I'll admit that I stopped by this library to use the rest room. However, I was intrigued by the design of the building. Since I had some time to kill, I decided to take a mini tour and grab a book or two. I have to admit that the inside of the library was not as big as I was expected. Or rather, I should say the selection of books was not a vast as I would have liked. However, I managed to find a couple of decent reads. I'll also say that the layout is a bit confusing, but it's nothing too outrageous. There is a parking garage across the street; however, you have to pay with the exception of Sundays. Call me old fashion, but I think a public library should have free parking for its patrons. But hey, I guess different rules apply when you are in a more urban environment. read more

It's stinks. The library is full of teens who talk and don't silence their phones. Then they have a ridiculous rule to close off a whole section for them at 3 until closing. Ridiculous. The library should be open to ALL in ALL areas and quiet. Plus it's dirty. read more

Love this library! It's bright, large and always tidy! There are multiple floors (elevators available) for reading, working, studying, and just vibing out :) Study rooms can be booked online for 2-hour intervals. When it's super busy, I just book on the children's floor. The chairs are mad small lol but if you need to study solo it's still a great option ;) I also love this library because it's both walkable and drivable - there's a nearby garage on Wayne Ave and steps away from &Pizza and Whole Foods. Staff is always friendly and noise has never been issue for me here, no matter what floor. Perfect place to work from home, work on your goals, and work on your summer reading list. read more

I am grateful for the opportunity to use this library during the pandemic. It's closed to the public, but the librarians are inside working feverishly to make our lives easier. I have reserved books, videos, and electronic materials for the last two months. They are working like a well oiled machine and they always answer the phone. I have heard that they are planning on opening up soon. This will a great place to get work done for a lot of people who have been working from home. read more

Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library - Libraries Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

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Great urban library for kids. Great book selection, helpful staff, spacious and open play, imaginative materials. read more

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I love this library and wish I lived closer to it! The architecture is beautiful and the interior has several floors all connected by elevators and a staircase in the rear. They have a very extensive collection of books, and even if they don't have what you need, interlibrary loan is easy and quick to do online. The hold books area is easy to find. The individual genres are also easy to locate. The kids section is quarantined thankfully to one floor. Because it's such a new, clean, and convenient library, on weekends unless you arrive when they open, there are no plates to sit and read. The staff and volunteers are friendly and helpful. I even saw a cop monitoring the premises, but not sure if this always the case. Checkout is a cinch, except once when a woman who had severe water damage to her books attempted to return them and not pay for the damages, causing delays. I've never had to wait too long to check out. There's one checkout line that splits off into several. Overall, five stars! read more

A Nerd Confessional: Okay...yeah I know....Not too many people get excited about Libraries...but "I DO!" LOL! I put them up there with the rest of them...my man cave....my love for sports cars, electronic toys, a charcoal grill, strip clubs (oops!...scratch that...wrong forum lol) and steak houses!! Ever since I was a kid, I have always enjoyed libraries. I would get lost in them for hours exploring the world.....marveling history, pictures and pointless facts! I still do as a matter of fact....get lost in libraries and bookstores reading/skimming stuff for hours! Eventhough everything is digital these days and at your disposal with a 'mindless swipe' of your smartphone or tablet, I still enjoy the actual tangible item itself--a physical book! With the advent of the Internet, the purpose of the library as your main knowledge base, book source and research space has certainly changed. This game changer has made libraries evolve from dusty, old looking book archives, paper card catalogs, dewey decimal systems and fuzzy newspaper/media pics on microfiche (telling my age).....to sexy community centers that house digital media, movie rentals, Wi-Fi wired lounges, computer labs with free desktop computer/Internet use, and even in-house coffee shops! This is definitely the case and all of the above with the new Silver Spring Library! It's huge and has one of the largest book and media collections in the DMV! There are books on any and everything imaginable...all for the taking. The digital media and DVD collection is impressive too. Small, black kiosk that resemble a Redbox are on the main floor that display their media catalog for easy checkout. So forget Netflix or Redbox movie rentals...and save some money monthly. This place has plenty of recent and old titles! In addition to the massive book collection, digital media, magazines and plentiful meeting-group work spaces in this place....the architecture rendering of the building itself is a sight to behold too. You won't feel like you walking into some stale concrete insane asylum or congressional session on Capitol Hill. Instead, it feels like you walking into a shopping mall or concert arena that caters to book lovers. Okay, enough said. You can probably tell by now I get a kick out these places! Libraries don't always get a good wrap, the "Cool" badge!....and is never-ever known for the "place to be"....BUT this one changes that perspective!! So get on on out and enjoy one of the best marvels since the beginning of time and take in a good book! Why not!?...it's good exercise for the brain and mental IQ because as they say... "The mind is a terrible thing to waste. And besides, its your tax dollars that's paying for them anyway....so you might as well not waste your money and enjoy the services offered! HONORABLE MENTION: Get a library card. As a member of this library, you get online access to additional digital services...like free college courses, language tutorials, eBooks, magazines online and videos...accessible via phone/tablet from anywhere. All for free!! read more

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I don't know where to begin with this review, because this library blew me away! The ribbon cutting ceremony was today and County Executive, Isiah Leggett gave a speech, Tom Hucker, District 5 County Councilman gave a speech, and way too many others gave long-winded speeches and thank yous. The natives were restless. After nearly 50 minutes and the three second ribbon cutting, locals were ushered in to what one speaker said is "the most beautiful library in the world!" It is beautiful, but I haven't been all over the world, and libraries aren't what I go to see. However, this new branch has all the bells and whistles. It's five stories tall with library space on the 3rd, 4th, and 5th floors. First and second floors will be used for art organizations, with a [very] small coffee bar/cafe run by the ladies from Kefa Cafe. The top floor is the children's book section, with a Pre-K interactive early literacy space. Pretty cool. I believe you can only check out books on the 3rd floor, and today the line for check-out was enormous. There are small and mid-sized conference rooms, a business center with fax, scanner, and copiers/printers, a computer lab, charging stations, DVD check-out machines, and probably way more techie stuff than I can recall. And yes, it is beautiful with the light that streams in from the glass windows. It is state of the art with a LEED Silver rating and [soon to be] "green" roof. Give the plants a month or two. Is it worth the $65+ million price tag? Yes, especially once the senior center portion is completed. Some feel the decision not to have parking on the premise prohibitive, but it is accessible by Metro and bus, and parking in the Wayne Ave Garage across the street is free on weekends and after 6pm on weekdays. read more

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I think it's kind of dangerous the way this place is set up. stairs and doors everywhere. confusing. the areas are not signed correctly. if there is some money on the MCLS maybe it could be use for a more uniform less dangerous layout. there is not parking for costumers. there is work to be done to enter the building. friendly staff. read more

Nice updated library . I like the inside and how it's decorated , the one thing I don't understand and wish they had was parking for guest , so guest that wanna use the library don't have to park in the garage and walk over , would be so much easier , but it's a like few steps if you find parking on the ground floor , but anyway nice library, if you need a nice place to study , relax , etc . This the place . read more

Just moved here from NYC. Haven't been inside of the library in a long time(lol) until I moved to Maryland. I've been to this library a few times now and I always have a great experience. They're very helpful. Down to the gentleman on the third floor helping you add funds to your library card all the way to the woman on the fourth floor answering all your questions and being polite. Thank you! read more

Children's floor is my only experience and boy-o boy this is not a library as much as it is a playground. Big wooden structures, toddler and kid computers, Lego's, and of course books galore. Clean facility, friendly staff, and a coffee shop downstairs. TIP : go through coffee shop on Fenton and go directly to 5th floor. read more

Thank you for being sane enough to drop the mask mandate. My family is so grateful for this place and for updated your policies based on science. read more

New building, same stuff. From the outside, the library looks humongous... But it's actually not. When you enter, the library is on floors 3, 4, and 5. There are only two elevators for the whole place and they're slow. The also have stairs and escalators for your use. The third floor is the main floor and has the circulation desks. The fifth (top) floor is the designated kids zone. They even have a glass room in the center for meeting activities- pretty cool! The building itself is state of the art. It has embraced technology and even has a designated room for some Mac computers. There are a lot more self checkout stations and tables with pop up outlets. There's also a DVD dispenser and station to check out the online book collection. Heads up: When using the DVD dispenser, there's one for titles for the first half of the alphabet, and another for the latter half - make sure you choose the right one or else the DVD won't come out! There's room for improvement in terms of layout. There isn't a lot of signage yet, so I spent a lot of time going up and down the stairs trying to find everything/the different sections. They have computers and catalog computers dispersed throughout. Apart from the third floor where the main desks are, it's hard to tell where the other librarian help desks are. From what I could tell, they have mini desks that they're stationed at. While book/media selection is essentially the same stuff that you would've found at the old location, this place is more spacious for reading/studying, and I could see myself coming here for just that. read more

It was a nice quiet environment. When you walk in the building ,the library occupies the third and fourth floors. Library card needed to use fourth floor computers. You must register to do so. Time limit is two hours. Third floor computers are fifteen minutes. The bathroom was clean for a public bathroom. The staff I engaged with were nice. Lastly, the security guard walked both floors of the library frequently. Oh ! Parking wasn't an issue for me as I didn't stay long. read more

Staff is completely passive. Young adults play loud music, talk/curse very loudly, and leave food waste everywhere. It's not really a library. read more

This is a nice modern library that is great for studying. There are study rooms that you can reserve up to 1 week in advance for up to 2 hours at a time (the earlier you can reserve, the better because they can fill up quick). I do wish there were more study spaces in general, but for the most part, there are enough. The areas have always been clean whenever I have gone here. The staff are friendly and helpful. During peak hours, such as after school or during finals season for college students, it can be difficult to find space to study. The tables and areas are usually full, but that is expected. Because of its location in Downtown Silver Spring, there are also many great places to eat and shop nearby. There is also a cafe on the lower floor of the library that is great to grab a quick cup of coffee. Overall, this is a great library and would recommend. read more

As others have said, the library starts on the 3rd floor, and goes up from there. There are elevators and escalators, but each floor isn't that big. I am visually impaired, and half the lights are burned out or flickering. This is unacceptable in a library. I told the staff and also sent them a written message. They need to stock up on fluorescents and spend a morning before it opens changing them. Some of the corners have no lights at all. Also not enough seating. As others have said there is no parking lot, but there are many garages in the area. The architecture is interesting. But function is more important than form. They didn't think about acoustics when they built this, or how hard it would be to change the lights. read more

WARNING: this place is always packed with people! This library is a pleasant walk from the metro and bus lines. Also right next to the mall area. This library is on the third floor and has three floors to it. The first floor has computer and the printer/ copier area. The second floor has a meeting room and is relatively more silent than the others. The third floor (which I stay clear of) is the kids area. There is a cute little coffee shop at the bottom where you can sit and read if you want. My favorite part is that I can hold books online, they email me when the books are read to be picked up and I just get to come in pick up the books and leave. It's easy and convenient. Also you can hold books to any Montgomery county library and get books from any other library. read more

For being the newest library in the county, it's really not that great. The building itself is very modern. Every time I have gone into this library, it is always noisy. They should make a spot where it's "silent study" like most libraries do, or at least libraries at schools. I get that it's a public library, but everyone expects to walk into a library and for it to be peaceful and silent. Not to hear personal conversations or children crying from the very first floor when you're on the fourth floor. There is also not that much seating. You have to look carefully to find somewhere to sit that way you don't miss a spot. There are rooms are are called study rooms but everyone in there can be heard from outside, would be great if that could be sound proofed. Also the last time that I visited (today, which is why I am writing this...) they were vacuuming. C'mon.. not only were they vacuuming but it was on and off on and off on and off. I had the most difficult time trying to enjoy my book. I had to end up checking out the book to take home. There were just much noise. I guess I'll keep coming to this library since I live down the street. But I sure do miss the old silver spring library, as small as it may have been, I knew that I could focus there and not as many went. This library is just too hyped up because of how new and modern it is. read more

Newer building in the all exciting DownTown Silver Spring MD. WiFi works well though the place is treated like a four story barn with masturbation the most asked to librarians as topic. read more

Brigadier General Charles E. McGee Library - Fourth floor - Libraries Near Me - Silver Spring, Maryland

Beautiful, recently built, and large library. A huge upgrade from the old location and fits in to Silver Spring wonderfully. I look forward to the day when the Purple Line runs right through it. :) Lots of spaces to sit and read, and the check out system is modern and functional. read more

My favorite local library. It's fairly new so it's very esthetically pleasing. Lots of workspace, though it can be scare around midday-midafternoon at least during the week. My favorite thing about this library is the after hours book drop and pickup. I'll often request a book from this or another library and then get an email notice that it's ready for pickup, which I can do 24 hours a day right next to their main entrance. You can also return any time as well. Street parking isn't really present but there is a huge garage across the that's reasonably priced ($1/hour) and free if you enter after 7pm weekdays or on weekends. read more

This fairly new addition to Silver Spring (maybe 3 yrs old at best) is wonderful! Well staffed, spacious, organized and full of resources! Great place to study, glean info find out what programs are being offered in the community and or for a story time for the little ones. It has several floors in which to browse and you can loose yourself here for hours. It's up to date with the latest and greatest so check it out and bring a tote bag! read more

There is no parking and most of the books are gone. There is no References Section anymore. The other shelves are sparsely populated. There must have been a book burning the likes of which we haven't seen since Hitler came to power. It's all nice looking with it's glass walls and computers. There's even a coffee shop downstairs. This model worked so well for Barnes and Noble, I'm sure it will be just swell in Silver Spring. read more

The library itself is very nice but certain staff are rude. I asked a simple question about the library card I have, which was giving to me in Maryland. Without even checking it the lady behind the computer said, (with an annoyed tone)"We don't accept DC cards. It has to be Montgomery county." Library's are my favorite place to go when I have the time. I would prefer not to be treated like I was the one who ruined your day. I do understand now, thank you, that I need a card issued from Montgomery county. I also understand that this is not a fancy hotel. Even so, I am pretty sure you should be treating the people who come here a little nicer. read more

Beautiful building, large selection of books, Excellent computer section for members. 4 floors, lots of quiet space.

HORRIBLE. I often go to libraries to nap due to not sleeping well at my house. The security guard would wake napping people up. I've never had this issue at any other library on the globe before. read more

Not a conducive environment to study, I was interrupted several times by the staff and patrons to take my chair. Apparently they have a chair problem, which was apparent as soon as I arrived. So I had to wait and study on a very uncomfortable stool that is about a foot taller than any desk you can sit at, until a chair finally opened up. Awesome until 20 minutes into studying in a chair I had waited for the staff tell me I should get up since it was taken from somewhere else, why they waited until I chose to sit down is a question unto itself. When questioned about where I could find a chair they said take one from inside the quiet room, which was packed and the only chairs available were obviously occupied by someone who had to get up from their work for a moment. One suggestion if you plan on studying here bring your own chair. read more

Meh. This new library is gorgeous, and I suppose it had better be, given how much it cost to build! But gorgeous isn't among my top criteria for a library. Instead I would like to see: 1) Quick, convenient access to the books Library doesn't start until the 3rd floor, so you have to take the elevator there, and then a separate elevator or escalator to get to more books on the 4th and 5th floors. Then back down again to get out. That... doesn't make me feel like the books were really the priority in this library. Also, no place to park! I get that we all love the environment and stuff, but if you build a new library (and close the old, free parking library), some people are going to want to drive there. Now they have to pay to park, mostly in the garage across the street, adding traffic to the already insane Fenton & Wayne intersection. 2) Quick, convenient ability to return books Apparently the book drop is electronic, and does not always work. An electronic book drop does sound neat and better for the library staff, but are few things more disheartening than traveling to the library just to be that virtuous person who returns her books on time, and then discovering you aren't even allowed to do that. This library is a short walk from my work and home, so I expect I'll continue using it as my home-base for picking up holds, at least until winter comes. But then I may switch back to old, tired Long Branch library, where you can park for free right next to the building, the holds are just inside the door, the book drop just outside, and the whole transaction takes less than 2 minutes. read more

Nice building and amenities, but appears to be very poorly run. The outdoor book drop wasn't working, the outdoor book pickup lockers weren't working, the bathroom had neither hand soap nor paper towels. This is all very basic stuff, yet whoever manages the building operation seems to be entirely, embarrassingly inept. Also, it takes a full week for holds to become available, even if the book is already on site. All it requires is an intern to move the book from one shelf to the reserved shelf, yet that takes 6-10 days for this branch. read more

The new library is very disappointing. First, it takes a long time to get there, even if you park across the street. The crosswalk is half a block away, with a long light. Then, you don't even get into the library until you walk a long corridor and take the elevator to the third floor. There is absolutely no commitment to having quiet in the library, and the wide open areas exacerbate the noise. It's just not very user-friendly for real readers, as opposed to someone who wants to socialize. Also, the sun glare can be fierce at times. I generally avoid this library and go to the older ones. Did the architect consider any of these common-sense issues before the plan was approved? read more

Nice building but too loud for a library. People have no respect/discipline to observe silence . Not sure why the library staff warn those who talk loud, they only warn those who eat. It's sad to see how ignorant grown people behave. This is good for homeless to spend time. I went only once and never go again. read more

It is a very impressive construction, this library. I popped in with an urgent computing need. You can get 1 hour of guest access, which requires going to the front desk where they will take your license down and give you a passcode. There are ample computers, which have CD drives, if you need (like I did). The staff were helpful for the most part, although a few of them had no idea what was going on. Like most public libraries in this country, this place is a collection of humanity, for better or worse. read more

I confess. I've only been here for the kids. But in that capacity it is great. The kids (ages 7 and 2) love it. There are lots of things to play with, plenty of books and computers. The place is kept clean and organized. They are generous with any kind of late fees. The building is amazing although the elevator situation is a bit strange - you have to go to the 3rd floor then switch to another elevator to go to the 5th. read more

Top notch, modern local library facility in a great part of town. We've been fortunate to use their conference space for our Free First Time Home Buyer Workshops program on weekday evenings and weekend mornings. read more

Beautiful and effective space for studying and learning. The noise can travel pretty easily from floor to floor, but fortunately there is a quiet space with a very pleasant view and nice seating. read more

Silver Spring's new library is state of the art! The building itself is worth checking out and there are great views of downtown from the second floor. There are comfy chairs peppered throughout. This is my new rainy day spot:) read more

This place, like so many other recently-constructed buildings misleadingly referred to as "libraries," is one part romper-room for desperate parents and nannies, and one part sanctuary for the county's homeless to browse online pornography in a capacious, largely book-free environment. I could further lament the demise of literacy that this so-called library, with its various "spaces" and "services" reflects, but I suppose it's been done before. I just can't help thinking back to my own increasingly remote childhood, in which public libraries had long tables with lamps on them for the rows of people reading actual books and conducting research, or merely pretending to while luxuriating in their own thoughts. Nowadays, one need no longer maintain even the pretense of actual reading or thought, as the library no longer wishes to foster such pursuits. Indeed, it almost frowns on them, sequestering readers in uncomfortable, increasingly-cramped quarters where it's almost as if the act of reading is a somewhat suspect one, or perhaps displayed as a kind of museum exhibit or historical re-enactment of what a certain type of person used to do, without the slightest hindrance and without attracting any attention to himself, in the very heart of our public world. read more

This is my favorite library by far. Modern look, lots of study rooms, and helpful staff. Sometimes, if you are looking for quiet, the noise of the group activities occurring in the kid's section can be a bit loud. But it doesn't last long and it's all in good fun. A few people are complaining about there being a limited amount of books here. It is very simple to reserve books from other libraries online to pick them up on the hold shelf at Silver Spring. This service is very speedy. All in all, I am very lucky to have this library close by! read more