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.

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.

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.]

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.

Adorable library! There's definitely an older looking exterior made of brick that's so pretty! By…read morethe parking lot, you have a mailbox and picnic tables. You enter into the new side, which does go down. The old side is on the other side of the circulation desk, and the public parks of the inside are smaller than the outside suggests. They are pretty though, you can feel the age in the boards you walk on. There is also a reading area with old fireplace. It may not be the biggest library but it's cozy.

Giving it 3 stars because of the hours. Was looking for a spot to study during the day but found it…read morewas closed when I arrived (Monday morning around 10 am). Library is closed on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays which was sort of a bummer I was not able to go in. Hoping to go back sometime when they are open. Large Donation bins for Red Cross outside in parking lot, seemed like there was ample free parking available. Also a large donation box for books and movies in parking lot.

Great spacious library. Beautiful large windows to key natural light in. Parking was somewhat…read moredifficult to find during summer, so imagine it would be very difficult to find in the seasons school is in session. It looked like there was a cafe open in the library, but didn't appear open while I was there. Overall a great library and will be back soon.

Charming location, incredibly friendly staff, what more could you ask for?…read more Every possible resource is available or can be located. This is what small town America is all about. It encourages happiness and contentment.

The road to…read moreknowledge The Gales Ferry Library is a quaint little library located in the quaint little village of Gales Ferry. The first library was started back in 1917 when a bunch of donated books were just shoved on a shelve in a country club and the first real library was constructed shortly after in 1921. The diminutive library continued pretty much unchanged until 1971 when it was moved to a larger facility next to the community center and was expanded once again in 1991. The most distinctive feature of the library is the wonderful balcony with the lattice railing. It gives nice views of the downstairs as well as a nice place for some peace and quiet. The library has a very obvious small town feel to it and is friendly and inviting. It's not nearly as architecturally stunning as the nearby Bill library but is warm, cozy and unique. A very pleasant library in a very pleasant location.

This library is pretty cool! It's part of several municipal buildings, and the extrance is combined…read moreinto a red door tucked behind a small garden. Inside the building are several benches, and several grand entrances with columns! The symbol of the library is a sea shell which you can find around like an Easter Egg. The employees are really nice as well, very open to questions and providing information.

Dark inside but lots of tables and computers available. Smaller library in a huge building…read more Beautiful gardens when walking in.

I have been a member of this library for 66 years, and it has grown with the public it serves into…read morean amazing local treasure. The librarian and all of the personnel bend over backward to provide the very best customer service possible, and the selections are always fresh and exciting. In addition, the special programming is fun for adults and kids alike.

A beautiful building in…read more a beautiful borough The Stonington Free Library is located in a lovely building that was built way back in 1900. This was in the time before most towns were broke and when they still had money to spend on making libraries more than just warehouses to store books. The building would be a cool place to visit even if it didn't have any books at all. The site selected was where the famous Wadawanuck Hotel stood a few years before. This was when Stonington was still a hopping transportation center with a multitude of steam ships and trains stopping here between Boston and New York. Before things changed and Stonington became a the quiet little borough it presently is. The library is relatively small by the standards of larger towns but has been expanded several times over the decades but still managed to keep it's charm and unique character. It was built to be more than just a place to store books and that idea has never changed throughout the years. Sure the library has books, a whole bunch of books. plus the usual periodicals, computers, videos, Cd's and other mundane library stuff. The library also has a nice children's department and has various lectures, events and demonstrations. Of course the friendly and smiling small town librarians are present to assist and eager to help with any question or difficulty. But the magic of this library isn't in the books but the wonderful building located in a wonderful and historical town literally surrounded by water. A great place to read, do research or just walk around, look, smell the ocean, and wonder what this town was like a hundred years ago when the library was built.