What a beautiful Greek revival style building! It was built in 1917 and was the main library in…read moreFarmington until 1983. There is a playground and ample parking. Like other libraries, this place is a great resource for the community. The children's area was nice. There were plenty of books and some computers for them to use. There was a separate room with toys, magnetic tiles, dollhouse, and more. Overall, a beautiful library and the kids and I enjoyed our time there.

A lot more than…read more just books There are lots of libraries in the state of Connecticut. Huge efficient ones, small quaint ones and cool historical ones. But there are few libraries anywhere than can match the resplendence, elegance and comfort of the Barney Library. Built back in 1919 and called the Village Library until 1999, the Barney Library was the main library in the town of Farmington until 1983 when a much more modern and larger library was completed. Fortunately the Barney Library was kept open and given three million dollars in renovations. Walking into this library is an experience. You immediately notice such niceties like fireplaces, wooden floors, antiques, spiral staircases and artwork. One of the cool librarians that works here told me that many people ask if the building was once someones private mansion or residence but no, it was built as a library from the very start. Of course the Barney Library has books, computers, and all the other mundane things found in typical libraries. It also has plenty of programs for kids and various lectures and demonstrations. However if you go up the grand spiral staircase you will find something not so typical. Several beautiful rooms that hold art sales and concerts, complete with a kitchen and stunning antiques. The Barney Library is a very special place. Perhaps not the most efficient library around because of all the open spaces and gorgeous paintings and antiques that prevent certain areas from being packed with books. That doesn't matter, it is a library that takes you back in time, when libraries were much more than just a place to find a book.

It's a great place to not only check out books but also free museum passes or discounted passes!…read moreI've been to two museums for free already!

Today I stopped by The New Britain Public Library to look for some cook books and for some fun new…read morebooks to read to my class. I haven't been to this library in a long time, since I was in college and avoided paying the extravagant prices the school bookstore charged for the classic literature books. The large windows and the construction of the library make it obvious, it has been here for a long time. The library first opened in 1853. I first went to the children's department. This area of the library was filled with kids playing with wooden blocks and legos, as well as a plethora of books categorized by interest. I selected around five brand new books for my class. They also have computers and movies in the kid's department. The adult section was much quieter and I couldn't hear any of the noise coming through from the adjacent children's area. I took the third floor on the elevator to find the area with the books that interested me. This was a super quiet space with shelves and shelves of organized books. I found two. They also have a selection of magazines, puzzles, CDs and DVDs available to borrow. I was very pleased with my experience at this library today.

The best of the old…read moreand the new The Plainville Public Library is actually two libraries in one. The original part was built back in 1931 and is a very impressive looking stone building. Of course as the town expanded the need for a larger library quicker became apparent. However it wasn't until 2004 that the new, much larger section was opened. The great part is that instead of just constructing a whole new building or moving to a new location the people in town showed great wisdom and sense of aesthetics in keeping the original part and just adding on a new addition. The results are stunning. The old part still has fireplaces and great woodwork that makes you feel like you are in an old house rather than a public place. Comfy chairs and huge windows gives a sense of relaxation and serenity. A great place to do research or read a novel. Of course the new part is more prosaic and utilitarian. Not big on aesthetics but extremely efficient and useful. Almost 100,000 books and a huge variety of tapes, CD's and computer stations. A place to get things done. Lots of space, the whole area is intelligently designed and very easy to navigate. So at this library you can have a choice. Go to the new part and get something done in a modern environment or just step through doors of the old part, relax and slow down time. Plainville Library truly has the best of both worlds .

Plainville Public Library came into fruition in 1894. The building it's currently housed in opened…read morein 1931; after many renovations, it has expanded to fit more books for the growing population. There are meeting rooms, children's room, fireplaces, and many seating areas. There were plenty of parking in the large parking lot; there were two electric vehicle charging spots as well. The building was large and inside was spacious. It's a very nice library but I noticed the hours are more limited compared to other libraries I've been to. I went on Friday at 3:45 and they were closing at 4. I went downstairs to the children's room. There were many books, computers, and toys. The area was spacious and a great spot for the kids. There was a train table, play kitchen, and coloring table. The librarian downstairs was friendly and I checked out a few books. I was able to drop off a few books upstairs the front desk. Overall, it's a nice library!

Love this clean, bright, welcoming public library where locals are getting tutored, using the…read morecomputers, reading, generally taking advantage of a valuable community space together. Always glad to see public libraries doing well.

I've frequented this library quite often since moving to CT. Mainly because they have a children's…read moresection at the lower level. We took the elevator to this level; there is a tween/teen, toddler, and baby section. The baby room is locked from the outside but you can reach over to unlock the door; this is for babies and crawlers. They had some baby toys and books in there. The toddler section has a mini kitchen, fake groceries, baby dolls, doll house, Legos, and toy cars which kept my toddler busy. We put away the toys we played with before we left just to be courteous. We had to print out some paper and it's 10 cents a page. Keep in mind when putting the quantity in the computer, it doesn't specify dollars or pages; it's actually quantity of dollars not pages. This location is nice because it's walking distance to all the stores and restaurants. Overall, a clean and organized library!

The most recently renovated branch of the Hartford Public Library, Park Branch. Now called Park…read moreStreet Library at the Lyric. The area is very inviting and clean. Plenty of room to sit down and read a book. The branch has many programs too. There are a few parking spots in the back opening on Broad street but mostly occupied by staff. There are plenty of side streets to park at though.

A small town library but it has everything you would need in a library!…read more Getting a library card was easy; just fill out a form and show them proof of residency and an ID. You have to live in the town to get a library card from there but you can use it throughout Connecticut. The Librarian was friendly and helpful. The library was clean and organized. There was a teen section as well as computers for your use. I went to the preschool/toddler section and it was a good size. They had tables with puzzles and a mini play kitchen area. It was nicely decorated with kid's artwork. My toddler had a good time! They also host a number of events such as story time for kids 1-3 years old. This is also across the street from Canton Intermediate school which is convenient.

Definitely one of the nicer libraries I've been to. There is even a seed library in there. On the…read moreleft side when you first walk in, there is a children, teen, and middle school section. On the right side, that's the adult section and there was a seating area and fireplace. The librarian and staff were friendly. The parking lot had plenty of spaces and even an electric vehicle charger. In the children's area, there were computers, train table, blocks, play kitchen, and magnetic tiles. The library was very clean and organized. There are plenty of events, activities, and services; check out their website for updates. Overall, one of my favorite libraries I've been to so far.

This library is set far back from the chaos that is route 4. Inside it's very scholarly but fun!…read moreHow else do you explain study carrols with bright green chairs? There are many sections to sit and read quietly, a self service check out, and an electric car charging station outside. It is next to several sport related fields. They also have a lovely Friends of the Library association who do book sales and (if memory serves) a cookie walk.

"A woman that I know just came from Majorca, Spain She…read moresmiled because I did not understand Then she held out a ten-pound bag of cocaine She said it was the finest in the land" (Ringo Starr) When it was built in 1865, the Connecticut Commissioner of Education, called it the "finest school in the state." Today, that "Finest school in the state" serves as a museum preserving its heritage as a one-room schoolhouse that was built nearly 160 years ago! The school's first teacher was named Miss Francis, and her salary was $96 for four months of teaching duties. For 84 years, students of all ages from nearby towns were taught here, some walking several miles to get their education. Since the school was closed in 1949, the building served as a library, nursery school, meeting place for Explorer Scouts, and rehearsal space for a church choir. The building was restored in 1975 for the U.S. Bicentennial. When we visited today, we saw the schoolhouse was furnished the way it would have looked back in the day, with bolted desks (c. 1865), hand slates (c. 1900), textbooks (19th - 20th c.), and more artifacts including some very primitive baseball bats. Two very cool things I want to share with you. When you walk in, an old school bell ding dongs to announce your arrival. And behind the schoolhouse is a restored "Two Holer" of an outhouse. Thanks to a grant from Connecticut Humanities, the Schoolhouse will open for the Tourism Season Sundays through September from 2:00 - 4:00 pm.

A historically beautiful structure that houses Connecticut's Supreme Court and the state library,…read morelocated in the Capitol area of Hartford. This would be a great place to learn and view some of the historical pieces that defines the state of Connecticut. You can also sit in a Supreme Court hearing and take the tour of the state library, which contains state and federal legal publications dating way back to the late 19th century. The state library is open to the public and has wifi and outlets, so you can definitely use the space to bring your laptop/tablet and do some work. Great place for school groups to take a trip to, or even for families looking for something educational to do.

Beautiful building inside and out , built in 1854 . interesting architecture . It's not a library…read moreof leisure books, but that of records of various things such as historic documents, law, court records, Public records, land records, genealogy , you can look up your family tree here especially if your a CT resident , they have archives and archives of records very neatly organized, very clean building , metal detectors and security guard(s) . You can also find various test exams manuals here. Getting a library card is easy, just file out a simple application and have I.D. You can find the rights and claim of citizens, and the history of Connecticut and its people . Free wifi. computers access , book scanner . Parking is on street, parking meter . The gated parking lot is for employees. Nice staff members. They also have a museum in the building that closes 1 hour earlier than library

This review is specifically for the kids section on the second floor. I've read reviews that they…read morehad a huge section designated for kids, so I had to check it out. Once you walk in from the parking lot, take an immediate right up the stairs (I don't know if there is an elevator). This floor was huge! Biggest kid section I've seen. The Teens room had their own room. There were multiple study rooms which is pretty awesome, I haven't seen those in the libraries I've been to in the past. There's an art studio as well. The kids/preschool section was nicely decorated. The books were organized and they seem to have a huge collection of childrens books. My toddler loved the play kitchen; there's a puppet section under the tree, a play boat with fishing toys, blocks, chess table, computers, and magnetic blocks. We spent over an hour there and it's a great place to take the kids. I see that they have many events planned that's posted on their bulletin board. I will be back for sure!

So admittedly my review is based on one author event; but it was Mary Kay Andrews. She's prolific,…read moreat least to me. She's the Stephen King of the beach book set, her books are great. So in terms of the actual library: parking was ample. It was an easy in and out. The actual building was impressive, it looked almost like a modern castle, and they had trash cans by their front door. I can't tell you how much time I have wasted in my life trying to find a trash can, and they have two within eyesight of the front door. The bathrooms are clean, the staff is friendly, and the books seem to be part of a thorough collection. The actual author event was fantastic; they went above and beyond to make it as summery as they could, and were even playing the sounds of crashing waves as people walked in. Clearly a lot of thought went into every detail.