Holy smokes. This is West Virginia. I was not expecting to find one of the most modern and fancy libraries I've ever seen! It looks like a classic boring 1900's library from the outside but inside are smooth lines, workstations, subtle lighting and lots of up-to-date bookshelves. Great seating and a friendly library who booked a private study room for me (I learned that it can be done through the website) where I did a couple Zoom calls without disturbing my fellow library patrons. Lots of books, fast wifi and yes, they even have a TOOL library where you cab borrow shovels and rakes and stuff. What? Yes! [Review 19620 overall - 94 in West Virginia - 591 of 2023.] read more

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Any first time visit to a city/town, for me, comes with a few go-to's for seeking out; coffee shops, book stores, bakeries, and of course the local public library. I know that last one might sound strange, but I promise it's not. That downtown library is likely to be historic and thus you get to observe the area's older architecture. Libraries tend to have an exhibit/area that shares local history. Again a chance to learn more about where you are. And my guilty pleasure, libraries have used books for sell. Like a bookstore, you never know what you'll find and you can support them at the same time. I stumbled upon this one while en route to a cake shop and knew I needed to stop in. The exterior is a beautiful, Roman-sque design and harkens back to when libraries were to place to be admired and revered. As I entered, there was a layout (much needed with three floors to navigate) with the bookstore on the ground level. I found a few books (for literally a total of $5) and was soon back on my cake mission. Were I a resident of the area, this would be a regular spot for me. read more

I'm a backpacker and was briefly passing through the area. It was pouring rain outside so I decided to hang out in the library for a bit while I waited until I could check into my hotel. I was inside for about 20 minutes with no issues. Just sitting quietly by myself watching a movie on my phone, when I was approached by an employee. I was told that "large backpacks" were not allowed in the library. I assumed it was to prevent stealing, so I offered to leave it by the front desk until I left. I was told no and that I needed to leave because of a "policy" that doesn't allow large backpacks in the library. I was given no further explanation and had to leave. I have never experienced something like this before. I'm guessing that the employee thought I was homeless and came up with a random reason to kick me out. Pretty uncool. Can't say I'd recommend this library to anyone. read more

I call it "the Homeless Hilton". Millions in renovations with donations from the wealthiest in Charleston, though they never set foot in the library. Library said they needed more space for "their collections". All they did was create a lot more space, with the names of the donors plastered above it. Shelves are lower, harder to find books, not a good set up. Not much of a selection, either. Don't forget to check out the Great Wall of Donors, basically a Who's Who of Charleston. I went a few times as was literally the only person browsing for books. Lots of homeless, so bad it smells like body odor and coffee - because of course we need a library that serves coffee. Oh, and you can sew and borrow tools, give me a break. It is a shrine to the elite liberals of Charleston. The homeless still wait outside at 9am to get in to use the rest rooms. Lots of weirdos tucked away in the corners on computers. While the rest of the city falls down around us. Just think if these donors had used their money to raze the abandoned homes around Capitol Market (yes they could still get their name on it) At least try to make something of the area but they refuse to look at the facts of our shrinking city. read more

Marketing is not very willing to help people out. I contacted them on a Wednesday to see if I could use a small space that Saturday to teach an online class for just an hour in the morning. I literally just needed a space for me and my laptop that wouldn't disrupt other library users. The woman that I spoke to first said that she thought they were booked, then said they are running on Thanksgiving hours and she needed to make sure they were open at the time I needed a space. After putting me on hold, she simply said they couldn't help me this weekend because I would have needed to fill out a form and pay for the space and "there wasn't enough time". The form could have easily been faxed to me and I could have paid over the phone, but she never gave me the option. I don't recommend using this library. read more

Large library, used to be the post office back in the olden day. Has a very sizable fiction section as well as reference books and some film reels. Staff is generally very nice and helpful. The major downside is the heating/cooling system: it is hot as a furnace in summer and chilly all winter. Also there is no "quiet" seating area: just one big area on the first floor and a smaller area on the fourth floor. The first floor has computers (music and yacking) and the fourth is a teen book section in the media department (music and yacking) read more

They have a large amount of different kinds of genres. The staff is always kind and helpful, but, being in downtown Charleston, many people that hang out here may make visitors feel uncomfortable or unsafe. The atmosphere is very quiet and serene, but it lacks enough seating to enjoy a good book. read more

Good av section. Decent comics and graphic novel section. Average fiction selection. Web site needs work