Very nice small town library, friendly people dedicated to keeping the library alive. I can't…read moreimagine complaining about a local library since most towns don't even have one but I had to respond since the main review complains about being called too many times.

Comically inefficient. A person named Matthew, either a volunteer or employee, repeatedly calls…read moreand e-mails me about an issue that was resolved a month ago. Apparently Matthew listens to a month-old voicemail message day after day, and falsely believes it is a new voicemail message each day. He then responds to the "new" voicemail message by contacting me to tell me the same thing he's told me multiple times and that has been resolved. It's like a "Groundhog Day" time loop which would be comical if it wasn't a complete waste of time and money. Taxpayers pay for the library. I contacted the director, Sharon Sharry, who didn't address the issue but rather relied on Matthew's delusions in defending him and her inefficient library.

This is a stunning library. An $8 million dollar renovation was completed in 2020 when the old…read moreHadley Library (Goodwin Memorial Library) moved into this new building. There is ample space for books, games, computers, and a well-outfitted kids play area. There are large windows that let in a ton of natural light. The staff has always been very friendly. The only downside is that the hours are fairly limited so make sure it's open before you arrive. A neighborhood gem!!

Personal help finding things. Kind and experienced staff is super helpful. They reserved a book…read moreat another library and it was sent to Lilly library for me to check out. -For my book club. Computers available. Love the free Summer concerts just steps away on Thursdays.

From the owner: Lilly Library serves traditional and modern library user's needs. Come check out books, movies,…read moremusic, magazines & more. We also have ebooks and digital audiobooks available on our digital catalog. Find out about storytimes, book clubs for new readers, teens, and mystery lovers, as well as movie show times and other exciting programming on our website.

I have no idea if the library is open to the public, but it was certainly open for me. I was here…read morefor three hours this afternoon where I found a study carrel and was able to spread out two laptops and get some work done. This is definitely a "quiet" space. I got shushed once and had to move to another place for a Zoom meeting even though I was not loud at all. Okay, I get it. Street parking nearby is metered only unless you have a Smith College parking pass. [Review 18427 overall - 1145 in Massachusetts - 1949 of 2022.]

Having completed my Masters here at Smith College I spent the better part of my summers either…read morestudying here or napping...usually napping. This library is a great place to study and the overall atmosphere is great. The staff is extremely polite and helpful and the study areas are built for long haul sessions. Overall, I have spent a lot of time here as well as the UMASS library and I have to say that this one holds a special place in my heart.

The Forbes Library in Northampton, Massachusetts, was established through the will of Judge Charles…read moreEdward Forbes, who died in 1881. He left $220,000 to the city to create a public library that would be free and accessible to all residents. Construction began in 1893, and the library opened in 1894. The building was designed by architect William Brocklesby in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, using Longmeadow brownstone and fireproof steel framing. It remains one of the most architecturally distinctive civic buildings in western Massachusetts. Judge Forbes was not related to the Forbes family associated with Forbes magazine or the well-known Forbes millionaire rankings. His wealth came from investments in the New Haven and Northampton Canal and later in railroads. He lived modestly, never married, and rented rooms in town. His legacy was civic rather than commercial, focused on education and public access to knowledge. The library also houses the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Library and Museum, reflecting its deep ties to local and national history. So while the name might suggest a connection to publishing or wealth, the Forbes Library stands as a monument to quiet generosity and intellectual accessibility. Beyond the Calvin Coolidge Presidential Museum, the Forbes Library offered a warm, welcoming space filled with quiet nooks, curated art displays, and shelves that seemed to stretch endlessly with local history, fiction, and research materials. We explored the main reading room, where natural light poured through tall windows and the original woodwork lent a sense of timeless dignity. A rotating exhibit near the entrance showcased regional artists, while tucked-away corners revealed archival maps and Northampton memorabilia. The elevator made it easy to reach the upper floors, ensuring that the library's resources and charm were accessible to everyone, regardless of mobility. [Review 1135 of 2025 - 1276 in Massachusetts - 24688 overall]

You know me and Libraries; can't keep me out of them!! and this one I daresay is my favorite in the…read moreWestern Mass area. Ok, ok, it's not just because Paco the vegetarian Pirahna is here. The building itself is an architectural marvel. There's something about this beautiful building that's up on the hill, surrounded by large oaks. It's as if the leaves billowing in the wind beckon you to: "please come in." There's just something about where this building is situated that exudes peace and tranquility. You'll see that others feel the same in the reviews. If you follow Forbes on Instagram, you'll not only see that it's active with events, but a lot of them strive to help the community. They have an upcoming event where they'll have clothes, shoes and general business attire available for people who are looking to get a job. I can't think of any other library that does that. To further expand on that note; they lend out musical instruments. You read right; you can borrow musical instruments here. I'm not sure what details are involved but I personally found that to be incredible, and a show of the willingness to go the extra mile for the community. Yes, you do have to pay for parking here. I know that sounds off putting, but there is a sign on the property that says the proceeds help the library and their programs. Besides, I think a dime gives you 20 minutes time so it's extremely cheap. Keep up the good work Forbes! You definitely have admirers.

What a lovely library! It's in an old, but modernized building in the center of South Deerfield…read more They have a surprisingly good selection of new books, local history books, DVDs, and a shelf dedicated to various book club selections. The library has a great community feel. It makes me wish I lived in South Deerfield! There is also a children's library downstairs, which is just as big as the main section upstairs. The bathroom is also down there, so I was able to check it out. The children's librarian is super friendly, and the space is very cozy and welcoming.

Nice library in a historic building. Very helpful staff. May not be as modern as some of the…read morenew libraries in other towns. But, this is still a great library. Nice evening programs too.

Very nice and cozy library. good variety and beautiful architecture and historical building.read more

A modern library! It's located across from a sporting field (couldn't tell the sport but I could…read moreheard the cheers) and next to a school, the Stafford Library looks like a solid investment from the town. There is parking on either side of the building, and a drop off circle in front. There are some nice benches around the circle as well. There is a garden on the left (although not so much at the beginning of April). Inside there's a community area with books to purchase from the friends of the library, and books to check out. Many books. Books on both wings with checkout in the middle, and plastic shopping baskets are available for use. There is a genealogy research room, and lots of computers for the public. The atmosphere is quiet but not oppressive. The librarians were very friendly and kind.

Libraries are dying because of Amazon. Right?…read more Or are libraries dying because we have to resort to Amazon to make up for the shortcomings of the library? I'm a student, and I'm cheap. So I called my library looking for a $30 book that I didn't feel like buying. I was told that they didn't have it, but that they could order it for me from a nearby library and they would have it "by the end of the week". This was 10/23. The end of the week was 10/26, and no book came in. I received no phone call at any point. I called again on the 31st to make sure that they had in fact ordered the book (because the woman I spoke to the first time barely collected any information from me). I was told they had ordered the book, but that it didn't say it was shipped yet. I was told it usually takes two weeks to get a book. I called back today, 11/8, and the book is still not only NOT there, it still hasn't even been shipped. I'm on a fairly tight deadline, and I called EARLY to request the book. I told the woman I spoke with to cancel my order. I told her I was a student and on a deadline and had been waiting, and had been told I would have it sooner. She was not apologetic in the slightest. Nor did she even ask me if there was anything else she could help me with...she didn't even say goodbye or anything, she just hung up. (And don't get me wrong--I wasn't giving her an attitude or anything. Although I'm pissed off now, I was very personable on the phone.) I'm buying the book from Amazon, and guess what? It's going to be shipped to my door TOMORROW. THIS is why libraries are dying.

Today's "office" was the Brattleboro library. Easy, clean, comfortable…read more I found a nice spot on the upper floor where I was undisturbed for five hours of emails, quiet Zoom meetings and perhaps a few Yelp reviews got cranked out in between here and there. The library is quite modern on the inside despite being in an older and refined building. A large collection of books including the usual fiction, non-fiction, reference and periodicals. Friendly and helpful staff who helped me get settled. And a free wifi that worked very well. Street parking with meters and you're expected to find a different space after two hours. Okay, I did that. [Review 18442 overall - 42 in Vermont - 1964 of 2022.]

Thanks Jerry. My experience there was really unfortunate. I recieved a threatening notice that…read moreVermont law allowed for a fine of up to $400. for a book that was not returned. There was no further explanation offered, no further elaboration, or justification for that amount. That is the basis of my Yelp. The day I got the notice, I was, ironically, driving to Boston to return books to both the Boston Public Library, and a university library. When I returned to Brattleboro and saw the notice, I came in inquire about the threatening tone of the note. I was assured by reference librarian the that they only sent that after an initial notice had been ignored, and that fine amount was encoded in Vermont law. I had not recieved any prior notice and I asked if there was a record that the first notice was indeed sent to me. The reference librarian then took me back to the office behind the main desk. A woman there looked up my account and told both of us that there had, in fact, been no prior notice sent. There had indeed been an error. I love the charm of the library, but I woud not assume people are out to harm it or inflict financial strain on it. I am curious to know how anyone (particularly a legislator) thought $400 was a good idea, or why it would be used as an incentive to get a book back? That's where I think $25 would do the trick. It seems like overkill and unecessarily threatening.