Plainville Public Library came into fruition in 1894. The building it's currently housed in opened…read morein 1931; after many renovations, it has expanded to fit more books for the growing population. There are meeting rooms, children's room, fireplaces, and many seating areas. There were plenty of parking in the large parking lot; there were two electric vehicle charging spots as well. The building was large and inside was spacious. It's a very nice library but I noticed the hours are more limited compared to other libraries I've been to. I went on Friday at 3:45 and they were closing at 4. I went downstairs to the children's room. There were many books, computers, and toys. The area was spacious and a great spot for the kids. There was a train table, play kitchen, and coloring table. The librarian downstairs was friendly and I checked out a few books. I was able to drop off a few books upstairs the front desk. Overall, it's a nice library!

I'm always jealous of places where people get out of their house so much, there's a significant…read moreamount of people even at the library. The parking lot is a good size to accommodate this crowd - the children's library is downstairs and the adult on the ground floor. It's huge and open, although with a substantial amount of books on the shelves (enough to where they have two small shopping carts available for patron use). There is a puzzle lending section, and for the month of February they have displayed a "blind date" book table where all you know is the genre of a mystery book to try. They also have display cases spread throughout the library with birds eggs that (if I'm reading their display cards correctly) are over 100 years old, and a copy of the Gutenberg bible. It's looks to be a great asset to the town!

The Cheshire library has an area where they sell books, DVD's CD's, and audio books. On the main…read morefloor there is a very large children's room section with many programs and events. The lower level has an ample amount of public computers, quiet room,study rooms,newspapers, and magazines.There is also a, fax, scanner, and copy area available at very reasonable fees. The staff are friendly and extremely helpful. Parking is in the rare building.

Lots of interesting book displays and a decent selection of board games plus an ongoing book sale.read more

This library is always doing fun things! So many kids ideas from Lego club to sticker printing to…read moreyouth vendor shows! They have lots to choose from, movies and categories of books. They have a computer area, and even a library pet bearded dragon! Adorable. The staff were helpful and nice.

I love this library because of architectural standards plus it has a massive collection of novels…read moreand movies for everyone. It also features the local history reference room. There are lots of interesting book displays all over the place. There's even an ongoing book sale too. Check out a wall of characters from popular children's books in the Children's room. It is very beautiful plus the mural next to the entry of its room as well. The staff are courteous and very nice people in charge of this library. Outside library premises, it also features the Little Free Library. The exterior building is spectacularly awesome. It's worth stopping by if you're in the area and love reading books.

Wonderful Library! The collaboratory is one of a kind. The staff is friendly and helpful. I'm so…read moreglad we found this Library and it certainly is well worth the drive from Northford!!

As a self proclaimed library connoisseur, this is definitely on my top 3 libraries I've been to…read more The place was huge, like a campus. I've only explored the children's section which is where I spend most of my time because of my toddler. They had clean family bathrooms. There was a book case shaped like a train and a little play train station. There was a baby section for them to crawl in; toys, play kitchen, and train table. I loved that there were little reading nooks built into the walls. In front of the librarian desk, there's a huge play tree where kids can go in it. On the side, a big craft room with blocks and magnetic tiles. They had a fish tank, a tank with worms/isopods, computers, and so much stimulation for the little ones. I'm sure they have great activities, events, and resources as with other libraries. The librarians were friendly; it was a busy Saturday afternoon because it was kind of rainy out. The little kids were being rowdy at one point and the librarian shushed them in a stern but friendly way. All of us parents were trying our best, but things got out of hand when you mix a bunch of little kids together lol. Overall, I wish this library was closer to me, I would be there often!

Bristol library first opened in 1892; it moved to another location in 1896. Then, in 1907, a…read morecolonial revival style building was built for the growing library. Renovations were done throughout the years and even an addition in 2006. The library is architecturally beautiful. There were plenty of parking. It was large, organized, and quiet. We went to the children's section and it was massive. There was a class going on for the kids. I noticed it's more catered to elementary/middle school kids. There was a small preschool section, but there was only a play kitchen with no accessories for it; toy pots and pans, toy food etc. They had a sensory board wall and some play costumes. They had a fish tank and so many fun decorations. The library is a great resource; they offer free and discounted museum passes and more. This is a great asset to Bristol for sure, but wish there were more entertainment for kids 4 and under.

Some of the front end staff are just smugly alienating. Others lurk, ogle, and creep around…read moreintensly scutinizing patrons. Nice library but come on, I don't need to be treated like a circus sideshow by someone with a bad purple-hair dyed job and guy who glares at you like you stole land from his ancestors.

Very friendly librarians and clearly run by people with a love of books. They even have books on…read moretheir sign outside. The children's section is on the lower level by the entrance, and the adult section is upstairs. My only qualm is the parking lot off Terryville Avenue is very narrow and hard to turn around in. It can also be difficult to turn left with the significant flow of traffic.

Great small town Library our kids grew up in this town the schools are also good they are a small…read moretown working class people who try and do there best to make do with what little they have. This Library is small but very safe, quiet and historical you could literally drop your kids off comeback 3 hours later and it's that safe although I don't recommend anyone to do that. The staff are all locals who went to school here grew up here and live here what more American could you get. This town is very humble and extremely Patriotic the Parade every year is absolutely beautiful the most tight knit community great place to raise your children please do not listen to folklore because we lived and raised all our kids here and wouldn't change it for an tinsel town hobnob stuck up snot nosed town. The elders in this community genuinely care for the wellbeing of its citizens and to me that's worth its weight in gold. Now back to the Library in my opinion it's the best kept secret in Litchfield County and most drive by it without realizing this, the Mayor of town has done the most for it and the Police Chief has made some great improvements to the force all in all this town has lots of veterans who grew up and live here for that we are thankful.

It's a free-for-all institution for the whole entire community of Newington…read more They have a lot of non fiction volumes plus they have a beautiful Children's room. They also have an ongoing book sale. The Library hosts a book sale twice a year at the Senior Center P S. They changed the address from Cedar St. to Garfield St. in 2020 several years after the Cedar Street driveway was blocked by concrete.

Love this library! Plenty of parking. Great selection of books. The staff is so nice and…read morepersonable! I also love the online system- for hold requests and renewals especially. It is so easy to request books and you get a week to pick it up. I love the rapid read section as well if I really don't want to wait for a high demand book. The only thing I would suggest is to modernize this library as it definitely is in need of a sprucing up to make it more inviting- kind of hard though with all the renovations going on at the town hall next to it (construction city). All in all it's a great perk of this town. Very happy to have this library close by.

What a beautiful Greek revival style building! It was built in 1917 and was the main library in…read moreFarmington until 1983. There is a playground and ample parking. Like other libraries, this place is a great resource for the community. The children's area was nice. There were plenty of books and some computers for them to use. There was a separate room with toys, magnetic tiles, dollhouse, and more. Overall, a beautiful library and the kids and I enjoyed our time there.

A lot more than…read more just books There are lots of libraries in the state of Connecticut. Huge efficient ones, small quaint ones and cool historical ones. But there are few libraries anywhere than can match the resplendence, elegance and comfort of the Barney Library. Built back in 1919 and called the Village Library until 1999, the Barney Library was the main library in the town of Farmington until 1983 when a much more modern and larger library was completed. Fortunately the Barney Library was kept open and given three million dollars in renovations. Walking into this library is an experience. You immediately notice such niceties like fireplaces, wooden floors, antiques, spiral staircases and artwork. One of the cool librarians that works here told me that many people ask if the building was once someones private mansion or residence but no, it was built as a library from the very start. Of course the Barney Library has books, computers, and all the other mundane things found in typical libraries. It also has plenty of programs for kids and various lectures and demonstrations. However if you go up the grand spiral staircase you will find something not so typical. Several beautiful rooms that hold art sales and concerts, complete with a kitchen and stunning antiques. The Barney Library is a very special place. Perhaps not the most efficient library around because of all the open spaces and gorgeous paintings and antiques that prevent certain areas from being packed with books. That doesn't matter, it is a library that takes you back in time, when libraries were much more than just a place to find a book.

I did not expect to find the Farmington library as part of a larger town government complex. If I…read morewere a betting person, I'd blame the seventies. The outside of the building is very austere and gray. There is a fair amount of parking available, so watch out for pedestrians. The building itself is huge; there is a map in the lobby and it is helpful. The lobby has so much on its own - a used book sales area, movies, space to sit.... There used to be (if memory serves over several years) a coffee station but now holds maps for planning information. There is, off the lobby, also a whimsical duck statue. The Friends of the library do a book sale once a year. On the last day, it starts as a normal sale, and in the afternoon goes to $10 per bag you fill with books. There is a gap between those two sales, and a place to queue until the bag sale opens. You're not going to pull one over on the Friends and sneak in as the first part of the sale ends. You'll be asked to wait outside.

Definitely one of the nicer libraries I've been to. This was located near the Farmington high…read moreschool and town hall. This review is mainly for the children's section. The area was large and it's on the left side when you enter from the main entrance. There were two Librarian who were friendly. My toddler wanted to play with the trains set but you have to get the trains from them. After you're done, just return them to the librarians. They are also participating in the 1000 books before Kindergarten program like Simsbury library is doing. You read to your child and each milestone (ie. 100 books read), you get a free book. I think it's neat that they let you borrow bags of toys. There are computers with educational games for the kids. There is a storytime area that has a painting of a large dragon and puppets to play with. A play kitchen is also available to play with. Overall, a great spot to bring your toddlers and older kids, because there's a tween area too.