Came here and was a little disappointed in the assortment of books. I'm a non-fiction reader and I…read morejust wish there was *more* but I heard the librarian explaining to another patron that it's expensive to keep many books around when so many are online. Charged my device(s) and spent a couple of hours at a table. Quiet ... (but it is late on a Wednesday) & overall my experience was good. Nothing too crazy & I think it's cute & they did have a seed garden. Also I did like some of the signs outside. Overall 3/5

I stopped at the North Haven Library as a part of a quest to see every town in Connecticut, and…read morethis is a great place! The parking spaces are a little tight. but the building itself is huge. It has four levels, with the ground one dedicated to an ongoing book sale at reasonable prices. The exterior has a reading garden in the back, with covered benches for enjoying a book and some hidden art in the leaves. I wish I lived closer to this library!

Wonderful Library! The collaboratory is one of a kind. The staff is friendly and helpful. I'm so…read moreglad we found this Library and it certainly is well worth the drive from Northford!!

As a self proclaimed library connoisseur, this is definitely on my top 3 libraries I've been to…read more The place was huge, like a campus. I've only explored the children's section which is where I spend most of my time because of my toddler. They had clean family bathrooms. There was a book case shaped like a train and a little play train station. There was a baby section for them to crawl in; toys, play kitchen, and train table. I loved that there were little reading nooks built into the walls. In front of the librarian desk, there's a huge play tree where kids can go in it. On the side, a big craft room with blocks and magnetic tiles. They had a fish tank, a tank with worms/isopods, computers, and so much stimulation for the little ones. I'm sure they have great activities, events, and resources as with other libraries. The librarians were friendly; it was a busy Saturday afternoon because it was kind of rainy out. The little kids were being rowdy at one point and the librarian shushed them in a stern but friendly way. All of us parents were trying our best, but things got out of hand when you mix a bunch of little kids together lol. Overall, I wish this library was closer to me, I would be there often!

On a bit of a roadtrip down the Connecticut coast, we arrived in New Haven a little after 3pm, and…read moreI knew I had only had a little time before things/attractions closed at 5pm. So after hitting the Yale Center for British Art, we speed walked (sped walked?) over to the Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library. Why? Google it and you'll understand when you see the pictures. Beinicke is Yale's rare book and manuscript library - not their main university library or their law library. The reading room is open to registered researchers only, but the public are welcome to visit the library's exhibition hall. And everyone visiting New Haven should! The library was built in 1963, and the the architecture is incredible. The building is a granite veneer shell, fastened to a structural steel frame. Inside that structure is a glass-enclosed tower of book cases. The granite was milled to 1.25 inches thick to allow filtered daylight in - in the afternoon/early evening, the marble turned an amber color. We walked back past it at night for a different view of the building. It is really incredible architecture, and the library hosts exhibits you can see in the exhibition hall when you visit to enjoy the building (when we visited, the exhibit was "Taught By the Pen: The World of Islamic Manuscripts"). The building is incredible and definitely worth a visit if you're exploring the Yale campus!

One of the largest collections of rare books and manuscripts. Rotating exhibits for the general…read morepublic. During my visit, it was testimonies from Holocaust survivors. The general public has limited access, and this will be a short stop for most people, depending upon the exhibit. Let's be honest--most people stop by for a photo op, for the architecture and the huge column of books. I got a few great photos, got to say I've seen it, and it's cool. Worthwhile. If you're in the area.

Well organized library with extremely helpful staff. They generally have a calendar full of…read moreactivities for all ages. They also have a 2nd hand book store at the bottom level where you can purchase books for very low costs. There is ample parking and I could spend hours in there as it is quiet and there are tons of seats.

Very nice library that includes a used bookstore inside the library, run by the volunteers during…read moreselect hours. Nice staff, a lot of books and more.

The Cheshire library has an area where they sell books, DVD's CD's, and audio books. On the main…read morefloor there is a very large children's room section with many programs and events. The lower level has an ample amount of public computers, quiet room,study rooms,newspapers, and magazines.There is also a, fax, scanner, and copy area available at very reasonable fees. The staff are friendly and extremely helpful. Parking is in the rare building.

Lots of interesting book displays and a decent selection of board games plus an ongoing book sale.read more

I've been here a couple of times now and I'm completely obsessed. I love the music records area and…read moreI can camp out here for hours. It's almost dead silent and it feels like one ought to do important work ... in such an important-feeling space (which is a wonderful motivator). Wish that more of the library was open to the public but I understand that in the New Haven area and with as many visitors as Yale probably gets, that's simply not possible. Note: This library is also open until 10pm on some days! Thank you!

The Sterling Memorial Library is the most beautiful library I've ever entered! The Gothic arches,…read moreceiling vaults, and details embedded in every nook and cranny blew my mind. I felt like I was walking the halls of Hogwarts and didn't want to leave. If you love architecture, I highly recommend checking out this library.

This is a multi-level library chock full of books. There is an elevator for assistance if needed,…read moreand when I arrived, the Friends of the Library were manning a book sale at the entrance. There is also an outdoor reading area outside, with benches sheltered by an overgrowth of green foliage. There is art and intrigue tucked among the plants, making the experience a little magical.

Libraries don't have foyers like this which is why you need to see it. It looks like a gothic…read morechurch minus the religious accouterments. It was built around the 1930's but it could pass for a lot older. When you finally get to the part where students actually read and study, there are 2 areas. One is open with high ceilings the other enclosed. It looks like out of Hollywood casting what an Ivy League library would look like. See pics

The prettiest library I've been too. I dear say it's prettier than the Bryant Park library in NYC…read more The guard at the door was friendly. The bathrooms were clean. The courtyard was opened on a beautiful fall day.

When I moved to Branford last September, I didn't have much love lost for libraries; still a bit…read moreangry at the Dix Hills Public Library where I grew up for outrageous late fees; once they tried to levy a 7 dollar fine for a book that was priced at $1.99, and I had like 20 dollars to my name. How could the fine be higher than the value of the book? So, instead of paying it, I kept the book and didn't utilize public library services for 30 years. Anyway, the Branford library completely changed my mind about the value of a community library and this particular library should be the gold standard for all exurban and suburban libraries in New England! The staff here are patient, friendly and actually love their work; it shows on the smiles they are constantly wearing and the wide diversity of content, events and activities for the community. I don't have the right adjective to describe how amazing this place is, but something like fucking fantastic just about does it!!

We were part of one of my college friend's wedding party. One of his wife's favorite spots is the…read moreJames Blackstone Memorial library. Towards the end of the last 20 minutes before closure, they wanted to squeeze in some wedding pictures. Walking up the stairs going into the James Blackstone Memorial library. The big doors opened led to beautiful entrance and observing the Art and books around us. We didn't get a chance to look around more because of the time restraint. A beautiful, quiet space filled with so much history.