When I moved to Branford last September, I didn't have much love lost for libraries; still a bit angry at the Dix Hills Public Library where I grew up for outrageous late fees; once they tried to levy a 7 dollar fine for a book that was priced at $1.99, and I had like 20 dollars to my name. How could the fine be higher than the value of the book? So, instead of paying it, I kept the book and didn't utilize public library services for 30 years. Anyway, the Branford library completely changed my mind about the value of a community library and this particular library should be the gold standard for all exurban and suburban libraries in New England! The staff here are patient, friendly and actually love their work; it shows on the smiles they are constantly wearing and the wide diversity of content, events and activities for the community. I don't have the right adjective to describe how amazing this place is, but something like fucking fantastic just about does it!! read more

We were part of one of my college friend's wedding party. One of his wife's favorite spots is the James Blackstone Memorial library. Towards the end of the last 20 minutes before closure, they wanted to squeeze in some wedding pictures. Walking up the stairs going into the James Blackstone Memorial library. The big doors opened led to beautiful entrance and observing the Art and books around us. We didn't get a chance to look around more because of the time restraint. A beautiful, quiet space filled with so much history. read more

James Blackstone Memorial Library - Libraries Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

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We bought tickets online for the Blackstone Library's mini golf fundraiser. We've never been to this library but we were excited to check it out. We went Sunday and the time was from 1-3:30pm. We waited outside on their benches until they opened at 1pm. We didn't realize there was another parking lot that directly brought you to the sign-in location. It appeared to be a smooth check-in as I also paid online the night before. We got our mini golf putts and balls. Mine had butterflies! I took pictures of a few of the holes but it was busy and we didn't want to keep the line longer. The upstairs third level hole 17 was super fun with spring loaded action. My husband and I both got a hole in one here. Hole 18 went around a net on the stairs and was fun to watch and hear as it set off bells as it went down the stairs. Such a fun event. We loved the library as well. Each floor has amazing set ups and displays their books very invitingly. I took pictures of books to check out in the future at our own town library. We would love to come back next year and check out this event. On Saturday night, they had an adults only event with silent auction and adult beverages. This would be fun too! 5 stars read more

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Really love and appreciate the professionalism and friendliness of the library staff, the calm ambience of the productive work spaces, and the excellent selections of books and materials for all ages. 10/10 will recommend and continuously return. read more

What a great place to get a book, audio tape or read the paper. First of all the building is beautiful and has a huge collection of material. They also have numerous free events throughout the week. I like to come here and read the paper on a leather chair in front of the gas fireplace. read more

James Blackstone Memorial Library - Libraries Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

A massive, extremely impressive building that just happens to be a library. It's over a hundred years old and obviously built when money was not a concern. If I was in Branford when a natural disaster or nuclear war broke out this is where I would run. It looks like it could survive anything. The inside is gorgeous and it feels more like a museum or cathedral than a library. The actually library stuff is pretty good too. Lots of room to spread out or find a quiet area. Good selection of periodicals and new books as well as research material. For a small town Branford sure has one hell of a library. read more

This is the best "town" library I've been to. Although big city libraries offer extensive collection of books and citywide programs, I found them to lack a certain personal touch that I appreciate in small town libraries. But this library has it all. It has the grandeur of a city library. This building is over 100 years old with beautiful Greek architecture. It has ionic columns, marbles, mosaic tiles, and a rotunda under a beautiful dome. Its many collection of books, magazines, dvd, cd, books on tapes are well organized and easy to access. It has a quiet study areas both on the first floor and second floor, especially for reading enthusiasts. It hosts diverse programs to both children and adults. Above all, it has a small town feel with excellent staff members who are readily available, and willing to help in any way. Large and distinguished+ personal attention= Branford Library read more

Great children's room. Great children's librarians fun programs for kids and adults. Beautiful building. Nice places to read.

We got married at this library on March 14, 2015 (pi day). My husband and I were thrilled with our experiences at James Blackstone Memorial Library. From easily accessible, private, and unique work spaces to accomodating a full blown wedding, we have nothing but great things to say about the facility and staff. The atmostphere and architecture are what drew us in and the friendly, professional staff kept us coming back. See two pictures included in the photo section for a snippet of our special day! read more

James Blackstone Memorial Library - This pi day wedding photograph (3.14.15) captures the beauty of the mural in the central globe of the library. - Libraries Near Me - Branford, Connecticut

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Gorgeous building with tiled floors and frescos on the ceiling depicting the history of "books." There was some sort of lecture going on while I stopped in, and that makes me curious about other lectures. They offer an impressive list of passes, and have a 3d printer available. Only negative was their outdoor lights were on full blast during the day. What a waste of public funds. :( read more

It's unfortunate that this is such a lovely building because this is one of the worst libraries I've ever been to. Apparently, the main room is now a daycare for infants complete with play pens. So, I've been a resident of Branford for 2 years. I grew up in the area. Again... it's a beautiful building. However there is absolutely no chance of ever getting any real work, reading, or research done here. That's a library's primary reason for existing. It's not a daycare. As I write this, the main room is full of infants and toddlers, and their having some sort of daycare "something" going on complete with screaming, shrieking, loud chatty moms, crying, singing, clapping, yelling, and very loud music. You've got to be kidding me. This is not the place. The stupidity, and total lack of consideration or professionalism with which they do things here is absolutely amazing. It's mid May. It's not Winter anymore. The downstairs "quiet" room is a joke. The heat is cranked up as high as it can go so there's no hope of being in there unless you want to pass out. Also, there is a cement side room down there... apparently it's a private reading room or something. The best I can make sense of it is that it's there for the very rude and vulgar high school kids to hang out in. Great idea... let's have a cement room that acts as a massive amplifier, and every time someone says anything in there, everybody else in the library can hear it. That's where the high school kids hang out when they're not running around the library acting like idiots. They sit in there being extremely loud, vulgar, bad language is the norm, and this room is complete with a soda machine and candy machine... another great idea... let's provide a cement room for the high school kids to be completely rude, foul mouthed, and disruptive in, and provide them with soda and candy. 9 times out of 10 when I come here I end up turning around and leaving within 3 minutes. The librarians are just as bad. They are loud, never-endingly chatty, and could not care less when people are being disruptive, rude, or foul-mouthed. Why would they? They're rude themselves. They also completely ignore all the piss-poor behavior that goes on right in front of their faces. I even pointed out (and I was obviously completely frustrated) to two librarians that there was an elderly man talking at the top of his lungs on his cell phone in the middle of the main room. One of them said..."We know, sorry." And that was it. How about going over and asking him politely to take his call outside??? This was the same day some college girl walks in, sits down, grabs a chair specifically to put her feet up on, and proceeds to chat away loudly on her cell phone. Meanwhile the librarians are walking all around her completely ignoring it. Well, I'm sorry. All of this is offensive, and not OK, and makes using this library impossible. I have no idea why the staff here think they have no power to ask people to not be disruptive. But they don't. Furthermore, they obviously don't care. I have tried to read downstairs while three librarians sit there for 2 hours yakking away loudly without a care in the world. This is one of the best ones yet... when I first started coming here, there was this creepy man that would be here every day. At first he didn't seem creepy. Then I noticed that every time I came in, this guy was leering at me. I would hold the book up in front of me so he couldn't see me, (I didn't want to complain because I was being considerate of him, and didn't want to embarrass him, and I'm also not someone to just go complain about things all the time, which is why I have now completely had it, and why I'm writing this scathing review which this library and its staff completely deserve) and he would just position himself so he could stare at me even more. I got impatient with this quickly, so I started going to a totally different part of the library every time I saw him... well... he would just follow me wherever I went. I was getting visibly pissed off the more this guy would do it, and every time I saw him, I would go to a different room. Yet he would always follow me, and had the audacity to start getting annoyed with me... it was unbelievable. I should have just called the police. Thankfully, I haven't seen this jerk in months. About a month ago, I walked in through the back downstairs entrance, and the entire bottom floor of the library reeked of pot. There were kids, moms, librarians walking around. Nobody cared. The police station is right across the street! Amazing. The computers are supposed to have a time limit, but really don't. If you're waiting for one, just leave. People are allowed to monopolize them. I'm leaving now because it's total chaos in here. read more

Best bathroom of any library. Pink Stony Creek granite floors with superb mosaic tiles. A large fiction section and a nice place on the main floor to sit in overstuffed chairs by a fireplace and read magazines. Excellent take out policy for CDs too. Very friendly and helpful librarians. read more

A great place to borrow books, movies, magazines. Staff is very friendly and helpful. A cool looking building too!

I love this library. Thank you James Blackstone for giving branford such a great place. Fantastic architecture and a great meeting place. Stonycreek granit everywhere gorgeous cathedral ceilings. read more

I absolutely love going to this library. It's peaceful and the inside is beautiful and gorgeous. The librarians are very helpful and friendly. My little kids love the children's floor. read more

The best library in a small little town in new england. very impressive. Very good selection of books on cd, comfortable, very knowledgeable staff read more

A breathtakingly beautiful building with librarians inside more than willing to help you find what you need. The building is absolutely huge with many nooks and crannies inside for you to find a quiet place to read or do homework. I just can't tell you how beautiful the inside and outside of the building is; I've never seen another library like it. The children's section is amazing with toys, puzzles, puppets, stuffed animals and books to quiet the most noisy of children. When my children were younger I would bring them there all the time to play and read. They now go there to do their homework and use the computers. The librarians are all friendly and helpful and go out of their way to suggest something they think you might like. There are many programs that go on there too. A big selection of CD's & DVD's to choose from awaits you. I can't say enough good things about the Blackstone Library. If you live in Branford and do not use this gorgeous library you are missing one of the best things about living in Branford. read more