This is really a COMMUNITY library. Its in a quiet spot on a busy street with a pond on one side…read moreand a large parking lot in back. Inside the library is well divided and labeled. Large signs leave no question about where you're going. There's someplace for everyone, and bold advertising about upcoming events, other community actions, and what donations are being accepted.

Second "office" of the day, this is a medium-sized library that has a lot of technology available…read morefor patrons. Rows of computers and some that can be borrowed as well. I had my own laptops and found a table in the corner with power outlets. Plugged in and charging, I did one quiet Zoom meeting and sent a bunch of emails while writing a Yelp review of two. The wifi is free was and fast enough. Many resources available including a staffed reference desk, stacks of books and plenty of reading material. [Review 18670 overall - 85 in Connecticut - 2192 of 2022.]

I can't say enough about this library. It's so beautiful inside and out. It's always meticulously…read moremaintained. All of the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. I have so many fond memories visiting this library as a child and getting to see the mummy hand in the attic. The children's programs are excellent, we look forward to attending every week!

A library that will…read more never be built again I have been to a lot of libraries. big ones, small ones, old ones and new ones but i don't believe I have even seen one quite this physically impressive. It looks more like a medieval castle than a library. Being right next door to a 135 foot high obelisk, a cool old fort and great views of the Thames River certainly doesn't hurt. The money for this library was donated by an extremely generous man named Frederic Bill. He made his money in the linen business back in the 1800's and wanted to give back some of it to help his community. He ended up helping to build churches, schools, and of course this library. The library was opened in 1890 and constructed of huge blocks of granite floated down by barge by from the quarries at Stony Creek in Branford, Ct. The library originally held about 1,750 volumes but has grown a lot since then. It had major additions added in 1907 and 1994 and the amazing thing is that the additions blend in so well with the original structure that it all looks like it was built at one time. The inside has all the modern conveniences of most libraries but never lets you forget that you are in a very special place. Something cool to look at in every direction, this is far more than just a place to store books. This is a library that will never be built again. Look inside and you see all types of unique architecture and creative art, if you happen to take a peek out the window you see a monstrous obelisk looming overhead or perhaps an old revolutionary fort. The building, grounds and location are just so damn impressive that the books almost become superfluous. Walk slowly and breath deeply when you go through the doors, this is a very special library.

It feels like this library is almost like the Winchester mystery House, where more gets added and…read moreadded over time. The front entrance on a busy street seems older and more ornant on the outside, and as you go down the parking lot gets more modern and designed for function. It was hard to find the entrance to the parking lot, which is narrow and on the side of the building. You can enter on the bottom floor, which had a friendly guard who told me where the elevator was. The elevator is older and small, but not claustrophobic or scary. You can also take the stairs up. The library is divided between children and adults, and the employees were very friendly. If you have the Connecticut 169 book, they do know what it is!

I go there to read. The library is great lot of good book options. However, the place is loud and…read morehard to concentrate. The librarians talk very loud in the help desk. Other people are on there cell phones. Nobody says anything it is very frustrating for it to be so loud at a library.

Great library - really like how they provide print outs of crosswords from newspapers. Staff was…read morereally friendly and was giving away free books and flowers that had been donated. Had many computers available for public use and tables to sit at. Only complaint was there were not lots of outlets near the tables making it difficult for people going to study with laptops/personal computers. Nothing an extension cord can't fix. Overall a wonderful place.

In honor of…read morePhoebe The great era of library building in New England was in the late part of the 19th century. Very wealthy individuals would donate vast sums of money to build libraries in honor of deceased loved ones. The Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library is a classic example. Charles Ludington gave money to the town of Old Lyme to build a library to memorialize his mother in law, Phoebe Griffin Noyes. The library was opened in 1898 and was very pleasant and lovely but rather modest by the standards of some of the more grand and opulent libraries being built. It served well for decades and was renovated and expanded over the years. The largest building project was in 1955 and the size of the library was great expanded. The library today is a very pleasant place, especially the old, original section. Unfortunately the new addition is rather incongruent with the original part and it is obvious when you go from one part to the other. Even parts of the original wall is exposed as you go from one part to another. The inside of the library is very colorful with all kinds of cool displays and art and plenty of computers and modern conveniences. An interesting and comfy library that is a nice memorial to a person long gone but not forgotten.

This library is amazing, especially for children. The children's area is packed with books and toys…read morefor all ages. The programs are great and all of the staff are so kind and welcoming.

I have visited libraries in RI and CT and I love that my parents live close to this one. For kids…read morethey have the best area, away from the adult section with plenty of books, computers and toys. They have events almost everyday and really try to get the community involved. A great selection of movies for adults and kids alike. Books and magazines galore along with an adult computer area where you can get online and print out what you need (for a small fee). This library can request books from within the seconn system (southeast Connecticut) interlibrary and they will notify you when you can come pick up your holds. A wonderful place to occupy the kids on a rainy day or even come read some books for summer. The hours are good and the staff is always helpful.

Stunning gardens in full bloom we enjoyed in late June this year with the beach being very…read moreinviting. There is beautiful expansive lawn with trees and tables to enjoy a picnic. Glad we stopped and look forward to visiting again.

I really enjoy walking around this area. They have the beach, the house, the garden. There's so…read moremany areas to walk around and take pictures. There's always an event going on.

Such a great library. Everyone is helpful, its cozy and quiet. Its also beautiful. So lucky to live…read morenear this place. They also have two cats.

A magnificent library…read more The idea fom this stunning building started back in 1891 when Captain Elihu Spicer decided that his home town needed a library. So he donated money and ideas and by 1894 the Mystic and Noank Library was open for business. The good Captain Spicer started out as a cabin boy at an early age and eventually became masters of several ships and acquired quite a fortune. He became a philanthropist in his later years and spread his wealth around generously. The library that was built is absolutely magnificent. Granite was moved by barge from quarries in Ct., sandstone from Ma., marble from as far away as Africa and tile floors from Italy. This is more of a palace than a library and the building is worth seeing even if you have no interest in books. The place is stunning both inside and outside. The building was expanded in 1951 and another 6,000 ft were added in 1992. The architects did a fantastic job and the venerable building retains its stately, archaic and majestic flavor but has all the conveniences and amenities of a modern library. Truly the best of the old and the new. A grand place to savor, enjoy and be amazed at, libraries like this will never be constructed again.

Fantastic place for kids and Grown-ups Amazing selections…read morefor books,games ,dvd's and so many more Everyone here is so nice and kind and willing to help I highly recommend this place for all parents kids and families Great time to spare your time here and not just at the beach :)

Being the nerd that I am, I came here the day after my birthday. Since last year, I've been…read morechallenging myself to visit all public libraries in the state of Rhode Island. This was the 11th one I visited. My friend and I came on a Saturday morning. I don't think they have a parking lot, but we found street parking right by the entrance. It reminded me more of an admin building when I walked in. To the left is a book sale, and to the right are the stairs to the main floor. There were lots of happy kids in the children's section. Down the hall, they have the walls lined with lots of information, including subsidized tickets to different events and places including the bird sanctuary nearby. They also have an extensive and well diversified library of tools and equipment to loan for a week including sporting gear, home repair tools, yard tools, games, and even a telescope. I was impressed. On my way out, I also saw a an ad for a free account to Mango through the library, which is a language learning platform (perfect for my journey to learning French).