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    Delray Beach Public Library

    3.2 (33 reviews)
    Open 9:00 am - 8:00 pm

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    Michelle F.

    Weird location for a neighborhood library. It is pretty old looking inside, and the furniture is definitely not comfortable for sitting and browsing through the media. The downstairs work cubicles were pretty beat up, and the table that I sat at had no working electrical outlet to plug in my laptop since I needed to do some research, and my battery was almost dead. The children's area is nice and that was probably the busiest area in the library. I didn't know that there was an upstairs area since there was no visible signage. I guess if I ever return, I will have to check that out. As a neighborhood library in the downtown Delray corridor, I guess it is good that this is available in the community.

    Ariel W.

    Located on Atlantic Ave in the heart of downtown Delray beach, the Delray Beach Public Library is kind of a anomaly in that it is a private, non profit. It is not part of the county library system. The history of this library goes all the way back April 11, 1913, when 40 women from the Ladies Improvement Association of Delray Beach met to improve the educational, cultural and recreational resources of the growing community by donating one book each to start a library in Delray Beach. The new library was open three nights a week and for one story time hour a week. In 1916, the library moved to the Booster Hall. Henry Flagler supported the ladies endeavor to start a library with a $10 donation. In 1939, the Delray Beach Public Library officially became a not-for-profit corporation and in 1940 the library formed a partnership with the City of Delray Beach and the Community Redevelopment Agency. Since that time the city has provided the library an annual operating budgeting while volunteers have raised additional funds to support the library. In 1950 the library was located at SE 4th Ave and in 2006 it moved to the location on Atlantic Ave where it sits today. Today the Delray Beach library is 46,826 square feet over two stories. It is twice the size of the first library. The building is bright and airy with high ceilings and a lot of natural light. The children's section is on the first floor along with the circulation desk. On the second floor are computers, a technology lab, conference and study rooms, and the reference section. The library is so much more than lending books. The children's section has an audio recording studio and a technology lab with 3D printers There is a small business development center located in the library. They offer computers, tablets, charging stations, a smart board, and mobile hot spots. Computer classes are offered for all ages and STEAM technology classes for children. Cultural and Educational programs are offered through the Lifelong Learning Institute program series. The library provides outreach to neighborhood and community centers. They offer homework help, films, book talks, lectures, concerts, and more. In addition to a myriad of programs to help the community they have almost a 100,000 books to lend. This was my first visit to the library and I was extremely impressed with how nice it is. I must confess I wasn't here to borrow a book or take a class. I popped in to charge my phone, enjoy the AC, and use the restroom facilities before the Delray Beach St. Patrick's Day Parade. Fortunately for me the library was in the perfect place along the route. On my way out I stopped in the restrooms again and was dismayed to see that they were completely trashed out by people attending the festival. The library was more than gracious welcoming in the increased visitors and to treat the library this way was not nice at all. The library offers so much to community, treat it with respect.

    Sandy J.

    Highlight: I love community libraries b/c they make me feel safe- growing up in my local library, I find sanctuary being surrounded by books, quiet shuffling of pages, and couches and wooden tables around me. Delray's library impressed me b/c I honestly expected something grimy being next to the beach, but I was pleasantly surprised by how the tall wooden modern ceiling, clean and bright feel, and shelves and shelves of books made one feel like this was one very nice library. I highly recommend coming here if you live in Delray. Library card: bring a home bill with your name and Delray address, or a FL driver's license. 3 week check out. Membership at this library does not give you access to other palm beach libraries. Helpfulness: Front desk people are nice and knowledgeable. Loudness: ok to be honest, you would come here for more "busy" work- I wouldn't come here to study for my board exams in med school, but if I wanted a change of scenary to gun Yelp reviews, this is not a bad place. For sale: they are having these 1-3$ book sales and honestly they are good and popular books, not just crappy romance novels, beat up books, books that no one's heard of before- heck, if I had a way to transport them across state lines, I would have bought them all b/c they were in excellent condition and such good books on sale (top 100 or best sellers NYT) Selection: I will have to put in some requests for some books I couldn't find, but the selection is very good. A lot of libraries are segueing into electronic books, so when you go into them it's a lot of computers and some books that it almost feels like a media/computer center rather than a library. I love that they have such a robust nonfiction and fiction section upstairs. It felt like a mini university library. Decor: Love the wooden and airy tall ceiling feel. People here are quiet and respectful and you'll see people of all kinds. Plenty of computers- I came on a weekend and I was still able to nab one to do a catalog search for my books. Parking: free and right behind the building- super safe too. You're also by the good restaurants so if you get tired of reading, go grab a quick bite on fun West Atlantic.

    Off to the Delray Library...I am wearing my reading glasses & bringing cash to pay fines for my kids with overdue summer books!

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    8 months ago

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    5 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Very friendly library . Very forgiving with late returns ( of children's books in any case .)

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    8 years ago

    Probably the loudest library I've ever been to. Do not go if you are trying to study or get some quiet time to focus on something.

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    5 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

    Very uncomfortable library with wooden chairs with no cushion lets just sit on the floor. The Wifi is horrible. Step your game up Delray

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    12 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    11 years ago

    Nice spot to relax and check out some literature.

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    8 years ago

    Employees at the Reference desk are very helpful. Excellent nonfiction section.

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    Review Highlights - Delray Beach Public Library

    On the second floor are computers, a technology lab, conference and study rooms, and the reference section.

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    Barnes & Noble

    Barnes & Noble

    3.4(79 reviews)
    7.0 mi
    $$

    Our family absolutely loves Barnes & Noble -- this place is easily a 5-star favorite for us!…read more My kids have basically grown up here, and it truly feels like a second home. It's two floors of pure enjoyment. On the first floor, there's a Starbucks, which adds such a cozy touch -- you can grab a coffee, matcha, or tea and just sit down with a book and relax. The store is very -- there's an elevator and escalators, making it easy with kids. The second floor has an amazing kids' section with books and toys. And not just any toys -- they're actually high-quality, unique, and very thoughtfully curated. There are also areas where kids can play, and even a small stage where they host storytime on certain days -- such a magical experience for little ones. Everything is always clean and comfortable. I especially love the carpeted floors -- it makes it so easy to just sit down anywhere, even on the floor, with a book and your coffee and enjoy the moment. The book selection is huge, including lots of activity books, crafts, and educational materials. My kids absolutely love it here -- there's always something new to explore, create, and learn. Restrooms are clean, staff is friendly, and the location is great. There are plenty of restaurants nearby, as well as a Whole Foods Market and other shops. Parking is also very convenient. Overall, this is one of our favorite places to spend time as a family. Highly recommend!

    I first began going to this bookstore about 25 years ago when I moved to Boca Raton. It had a…read moregreat story time in their upstairs children's section. Both my daughter and I loved it. It is in a nice shopping center on Glades Road, across from FAU University. The staff are always helpful. The cafe is very popular and very busy. I also love that they have plenty of tables to sit down and grab something to eat or drink. Plenty of books and other merchandise to browse or buy. Always something on sale or clearance as well.

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    Barnes & Noble
    Barnes & Noble
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    Florida Atlantic University

    Florida Atlantic University

    3.1(63 reviews)
    6.3 mi

    We bought tickets for a concert at FAU and we arrived at the campus early to stroll around the area…read moreand to get to know this part of Boca, which we had not been before. FAU's main campus in Boca Raton was established on the remnants of a World War II American Army airbase in 1964. Spanning 850 acres, the site is located between Palm Beach and Fort Lauderdale. The campus was designated a burrowing owl sanctuary in 1971 by the Audubon Society. The owls find the campus appealing because there are few predators, due to the university's proximity to the Boca Raton Airport, and because the campus was originally cleared of vegetation when operating as an airbase during World War II. Unfortunately we did not see nor hear any owls while we walked around the area after dark. The Boca Raton campus is home to a wide variety of university programs and facilities. These facilities are labs and classrooms, housing for students, a 6,000-gallon shark tank for aquatic research, a movie theater, athletic and recreational facilities, and the student-run record label Hoot/Wisdom Recordings. The campus feels very spread out and very green, a nice place to jog, walk or run on a nice day, if you feel like exercising among the young college kids.

    Went to a recital by the choral and voice department that a foundation my brother heads. They give…read morescholarships to the students.

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    Florida Atlantic University - FAU - University Theatre

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    FAU Breezeway Entrance

    Delray Beach Public Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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