One of my most recent Yelp Friends beat me to reviewing our largest library here in…read moreParsippany...Thanks Pallabi... I read a lot and a few years ago my wife dropped the hammer on my book buying because my bookshelves were ridiculous...and since then, when I buy a book, it really has to be something I want because it has to fit on the bookshelf to buy it...or a book has to get donated to make room (full disclosure, we donate a LOT of books each year). Thus my new-found love for the library. Not like I didn't know it was there, duh, I had just drifted from its wonders. Growing up, I used to bring home piles of books from our public libraries in Piscataway and the public libraries here in Parsippany have become a similar sanctum for the kids, at least my son who reads as much as I do. I was really glad when they moved to this new location. When they moved they modernized everything and they have great spaces, study rooms, an awesome kids area, lots of public access computers, and a great selection of books...and the best thing about the Morris County Library system is that if your local library doesn't have a book you want, and another library does, they'll get it for you. Thanks for helping to instill a love of reading to my kids...

Ok, full disclosure. I Love libraries. LOVE them. The first thing I do when I move to a new place…read moreis to get a library card. And the Parsippany Public library is my favorite. I can definitely say that this place had an significant hand in shaping the person I am today. Not only did I read like a fiend when I was younger (31 Babysitter's Club in 30 days), I participated in all the summer reading clubs, I volunteered with them the day I was old enough, my first job was here and I was one of the original members of the Teen Advisory Board, which has sadly dissipated. In short, LOTS of opportunities to get your kids involved at an early age. When they made the shift to the new location, I was like a kid in a candy store. The old location was cozy, but new location is SO spacious. Especially the children's section (though I heard it suffered some water damage). The librarians were kooky, but awesome. Really helpful and knowledgeable. The selection is great. I really like their travel section. The study spaces are awesome, though I wouldn't mind some more cubicle spaces. There's little nooks and crannies to sit down and enjoy a good book all around. The programming here is some of the best I've seen anywhere. I hope this place stays just as awesome so I can bring my kids here someday.

An amazing community library in the heart of downtown Chatham. The great things about this library…read moreor that they have various events for children as well as adults. In addition they have a great library of DVDs that you can take out and even have a current releases which can be rented for one dollar for overnight. The staff is wonderful and the library is an inviting area with free Wi-Fi

It's great for kids program! I like the staff both adult and kids section except the person named…read more"Nolan" in the kids section (blond hair lady who works at kids section during the weekday). She shouldn't be at the kids section since she isn't friendly and yelled at the kids all the time or she doesn't understand the kids. She should move from this kids section to other dept.

Summit Library is very nice. Many things in Summit are expensive. Library is not. It is in fact…read morecompletely free. It is filled with books. Also many cds and dvds. You can also get seeds. You don't borrow the seeds. You get to keep them. Well, I suppose if you plant them they cease to be seeds and then become plants. They have these weird digital audiobooks you borrow. And for some reason you need to plug your headphones into them. The. You can listen to a book. They also have a library of things. You can borrow a microscope or a telescope and plenty of things not scope related. Also, museum and zoo passes. Those will get you into a museum or zoo for free. And thy have computers. Library is really pretty cool. Parking is not free. Which seems odd. But you could probably find free parking somewhere nearby and then walk to the library. Library doesn't charge late fees any more. I guess they felt it wasn't worth it. Go to the library and read something. Your brain is not full. That's what I would say to my students when I taught 7th grade math and sometimes I would sneak in some science or some other interesting thing. And when the kids would complain that I had added additional knowledge I would say, it's okay, your brain is not full.

This library repeatedly gives up its prime work and reading space for shopping. No other places to…read morework that have power. No place to read quietly. Can we please make the library a place where there is no financial transaction? Seriously. Why does this keep happening here. This is a library not a mall.

Bland new library in Union, NJ. We had some small library around area, but now we have big library…read morein the center of town, next to city hall. There is big parking in the back. Small one in front. Library is in new building shared with art theatre. Nice welcome addition to Union, NJ just opened in 6/2025.

I've been looking forward to the opening of our new library for over a year, and unfortunately, my…read morefirst visit was disappointing. I really wanted to love this space and make it a regular stop for my kids and me, but our experience left me feeling unwelcome. When I arrived, I wasn't greeted at all. The staff at the front desk were engaged in a personal conversation and didn't acknowledge me for several minutes, even though I was standing in line clearly waiting for assistance... I had a few questions and just needed some direction, but felt overlooked and ignored from the moment I walked in. Later during our visit, we were in the soft foam children's reading area. I removed my Crocs so I could sit comfortably on the foam blocks and read with my toddlers, assuming that shoes weren't meant to be worn in that particular area on the mats to keep it clean and safe for kids. A staff member by the name of Emily Head of youth services) asked me quite abruptly to put my shoes back on. I politely explained that we were sitting in the foam block area and that's why my shoes were off, but she responded with , "Well, that's very unsavory," and laughed. (Not in a friendly way) in front of others. It was embarrassing and completely unnecessary, especially since we weren't causing any disruption and were quietly reading together. After that exchange, I no longer felt comfortable in the space and decided to leave. We had walked 30 minutes in the heat to get there, excited to enjoy the new facility, but instead left feeling disappointed and dismissed. I truly hope the library staff can work on being more welcoming, especially to families and caregivers who just want a safe and calm space for their children to enjoy books. First impressions matters and unfortunately, this one missed the mark.

The Springfield Branch is the community library for this section of Newark in the Central Ward…read more It's in between the areas of Springfield/Belmont and University Heights. It's towards the corner of 14th and Hayes (across from New Horizon Charter School). Like the other NPL branches, it serves the needs of the immediate community and provides library resources for adults and children. Perhaps due to its close proximity to so many schools and University Heights, there's an emphasis on college prep services for Newark high school students. It offers free SAT prep classes for them and has other standardized testing resources. The branch has computers for Internet browsing, basic word processing, and accessing the library's electronic resources, as well as books and video collections. Newark Public Library is a wonderful library. Its branches are essential in supporting the NPL's noteworthy vision and mission. For that, I give the branches 4-stars for the work that its employees and volunteers do to enrich the lives of the people in the community.

Yes, the Newark Public Library has vaulted ceilings, a grand staircase, marble floors, painted wall…read moremurals, an atrium and various exhibit cases like famous authors that lived or were born in New Jersey but it also has electronic resources. On-line you can access their various data bases which include: genealogy, health and medicine, legal, NJ information and test preparation. You can also access the libraries resources through your mobile phone. They have downloadable audio books and eBooks. Their inter library services allows you to connect to the Library of Congress, Rutger's University libraries and the New York Public Library. They have a Kid's Place on-line which allows you to get homework help and has fun stuff for kids to do.. Older students can get college prep classes. They also have computer classes, internet access, word processing, computer tutorials and wireless access. While the book collection seems to have taken a back seat to their on-line development, the books they do have are older and often rarely found in other libraries in New Jersey.

I love this library. It's quaint but has a robust collection of books and various forms of media,…read moreand the is a fairly large computer area as well. The staff are very kind and helpful, particularly in the children's section. I always hate when I have to leave this library, and need to make it a priority to spend more time here ... "Read more, learn more, change the globe" -Nas ;)

This library is such a wonderful place to be for me and my son. He loves sitting in the children's…read moreroom reading his favorite story. The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful with selections. There is one problem, however, a certain patron who poisons the atmosphere: Vicki DiGiorgio. She's not very nice to many people and she badmouths the staff whenever she gets the chance. I wish the library wouldn't let this slimeball in here. She even yelled at my son for accidentally knocking over chair. Please keep this scumbag witch out.

Can't believe this is the 1st review! The library is housed in a very nice building with lots of…read morehistory & character. There are so many interesting aspects of this library that would've possibly gone unnoticed if Helen didn't provide the background details. It's cool to be able to see what the "old" wall looked like before the expansion and the oak staircase that leads upstairs with the various archways is pretty nifty too. Enjoyed the various decorations that are displayed in the differed areas. What a wonderful, friendly and helpful staff. Parking seems limited to the street.

Books are like drugs and this library's a great dealer! With an excellent children's section that…read moreboasts a puppet theater, Lego stations, board games, educational computer games, and live shows and activities, my kids enjoy a couple hours here every visit and can't wait to come back. For all ages, they have books, ebooks, DVDs ($1 rental), game clubs, craft and learning workshops, and Rosetta Stone for 31 languages for free (off of their website https://www.sfplnj.org/). The staff's super helpful and accessible in person (during non-covid times) and via phone (973-376-4930) and email (questions@sfplnj.org). With so much offered for free or nearly free, I just can't get enough! NOTES/TIPS: **During covid times, they provide curbside contactless pick-up of books you request. They also offer a "Pick Five" service where you tell a librarian via email or phone a couple of books or authors you fancy, then they'll put together a package of 5 similar books you might also enjoy. **Returned books remain in quarantine for 1 week before they can be borrowed again. **This library's part of a book lending system called "Libraries of Middlesex" where you can hold and borrow books from 31 other libraries in Union and Middlesex Counties. **Wheelchair-accessible, gender-neutral restrooms. **Free wi-fi 24/7 even outside the building where there are benches.