When a town doesn't have much in it, smaller things make a bigger difference. Norfolk is really in…read morethe middle of nowhere, and doesn't have much in it. The center is based on a gas station, Dunkin Donuts, Walgreens, a few other small shops, and this library. Now, I was looking forward to a great experience at the Norfolk Public Library. I needed to print a few things out, and thought I'd stop by before going to the amazing book sale this library has annually, as I go to it every year, and it is always amazing. I may a day of going to this sale, as the book sale this library puts on every year is always amazing. Speaking of the book sale, I would rate that at 5 stars. It is, in my opinion, triple-tied with Natick & Auburndale as the best book sale in Massachusetts. It occurs at the DPW Garage on Medway Branch Road, in April every year, presented by the Friends of this Library. Anyway, upon entering the library, it was actually quite nice. It seemed somewhat new, super clean, and a large variety of books, DVD's, and a huge children's section for such a small town. As I said before, I stopped at the library to print some things out (as I don't have (but should) a printer at home anymore), and was greeted by John at the reference desk. John was friendly and kind, but simply, disappeared right as I got to one of the computers. Since I don't live in Norfolk, and patronize one of my favorite libraries in Dedham, I have a MLN library card, not in the Norfolk network. I tried to find John, and then just went to the front desk. It was crowded, with one woman working and about 3 people in line waiting to check out books and some DVD's. Long story short (well, it might be too late for that, but whatever), it took me about 10 minutes to tell her I needed a guest pass, and then after waiting an additional 10 minutes for her to come over to the reference area, I just left. I have NEVER been treated so poorly at a public library. Normally, I have only good experiences at libraries (except for the Westwood Public Library, and now here), but this left me disgusted with the staff at the Norfolk Public Library. If you need a library in the Norfolk area, go to either the Walpole Public Library, or the Franklin Public Library, dependent upon which side of town you are on. This is NOT what a library should be like. 2 stars.

Friendly staff and great selection! I take my nanny kid here for baby time once a week and he…read morereally loves it. I've picked up a book here and there and I can always find something that sparks my interest. All the staff are very helpful and informative!

One of the best libraries in the state! Clean. Well stocked. Well run. People there are helpful…read more Not everybody knows how to use an index box or whatever they call it to look up a book. Not everyone knows how to use a computer. Even in this day and age that's right. Place is great. It's great to spend a rainy afternoon and reading any kind of book you want. Books for sale. Different events. Just a beautiful library!

There are so many free activities to be found at this wonderful library. It is a very inviting…read moreplace with friendly staff. There is a large children's area full of books and toys. There is a teen area with seating and tables for studying. There are so many activities to be found here! Story times, books clubs, art history presentations, homeschool STEAM classes, movie matinees, board game groups, science shows, musicians, the list goes on. You can get free local museum passes, participate in the summer reading program, or just stop in the shop their bookstore. I am very impressed by this library!

While in Pawtucket, recently, I stopped by the Pawtucket Public Library to check it out. I had…read morenever been inside before, just driven past it many times. The library is a complex of two historical buildings, the Deborah Cook Sayles Public Library and the Gerald S. Burns Building. Both buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 1898, Pawtucket's first Mayor, Frederic Clark Sayles offered to give a plot of land on Summer Street for the construction of a free public library. He traveled to Europe, looking for architectural inspiration from Europe's most majestic libraries. The Library is not only distinctive in its architecture, but also in its service. It was one of the first libraries in the country to allow users open access to the library book stacks and one of the first to be open on Sundays, accommodating the many Pawtucket mill workers who worked six days a week. The Sayles Building is an impressive example of Greek revival architecture. Four massive Ionic columns form a portico at the former entrance. The front doorway of this building is an exact replica of the Erechtheion, a Greek temple on the Acropolis at Athens. The panels show a comprehensive view of the world's civilizations. The panels depict scenes from Roman, Grecian, Egyptian, Latin, Anglo-Saxon, and Teutonic civilizations. The Library is known for its decorative ceilings, soaring pillars, and glass-floored North balcony. The Gerald S. Burns Building served as the Pawtucket Post Office from 1896 to the 1940's. A dome tops its round entrance, which is located at the intersection of the streets. In 1982, the renovations of the original United States Post Office building were completed and the Deborah Cook Sayles Public Library was joined with the newly dedicated Gerald S. Burns building to become what is known today as the Pawtucket Public Library. There were lots of people inside using the library and it was very refreshing to see their love of books and learning. A beautiful building for an up-and-coming city in Rhode Island.

I was heading home from work and I needed to print something for a family member in the area so I…read morestopped into this library, not knowing what I was getting into. Anyways they do have a little parking lot area, and then you walk down a little walkway and into the building, it is huge and absolutely beautiful on the outside I had no idea this was a LIBRARY! As soon as I walked in I was greeted and the young lady navigated me to where the computer area was so I could print. I found it easily with her help, because I could've got lost this place is huge and every book lovers dream (me). There was a lady at the computer area and she was very sweet she showed me how to print because every library is different. I noticed all ages, races and religions were in this library quietly and getting things done. I love that. I printed what I needed too very easily with no conflict, I was in and out within 10 minutes I liked that. But this place is dreamy, such a huge selection of books and you can easily get lost in here it's so huge. Very clean and neat, they didn't have carts with books that block isles as I have seen in so many other libraries. Loved it here. I will be coming back to just do some self care, the aura and vibes I felt here were great. It's surprisingly quiet even though it was jam packed with people.

A library made of…read morestone Dighton Public Library is a rather small place but with a very cool exterior made of field stones. I tried to find out exactly where the stones came from but nobody know. I suspect they are local, possible taken from the river in the back. This library was built in 1910 and like a bezillion other libraries was a generous gift from the well known philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. It shows signs of it's age and could use a bit of TLC, but is still an impressive little building. The main floor is rather crowded with all the usual library stuff and the downstairs is the children's room. When I was there they were preparing for a Halloween party and expected lots of the local kids to attend. Like many small town libraries it serves a place where people in the community can get together, socialize and learn. Both of the librarians I met were exceptionally friendly and pleasant, taking the time to give me all the information I wanted and showing me around. I also met several local people in the library that seemed happy to tell me about the history of the town and area. This is a small but very gregarious, homey and neighborly place to spend some time. It's definitely the type of library where everyone talks and nobody is going to hush you for making too much noise. A place to learn things that aren't in the books.

Our family LOVES the Dighton Public Library. Although small its heart is as big and as good as it…read moregets. You can truly get any book you desire by simply placing it on hold from another library and getting it sent quickly and efficiently to Dighton Public Library. The staff is very welcoming and loves to see us come in and we feel so welcomed. My children (ages 9, 7 and 6) have also become much better readers because of the Children's Librarian there. She has shown them titles that they'd never seen before and made them new and different and FUN to try to read. Some were a hit, some were not but she provided the kids with options of topics they truly uniquely enjoyed. My history buff found a series he fell in love with and he reads every night because of it. My youngest is reading above his grade level as she found him some fantastic funny books and he adores them and my gregarious middle child- my daughter who lives and breathes art- has been shown some of the best books she's ever read. We do not live in Dighton. We actually come from a neighboring town with a much newer building and a much larger space BUT the staff is not welcoming and the children are better "seen and not heard" there. It no longer became fun to go to the library so we'd heard such wonderful things about the Dighton Public Library we thought we'd check it out and now its OUR library of choice. Thank you for making going to the library fun again. We get there once a week or more. Fun events for kids, great staff and best of all we feel welcome to learn, read and be ourselves. THANK YOU to the Dighton Public Library for renewing our trust in libraries again!

I often stop by this library after work on my way home, and every one is always so kind and…read morehelpful! Highly recommend this library.

Great library and the staff is so helpful. I am mobility impaired, so I call when returning an item…read moreand I park at the door. They run out and get the Chromebook or hotspot. My home town library (North Providence) is too busy and now under construction. So happy to have switched to East Smithfield library which usually has what I need.Denise M

Whales quilts and…read moreparks The very first idea for a library in Norton was in 1886 when a few book were dumped in the town hall. A few years later a "real" library and building were constructed and roughly 2,000 books were proudly stacked on the shelves. The served nicely for a while but the library's collection of books and more modern devices, unimagined when the library was constructed, started to appear. It became obvious a new and much larger library was needed. So in 1991 the brand new and much larger library was opened. It holds over 60,000 volumes as well as numerous works of art, displays and exhibits and a cool community room. It even has the traditional New England quilt that some new libraries have seemed to gotten away from, as well as a great display of a whale mom with her calf. Cool stuff. In 1999 the town decided to build a little park and patio on the grounds of the library. Not a place for serious hiking but a nice place to take a short stroll or find some shade and read a book. A very pleasant library and a great place to spend some time and if you're not careful, maybe even learn something.

Such a cute, comprehensive library in the heart of Norton. The facilities are clean and organized…read more There is a large workstation to bring your laptop or books for studying or work, and they have desktop computers as well. What struck me most is how friendly the staff is. They know most patrons by name and are always willing to help answer questions or find a solution. The WiFi is free but a bit unreliable. It would not let me log on to many major sites, but several minutes later after the staff reset the internet, it allowed those sites. Even before the reset, some sites worked (email, social media) but many others did not. Parking lot has ample space and there's even a few antiques decorating the library...it's like a tiny museum!

Very special…read morelibrarians The Norwood Library is kind of a squat, small and bricky looking building. Not unattractive but certainly not one of the more stunning New England libraries. It looks like a bunker or air raid shelter on the outside, something that would survive just about anything. We got there just as it was closing, in fact it was closed and the librarians were leaving for the day. Itty, bitty libraries like this aren't open very often and you have to get the hours right. In fact the hours often change and are very irregular and not necessarily logical. However the very kind librarians let us in even though it kept them from leaving and didn't hurry us one bit. They were very friendly and pleasant even though it was obvious that we were keeping them from going home. They both patiently answered our stupid questions and even turned on the lights on and let us go downstairs. This library was built back in 1907 and is pretty cool if you take the time to look carefully. It is a very stout and strong looking building tucked in a small space but it does have some cool windows and an impressive slate roof. Obviously not one of the more impressive and grandiose libraries in New England but still a pretty cool place. We didn't have a lot of time to poke around the library but it was well organized and had all the usually library stuff. The kids section downstairs was especially cool. Just a little library in a small part of town. Nothing specially except for the accommodating librarians that sacrificed their time so we could poke around There are plenty of books and plenty of places to keep books, but librarians like this are what makes certain libraries very special.

I Love and treasure my local libraries! Staff are very friendly and helpful!.. They will give you a…read moretour if you need to find your way around! Don't worry it is not that big! ;) I love the building from the XVII century...Make sure to checkout the marvelous horses at the top when you go in... And also the ceiling! :) HAPPY READING EVERYONE! :)

A book reading with music? I'm in. I found this library because they were hosting a Kristen Hersh…read morereading and performance in their basement, and I ended up being pleasantly surprised by the whole building. The Knight Memorial Library definitely stands out in the neighborhood for it's sheer size. It was designed by Edward Tilton - the same man who designed Ellis Island - and is composed of lots of marble and stone. It is definitely grand, especially for a neighborhood library. However, when you walk into the building it has a welcoming vibe. The library itself looks comfortable for people of all ages. It feels airy but also warm. I didn't get to check it out all that much that night, but I'm happy to have been introduced and I'm looking forward to coming back for other readings or just to check out a book. Go libraries!