This is beautiful large library, with floor to ceiling windows that let in a lot of natural light. The children's section is very spacious and has a lot of areas for kids to read comfortably. The staff was very helpful! I would recommend to any parents in the area to take advantage of the library and bring their kids to enjoy some reading. read more

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This NYPL branch gets 5 stars for the building and its resources, and 2 for customer service/ease of use. I believe it's the Bronx's biggest branch--its 5 stories include a children and teen floor, space for concerts, film screenings and other events, a huge circulating collection, outdoor reading terrace, and many tables and chairs at which to read or study. The books are neatly kept and there are many more sections to peruse than at other branches. This is also one of the few locations in the Bronx at which you can apply for an ID NYC card. That being said, the flow of helping patrons is abysmal. I had an appointment to apply for my ID NYC card this morning that I arrived on time for. The office is on the 5th floor. When I reached it, I was ordered by a cantankerous security guard to stand in a specific spot. When I wasn't at the precise spot where she wanted me, she made a rude gesture to indicate that to me. Other applicants were complaining in Spanish behind her back about what a high and mighty b-word she was, so I guess it wasn't personal at least. I was eventually given a pager and was told I could wait on any other floor until I was called. After an hour of waiting (with an appointment!) and no page, I went back up to ask how much longer it would be. An apologetic worker told me to wait behind the first woman in line and said I would be seen shortly. Of course the security guard had a problem with me standing where I was told and put me in the back of the line despite my explanation of what the other worker had told me to do. Five minutes later, the other worker comes out and tells me I'm standing at the back and I should be in front. Can y'all make up your minds?!?! Once I was seen the process took all of five minutes. Ugh. Afterward, I decided to check out a book that I'd picked up while waiting. There were two librarians at the circulation desk and about five patrons ahead of me in line, so I figured it shouldn't take more than maybe two minutes. I have no idea why it took ten minutes; I felt like I was at the post office. All this to say, please demand to your city and state legislators not to cut library funds!! They are an amazing resource when they can operate on more than a shoestring budget. There's little point in having a beautiful shiny new building if it's not able to help patrons because it's understaffed. You can't just give a community this space if you aren't going to train its staff to actually help people. read more

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Upsides: Best hours out of any branch in the NYPL system (9pm on weekdays and Saturday, and open Sunday). They need better hours in Chinatown branches, but that's another story. Downsides: It's in the Bronx, and the area can be a bit scary at night. If Chinatown NYPL had hours this good, I wouldn't trek all the way there. Advice: The bathrooms are hit and miss. Sometimes they're clean, sometimes they're not. The area can be a bit scary at night. Note: Rating relative to other NYPL read more

Requesting to have free printing on a computer with a library card of at least 20 pages per day like Queen's library. Thank you.

A lady security guard watched me and my son most of the time like we was really going to steal their books lol. It was just funny being racially profiled by someone with the same skin as me. But other then that the library is big and beautiful & the rest of the staff was nice and comforting!! read more

Positives: + They have a resume writing center on the 4th floor which can be useful for a glance through from a trained fresh pair of eyes. + Like all NYPL there is free and fast Wi-Fi. No library card is needed to log on from your own laptop, however you will need it to use one of the libraries computer stations (1hr limit). + Went on the hottest NYC day so far this year (June 9th) and the air conditioner was working good. Perfect temperature inside. Negatives: - Too many tables and seating areas without power outlets for laptop users. - Always crowded. It's tricky to get there. Find the Gap on East Fordham road and make a left at the corner then another left and you should see it also on your left hand side. read more

I love this place. It has the feel of a downtown building and it's crazy it's in the Bronx. I come here to work on my blogs and write. Very convenient place that doesn't feel like youre in the Bronx. I actually prefer this one to the Midtown library on 42nd n 5th ave as that one gets packed with homeless, stinky and crazy people on the computer/laptop floors. Since it's so big security sometimes might take a while before spotting the disturbance. It also doesn't feel as clean. This one, since it's fairly new looks pretty clean and if you have kids they have a children's only floor with computers with games and books for children. The only problem with this Bronx Library as with most NYC public libraries is that you get the occassional homeless guys or guys that talk to themselves on the computer floors, but they do have security on each floor making sure that people keep it quiet and don't disturb others. They also have an auditorium and have events there, which I haven't seen it. read more

This is the Bronx main library center and is open 7 days a week. They pretty much have everything: free wifi, laptop loans, computers, career assistance center and the building is pretty new. If you are looking for community space, there are rooms available downstairs for concerts or meetings. The only downside is service. With such a large building, it is hard to find someone to assist you. read more

Glad to have a facility this nice in the neighborhood. If, whilst fiddling away on your laptop, you've got some music bumpin' in your headphones and get a good zonin' session going, you might even forget you're in the Bronx for a second. Just as it did for Celine, though, it'll all be coming back to you once you get a load of some of the ridiculous-ass characters to be had. It's cute in moderation, though. Compared to what the area's like, I guess it IS pretty quiet. On average. It do be a little population dense in here at times, doe--much like the borough itself. Staffwise, the checkout folk can be surly-for-no-damn-reason and the security dude checking your bag on the way out could probably be better utilized elsewhere (seriously? are the book spines not magnetized?), but I think you knew all this when you got yourself into this situation. Enjoy. read more

This branch is working hard to accommodate electronic charging. Some tables that seat six by the windows have 11 outlets. And get filled quick. Incredible. You can obtain your NYC ID here. The children's section is the second floor and the teen area is half of the first floor. The bathrooms are cleaned throughout the day. And the quiet zone policy is honored by most people. Astonishing! The popular books are by the checkout aisle. They hold great non literary events in the Basement that showcases Latin culture. A great use of space. read more

This is an awesome PUBLIC library in the Bronx. After my hunt to find a good library where I can study without any noisy distraction, I found this place, and I must say I am happy. In this five floor library, there are a lot of books and ample quite spaces where a person can sit down to study. The down side is that it doesn't have an individual study room. read more

New York Public Library - Bronx Library Center - The Outside - Libraries Near Me - Bronx, New York

PROS? The hours. The spaciousness. Mid-Manhattan stays open until 11pm and bigger vs. THIS one where there are less bums and crazy people. Smells less like a subway like at E. 40th street too. If you take a nap for 30 minutes, the security guards don't annoy you like at E. 40th street...knockin' the table or chair. Who cares if someone falls asleep? They're not bothering anyone. Less ball-busting. CONS? A handful of bums and nutcases. 50/50 security guards with attitudes. read more

Great and convenient location! I gave this place four stars instead of five because they need better security. The security guards are more concern with what's in your bag during your exit than the noise control in the 4th floor lab! During my time at the lab the woman on my left had a belching, dancing and laughing disorder while the woman on my right was having a full blown conversation on her cell phone....I was highly annoyed but I like I always say..."Only in the Bronx!" read more

Wonderful environment and nice staff. Very professional service. Overall great place for learning.

I will never go again, there are bums everywhere and it has a horrible, horrible smell! Terrible working conditions! I left within 10 minutes. read more

I enjoy visiting this location with my children. I've been to a couple of toddler events held during the week where they provide toys and a free book for those who attend. So far I have never had a bad experience. read more

It's big, beautiful, quiet and clean. I really enjoy going to this library with my family. The only problem is getting there. It's a bit of a hike, but once you are there it's great. The children's section has a HUGE floor. Great selection of books, classrooms for events and story time, lots of working computers for the kids, comfortable reading area and clean bathrooms on the floor. Security guards and librarians are always available on the floor. They have a pretty strict rule about being in the area without a child. I've been asked before to leave the floor when sitting and looking at books without my daughter (which is fine). I would rather the library doing that than some weirdo be allowed to sit and stare at kids. Programs and events are great. My only gripe (other than getting there) is the business section. It's super small. I haven't looked at other sections, but according to my husband CDs, DVDs and fiction sections are great. read more