We attended the "Yes, Chef" program at the library this evening featuring Nina Greipel and her fantastic cookbook for her family's restaurant, The Gasthaus. Library was easy to find and a very impressive facility. Demonstration kitchen with video display and audio were all great. Parking lot was fairly well lit, but did have a few burnt out roadway bulbs, which caused us to walk very gingerly off of the curb to our cars. Looking forward to future programming. read more

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This is a happy place for me. I love the natural light, the library smell, and wandering around the rows of books. There are a lot of great events, staff is friendly, and parking and check in / out is easy. However, I do acknowledge other reviewers' feedback that they do not have a tremendous amount of books for a library - especially of its size. Ordering from another library is free and easy, but you do need to wait. And there are not too many good places to work. The alcoves are almost always in use and there aren't many other options for working quietly (I realized after reading other reviews that I've never gone there to work). Still, it meets my needs and I'll happily go there often to browse. read more

I think this is a great library. It's beautiful, well thought out, and the staff is helpful. There is a whole section just for kids with a slide included and its own bathroom to help with changing. They do so many cool events like cereal cinema once a month, but you also see a lot of adults coming to read or do work. read more

Love the facility Plenty of public parking Printers and computers available to quickly access. An abundance of Conference rooms good location read more

Northeast Regional Library - Libraries Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Originally visited this Library for the Kickoff for Books and Brews 2023. The event was titled Books, Brews and Bytes. This event had all the games from Atari, Sega, you name it they probably had it. My friend enjoyed playing Duck Hunt, Super Mario and the table version of Donkey Kong. Milewide and Abol Coffee was there for coffee and beer sells. I didn't do much gaming myself and mostly watching my friend play. We did walk around the library practically the whole thing not just to explore but, there was a scavenger hunt. You find all the buddies and you get a prize. I myself would not normally venture on this end of town but hearing about this event at this library peeked my interest. It's very large compared to Southwest library which is what I grew up with. It even has a baby stroller access. I'd come here often if I lived closer. I want to thank Louisville Free Public Library, Northeast Regional Library, Books and Brews for putting together this lovely event. My friend and I had the best time and would do this again if the event happens next year. read more

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The big smile on my son's face after leaving the Northeast Regional Library said so much. This library is something special! We checked this out recently at the urging of other library-loving friends. My kids and I have been visiting new-to-us libraries. The "river" of books when you walk in immediately let me know this would be something different. Long shelves showcase books along a walkway down into the library. Also a big plus: This library has a Quills Coffee! Grabbing a coffee before reading -- just perfect! The kids area is also very inviting and full of great finds. Along with a great selection, it has a tiered seating area, slide, reading nooks, toys and more. The family bathroom was clutch too. This library also has a makers space and great outdoor area. Well done LFPL! read more

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This library, a branch of the larger LFPL system, is amazing! Newly opened (and then closed for a while) right before pandemic, the architecture and flow of this space is both a community center and knowledge lover's dream. There are nooks to cozy up and read in the singular, as well as meeting spaces for two to a large group. And the entire flow is thoughtfully inclusive and engaging. Also, there's lots of books and media like audio, laptops you can reserve, craft making areas, and rolling community events. My elementary-aged child is thrilled with the children's book space and her teenage brother is intrigued by the recording studio / green screen space you can reserve as part of the makers studio and teen space with couches and a tv for casual gaming tournaments and study spaces amongst the vibrant teen-oriented book collections. You'll most often find me perusing the curated library picks first before going deep catalog, picking up reserved media, or at the built-in Quills Coffee in a comfy chair sipping a latte and enjoying a book or the view from the ginormous windows looks out to the front entrance. Finally, I should mention the fantastic staff at LFPL and this branch in general. They are so kind, helpful, and considerate. My youngest may actually become a librarian when she's older because she likes the children's librarians who help her find books so much. How great would that be? Thank you, lovely library staff, for being so welcoming. Bottom line - this ain't your grandma's library. Actually, it is, grandma will find things she loves here and so will her grandkids. Rather, this is a library and community space reimagined. Our community is lucky to have it (and the broader LFPL network!). read more

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I love love love this library bc of the architecture. It's very beautiful! But wow ITS LOUD! I could have swore that library voices is the law!!!! But no, this is a day care center. Luckily I have noise canceling headphones so it doesn't bother me Much and I love sitting by the window read more

It's so nice to have our libraries reopened since Covid! My husband and I chose coming here to grab this morning's coffee and picked two chairs near the window. I snagged several books off the shelf and leafed through them to decide which ones to take home. Checking out was very easy, even having forgotten my library card. I showed my license and the clerk took care of me - he was very friendly. This library is huge with several meeting rooms, small cubbies and comfortable chairs. Quills is near the entrance serving coffee. As others have mentioned, this library is frequented by families and small children. The play area encourages running, jumping and squealing. It's the opposite of what you'd expect in a library setting (but I'm unsure it's any more distracting than customers coming and going from a coffee shop). You have to decide your threshold for tolerance. Already looking forward to another visit, another coffee. read more

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I love a good local library, and the Northeast Regional location is a beautiful addition to the LFPL system. Located near the Northeast YMCA, this long-awaited location takes the place of the small satellite that used to be in Westport Middle School's library. From the outside, it looks like a glam office building with huge windows and clean geometric lines. Inside it is open and airy, but avoids being too resonant with beautiful sound-dampeners that look like chains of popcorn draping from the ceiling throughout. These days I cannot escape a visit there without going down the slide - not for me, but for the munchkin in tow. On rainy days a trip to the library for some books, nooks, and trips down the slide means that everybody has a good time (and that the afternoon nap will be long and sound!) While I most often check our books electronically these days, when I need a physical book, this is a great place to pick one up. If it's in your neck of the woods, it's worth a visit, even if it's just to pick it p a cup of coffee from the adjoining Quills location. read more

This library is very nice. It can get loud sometimes. Having headphones helps, and it also depends on where you sit and the time of day I'm sure. There are some nice reservable areas also. read more

Agree with other reviews here. Focus was obviously put into aesthetics rather than usefulness when this place was designed. Structural "art" and miles of glass were likely placed for a chance to land in Architectural Digest, but the patron experience is abysmal. VERY few nooks or crannies to find respite from the kids "playplace," which some tomfoolery decided to place smack dab in the middle of the library with NO sound or visible barriers. Not a sound barrier or even a WALL to be found in the whole place. I kept thinking that there was a basement or second floor where most of the books must be stored, but no - this place houses an extremely questionably low amount of actual books. Again agreeing with others that the space seems large but very inefficiently used; not to mention what the heating and cooling bills must be with the whole place made of glass. Final note: Don't blame the library staff for the kids screaming and running; some of them likely have advanced degrees in library science, and if you think you feel annoyed to find a playpen in your library, think how these poor folks must feel listening to it day in and day out. It isn't their job to spend their entire day asking parents to do the (obvious) thing and take the kids somewhere (anywhere) else to scream and run around. They didn't sign up to work at a library that the designers felt needed an indoor playground. read more

Very cool-looking Library! Lots of natural light and modern fixtures and design! I've never had a Louisville library card, so today, my friends and I all got one! You can find new books, audiobooks, check out CDs, DVDs, or even request stuff online to reserve and pick up! They have some recent releases too! You can find study rooms/spaces here and there are plenty of plugs! You can also reserve the kitchen, a room to record music, etc. They also host community events here. The children's section is pretty large. Lots of books, a little slide too! There are lots of places to sit if you want to study or read quietly. Even some fun nooks if you want to chat with someone! There's also a back portion where you can sit outside! Quills is gonna open up here soon, which I'm sure will draw a lot more people in here since many people work nearby. read more

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My all time favorite library. Love taking the kids, love going by myself to sit in the coffee shop, love having meetings in the private meeting rooms. read more

Northeast Regional Library - The coolest library is the one with a coffee shop! - Libraries Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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I like this new library but there are just a few things... Libraries are magical places. You can explore books and be transported to many different environments. I can understand the need to interest children in libraries, especially with so many distractions. Libraries will be around for a while to come but I do think they'll die out eventually. Wow... is this library... marvelous? I'm not sure how to best describe it but it is grand. I wasn't even sure if I was in a library. Laptop checkout kiosks... check! Many sections and genres... check! Coffee shop... che-wait... WHAT?! Part of the library is going to have a coffee shop in it! There are study areas. There are even little private rooms if you need to eliminate the noise. There's a children's area which seems to be oddly placed. Somehow the noise from that area doesn't carry through the rest of the library. On to why I'm taking off two stars. People complain a lot about money being wasted. Why shouldn't libraries have a piece of that pie? I agree that they should but do they need to take so much of the pie? There's no charm to this library. I felt like I was in a Barnes and Noble or some other large book store. At times it feels like you're in a museum(compared to say the High in Atlanta or even our local Speed). Glass is everywhere so I hope I'm never caught inside of there during a storm. This library seems huge but when you're walking around, there's plenty of wasted space. I hate to be negative but it feels like wasted money to me. At the end of the day, there shouldn't be any complaining about having a great library to visit. This library should last for decades. read more

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This library is amazing, I want to live here! Let's look into the makers lounge, I love it here. It's where they have everything from Glofordge, sewing machine, button makers, music studio, 3d printer and more! I learned so much in the hour I spent in this room and they are super helpful on helping you understand each product. I'm so impressed! Plus this library is incredibly large and spacious that you could walk around for hours. They have amazing selections and the kids area is great for my toddler. Thank for all the efforts Louisville put into this library. read more

This is not even a library it is a large, echoey, and poorly ventilated community center where kids run around screaming and no one does anything about it. The architecture is cool in theory but in real life an open concept library is the stupidest idea. There is no sound absorbtion so it really does sound like you are in a basketball court or gymnasium. Don't even bother coming here if you want to study or actually read. Waste of my taxpayer money this might as well be the YMCA. read more

This library is absolutely breath taking... I have driven past the outside multiple times and always thought it was a fancy corporate office or convention center!! The moment you step in, you feel like you've been transported into the future. I'm so lucky to have this library right outside of where I live. It's very clean, easy to navigate and even has a coffee shop!! It you need to study, they've got rooms for those. Kids activities, different classes, and plenty of computers you can use. The parking lot is a little tricky, because many of the spaces near the front are for carpools, electric cars, etc. so you may find your self looping around if it's your first time. I've been trying to get myself to read more and this is a great motivator. I can't wait to visit again! read more

This location is NOT where you go for study, peace or quiet. More so a ZOO. Would not recommend coming here if you're seeking a nice peaceful time. Staff doesn't address the noise. Kids running around, screaming like crazy. Disaster. Will not return. read more

All I can say is Wow! I could leave my review at that and be done. This library is amazing and has it all. It is beautiful! When you walk in, everything is wide open. There is something for everyone. They have office meeting space, green room space for shooting video, computers to use, a children's play and reading area, and of course, books for all ages. They also have videos you can rent as well. There is plenty of sitting room in the open and even smaller 4 table enclosed sitting areas. The more popular books are displayed openly, but everything is easy to find. My sister and I stopped in and found books for all three of her kids ages 6, 7, and 13 and her husband, plus DVDs for their road trip. My niece loves this library so much that she checked out books she knew I would like. Take a family day and go to the library and find your love of printed books again! read more

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If you thought that Trump's wall was a waste of taxpayer's money; check out this modern architectural library. It is huge in square feet with enormously high ceilings. In other words a ton of space with a true paucity of books. They had ZERO of the several authors we inquired about. The sound of raucous children made this place into a 'Bouncey House'; so much for sitting down and enjoying a good read. To think they closed the Middletown branch for this?????? The place also was sparse with Patrons. Just a note: If you plant sod in the Summer in Louisville you may just have to water it occasionally. It's now a brown oasis. This library is a 'factory of sadness' and I will only return to drop off my 2 selections from the other day that semi-justified the trek over. read more

Northeast Regional Library - Great structure; but isn't a library about the books and literature????? - Libraries Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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I've tried this place about 5 times. Summer, middle of the week, middle of the day. Too loud. Kids allowed to scream and run all over. The staff could effectively and nicely approach parents of screaming kids and ask them to step outside until the child calms down. It's not just one either- The whole staff of this library seems clueless to library "norms." It is not a place to go if you want a quiet space to work or focus. (I'd recommend Barnes & Noble, or maybe UofL library if you can get in- even Starbucks is quieter). read more

Gorgeous, architecturally breathtaking modern Louisville library! So so glad this our closest local spot - can't wait to go back! read more

Northeast Regional Library - Interior by checkout. - Libraries Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Great place to study for college students. The library's is beautiful and the have a coffee shop. There are plenty of small study rooms and plugs. I just graduated and wanted a space to study for my fundamentals or engineering test and this place gave me the feel of being back on campus. Definitely will be here more often. read more

This review is for their COVID operations and curbside pick up. They have been doing a Fantastic job in making sure they get to everyone on time with a smile on their face, bringing out the books to every car just so no one misses out on their fav reading material. The book bundle is such an amazing idea and is executed so well!!!! My son received a wonderful collection of books, which I'm sure was handpicked with care because he loved them all!!! Someone had even written a cute tag to go with it. I really really miss actually going to this library and hopefully we will be able to soon. read more

Northeast Regional Library - Libraries Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Beautiful library with kind staff. We love toddler time! Miss Allyson is great with the kids and very engaging.

VERY NOISY! Sound bounces and there is no place to study or work. There are "study rooms" that are open at the top and not much quieter than the rest of the place. Even the floors are noisy. The collection is decent...what you would expect for an east end library. Lots of DVDs but a small selection of adult books. There is a large parking lot that is dangerous to get to/from because there are no crosswalks, or sidewalks. This library is a big playground for kids. It seems to have been designed for children. It's nice looking but, like most of us, might not age well. read more

I really was excited for my first visit here, my mother was a Children's librarian and my brother and I would select books every Sat as kids growing up. I withheld judgment until reading some other reviews which confirmed my initial reaction ... this is a not so much a library as a McDonald's playland... I was working on my computer with headphones on and the noise and "thumping" from the children's area was incredibly distracting. I understand that modern libraries attempt to retain kids interest by having play areas. I do not agree with this decision, but regardless this one is poorly designed, as its in the middle of the library, and the open space and high ceilings let the noise travel all over. The "study rooms" all have open tops (as others have pointed out) and one of them is adjacent to the children's play pen. I COULD NOT find a quiet space in this library! Literally the noisiest one I've ever been in, and it really wasn't that busy. There are nice amenities here (Quills coffee shop, which adds to the noise level, loaner laptops, lots of computers) but first and foremost a library should be a quiet place for thoughtful learning and reading. You won't find that here. read more

All of the modern architecture and glitz do not a library make!!! I had high hopes that this space would be an improvement over the old Middletown branch, however, it is even worse! The tall ceilings just accentuate and echo the noise from the daycare-like children's section. During my entire visit I was disrupted in the aisles of the ADULT section by children running, playing tag, pulling books off shelves and more. I saw no parents attempting to coral these children. The entire space was filled with echos of children squealing as they went down the sliding board (why does a library need an indoor sliding board anyway?), legos being stirred, and more. As was very common at the Middletown branch, not a single book that I was looking for was in the library's holdings, or the ONE copy was checked out. Like at the Middletown branch, I was offered to be on the waiting list for a book, but the last time I tried that I received a call SIX months later that the book was finally available. I have lived in much smaller towns with branch libraries that may not have looked as posh, but had much better holdings, and after all, isn't that what a library is for? At these other libraries the children's section was usually far-removed (typically on a different floor) from the adult section. This new library has some very nice spaces that were obviously intended for relaxing with a computer or book, but there is no way that is possible. I tried several different areas and finally threw in the towel. I advise taking earplugs if you plan to read, study, or work on your computer at this facility. Parking is plentiful and the library is in the center of a large horseshoe-shaped drive that is a one-way circle. I hope you have a better experience than mine! read more

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It's beautiful inside with plenty of seating to read, study, or get work done. It is kid friendly, which I think is great. I love children and their existence doesn't bother me. I appreciate when places make spaces for children. Love this library so much! read more

Came here expecting to study... little did I realize, there would be no studying done here. It is so loud that I can hear the kids screaming above my headphones playing at a reasonable level. I think it's great to encourage kids to read and learn, but this is the only thing that seems to go on here. Even in the adult section of the library it is very loud and kids wander through running and playing... Don't get me wrong, I like kids. It's just not the place for these activities.The aesthetics of the facility seem to take precedence to function, which is unfortunate. With a few modifications, this could be a great space. As is, it's just an indoor playground. read more

New and shiny and on this Sunday afternoon was fairly busy. I was impressed at the number of parents there with their children instead of being at home watching the NFL. Computers are Windows based so being a Mac user for the past 10 years it took a little getting reacclimated . read more

Northeast Regional Library - Libraries Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Really pretty, modern library! I've been when it was busy with children and never found the sound overpowering. To all the people wanting a silent place to study... public libraries don't really serve that purpose anymore! They're more like community centers filled with valuable resources. The little slide is super cute and the children's selection is pretty decent. I like the lighted shelves with the really popular books! read more

This place is fabulous. The modern design, the windows EVERYWHERE! It's sleek and modern. It's fun for the kids. My boys love going. The staff is helpful and kind. The outdoor space is beautiful. read more

I have been to quite a few libraries and this is by far my favorite with a stunning interior and a great selection of books. They have a really easy self checkout process, the staff is really nice and really helpful. They also have sitting areas to just read, Overall it is a great library! read more

Northeast Regional Library - The front of the building - Libraries Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Beautiful design, but where is front door? oh, that must be it where people are walking towards. Now to park....no handicapped spaces near front door. I can do this, I say. Make it to front door, enter and now what....where is the librarian? Several people on computers behind stands but they are customers. The floors slope, difficult for canes and walkers! Book selection is minimal and confined to very small section of this large structure. I have always loved libraries but this isn't one of them. Could have been so much better. It is not friendly to handicapped or elderly!! read more

Poor design and way far-left culture results in a dystopian mishmash of media malfeasance. This facility is many things but a 'library' it is not. At best, this location is a glorified 'Red Box' with a bathroom and snack bar. At worst, it is a budding Orwellian 'Ministry of Truth.' It is also not FREE. If you pay taxes, you pay for the library. No place in the entire structure is quiet enough to read without the constant distraction of screaming kids from the 'play area' and beyond. Some items (like daily papers and other periodicals) cannot be checked out and must be read at the library. I used to come to the library to GET AWAY from screaming kids so I could read! Now they are here everywhere. The warehouse/airplane-hanger design amplifies and echoes the noise into the most remotest of corners. Even ear-plugs are only of modest help. There are a few 'isolation chambers' (where you can feel like a freak on display) but there aren't nearly enough and even the ones available are not very effective. Meeting and conference areas are wide open with not even thin partitions to contain the sound. Politically charged and socially divisive material is on display in the most prominent areas (i.e. books on helping young kids 'discover and embrace' their sexual orientation are placed at eye-level (some with images of men wearing dresses on the cover) face cover-out in the 'young teens' section along with other very left-wing, anti-conservative, pro-Marxist ideology titles to the absolute exclusion of anything one might consider 'conservative' or even 'moderate'). Why aren't books on topics such as building and flying RC planes with your dad equally on such prominent display? Know that if you encourage your 'young teen' to hang out at the library, this is the type of material they will most likely be directly exposed to and encouraged (by its placement) to pickup and read... if they weren't looking for it already. Also, many parking spaces closest to the building (along with handicap parking) are reserved for 'Low-Emissions' vehicles (undefined by the library). This is a privilege for the wokesters who fall in line with the politically-correct-yet-dubious 'climate-change' narrative and for those who can afford the newer high-priced, high-tech vehicles. Ironically, it is largely the well-off and not the poor or under-served who enjoy this privilege. In reality, if the library really cared about 'emissions', they would give these spaces to higher-emission vehicles so they wouldn't have to drive further out into the parking lot- thus emitting more emissions than the low-emission cars (many likely running on battery at that speed and producing near zero emissions) that can park further out and produce less emissions per meter driven. The irony is palpable. There is no physical necessity being addressed in providing these special parking spaces. It is purely a behavioral reward for those who buy into the cultural/political narrative that the library espouses and has assumed in its role in 'enlightening' a wayward public. I used to love the library. It used to be quiet. It used to not so boldly wear its political and cultural ideologies on its sleeves. It used to be a nice place to go and get away from many of the stresses of life and just read or study in quiet. It used to be a 'common' amenity where all could feel welcome but now it feels very much more like an exclusive club for the 'woke' crowd. Also, some who give this branch great reviews claim that 'libraries aren't supposed to be quiet places to read and study anymore.' SINCE WHEN? That is EXACTLY what libraries are for! I suppose soon hospitals will no longer be places for healing; nor gas stations for buying gas; nor grocery stores for buying food. I guess all those tables and chairs set up throughout the library that I thought were for reading and studying are really there for something else but I can't imagine what. If this is what passes for a 'library', Then I would prefer to just have my tax dollars back. read more

came here to study expecting a nice, quiet atmosphere. I was wrong. there are kids running around yelling and their parents have no respect for the people studying. the librarians don't seem to care either as many have walked past them without saying a word. read more

Love the library, but this isn't a library. It's a Gymboree play place. It is so loud that it's impossible to concentrate or read. Beautiful building, atmosphere not so conducive to learning. read more

For all the old people who don't like the library because it's too playful (it has one small slide people) stop crying in your split pea soup. If you have serious work to do, don't do it in a public space. Try your your office or home or join others at Starbucks if you want outside your house, or drive to a different location. This library inspires kids to love books and coming to the library. It's great. Staff are also very helpful. read more