Omg. This was my childhood library where I got my 1st public library card and would come so often…read moreonce I discovered free books. This library helped me not go crazy as a kid because I was the child of immigrants who struggled financially as well as not knowing navigating the USA. My 3rd grade friend informed me of free libarary because she was an avid reader. I still remember we had a book worm in class and she surpassed everyone with her love of reading. I was in second. I finally walked in today to check out since the library's renovation - haven't been back since high school when my parents moved us out of Elmhurst and it was BEAUTIFUL! I was amazed how modern, bright, airy and just so peaceful with lots of seats as well as plenty of people doing work/reading. Definitely will be back.

Very nice staff, they were very helpful helping me find a book, and gave me the titles of other…read morebooks by that author. It also a very beautiful faiand facility.

I love libraries! They have many different events for the community and have been to a few in…read morepast. They are so advanced now with drop offs in the bins. There's also a restroom in case since bathrooms in NYC are premium.

The library is very small but has enough to entertain kids. The second floor is the kids section…read morewhich has a room in the back for them to do activities. There are only four tables in which one can sit to read on this floor but there are other things such as puzzles for the little ones to keep busy. There is street parking available but limited, similar anywhere near the area.

Great branch, awesome staff. Everyone who works here is…read moreextremely polite and very helpful. The NYC library App is very good and easy to order/reserve books and DVDS. This branch makes it easy to find what you need. All the staff members go out of their way to be helpful and friendly.

This the noisiest library I've ever been to!! The librarians talk like they are in their living…read moreroom. The children are unruly, nobody ever asks them to be quiet. You come here for quiet and to concentrate. Impossible. Find a better place.

It's a public library…read more They have books, sheet music, cd's, DVD's, computers to access for an hour. You can request material for loan online and get notified when it's at the branch ready for pickup. They are open six days a week. I went on Sunday at about 1:00pm. The place was packed, like they were giving something away for free..... Oh wait................

I would like to see much more history in the collection. The old library had much more in European…read moreand American history. Otherwise, the Jewish collection is pretty good, though it could have more Jewish philosophy. The library seems to have a lot for children and teens which is good because they probably can't buy so much on kindle. Also, it helps kids on Shabbos and Yom Tov where they can't use their iPhones. Let's help our libraries. We can't go entirely electronic. Systems are apt to crash and become obsolete. Preserve the written word!

Most libraries in the Queens Public Library system are smaller neighborhood facilities to serve the…read morelocal community like this Fresh Meadows branch. They have their collections of books, magazines, DVDs, CDs and other media available for perusal and loan. There is even a large children's section that I used to bring my son to when he was younger, with lots of tables for reading and homework. The current pandemic lockdown has changed all that and all public spaces have had to adjust their practices accordingly. I am glad that Queens Library has made their collections available again via their website. You can search their vast catalog for any of their materials from any branch, put in a request and it will be delivered to your local branch for pick-up. When you arrive, make sure you're wearing your mask, check in with the security guard and you can then go to your designated cart to find your marked books or media. Checkout is a snap at the self-service desk by placing your library card on the scanner pad and then your materials. I really like the convenience of designated library parking spots out front. And when you are finished with your borrowed materials, the walk-up self-service automated return kiosk makes it even easier than picking them up. But if you really want to avoid human contact and stay buttoned up in your house, ebooks are also available through their website.

Love coming to this library as the staff are always super helpful especially in the kids section.read more

April 10, 2026: it has been years I visited this library. Today I went into library and the place…read morewas dirty , not quiet at all. Decided to go to the bathroom downstairs, men's bathroom was totally disgusting and it smelled. This place is going downhill. You have what appears like homeless individuals sitting on top of stairs. Place around outside library is dirty and disgusting. The building needs to be thoroughly redone and throughly cleaned. So sad for a beautiful building when it was built and upgraded.

Staff are so impolite! I wanted to borrow a book for my child, but they told me to leave the…read morelibrary because he was not with me. Really? I can't borrow a children's book at a library just because my child isn't there? Isn't borrowing books what libraries are for? The library was packed with hardly any seats and too loud, libraries should be quiet and have seats for reading.

I've been to libraries all over Manhattan and Queens and this is hands down the BEST library. Even…read moreif it's a little smaller, the book selection is insane, like I easily found plenty of books that are on my TBR list. I would go much more often if I lived closer!

Clean, friendly environment, good for adults and even more so for kids and families. Nice places,…read morefurniture including low chairs and tables where kids feel comfortable and can gather around or sit by themselves. Not just books but even toys to keep preschoolers happy. This is smaller than some other nearby libraries but had enough of a selection of children's books for our purpose. The now "standard" technology of NYC public libraries where checking out and returning books (five at a time) is a breeze. Very pleasant and helpful staff. Harry (I think that was his name) guided me through the process of becoming a member, getting a card, getting it on an App on my cellphone so I didn't need to carry it around, etc. Nice to see that personal attention in busy NYC, that too by city employees! Like in many NYC facilities parking is hard to find here (including metered paid) and there's no library parking.

Looks like it was recently renovated. Has very nice vibes for studying. The kids section on the top…read morefloor is beautiful. The only negative was that I was expecting a coffee machine in the cafe they have but no coffee or tea. There was only a vending machine for snacks. Tea/Coffee machine would definitely be a nice addition. But other than that it's a nice library with lots of room to spread out. Lots of private nooks to study or have group sessions. There's a huge conference room and a very nice game room, too!

What a beautiful library!…read more Great place to visit and do some work with really clean, peaceful and spacious library! Quick and free wifi! Don't need a library card to enter and sit inside!

The library is beautiful and majestic and I'm glad we visited during our trip. We didn't plan to…read morecome here but we were nearby at Bryant Park and decided to walk in. The library and exhibits are free to enter. For it being free I thought it would be way more crowded but it was manageable. It's really opulent inside and so beautiful, I loved watching all the wedding photoshoots going one. I bought recommend going to the top floor to see the mural on the ceiling. The best part was cooling down in the building LOL. Would def come back next time we're in New York.

I finally toured the NYPL Schwartzman Building last weekend after having it on my to do list for…read more... years? I'm so glad I finally made it! Also known as the Main Branch or just the New York Public Library, it's the flagship building for the library system. It was built after the New York Public Library was formed as a public-private partnership with two private libraries. The building opened to the public on May 23, 1911. The building was designed in the Beaux-Arts style, and it's gorgeous. The library offers docent-led building tours Monday through Saturday at 11am and 2pm. You book tickets online, and they release tickets every Sunday for the week ahead. You meet in the Visitor Center on the first floor for a one-hour tour. The tour was great. You learn about the history of the building and the library and then are taken by the docent to several beautiful areas of the library. The building is huge, and I really appreciated a guided tour which takes you to the highlights of the building. I'm not sure I would have found all the spaces on my own, and the architecture is worth it. They also have a permanent exhibit which highlights items from their research collections: "The Polonsky Exhibition of the New York Public Library's Treasures." Unfortunately, the exhibit was closed for a bit of time to change out some of the items on display (March 12-20, 2026) and that meant I couldn't visit the exhibit when I was there. They also have a gift shop. The docent who led my tour (Athena) was great, and I really enjoyed my tour of the library. I'll be back again for the Polonsky exhibit and a walk around on my own!

I stumbled into the Queens Borough Public Library because the post office near by was closed early…read more(shakes fist at USPS) And I have been on the hunt for a certain book that is no longer in print and I couldn't find online anywhere...so I figured I'd give it a shot. And even though this book was once banned in the United States, low and behold I found it here in Queens!