Brutally unpleasant place if you happen to be an adult; it's almost entirely geared toward children and their nannies, spacewise. Incredibly, you're banned from occupying any space whatsoever on the spacious ground floor if you're an adult and not there with a child. The basement level is given over to a 2nd-hand bookstore; this leaves a 2nd floor where the most pleasant space by the windows is entirely roped off for teenagers and their tutors after 3 pm. The section can sit there almost entirely empty until closing (see photo from 4:30 pm midweek), but that's the deal. The explanation here is that "it's for their safety." (From whom, pray?) The unpleasant mid-section is mainly given over to computer use overseen by a library worker too often on the phone. Sure, there's a table accommodating 8 adults cheek by jowl...over by the toilets, and yes, you hear the toilets. Sure, an NYC library is allowed to have designated children's areas and designated teen areas. But what if those areas eat an entire floor and, to boot, a whole third of the remaining floor space in a library that is a meager two floors, with a vastly smaller second floor? It's hard to understand how this is allowed, given who pays the taxes on these places--it's not the under-12 set, and the role of Manhattan's libraries is not to fill in as de facto day camps. read more

New York Public Library - Webster - Empty Webster library teen section at 4:30 pm, 2nd floor.x - Libraries Near Me - New York, New York

Easy to get to, when you arrive you just want to go downstairs to the basement level where you will find TONS of books in different variety, also extremely reasonable price to buy. It was pretty busy, lots of movement in and out. Great stop for good buys! read more

New York Public Library - Webster - Outside - Libraries Near Me - New York, New York

New York Public Library-Webster Branch came into sight during my morning walk one day this past week. It's the typical neighborhood library. I felt bad for a young man standing outside waiting for the library to open. It was around 10am and it doesn't open until 11am. The hours are right on the door. As for me I was in the neighborhood and returned. I'm still partial to the branch in my neighborhood. I'm sure the residents in the Webster Branch Community feel the same way. This library is quiet during the week if you are nearby. Definitely Weekdays are the best time to visit. read more

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I love that it's so close. The staff is knowledgeable and cooperative, especially patient with the neighborhood "entitled." But it is way too loud after three o'clock. It may have a smaller selection than we all would like but that's not their fault. It's not a priority in our city's budget!!!! And by the way, when was the last time you donated to the library? Cut your Audible subscription or Netflix and make a monthly donation to NYPL instead! You can get most ebooks free at the library and many films. Learn a language or take online classes. Kanopy is a gem that most people have never heard of for all kinds of streaming. You can order a book or periodical or film from another branch and pick it up here, they don't need to own everything at this branch. Visit any other country (and some other US towns) and go to the library. You will be in for the shock of your life. Either they are non/existent, off-limits except to academic scholars, private, or woefully wanting in their collection. Beware, libraries may be another privilege we are about to lose if we aren't vigilant. read more

My first time in this library. It's in a pretty large building and there looks like there's a basement and a 2nd floor but it was closed the day I was there. The front desk is right at the entrance and then you enter the actual library portion to the left. I'm not sure but that actually might have been the kids section as I was there with my niece. The kids section is pretty large with plenty of books for all age groups. There are also a few computer stations. You just need a sign in and there's an hour limit on it as well. read more

Last Friday (11/16/18) I was on another saga for this particular book I was dying to read. Since it was the last book of the three book series (and not all people make it to the third), the book showed up as available in multiple NYPL locations. However, the book has gone missing in two other locations as I had no luck to find them at such locations. The librarian at the second library was very nice and suggested me to check for the availability in advance and submit a hold request via phone call (it's pretty dumb that I didn't realize I could do this after suffering from missing books for almost half a year). Luckily, Webster branch's book did exist so I was able to get it at the front counter and check it out immediately. read more

Employees and patrons are very rude. Very odd place with strange vibes. Very unfortunate as it is a very convinent place for me to get some quiet time. read more

Great neighborhood library! Super convenient and a big plus- a terrific used book store in basement. Lots of stairs so be prepared. Was able to find a book in the library and buy 2 more all for $2.50!! read more

Great Library!-Wish it was still in my neighborhood (I probably never should have moved away from the UES)! If you are looking to buy some books on the cheap, look no further than the Webster branch of NYPL. They have an entire basement full of books for sale, many of which are only $1. I stopped in today and bought 6 new books. The people who work at the shop are always very friendly and make you feel like they really appreciate your business. The library itself also had a very helpful librarian today. I was looking for a book that wasn't at the sale and I could not locate it on the shelves. The librarian helped me search 3 locations it could possibly have been in and alas we found it! I will definitely venture back to the UES next time I want to stock up on books but in the meantime I guess I will stick with the 115th st. library in my neighborhood whose selection does not even compare. read more

We love living close to Webster Library and it has become a part of our regular routine. Our 2 kids love stopping by for books, and their children's program is also wonderful. I only dock a star because we've had a few not so pleasant encounters with one particular member of staff who doesn't seem aware that even in a library, children forget to always whisper. The other wonderful staff make up for it though, who are always pleasant and helpful. read more

I love this little branch of the New York Public Library nestled on York Avenue. You wouldn't expect a library here and I especially love its quaintness when compared with other locations. I actually go out of my way to pick up books at Webster, since I have found their service to be much better than nearby Yorkville. If you're looking for a library that meets the standards of the NYPL, and you're on the UES, look no further. read more

I will start by saying, I spend 95% of my time at this library in the children's section with my kids, and go about once a week. With that in mind, the children's section is good, with some comfy seating and nice natural light. Kids DVD selection is great. If you want a quiet experience, go before 3:30 pm. There are tons of tutors/kids there after school and it's really loud and crowded. I've never been to the kids programs, so can't comment on that. Library staff are great. Very friendly, helpful and they encourage library manners from patrons (in a very considerate way). Book cellar (I think that's what it's called) has used books for sale, cheap. Good selection of parenting books, okay on children's, lots of other genres. Adult sections: only been there once or twice. Selection is okay, pretty small, but I've always found something. DVD selection okay too. All in all, for library time with my kids, I prefer this over 79th and 67th (oh, it's closest, but even so, I'm glad it's this one). (FYI: kids programming at 67th is great, as is children's librarian. It's just way too crazy there after 2:00pm. read more

Conveniently located, but not a great place to study or read after school lets out, because then this place gets LOUD. Love the used book store-- pretty great selection and you can't beat the prices! read more

The staff is amiable, and the place is generally quiet despite there are noisily meetings on the 3rd floor sometimes.

Cute little library I've never been to before. It was quiet and I got yelled at a little when my cell phone went off. The children's area is cute with a garden courtyard view from the window. The audiobook collection was Very nice. read more

The staff at this branch are truly awful and it has turned me off entirely to the NYPL system. I went here and asked staff a basic research question. The woman at the front desk (after making a joke about killing her self to her coworker) acted annoyed, rolled her eyes, and told me to ask the person upstairs. I go upstairs, ask my question, and the girl at the reference desk tells me I should be asking my question downstairs. I explain that I was just told to come upstairs. She quite literally stands up, shrugs her shoulders, and walks away from me. I go downstairs again. Once again, the desk clerk appears annoyed with me and tells me I need to ask the reference desk. At that point I left. This place and its staff are trash. read more

How do I love my library? Let me count the ways. The manager, Jean, is kind, knowledgeable and helpful. The staff at the desk is always available to help. The collection has improved both for books and dvds. This is a neighborhood gem and The Cellar which sells used books is the best. read more

The used book store on the lowered level is a neighborhood gem....great selection and nicely organized. The building is buzzing with after school activity on weekday afternoons. read more

I have always had friendly encounters with the staff here (I see that is a point of contention), and for that reason this branch gets above 1 star. However, the library itself is no good if you're looking for a quiet place to read or study. Children and their parents regularly speak well above a conversational tone. read more

Webster is my local branch. I wish the selections were better. Non-fiction section is pathetic (lots of trashy reads ) Best selection is their mystery section, their health and diet section, their childcare section, their " how to " section for passing TOEFEL tests, SATs , etc. Caters to a rich upper=east cliental who are in need of practical information to improve their lives. The 79th street branch between 2nd-3rd Ave. is a much more literary place. read more

Such a frustrating library. I won't even get into the poor book selection, but the variable hours are so ridiculous. I understand hours have been reduced for budget cuts. Ok. But can't you spread them out evenly so that one can count on the library being open from X to X on weekdays even? I went at 11:30 this week only to disappoint my son that it still wasn't open?!? Okay so this morning we checked, and it opened at 10. So we set out. Just kidding. They don't open until 3 today contrary to the information online. On another note, the setup for strollers is totally impractical. You're expected to carry your stroller up 20 stairs alone and will get yelled at if you dare try to leave it folded at the base instead while you run in. We will walk further to another library from now on. read more