On a bit of a roadtrip down the Connecticut coast, we arrived in New Haven a little after 3pm, and…read moreI knew I had only had a little time before things/attractions closed at 5pm. So after hitting the Yale Center for British Art, we speed walked (sped walked?) over to the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Why? Google it and you'll understand when you see the pictures. Beinicke is Yale's rare book and manuscript library - not their main university library or their law library. The reading room is open to registered researchers only, but the public are welcome to visit the library's exhibition hall. And everyone visiting New Haven should! The library was built in 1963, and the the architecture is incredible. The building is a granite veneer shell, fastened to a structural steel frame. Inside that structure is a glass-enclosed tower of book cases. The granite was milled to 1.25 inches thick to allow filtered daylight in - in the afternoon/early evening, the marble turned an amber color. We walked back past it at night for a different view of the building. It is really incredible architecture, and the library hosts exhibits you can see in the exhibition hall when you visit to enjoy the building (when we visited, the exhibit was "Taught By the Pen: The World of Islamic Manuscripts"). The building is incredible and definitely worth a visit if you're exploring the Yale campus!

One of the largest collections of rare books and manuscripts. Rotating exhibits for the general…read morepublic. During my visit, it was testimonies from Holocaust survivors. The general public has limited access, and this will be a short stop for most people, depending upon the exhibit. Let's be honest--most people stop by for a photo op, for the architecture and the huge column of books. I got a few great photos, got to say I've seen it, and it's cool. Worthwhile. If you're in the area.

I've been here a couple of times now and I'm completely obsessed. I love the music records area and…read moreI can camp out here for hours. It's almost dead silent and it feels like one ought to do important work ... in such an important-feeling space (which is a wonderful motivator). Wish that more of the library was open to the public but I understand that in the New Haven area and with as many visitors as Yale probably gets, that's simply not possible. Note: This library is also open until 10pm on some days! Thank you!

The Sterling Memorial Library is the most beautiful library I've ever entered! The Gothic arches,…read moreceiling vaults, and details embedded in every nook and cranny blew my mind. I felt like I was walking the halls of Hogwarts and didn't want to leave. If you love architecture, I highly recommend checking out this library.

Libraries don't have foyers like this which is why you need to see it. It looks like a gothic…read morechurch minus the religious accouterments. It was built around the 1930's but it could pass for a lot older. When you finally get to the part where students actually read and study, there are 2 areas. One is open with high ceilings the other enclosed. It looks like out of Hollywood casting what an Ivy League library would look like. See pics

The prettiest library I've been too. I dear say it's prettier than the Bryant Park library in NYC…read more The guard at the door was friendly. The bathrooms were clean. The courtyard was opened on a beautiful fall day.

Miss kathy, the children's librian is amazing!!!! She runs multiple (free) programs for kids birth…read more- high school age. My daughter has been attending since three 1/2 months old and LOVES it!!! The children's library area is great as well. Besides being well stocked with books, has plenty of toys, train table, puzzles, computers, kitchen, tool bench, etc...to keep little ones busy.

For a relatively small town, this modern library is impressive. There is a solid selection of…read morebooks, magazines, CDs, DVDs, and especially spectacular travel guides. The children's section upstairs is always full of phenomenal books that children are eager to read. The adult section is well organized, quiet, clean, and relaxing. The staff is friendly, and very helpful. There is plenty of parking and the hours it is open and makes it a convenient place to find the newest books.

This is a beautiful library - it's in a quiet downtown, lots of onsight parking, and on hot days a…read morefew trees to quietly park under. Inside there is a jaw-dropping domed center allowing views to the second floor. The librarians are very nice and friendly, and very quiet inside for reading and studying.

All the staff are so friendly, courteous, professional, and patient at this library.The folks at…read morethe reference desk in the computer room always cheerfully make copies of what I need to be copied and they're knowledgeable about iOS and PC software. They give instruction, providing the email address of the library so I can send what I need to be copied from my phone to the library email. It's very convenient and economical too. I don't like the cost of ink in the store nor the mess so I don't have to deal with any of that unpleasantness. I just visit my friendly library folk, pay 20 cents per copy, et voila, call it done. It's an absolute pleasure coming here because the folks that work here seem interested and genuinely want to help and are exemplary in customer service. If all staff at other businesses could conduct themselves in this manner, the world would be a more productive place. I highly recommend this library because of the warmth and competence of all staff members and I'm grateful to all the good folks at the West Haven Library. Happy library patron, Rick Dumas

West Haven public library is amazing. The people are really nice and very helpful. The main library…read moreis beautiful and has great hours.

This cute library is tucked away from the hustle of Seymour; their neighbor across the street is a…read moregraveyard so it's a quiet area. The parking lot is a fair size, and there was plenty of parking within walking distance of the entrance. It was open and bright, with places to sit from traditional study carols to bay window seats to read by natural light. The librarians were very friendly and had an interest in their patrons. The displays had history of Seymour, and seasonal displays mostly geared towards children.

I've been going to this library for about 6 years now and I have no major complaints…read more The staff is friendly enough and very knowledgable. The library is good about keeping up with new books & dvds on a pretty regular basis, which is always appreciated.

This is absolutely one of the most gorgeous libraries I've ever stepped foot in. It doesn't have…read moremuch other than street parking, but the building is amazing. It's about 100 years old and built to be a library, it's not formerly something else. There are mosaics on the wall, gorgeous old fireplaces, a microfilm machine in front of a display of stained glass, and a book room out of a movie. The librarians are also very kind, able and eager to answer questions, and obviously proud to be custodians of such a beautiful building.

I took my son to the children's room and it was so cute the two woman that were there were friendly…read moreeven though they spoke after a few minutes of us walking in, however a high school girl that was tall with short hair came in to work and she never even spoke to us. It was awkward and weird that I had to leave because it was only us in the room. As I was leaving a father and his daughter came in and she didnt speak to them either. It is disgusting behavior, you work at a public library you should be friendly at least fake it. The front desk woman was very nice though. I feel so uncomfortable I dont think I will go back it was just weird.

The New Haven Free Public Library is a very cool building designed by Cass Gilbert of New York and…read morebuilt between 1908 and 1911. The colonial revival structure is set back from the street and blends in with the 19th century architecture, including that of the church on the green. As an adult, it brings back childhood memories of my fascination with the variety of the layout of the various rooms. Many things have been modernized, but just walking in and looking around at the magnitude of shelves and shelves of books still brings joy to my quest for learning something new every day.

I am old fashioned in the sense that I still would rather walk into a public library and check out…read morebooks, instead of downloading them on a device or buying them. NHPL is a large library located downtown on the green, but somewhat outdated in the decor. A librarian there once told me that they have a huge number of "lost" books that people never return and never pay the fees for...guess it is difficult to chase down these missing books after a while. Late fees are reasonable too...20 cents per day, per book. Parking can be a pain (got a ticket once when I went in for 5 minutes to grab a book). Luckily, Yale lot 51 is right next door and offers free evening and weekend parking. They have a lot of free programs/speakers for adults and children. They also have many computers for use with your library card number as a log-in. You can use the internet, do some research and look up specific books that are available at any of the branches. They also have free museum and theater passes that can be checked out for discounts and free admission.

The Mitchell Branch library offers fabulous events, particularly their Tuesday story time, led by…read moreMiss Sarah, a fabulous, dynamic host. She stages her introduction, welcoming song (in which every child is greeted by name! Her memory alone is daunting.), and chosen stories with care and a contagious enthusiasm. Wonderful to see such a delightful, committed turnout for the experience which ends with bubble and play time!

I love this local library I go here almost every Saturday to get my weeks worth of movies. Since I…read morehave been going I think they have stepped up their collection and are getting newer movies all the time. The people here are very friendly and I enjoy going this week I actually got a book to read !!