Once, I saw a man standing outside the library playing the air guitar for all to see as they entered. Another time, there was a man with about 30 books laid out on a table. He was arranging and rearranging and looking at them, while audibly making loud noises. All of this can make the library a very difficult place to accomplish quiet work. Just be aware of that. If you're looking for a quiet space, check out one of the quiet study rooms which can be checked out by speaking with the reference librarian on the second floor. Personally, I don't care for some of the artwork which the library commissioned. While I like the stained-glass in the children's room downstairs, I cannot stand the muffler artwork on the backside of the building. You can't miss it when you drive past the library on Division.There for all to see, is a massive artwork piece that can be best described as rusty mufflers (yes, car mufflers). Whatever that artist was paid was too much. The Great River Regional Library is a nice space, and you can usually find what you're looking for here. My primary concern is for safety, especially for children. That concern is the only thing that tarnishes my opinion of this space. Yet, as a public space, there probably isn't a lot the employees can say about which patrons patronize the space and what they do there, unless it's illegal. I honestly believe that the St. Cloud Police department should post a police officer on permanent duty at the library, and Stearns County should house a social worker there as well. It would be a great way to get multiple needs of the community met. ***Note: The library has been closed for the past several weeks because a patron attempted to set some furniture and books on fire. Need I say more? read more

Great River Regional Library - A view of the rusting muffler "artwork" mentioned in my review. - Libraries Near Me - St. Cloud, Minnesota

See all

I am a librarian and frequent libraries all over my hometown of Milwaukee. This library has all of those beat. I hope St. Cloud residents realize how lucky they are to have such an amazing resource! The children's area is so well-thought-out! There is plenty of space for kids to play, so many different opportunites for them to use their imaginations and learn, and best of all the books are at their level! I realize this list make shelving and locating books a nightmare for staff, but it's so great for the kids. I also spotted lots of space for meetings, classes and other organized activities, and a room for nursing mothers!! Amazing! The upstairs features plenty of quiet working/reading space as well as space for teens to hang out. The selection seems to have everything I would expect and the librarians were all really helpful when I visited. Excellent job on the design, and St. Cloud residents - you should be using this space! read more

I grew up alongside this library. I'd bike to it some days, and I remember hauling home bags of dozens of books. It's a really pretty place, and generally speaking, I like the staff. Getting a card there lets you get books from any library in the state using MNLink. Plus, this place is huge, and oftentimes you won't need to reserve your book online, because they already have it. read more

My favorite library by far. The building is wonderful. The books, movies, CDs, etc. are plentiful and their staff is absolutely fantastic! Whether I am talking with them over the phone to ask about renewing library books or checking out books in person, everyone is so kind and accommodating. Such a nice place to have to bring your kiddos or find some good material to read. I like using the computers/printers as well. Everything is neat and organized, and it's quiet enough that you can complete your work without being disturbed. I also go to the Waite Park Great River Regional Library and although that location is small, their library system is quick and efficient. I love both locations! read more

This place is great you should check it out. Great online platforms for ebooks and audio books. There's an awesome crossword on the second level you can help complete. Super kind employees and helpful to boot. The system is able to loan lots of materials from around the region making Griver the best kept secrets in the St. Cloud metro area. read more

This space is gorgeous! It's my first time visiting the St. Cloud library since it was new (ages ago, I know) but I was very impressed. Lots of selection, plenty of space for a little kid to burn off some energy. It's perfect for play time on a particularly cold or rainy day when your kid needs to get out of the house. read more

The city of St Cloud really made a good decision to build this library. Convenient location, good parking, the on-line service to hold your book saves time and is easy to use, self-check-outs all in a new clean, stylish building. Lots of good programs for youth as well. read more

I've been here in St. Cloud since 1986. I was conveniently located to the old library on 4th avenue and Germain street. The new library is much larger, has a lot more incoming light, due to the glass design, and the outside of the structure is decorated with an impressive sculpture made from discarded automobile exhaust systems, by an artist from Chicago. read more