They were very strict and mean it felt more like I was in a prison than a library. They treated…read moreevery person like they came in with something to hide, or that everybody was up to no good, and we're constantly yelling at everybody for just about anything you could think of. I stopped in to do some homework while on shift for local ambulance company and would rather have stopped at a city park. Or McDonald's.

Great library! I love the central location (in walking distance from Olde Towne Portsmouth). And I…read morelove how clean and organized the library is. I especially enjoy going to the monthly book sales that take place in the basement of the library. You can get some amazing books for only a few dollars!

I like it here! This library is always super clean and the staff is always available to help…read more They all seem to be busy librarians and helpers every time we visit - almost never see a worker just sitting and doing nothing - I love it! The library is a little difficult to spot from the main street. So if you are traveling on Taylor Road it's in the cut a little ways pass the Sam's Club and just before you get to the light before the HWY 664. There are two entrances/exits for this location. It's also right next to the Treasurer's Office which is open during the week only. Parking is limited and usually fills up quickly on evenings and weekends. if you visit at night the parking lot it well let but still be extra careful. Like I mentioned above "it's in the cut" Besides the norm: books, magazines, videos and accessible computers, this library also post fliers of events going on in or around the area not just in Chesapeake. This location also hosts events for everyone of all ages. It's always a pleasant visit when my daughter and I visit here. The availability of materials we wish to check out are not always a win for us, but they have a "place on hold" policy and we receive alerts via emails when items are ready for pick up - this is a feature that I love. This library isn't super big, but it does the job and it's convenient for us. There is never a wait to check out items (self check out) or a wait for a computer station. Make sure you apply for a Chesapeake library card and if you are a Chesapeake resident - it's free and you can use the card at all Chesapeake Public Libraries. If it still applies, you will receive a credit card type card and a key chain library card. Conference rooms are available for renting as well - not sure if a fee applies, but the space usually holds up to 50 people or less. We like it here and will continue to visit - Have fun and enjoy life!

The staff were very friendly and helpful while helping me update my library card since I haven't…read morebeen here for awhile. The library is under renovation, and I can't wait to see it when it is complete! Can't wait to read my books, as well!

Took a tour of this library when it first opened & recently returned for a reception for the new…read moretraffic light on a nearby street. The employees are welcoming and the building is well-kept (still!). I love all the resources and play park they have for the local neighborhood children who come to visit on a daily basis. Just be aware that the parking lot is behind the library! Clean bathrooms, vending machines, conference rooms, to include an outside balcony located upstairs. Computers also available.

Beautiful brand new library. When I walked in, I was pleased to see it is set up like a mini…read moreSlover-conference rooms, computers and the best children floor in the city. I went upstairs to complete school work and enjoyed working with a wonderful window view. Self checkout and attentive staff all visible. A wonderful addition to the neighborhood and the city.

Before I begin I would like to say that this review is based solely upon my personal experiences…read moreand my personal experiences alone, so without further ado let's begin!. I have been at this location on a number of occasions, but it's been quite a while from what I can remember. This review is just on the fact that I visited for the restroom facility only! I will update my review when I return for other reasons. Thank you for reading!.

Was clean and quiet but don't expect to drink coffee or anything while studying/doing school work…read morebecause you're not allowed which I find absurd. Gentleman was nice when he told me it's not allowed but I definitely find it a little ridiculous people can't have a drink while sitting and doing their work as it's a very common thing for people to do. Would recommend studying elsewhere.

I love this library. Staff is extremely helpful if you need help finding any type of material for…read moreschool purposes or leisure. They also have free notary! They offer free classes for high school or college students needing to learn PowerPoint and other work or school related programs. Copy & printers available, private study rooms, computers, this little library seems to have it all. They have a dedicated children's area in a separate area that has plenty of learning activities, toys, books, DVDs & computers. You can rent several books and DVDs at a time which we take full advantage of. They offer free classes for all children ages at different times throughout the year- my toddler loved attending where they read stories and had fun learning activities. Register online for the free toddler classes. Bathrooms are clean and have baby changing stations. This month they will be having the "Teeny Tiny Farm's Baby Zoo" which we are excited to atrend !

I really enjoy coming to this library as it is the closest to me. It is a very clean area with…read morenice people. I love to come here to work on schoolwork and to knock-out online things that need to be done in peace and quiet. One thing I will say is to be sure to call ahead and make sure they are open. Do not depend on the websites open and close hours. I arrived at 10:30am on Friday morning to a closed building even though they claim to be open 10am to 5pm on Fridays. Nevertheless, everything else about this place is great when it is open.

This library is beautifully decorated. I love the modern feel of it. I came here for a meeting. The…read moremeeting room was clean and spacious. Also, the temperature was perfect. Usually libraries are freezing, but I was comfortable in my hoodie. I just think this location has an awkward parking lot. It's right smack in the middle of other businesses with only a few parking spots near the front. I didn't mind the walk, but I can see how it would be a pain during inclement of weather.

I come to this library 4-5 times a week and am happy with what this library has to offer for the…read morecommunity. Ambiance: The place is nice and big, and its size is something that I did not expect when I see it from the outside. It provides plenty of seating area, tables to study/read, and the tables are prepared with plugs to be able to phones/laptops/anything that is being used by patrons coming in to this library. The library also offers plenty of computers for patrons to use, and a very nice printing area for those who need to print items. Above all, I come here often seeing many individuals use this place as a place to hang out, spend time, or even get away from situations that they are in. It provides a very safe and secure environment, and even more with an onsite security guard. They are open from 10a-8p most days, Fridays they close at 6p, and they are also open on Sundays from 1p-6p. Selection: The selection is small as compared to Chesapeake City Library, or other libraries in the Chesapeake area, but can also be considered as a pretty healthy selection of books, magazines, CDs/DVDs, and games. Service: The library does seem to be here for those in the community. They have a TV that advertises what is going on, and services they offer. I most especially like that they offer assistance with jobs for those who need it. They do advertise job fairs and have job postings available to make people aware of these opportunities. The customer service at the front desk is really great, very amicable, personable, and helpful. I am also amazed at the facial memory that some of them have that work behind the desk. They definitely seem to be here for the people. Food: Yes! There is a little cafe that serves food for those who come at a very cheap rate. Do not expect Starbucks kind of meals, but the sandwiches they prepare taste homemade and are a nice lunch to have. Usually, there is a weekly special/deal that they offer, which is usually a discounted rate of some items on their menu. The service is great as well! Very nice ladies (I have not been served by a gentleman, but there might be one working there), and they take great pride in what they do. Excellent service. I truly appreciate that this library is here for this community, and can sense that they are really here for their community.

Enjoyed working with Jennifer and her staff this past Saturday. Ghent Antiques recreated a mock…read moreAntique Road Show! 30 plus items to look at. So much fun! STAFF was great to work with and great help! Hope to do again soon! Dan Hunt Ghent Antiques.

This is a public library in downtown norfolk near Colley avenue. It's small and we usually go for…read morebaby/toddler story time. It does appear to draw a lot of homeless people who will hang out in the library, use the computers, and bathe in the single stall bathrooms. I don't recommend using the bathrooms.

After getting off work in Portsmouth, I headed to this library hours before the Yelp Elite last…read moreWednesday. To have quality time for myself while reading a good book was much needed. Let's dive into details on how the visit was. The library is located right by an Elementary school and apartments. I only sat in the lobby area after walking inside to rest for a few hours to read a book I brought from home. Adjacent to the lobby, you have three entrances to the Treasurer, Commissioner of the Revenue and the main room to the library. I'm sure each area has been cared for by staff. For the lobby, it was spotless and each table appeared clean. And it was air conditioned well, which was good for me considering the Yelp Elite event was gonna be outside. Foot traffic was minimal. Very perfect for me with reading. Couldn't have asked for more. If you're in need for some quiet time, a library is always there. Thanks Norfolk Suffolk Library for providing it for yours truly :)

This is certainly a little "kept secret" in the area. I came on a Thursday evening in the late…read moreevening. It's a pretty small library compared to the others I'm used to. I notice they have 2 book returns out front. You will find the office of the treasurer and commissioner in the foyer of the building. They have a children's section separate from the back. The fiction and nonfiction are located on the main floor. They have quiet study areas throughout, but they could add more.

Still pretty good. I enjoy some of the events they have…read morehere. Some of the staff could be nicer, to be honest. I like it when they have air conditioning. I'm pretty sure there are some people who actually live here, and that's not cool, in my opinion. Most of the time, there are some folks that think it's a good idea to show up and be as LOUD as they can and encourage their children to do the same. I'm here to tell them, it's not "iconoclastic" or "anti-authority" to do that.. it's just annoying and disrespectful. You're not breaking a "boomer tradition", you're just making yourselves seem even more unnecessary. Just saying. Aside from that, the place itself is good. Lots of walking space and plenty to read. Just be careful when requesting items, they claim to not carry CD's anymore, even though they do. And they'll refuse to get some items because of "low demand", which directly contradicts the person requesting it. I swear, I don't know what it is about the people that work at some of these places, but they're not helping the librarian stereotype. I still like this one though, overall.

Before heading to a brewery for a Yelp event, I headed here after work for some much needed quality…read moretime. That is reading of course. Turns out this was not my first time here. The last was over 10 years ago when I was with friends for a local convention. Things have definitely not changed here at all. Let's see how the afternoon turned out. Upon walking in, I noticed quilts on display via the African American Sewical Threaders Guild. They're done as part of Black History Month. They were fantastic and well made. I didn't get the chance to see all of them, but activities like this are very important to the community. They deserve a huge applause for this all around. For reading time, I headed upstairs where they had more tables if you wanted to do homework, use your laptop for assignments, or like myself, enjoying a mostly quiet environment in front of a book. Foot traffic was at a minimum the entire time I was present and it was mostly quiet. Could not ask for more. The next time I'm in the area, hopefully I'll stop by again. Truly a calm place to relax. Till next time :)

Before attending a Yelp Elite event in the Ocean View area almost two weeks ago, I stopped here for…read morea bit after work to enjoy some quiet time reading. I have slacked off a bit so having a moment to catch up was truly needed. Let's see how it turned out. The library itself is well kept. From the areas I walked in, everything was clean and books were in place. When you enter, there are automatic sliding doors and metal detectors. In the desk area, they even have plugs if you want to charge your phone or laptop, which definitely came in handy for yours truly. I spent the next hour or so reading a book from home or checking out news on my phone. Quiet time well spent before hanging out with friends. Libraries are needed for peace and relaxation and this one provided both. The next time I'm in the area for another event, I'll be sure to stop here :)

There is a Cozy Mornings Book club on the last Tuesday of the month. It is a very nice library by…read morethe beach. I usually go there when I do not want to go to the Slover library in Downtown Norfolk.