This library reminds of like a Smurf cottage. It's SUPER SMALL, like maybe improbably small for a…read morelibrary, but it is charming in a way. The staff did recently did a "Stuffie Sleepover," where kids brought their stuffed animals and dropped them off to sleep overnight, where they had fun and did activities. When you picked the stuffies up the following day, there were pictures and surprises; (like a xerox copy of the stuffies tushies....a joke that my 6 year absolutely didn't understand, but the Misses and I laughed at.) I thought it was a very cute idea, and kids got to hear some bedtime stories with their stuffies. I think they need better signage, as we KNEW where it was, and still drove past it twice.

Our new public library is far from modern, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. The building…read moreitself is charming with a stone exterior and a pretty backyard with benches. The hours are odd, but accessible with evening hours. Some days they don't even open until 3. But then again that's practical for families with kids. I haven't quite figured out a logic to the layout. Upstairs seemed to have nonfiction, travel and romance novels? Head down the back stairs into a cozy subterranean space that is mostly kid-oriented, although there's definitely some adult fiction as well. Overstuffed armchairs, lots of little kid and YA books, a Thomas train area (!), plus some homework tables make it a very inviting space. I can see myself chilling out comfortably while the kids play and browse the stacks.

I used to come here when I was a kid. It was dark and dingy. Now its beautiful. I b ring my…read morefamily whenever were in town. They have a great selection diverse cultural books for kids. I find enough for my girl for a couple of weeks. They also have fun crafts for my daughter while I search for books.

Five good book smelling stars!…read more I love this library - started going to in middle school. Then started taking my kids when they were babies and times were tight. Now my kids come here. Tonight was to check out a high school summer reading book. This library is well organized, bright, boasts friendly staff, plus has a bevy of books, dvd's, audio books, and programs/events of all types. Great memories as well.

First came here through 52 First Philly event and instantly loved it. It's a small, quaint museum…read moretucked right next to Washington Square Park, which already sets the vibe. During the First Flight event it was a bit busy, but still felt intimate and special. There's a members-only reading/library area that feels very old-world and scholarly, and a general exhibition space with rotating displays, historic prints, books, and artifacts tied to architecture, design, and Philadelphia history. It's quiet, thoughtful, and the kind of place where you naturally slow down and look closely at things. I went back again yesterday for a very specific and slightly heartbreaking reason. I realized I grabbed the wrong collectible pencil before. Mine said "52 Weeks" instead of "First Flight," which meant my collection was incomplete and yes, I was genuinely sad about it. I stopped in just to ask if they maybe had an extra one somewhere. Renee was INCREDIBLE. Truly the nicest human. She took the time to look and actually found one for me. It absolutely made my day. I honestly wanted to write this review just to thank her because that level of kindness and care really sticks with you. Also, on my second visit I realized how much I missed the first time around. The building itself is beautiful, classic architecture, warm and elegant without being intimidating. It's the kind of place that rewards repeat visits because you notice something new each time. A hidden gem, wonderful staff, and a really special Philly institution. I'll definitely be back. I'll admit the non member area is small. But it was very informational. I think it would be perfect for civic engineers.

I like going there. The general atmosphere is very unique and welcoming. I would encourage them to…read moreban the use of laptops in the library, it is a place to read, not to do the work.

Not bad, considering it's Deptford; Passing through and one of the few libraries open on Saturdayread more

This library has a good selection of items and great community programs, but wow the people who…read morework there sure do like to complain about their jobs. My family is trying to support the library by using the service, but it's difficult when you feel like a burden every time you check out some books.

Pretty decent DVD selection to borrow for free if you live in county with library card. Doesn't…read morehave to be a West Deptford card, since they participate in the "LOGIN" network. See below. Another nice perk is that you can return a book from any participating library at another library, it doesn't have to be the same one. From their website: (LOGIN) A group of libraries in Gloucester, Cumberland and Salem Counties who share their resources through a computerized bibliographic database. Residents with West Deptford Library cards can go and borrow materials from the twenty-three other libraries that belong to LOGIN. At any rate, the librarians here are friendlier than the ones in my hometown, so we usually end up here. There's a large children's section and ample parking. One of the better libraries in the area for sure.

There are some great libraries in Gloucester County, and this one might be the best one of them…read moreall... It's pretty large, at least four librarians on duty whenever I visit, and plenty of services for everyone's needs. One of the most impressive features within this library is the children's section. It's isolated away from where the adults and teens search for books, read and use the many computers that's available. The kids section has everything from activities, to books and videos, to several children's use only computers. The other thing that's great here is all of the classes offered and meeting space that's available in the conference room. I've seen everything there from seniors classes, arts and crafts, counseling classes, presentations, and even tax preparations. The ladies who work there are always helpful and are really good at getting you answers to your questions, and finding the books or forms that you may need. For a relatively small town, there are big things going on inside this building here.

I can speak to the adult programs , they are genuinely terrific and cover tons of different areas…read moreand the instructors are knowledgeable and they really have something for everyone . Great for bored adults of any age group . The facility is pretty great as well , the only exception is that the handicapped auto dooropener . The employees shut it off now again for seemingly no reason as they have an on off switch for it , that door is hard for both seniors and the disabled to open .

Kid programs are run well. Plenty of supplies. Staff very nice to the kids. Kids come home very…read moreproud of what they made. Friendly environment.

This site has the most kind, helpful, and knowledgeable staff. I have been coming to this location…read morefor several years throughout my Double Master's studies and I hurry to book a private room because I know I will find the quiet and resources I need to complete my studies.

My computer solution…read more If you are like me sometimes looking for libraries with Internet open late on a Friday, this is your place. There are times I have no Internet no computers and I don't want to borrow or can't find someone to borrow it from. Long story short, now I have a solution. Quiet place.

it's a great building used for many different functions, has study rooms and conference rooms…read more there are a few book clubs that meet there as well as classes and short seminars. The book selection meets my needs.

I've been with this library since they were on Main Street. It's only gotten better with each…read morepassing year. I'm now 22 and come here for all the things. Whether to get out of my head at home and finish up some work, checking out a book/movie, buying some super cheap books for art projects/gifts, getting museum passes or taking a class here. So. much. to. do! Boundless adoration for this place. One of the best libraries I've visited (and that's coming from someone who was used to NYPL for two years). The staff is beyond helpful and make it easy to ask for materials and direct me to anything I may need. 15 years of loving this place :)

Needed to do some literary research today, and the only library anywhere nearby who had what I…read moreneeded was Bryn Mawr's Canaday Library. I am a local resident, and am not currently a student anywhere, so I called first to see what access was allowed to me. Swarthmore, Haverford and Bryn Mawr colleges work together for inter-library loaning on the Tri-pod system, which is an online catalog of all their collections, accessible to any i-net user. You don't have to be a student to visit the libraries and read, but you do need a school card to check out. I had used Tri-pod to ascertain which library had what I needed, before calling for more info. (According to my local township library, there is an inter-library loan process which would allow me access to Tri-pod items and be lent something through my library, but, since it takes over a week to process, I have not personally done this. I am relating the info I was given, but I do not know for sure how much access is really permitted via inter-library loans, to libraries outside the three Tri-pod schools.) I was very impressed with the politeness and helpfulness of the young woman who answered the phone at the Bryn Mawr science library, however, I ended up calling her only because I could not get a live soul on the line for Canaday, even after multiple calls, and leaving a message. That part was a really poor experience, especially when we finally got there and saw FOUR staff members sitting at the circulation desks, doing nothing but their own classwork, while on duty. Come on. This would not fly at other libraries. I even called McCabe at Swarthmore just to see if they had someone answering at that time, and a very helpful young man was live on the other end, ready to help me, so Canaday, seriously, answer your phone! The helpful staff member at the Bryn Mawr science library told me that "Visitor Hours" for Canaday Library, which I guess are different from student hours, are 8-6 M-F, and 10-5 on Sat. Upon visiting on a week day, it was well after 6pm when we left, and they were making no signs of closing, so I assume they run late for students (normally campus libraries are open until closer to midnight) but would like visitors to leave earlier. For safety reasons, especially since this is a women's school, I can certainly understand and respect that. The library was organized and clean. I did not see any features on display, such as an art collection or those snazzy decorative architectural niches, that many other academic libraries have. Normally a school library is a showplace, even at private schools, on an upper school level. While I like looking at the neat things academic libraries normally display (glass cases of rare books, Native American artifacts, antique local photography, etc.), it was also a little refreshing not to have the pomp and circumstance, and we certainly did not explore the entire building, so I could be missing something outstanding. But for what we saw, it was a plain old library, with books as the main event. I hope to have more time to explore next time. For the section of literary journals where we were, it was very inclusive of all I needed, and actually had several other literary reviews that were really helpful as well. Definitely strong on their collection for all my research purposes, and then some. I had a positive experience, as well, speaking to the main reception at Bryn Mawr, another student who was very helpful. I call there to ask about visitor parking and she patched me through to Campus Safety / Public Safety, who unfortunately did not have a name for the lot, but confirmed what I saw online on their interactive map, which called it "Campus Center Parking," off of New Gulp Road. I posted a map with visuals to help anyone needing to know where this is. This was my first time at Canaday. When I took some undergrad classes at Penn, and then grad classes at Penn and Rosemont, I had always used the HUGE library at Penn, or McCabe Library at Swarthmore College. I have to say I really like McCabe, and that is normally my go-to when I have a choice. They have the perfect aesthetic for a college library (decor combo of tasteful architecture, sculpture, art, and an amazingly comprehensive book collection). But, while I didn't feel as at home at Canaday, I did feel comfortable enough to get work done there, which is the whole point. All in all it was a strong positive experience at Canaday. The Bryn Mawr campus, like many, has a strong Gothic architectural influence. I also cannot help but think of Katharine Hepburn, one of their most well-known alumni. Katharine's "Bryn Mawr accent" is a joy to watch, as it comes and goes, when she thinks about using it, in her earlier movies, especially "Philadelphia Story." It is so shamelessly snobby, but ballsy of her, which makes it hilarious at the same time.

I love working at the Bryn Mawr College Libraries, which are open to the general public. In…read moreparticular, the Science Library (Collier) is a beautiful, quiet place to get work done, and parking is easy and free in the visitors lot. Carpenter is quite pretty too (but the chairs aren't as comfy). Beautiful campus, and easy to get lunch/coffee at the student cafe.