As a former librarian and lifelong library user, I LOVE libraries and try to seek them out when I travel. I had some time before I needed to be to the airport, so I visited the White Plains Public Library on Martine Ave. I found a metered street spot nearby. This library is pretty large with multiple floors and was well-lit and quiet when I visited on a Saturday morning. I loved the big new book section right at the front of the main level, especially the full shelf of new cookbooks (one of my favorite genres)! They had some other really great displays, including one celebrating Jane Austen's 250th birthday and some BookTok books. I saw a seed library, teen area, even an attached cafe. I'm really glad I got to visit this library! read more

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This is a great library and its beautiful too. It has a big selection of books, videos audio books etc I like that they offer a variety of community events fo adult and children's and if anything for that alone I definitely 100% would recommend. I mean i learned how to crotchet for free and they gave me my complimentary 1st needle and yarn. TheyAlso offer portable hotspots, and computers for use, as well as having private rooms if needed for studying etc..They are part of the Libby app and also have a wide selection of online reading materials for you to use. They also have a nice cafe if you want to grab a bite...I mean I did say at the begining that this library is great read more

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The staff is always very helpful to me. Whenever I ask for something, they go out of their way to assist.

I've been to almost all public libraries in Westchester and this is my least favorite one. First of all, tax payers pay for these public institutions and what audacity to charge for parking. Most of the public libraries have free parking but this is very bad for frequent library goers. I have placed a hold for a book that's only available in this library and after over three weeks the status was still pending. I checked it online and this book showed it was available before I head over. So I drove all the way to this library and only found out that this book was stolen. And the librarian didn't bother to update the status of my request, send me a notification on this book being unavailable, or update this book to unavailable. read more

Love it here! All the staff is nice and helpful. Love the fact that they added a little cafe to get food. Haven't tried it yet but will soon. Big shout out to the staff that works on the children's floor. They have an extreme amount of patience. They take the time to get to know all the children. Story-time is definitely a major part of a lot of the children's week. They look forward to the different themes and songs. Toy-time is also something great, they bring different toys that the children don't normally see. The music classes in the auditorium that they have monthly are also amazing! They always get the kids moving which is fun to see. This library is great for people of every age but if you are looking for a place to bring your child, grandchild, children you nanny, this is definitely the place to go. read more

A large library which is great. Staff however are rude and unhelpful. Childrens librarians are better. The folks on the first floor are horrible and really rude. Especially those at the desk when you first walk in on the left. Cafe is nice although lacking in food options. They need more than one high chair. read more

There should be more comments about the homeless people at this library. There was a woman going through withdrawals (scratching herself with her head down) the entire visit. Security guard did nothing about this. Homeless people were trying to enter through the back door. Library should be a safe place and this library is not it. Do yourself a favor and drive the extra 10 minutes to Scarsdale or Greenburgh, this place is a dump. read more

Honestly I just wish the staff were more aware of who they were letting in. Ive seen some strange things occur here. The only thing left for me is the study rooms were I don't feel like someone is staring at me from across the room. Ive been here my whole life. Things have changed. The Edge and Trove are well taken care of but it's not the ideal place to work. Lots of homeless people or druggies. That's all. Can't blame them. It's only the place they can get access to free wifi. They live around the library it doesn't feel as safe but what can you do? read more

I love this place - it's always quiet and this library is extremely large. There's artwork everywhere which is exciting. They also have a plethora of books! I'll definitely be back! read more

White Plains Public Library - Libraries Near Me - White Plains, New York

Besides the fact that you have to pay for parking, I never find the books I specifically go there to get. The librarians obviously don't manage their holdings well - either books are being misplaced, lost or stolen. The staff also don't care when people are talking on their phones inside. On occasion there also seem to be homeless smelling people hanging out on the main floor. The major positive is their children's section upstairs is nicely taken care of. They have a cute bag of surprise books you can buy for as little as $1. I've also found some good books at their book sale/cafe. read more

Library is great. However---------Not all librarians here are helpful actually some really pushy and rude in the children's section. Recommend to Management to assess what a children's library wants to be for the community and for the children that love to visit the library. read more

Love the changes that this library has done in a couple of months. I've only been there twice and they changed their floor plan around. It's more roomier then before. They took out the security system for books but i guess they implemented something else in its place. I always go to the left when i should be going to the right. Parking could be a hassle because they share a garage with the county court house. But you can always park in the galleria mall across the street. Unfortunately they have this little room that they sell books and i have to admit i'm a book junkie, i always walk away with a couple of books to read at a later time. read more

This library is nice. Lots of books, and DVD's to choose from. The cafe/ deli area is a nice addition as well. One less star because I wish that parking is free. read more

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In general I'm a huge fan of the Westchester library system. It is a tremendous resource and I have frequented several locations. The White Plains library is large and has undergone some remodeling changes recently. One of my favorite features of this library was the convenient drive up book drop located right on Martine Ave. It was very easy to return books without having to park and run in. However, recently it has been removed. I'm not sure of the reason but I really hope they bring the book drop back!! read more

I am at a loss to figure out how this library could get negative reviews, especially citing rudeness of the staff. I have been going there for 35 years and have never, NEVER encountered any rudeness. Librarians are civilized, helpful and kind. PERIOD. read more

Worse library I have ever been in my life. Staff is unhelpful and the people that visit go to play games, talk to each other like they are on a park, quiet rooms are used by attorneys to interview pissed off clients shouting their cases and everyones knows whats going on. This library is a circus. Not quiet and peaceful to read or study read more

Don't get me wrong, this library isn't all bad. The kids area upstairs is large, filled with plenty of books and DVDs in English and Spanish and it offers a nice selection of family activities. I haven't attended the story hour yet and I'm not sure that it will be possible quite frankly: Mother Goose and the story time for 2 and 3yr olds are at a very inconvenient time (11am and 1pm, just when the little ones are cranky and ready for naps!). Why not have story time at 9:30am? Another annoying aspect: paid parking! And while someone mentioned the parking across the street, that parking lot is paid as well and walking with children across a busy intersection isn't fun at all. Finally: the puzzles and toys are pretty grimy! Someone needs to update the puzzles, which look like a few too many little ones have chewed on them. Gross. :-( read more

My friend and I were interested in starting a book club at the White Plains library. We had been in contact with Kathy Degyansky, the assistant library director, and Brian Kenney, the Director. We complied with every request; what we wanted to do-type of books, our background info, employment, etc. All seemed well; Kathy told us we needed 3 titles for the first meeting asap so she could put it in the newsletter that was going out in 2 days, which we gave her. She and Brian then asked for a meeting. Because of Brian's inflexible schedule and the fact that Melanie and I work full time in 2 different cities, I decided to meet him during my lunch hour since I work closer and we were excited to get this going. At the meeting, Brian seemed very interested in what we had in mind. I had mentioned to him, which Kathy knew, that we had never done this before and would welcome some guidance. We waited a few days and then contacted Kathy since we never heard back. We were shocked when she told us that they suddenly didn't have room. When we probed a little deeper, Kathy finally admitted that Brian said "the meeting didn't go well"! AND...."we didn't even have library cards"! The meeting, I thought, was a very pleasant 20 minute question and answer period and....we have both have had active library cards our whole lives-Kathy was looking up the wrong last names! But there was no going back, they were not allowing our book club to take place. I'd like to remind Mr. Kenney and Ms.Degyansky that my friend and I are both life long Westchester residents and are pillars of the community; having volunteered and donated to several local charities. It is disturbing that the library, a public service organization, would be deceptive and so judgmental-we're not even sure where we went wrong with this. They didnt have the decency to tell us the truth up front until final Ms. Degyansky was put on the spot and told us there ridiculous reason. When we then approached Brian, he claimed Kathy initiated this without knowing about the upcoming construction. However, Brian never mentioned this at the meeting. None of these excuses made any sense. We are still unclear as to what happened. We are both life long good citizens that wanted to volunteer our time creating a book club for the enrichment of the community and this is how we were treated. I welcome anyone in charge, who has any further questions to contact me, with the exception of Kenney and Degyansky. Note to both: Please dont waste people's time, my friend and I both have full-time jobs and depend on our salaries to pay our bills. read more

i dont understand some of the bad reviews and calling the staff rude, it's a library and it's a common policy to keep it down vocally .this library on martine ave across the galleria mall and connected to the courthouse has a spacious two level interior with the kids section upstairs and main level with the basic setup . parking is shared with the court house so i prefer street meter or across the plentiful galleria lot. i must admit i am only here cause my sister's kids were dumped on me on a friday morning and what's better then the library when it's too early for a movie. while the kiddies are upstairs listening to hobbit and fairy stories i am roaming around the main level going shelve to shelve aisle to aisle looking and browsing at the variety of books .nice abstract art all over the walls with a dvd and computer section to waste more time . the quiet room section is good if you need some quiet while doing some paper work as i notice a lawyer filling out forms and a college student studying intensely .the library system has really changed since my last visit which was many years ago in the bronx allerton branch and if i do recall jimmy carter or ronald reagan was the president at the time . folks go get your library card , get off the internet for a minute and go back to old school before our public library goes the way of the dinosaur , disco music , vcr, etc. i enjoyed my visit and so did my nieces . p.s. good place to go to when cutting class. (only kidding ). read more