I agree with the posters that have mentioned the off putting nature of the librarians/employees that work in the Children's room. I avoid them all together and now go to neighboring libraries because I don't want to have to deal with their sour moods in front of my young child. The parking lot is also usually full and the wait can be long for a spot to open up. read more

So they killed off the Rosetta Stone access, and I'm pretty bummed about it. Minus one star.

Lovely space! Tons of natural light and big tables. Love working out of this library and so do a bunch of other people because I have noticed how much more crowded the library seems to be. Parking can sometimes be a challenge but there is free parking. This space is just beautiful! read more

The restrooms in this place are clean, quiet, and best of all, they're free. I don't know what it is about the Newton Free Library, but wandering through the stacks inspires something magnificent inside my body. I can't spend more than twenty minutes looking around before I'm booking it to the men's room. If you're feeling discomfort, or maybe some anxiety because you haven't gone since yesterday, head to the best library in the Boston metro-west area and get a move on. Sometimes I'm in a predicament where I've got a few choice reads in my hand and I feel weird about taking them into the men's room with me. At home, fine, yet at the library suddenly it seems like I'm a social deviant. But I have to go NOW. Do I leave them on a random shelf and forget where I put them or risk someone taking them? The answer is usually yes and I'm happy to report that I've have had no problems to date. There are restrooms on all three floors but you can usually find me on Floor 2, past the paperback collection and YA hardcovers. Highly recommended. read more

One of the nicest libraries ever. HUGE selection. TONS of DVDs. Big kids section. The Minuteman Library Network is great. I love being able to renew library books online. I also like the MLN because I can take my book out at the Newton Library's main branch and then go return them at the Auburndale or Waban location. (Thoses branches are tiny but cozy and adorable) I've only attempted to use their internet once and it was slow as molasses. But maybe I'll try again. read more

The Newton Free Library makes me feel proud to live in this town. Nice big building with friendly staff and lots of research materials. Everything is nicely organized, clean, properly lit and feels open when compared to other libraries. 2 things I would change or rather improve upon is faster internet and more study rooms. At the moment the internet speed is around 8Mbps, its okay for average use but sort of expected more. The study rooms alway seemed filled regardless of the time. read more

This is a good library with lots of resources, and a good selection of music. But it is the noisiest library I have ever used. I have been to every corner of the building looking for quiet space. There is none. Parent/guardians forget as quickly as their children that the library is supposed to be quiet space. Adults are as inconsiderate, even when requested. Even right outside the "special" quiet space on the 2nd floor, people need to be reminded to use "inside voices". It could use the stereotypical shushing librarian. read more

This is definitely one of the best libraries I've been to given that it's in a mostly suburban area. The book selection is fantastic, and they have a very good selection of DVDs (and building a Blu Ray collection). Any books or movies I'd like to borrow that they don't have are easily obtaining through an inter-library loan. One thing I also like is that they have ebooks available through Overdrive and the collection continues to grow. I've read several books on my Kindle and tablet without issues. Since many books, especially popular ones, have waitlists you cannot rely on renewing the loan. (Pro Tip: if you are disconnected from wifi, you can keep the book on your device until you reconnect with the internet). The parking lot is often full, but that's largely because the library is very popular rather than being small. It's actually fairly large, though it is easily flooded. Overall, a very good library. read more

The library was fantastic. I just wish they had more private rooms for groups of people who need to converse during their stay. They do have rooms, but it's taken by people who leave their belongings in the rooms for hours. read more

It is a very nice library. As it is said, big clean and bright(!).. Clerks are kind and very helpful. The only annoying thing is other then study rooms, people are allowed to talk on phone in the library. They are also providing free ESL classes for foreign people.. read more

I spent a lot of time at this library. It's my favorite place to get focus and get my work done. It has awesome private study rooms. This library also has a small cafe. Love it! read more

Great selection for both adults and children. It's a library that really works for the residents of the City of Newton.

Two To three times a week I spend late afternoon/early evening there and gosh...! How noisy it is! The main hall with tables and outlet plugs is something between a coffee shop and a library - people try to be quiet but they don't respect the rules and talk on the phone, do small talk, laugh, have tutoring classes! If you want to get something done, go to this library either as soon as they open or after 7pm! I am one of those people who really appreciate silence while studying and this library in the afternoon/early evening has not helped me much! read more

This library has a lot of study space. I have been coming here to study throughout law school and I am now using it to study for the bar. However, I often have an issue with people maintaining the quiet study space. There are clearly labeled areas for quiet study and there are often groups of teenagers talking out loud in these areas. There are also adults speaking in loud voices throughout the library and letting their children make excessive noise in the study areas. The staff even walks around talking in full volume to each other while re-stacking the shelves. I have had numerous awful experiences, sometimes forcing me to find a new place to study. However, I keep coming back to avoid my law school library and it is the only library in the area with study space. I give it three stars for its free parking and convenience, but it fails miserably in the noise department! read more

I really like this library-- layout, selection, size, availability of study rooms, wi-fi, cleanliness, efficiency of staff. The ONLY thing that could improve is accessibility to children's programs-- there are always too many people, too few tickets, and if you don't get there a half hour before the tickets get handed out, fuggedaboutit. Also, it is irksome and totally unnecessary that the librarians (esp the skinny one with brown hair) handing out tix/coordinating the program that day get all huffy with patrons once the tickets run out. WTF? Why not be a little *nicer* to people who didn't happen to get there an hour to a half hour before a program, esp in front of their young child? Improve your customer service skills. read more

This is a GREAT library. It has a huge selection, enhanced by its participation in the Minutemen Libraries Network. You can request books from any participating library and they will be sent to Newton. The children's librarians have made wonderful book recommendations for my kids at multiple stages (series to entrance 12 year old boys; books to engage a late reader whose interest isn't captured by your average early reader, etc.). The library also uses its space to showcase local artists. I have seen teachers or parents with young children from other communities visiting the library because of its extensive children's collection. In addition to books, you can borrow computer games (tend to be older platforms), audiobooks and movies. As is the case with many libraries, you can get passes for free or reduced admission to certain museums - you can now book these online through the library's website. There is a big collection of info on Newton History, including early phone books, for those who want to research the history of their house, or other things about Newton. I haven't tried it, but the library now provides wireless Internet service throughout the building for anyone who brings their own laptop with a wireless newtork card. read more

I love a good library. The public library is one of the best deals we have today. Wherever I live, I go to the library a couple of times a month. Newton has a huge selection of books, books on tapes and DVDs. Newton is embracing the changing face of libraries. They are working hard to service the community in many different ways. They have redone and expanded the new books section.The old days of ssshhhh is over. It is a very active library and people talk and share information! Parking can be tight but I have never had to wait more than 3-5 minutes. read more

I love Newton Public library. Its really resourceful and clean. The only thing that i dont like is the fact that their study rooms are always taken. No matter what time of day I go, it is always taken. read more