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    Cambridge Public Library

    4.3 (100 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

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    Outside
    Maria G.

    A beautiful public library with plenty of natural lights and study tables/space! Getting a library card is super easy, just display your ID card with a local address. There are self-service check-out computers where you can easily borrow books. The stacks are mostly clearly labeled, and most books are easy to find. The furniture also looks​ pretty new. The staff members are of course very helpful and friendly. They open seven days a week between September and June. They ​are closed on Sundays in July and August.

    Kylie S.

    It is reopening on November 8th and it is gorgeous! I know because I went to the grand opening party. It is LEED certified with beautiful bamboo floors and all kinds of cool eco features. It has meeting rooms, a story hour room, an auditorium, a history room, community gathering space, family bathrooms, and just about everything else you could imagine. There is a playground outside and tennis courts abutting the building on one side. I will have to rewrite this review later after I have been able to explore more of the building but I wanted to get this up so that people will know to go check it out! It's a librarian's dream!!! And by the look of all of the happy glowing faces around me at the grand opening, I gather it is a pretty huge and long-awaited event in Cambridge history as well. It is walking distance from Harvard or Central Square--check it out for yourself!

    Rayshauna G.

    I acted a fool in this library. There was so much to see and do! DVDs for the illiterate, picture books for children [their illiteracy is socially acceptable, the bums], large print for the folks who can read but can't see - everything! I was really happy to find out that Central Square wasn't my only option in the area. They have an amazing Classics section for the old-school lovers - Sophocles' Theban Plays, Aeschylus, Aristophanes, Euripedes - ah, good times. They even have books on exercises for violin players. I went home with a bunch of dvds, a cd of Jascha Heifetz's performances, and a ton of books. The librarians are very helpful too - always a plus. I just wish that pizza shop across the street had been open. Great thought requires sustenance, folks!

    (Unusually Affordable) Parking Rates
    Debra L.

    Is it just me or does anyone else also unwittingly think of the word "mothership" with a heart full of eager anticipation every time they walk in? This impressive library is composed of two wings- one that is a very modern space full of light from the abundance of windows and the other is more traditional, with a Harry-Potter-esque, cavernous feel but both equally beautiful. This library has everything and I could browse endlessly. As a preschool teacher, the children's books area in particular is spectacular- a wonderland, a playground (sometimes quite literally with all the children running around), and I never leave empty-handed, far from it! Another wonderful thing about this library is that we were able to easily arrange for a librarian to come to our preschool a couple times a month to read to our kids- she even so graciously helps me lug some of my books back to the library when it's time to return them! Sections are well-labeled, parking is unusually affordable, and they even have an "express lane" self-checkout option that is so convenient and remarkably easy to use. I seriously cannot say enough good things about this beautiful library full of seemingly endless resources and a range of environments to enjoy them in- it literally is as good as it gets!

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    6 years ago

    Library seems okay as a workspace. Free public libraries are always a positive. Staff a bit rude here, some strange rules

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    7 years ago

    Beautiful building, friendly librarians and a truly impressive body of works. The second floor silent research room is a gem all to itself.

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    Page 1 of 3

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    Robbins Library

    Robbins Library

    (50 reviews)

    Arlington Center

    I've driven past this library for decades but never went inside until the past few years. After my…read moresecond visit to,look around, I just had to get myself a library card here. Besides being an architecturally appealing building, I love the layout and offerings. I've found books, and other items that other libraries either don't have or are hard to get, being checked out frequently. I recently discovered their nice DVD section. I found all seasons of Get Smart and rented them all over a period of about 5-1/2 weeks. They have a decent selection of Blu-Ray discs as well. The first room on the left as you enter is where they keep newspapers and periodicals. It's also a wonderful spot to sit and read. There's a small but adequate metered parking lot behind the building , which is managed by the Town. There's on-street metered parking as well. Just a block or two away, you'll find free parking on the side streets. They also offer passes to museums and some other local attractions, although, in most cases, the discount is somewhat less than those available from the Boston Public Library. The advantage is this is both easier to get to and park at. They do also offer,some virtual passes that you can easily obtain online. It is near at least two MBTA bus routes (77, 87). The staff is very helpful and friendly. They are associated with several other libraries within their network as well.

    Great library. Helpful staff. Lots of audiobooks and DVDs. And a comfy area to explore fiction…read more Love the big overstuffed chair there.

    Somerville Public Library - West Branch - Standing at the landing upstairs looking down and out the window

    Somerville Public Library - West Branch

    (18 reviews)

    Davis Square

    This is our local library branch and we feel so lucky to have it. My kids love to come here, the…read morechildren's room and librarian are fantastic. The outdoor space is lovely as well. Have not spent time here using workspace as an adult but would consider doing so! Grateful for this public resource.

    This branch has the STUPIDEST F*CKING HOURS EVAR…read more I'm sorry, i get it, you can't staff all branch libraries every damn hour of the day, but the hours at the West Branch are not only paltry (to say the least) but are COMPLETELY FREAKING ARBITRARY. Want to go on Monday to pick up your book from interlibrary loan? Well you're in luck my friend-- we're open from 10AM to 9 at night! Hooray!!!! Oh, did you have some other Monday commitment? No problem, why don't you stop by on Wednesday! Oooooh, sorry man. Nice try, but we keep a strict 2-6PM policy on Wednesdays. It's just the way we roll. And same with Fridays. Oh, did you say you wanted to pop by on Saturday? Yeah, tough sh*t. We take the weekends off too. Try next Monday! I mean, for the love of God, the whole point of branch libraries is that it makes it more CONVENIENT for local residents to pop by and grab a book. Instead, it would have been more than worth my time to drive/walk/crawl/take the 88 down to Somerville Central and grab that damn copy of Yo, Rigoberta Menchu. I've learned my lesson. And seriously: how much $$$ does it take to staff the library? $10 an hour? Seriously. Time to call 311 Direct. ANGST! OUTRAGE! ENTITLEMENT TO MY BOOKS!!!!!111111

    Boston Athenaeum - Sample of some of the art

    Boston Athenaeum

    (71 reviews)

    Downtown

    We've gone to so many incredible talks at the Athenaeum. In addition to it being a beautiful…read morelibrary, the author talks and events really make this place special. Most recently, we went to a talk on George Washington's private library collection.

    I was in Boston for a conference this week, and it's always a shame to not do or see anything in…read morethe city where you've been for work. I knew I wouldn't have much free time and needed to get some work done between the end of the conference and leaving for the airport. When I discovered the Athenaeum, I thought - perfect! So what is the Boston Athenaeum? It's a "unique combination of library, museum, and cultural center in a magnificent landmark building . . . One of the country's oldest and most distinguished independent libraries..." It's a great place to work, study, and socialize. The first floor of the Athenaeum (where they have several galleries, including one for temporary exhibits) is open to the public. The rest of the floors are open to members only. Annual membership is currently $506/year or $338 for people 40 and under. However, they offer a day pass ($40), which is how I took advantage of the Athenaeum for a day. There are desks, chairs, patios, tables - tons of places to work and study and read. There are incredible views. The collection of art on the main level was worth seeing, and I also enjoyed their temporary exhibit: "Allan Rohan Crite: Griot of Boston." I wish they had provided a map, because - as a first time visitor - I got very confused by the floorplan. I couldn't find stairs so used the elevator, but one elevator only went to the second of five floors, so ... I wandered, found a place on the fourth floor to work from, and explored. It's really beautiful and it was a great place to get some work done while learning a little about Boston. $40 was a little steep, but it allowed me to get a little bit of a museum visit in while also allowing me the opportunity to work in a more beautiful place for a few hours. I'd happily check it out again. If I lived in Boston, I'd definitely consider becoming a member.

    Papercut Zine Library

    Papercut Zine Library

    (4 reviews)

    Inman Square

    Tucked away behind the intimidating façade of an old New England building, complete with austere…read morecolumns, the Papercut 'Zine Library is the epitome of a hidden gem. Located on the first floor of the Democracy Center, away from the hustle and bustle of Harvard Square, Papercut is worth stepping off the beaten path. Inside their cozy one-room locale, wood paneling lines the walls, and Christmas tree lights are draped over the windows, giving the whole thing a feeling of an Elks lounge crossed with your best friend's basement. Not that the wood paneling is especially visible, behind the shelves BURSTING with 'zines. Everything from DIY pamphlets, to political manifestos, cutting edge music reviews, art criticisms, graphic art stories, self-published novellas, and environmentalist tome is crammed into this small space. Whatever your interest and intrigue, someone has written about it in 'zine form, and Papercut has the most impressive collection of 'zines I have every seen. Which is not surprising, considering that many of the volunteers who work there are 'zinesters themselves. During hours of operation, the staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and what some people might refer to as chillaxed. If you want to talk shop, they are more than willing, but if you want to just kick back and lounge on the worn yet comfy furniture with a stack of 'zines, they'll leave you to it. Their enthusiasm for the topic of self-publishing is infectious, just ask the people who come to their many events, such as indie bands, sushi dinners, and 'zine fairs. Membership is free and fun, as the library cards are made right in front of you and are created from recycled calendar images, decoupaged onto cardstock. And it doesn't matter if you live out of state and are just passing through. Papercut works on the honor system, so they trust you to mail back anything you borrow. And, if you don't live in the area, Papercut still cares about your 'zine needs. Their website provides you with reviews of 'zines, so you know what to look for; and a list of 'zine-carrying institutes across the country so you can find a library near you. So go ahead and fill your free time with uncensored literature of the masses, you dissident. Check them out online at: http://www.papercutzinelibrary.org And check out our DIY 'zine at: http://packratmag.com/zine

    This is a great little library. They have an enormous selection of independently produced zines. I…read morewent in there ready to scoff but was very impressed. The zines are of surprisingly uniform and high quality and are definitely worth visiting. The building itself seems to be used for various lefty causes, some of which you may find interesting. Go check it out, and maybe get a library card and check out some zines, too.

    Cambridge Public Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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