I drive about 30 minutes every time I visit this wonderful library, even though I pass by at least…read moretwo other libraries on the way. It's absolutely worth the drive! I really appreciate the peaceful and welcoming environment, the excellent management team, and the thoughtful overall layout of the library. It's a great place to study, focus, and get work done.

I grew up in Brooklyn, NY and any times politicians needed money, they cut funding to libraries…read morebecause who needs to read, right? When I moved up to Clifton Park in 2018, I discovered this beautiful library and fell in love with it. Wonderful people, great events, very community minded. Thid library is, in a long life of reading, my favorite.

The library has a good selection of books and DVDs and even a nice selection of items to purchase…read more We love the changing displays. One staff member is a bit abrupt when asked questions, but the rest are very nice and helpful.

I love the East Greenbush library. They used to be in a small space in the East Greenbush Town Hall…read moreand when they built the new one it was only about a third full but over time they've grown to fill it. I wasn't too keen on the space to begin with but it's grown on me. They've got a great selection of books, DVDs, and Cd's, lots of computers to use, comfy chairs to sit and read in and lots of space to work. There are only a couple negatives - a lot of the high school kids hang out here on weekday afternoons, not a bad thing but they can be a little loud sometimes, and the checkout counter has no system for lining up. I've seen kids stand there with a pile of books waiting to check out and some adult comes along and walks to the counter in front of them. It would be good if they had some stanchions like they have in banks just to make things more organized.

Dropped in to use their printing services. I was amazed when the associate handed me the colored…read morecopies and I asked how much they said three free copies a day. Also, I'd been looking for a place to donate some books and was beyond enjoyed to come across a Better World Books drop box in the parking lot of the library. Haven't used the service yet but sounds like an amazing thing to partnership with!

A fantastic public library. Spacious, with a huge selection of books for adults, children and young…read moreadults as well as dvds, magazines and plenty more. The library is clean and welcoming with lots of tables and seating for reading. The staff is friendly and efficient. So grateful to have such an amazing public space in the area!

What a lovely library! Not the typical library from when I was a kid in NYC. This one has high…read moreceilings, lots of light and tons of space. Children's area is separate and colorful, the computer lab area seems to be well-kept and there are comfortable chairs here and there. Obviously, plenty of books to keep one occupied. Upon entering, it was comfortably air conditioned on a warm evening. Bathroom was cleaner than expected. Vibe was quiet-ish...but still noisier than libraries of my youth. Nobody was "sushing" anyone.

This review is for the "branch", not the county library system as a whole, and is relative to…read morepublic libraries in general. It's a medium-sized downtown branch and the flagship of the county library system, housed in a somewhat dreary and dated 1970s building that suffers from the nadir of institutional architecture. The new addition is supposed to open later this year and should make for a much nicer children's department and open up more space in front for adult readers. In the meantime the building is a bit depressing to linger in, and does not have a lot of the comforting aspects for the reader. The construction project has no doubt not helped. Free parking just next to the library, and it's in a neat downtown location across from city hall and catty-corner to the Jay walk. The collection is decent for a public library - not "downtown" quality, if you will, but as a very large library for a city this size and for a relatively small county, it's pretty nice. The county library system in general seems to function well (we've come from another part of the county so have some points of reference), and the staff are very nice and helpful. The collection does seem to be in need of sprucing up -- culling a number of older titles and adding new books more quickly. The computer facilities are below average, but they are entering the age of loaning e-books so I suspect this is a function of budget and not managerial foot-dragging. In any event it's a mixed bag with respect to ability to use the library for research as a whole. I'm a little torn as for rating this, since I can't quite give it five stars -- I've seen five-star public libraries and this is not one of them -- but in terms of patron service I think they're doing better than average for the country as a whole. Can you compare them to the brand new libraries in Saratoga County? Or do you compare it to the storefront library branches in the same county? Or to the smaller but swankier libraries in the towns in the same county system? I honestly don't know, but my sense is that the sheer (relative) size of the collection and the vigor with which it survives in a shrunken user base merits the fourth star. They're adding on: they're moving forward - full credit here where credit is due. For public institutions to actually expand in this day and age means there's something worth paying attention to about this place. That said, it is not a "destination" library, like, say, the Carnegie in Pittsburgh PA or the main branch in Berkeley CA, et alia - it's not the kind of library you'd go out of your way to visit if you were coming from out of town. It's an old armchair that's probably far more comfortable for its affable familiarity than it is for its design. Great to have for locals who can appreciate it. The attention of readers everywhere, however, should be drawn to the Whitney Book Corner, just down the street at 600 Union, which is the used bookstore operated by the Friends of the Schenectady County Library, which is really quite something and which we'll review separately now that there's a Yelp entry for it.

The Niskayuna Branch of the Schenectady library system is closest to my home. I use it regularly…read moreto pick up books I have "ordered" through the excellent online ordering system. Also, I return books there either inside or in a bin outside if the library is it is not open. The staff are pleasant, efficient, knowledgeable, and pleased to assist. Pluses: There is/are A children's area complete with tables A few computers Chairs scattered around to sit if wanted A copy machine that always works it seems A community room that can be reserved if wanted A bathroom that is always clean Ample parking A ramp near the handicapped parking that leads to the entrance No late fees The grounds of the library are maintained nicely by volunteers who weed and plant seasonal plants. There is a short trail near the edge of the parking lot where you can walk, observe birds, and chill. The branch receives heavy use and is appreciated by residents.

This is the Niskayuna branch library of the Schenectady County Library system, located on Nott…read moreStreet just across from City Hall. Since this is a first review, I'll cover the basics. This branch is on the small side, but is a nice modern building of very recent vintage. They've got better than average hours and very helpful and courteous staff. We've been to the kid storytimes a few times, which I have to report are somewhat below average for the genre. There's a big community room in the back, which is where meetings and story times are held. The children's section is nice and large, and there are toys to play with, a nice seating area, and a separate juvenile reference section. There's no "sound segregation" between the kids' section of the library from the rest of the library, so unfortunately the kids have to be quiet, relatively speaking, even though they're off on one side. The adult collections are what I'd call popular adult-circulating. The collection of books in general is very much on the old side - browsing both non-fiction and fiction sections I have found it a bit stale, although many libraries have had challenging times for new acquisitions of late. But they do try to keep the popular bestseller-type-stuff on the shelves and they have an assortment of DVDs and CDs and so forth. I don't generally use the library for the latter but one appreciates the effort they make in keeping all forms of media fresh. There is public internet access, but a county library card is required, you must reserve a session, they're timed, and there's filtering software. There are a few computers dedicated just for library catalog access, which tend to be the ones we use. It's thin for any kind of research, including somewhat regrettably local history. For that you have to go to the downtown branch in Schenectady across from city hall. One feature to note: outside in the parking lot is the entrance to a short walk through a marshy woods - takes less than five minutes to walk, and it's a nice little tromp. There's no play structure at this library (they don't seem to have discovered this serendipity of architecture in New York, that we can see) but there are some benches in the back the younger set can climb over. All in all, a very homey and welcoming, if small, branch.

Disappointing you can only visit on Monday through Friday prior to 5:30PM. Most adults are working…read moreat this time. For working adults would be helpful to have weekend and/or evening times.

Beautiful, expansive, in-depth museum (donations accepted)/library/tourist shop…read more In the main lobby is a HUGE history tourist shop that sells novels, snacks, post cards, souvenirs! Above is the main library and below (down a ramp) the New York State museum with exhibits on American indians, 9-11, the Dutch colonies and warfare/exploration in New York State. Since the only lonely review is from some dude who drove from Minneapolis to Albany, to get wifi (says a lot about internet in Minnesota).. I'll leave a short recap of this place. It's fun for all ages. The old museum exhibits were a thrill for my Grampa. He especially loved the re-enactments, stalls with goods for sale and glass encasements with history items; clothes, cannons, miniatures, maps. Awesome exhibits (rotated). Nifty, large (multi-leveled) library with benches to sit near windows. Brilliant place. Review: 5

Friendly staff. Parking available in the back. Good location. Pick up a good book and head on over…read moreto emack & bolios across the street.

The employees were very helpful and informative.......was taken in quickly.....I did have to make…read moresome follow-up visits though.

Amazing! They got me in for my 1st appointment for the application in 1.5 weeks! I just got off the…read morephone with Lesley for my application phone meeting and she was such a pleasure to talk with. Yes, the conversation takes a long time, but she was patient, kind and understanding. I started the call super depressed and spoke about how I am applying due to a suicide attempt. By the end of our 2 hour long application meeting I was smiling and felt inspired to keep going. Thank you Lesley for being you!