Make it a priority to get over to their temporary location at 200 Boston Ave. They have plenty of books, and they have a lot of work space. I didn't use the "quiet room," but when I walked by, it was being well-utilized. TIP: Easier just to enter at the 200 Boston Ave entrance. I drove around looking for the loading dock entrance, but wasn't able to locate it. SUPPORT YOUR LOCAL LIBRARY! read more

loudest library ive ever been in honestly, there are only 3 study rooms and the rest of the library is open to all the noise of the staff and hallways. the staff are nice but some of them are so loud they're literally echoing across the whole building. it's clean and organized but they don't have any of the books i have been looking for and it's not a good place to study. read more

Great new space, always helpful staff. The kids room and it's respective librarians are especially wonderful. Can't imagine Medford without it. read more

The space is stunning now (since the remodel a few years ago). My kids love the children's room (lots of dramatic play options, a sensory friendly quiet space, and cool stuff in the library of things). read more

The two librarians at the desk were friendly and helpful as I signed up for a library card. I also found them to be helpful when I came back another time and couldn't find a book on the shelf. Thanks for being awesome, Medford librarians! There's lots of tables to read at, but the seats are uncomfortable. Too bad since there's free parking. Sigh. read more

Medford Public Library - Reading area - Libraries Near Me - Medford, Massachusetts

I haven't been to the temporary location on Boston Ave yet and am glad the library will have a new building eventually as I never loved the somewhat stark & uninviting atmosphere of the old one though it has a good selection of books, music cds, and movies. Have to admit that I patronize the Malden Public Library more often and may check out Winchester's library as well. Hopefully, the new library, once it's finished, will have more comfortable chairs and a warmer ambiance & decor as I prefer the feel of older libraries--so I will want to spend time in my own town's library. read more

From the entrance, the Return desk is just past the Check-Out desk. Seems... counter-intuitive? Pun fest 2013. And beware of the abrasive automatic door on entry - it will take you out. Provided you've made it past the Temple of Doom that is the entrance, it just gets more 80's from there. The single floor follows no real organized layout, the stale air and dot matrix signage will keep you scratching and coughing, and good luck locating graphic novels. Y'know, if you're in to that sort of thing... That said, we live in an era of digital prestidigitation. With access to the interwebs, you're free to scour the entire Minuteman library for that must-read dime store novel, and merely face the perils that exist at the door to claim your literary chalice. And for that quick escape, there's parking out front nine out of ten times you swing by. read more

The children's section of the Medford library has been wonderful as my family weathers the COVID crisis. They have helped pick books that my kids would like, renewed books without me asking, and proven to be a true friend of the community. I sincerely appreciate it! If you need help, give them a call. It is always a pleasure to work with them. read more

Ellen vs. Medford Library ROUND ONE - DING! Ellen walks in the door. Waits at desk - but wait, employee is telling her that her question must be quick because she's busy! What a blow! Ellen heads to check out desk - asks for library card - is told she needs something with her new address on it - boom! How can Ellen have something with her new address when she just moved there! What a KO! Library 1, Ellen 0. ROUND TWO - DING! Ellen comes in hot and heavy armed with a cable bill as evidence of her new address - bypasses the front desk - what a duck! Heads to check out to get a card - bysteps a few jabs from the employee - she sees what's coming! Armed with her new card, heads back to the front desk to find out how to print an attachment from her email - BAM! Right to the face! The employee there tells her they don't have word processing on the computers! Wobbly and confused as to what the heck library computers are for if they don't have word processors, Ellen's down again. KO. Library 2, Ellen 0. It looks like Ellen's team is huddling in the pink caw-nah, what's this? They've thrown in the towel! Library wins! read more

DO NOT MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH THE LIBRARIANS, and you will have a good time. (more on this later) GREAT MUSIC SELECTION. They have everything from Liz Phair's "Exile in Guyville" (an essential feminist classic) to the latest Taylor Swift. Everything is arranged in alphabetical order, except some "highlighted" cds which are featured in the "popular section." You can really find some hidden gems here, e.g. John Prine's "Bruised Orange" and Leonard Cohen's "Death of a Ladies Man." This is a great place to explore music without having to shell out for your wanderings. Pro tip: Google "best albums of all time" you will find excellent lists by Esquire, Rolling Stone, Spin, and then collect these albums at the Medford Library. If you are a Medford resident, you can access the entire Minute Man catalog, which means you can "order" cds, movies, books from pretty much every other town in the state. If you have rather obscure music taste like myself, you don't have to wait long for your desired pick, someone inevitably has the cd of your dreams (usually Newton or Cambridge). Your selections are delivered to the Medford location, and you can set up your account to get a text message telling you to come over and grab it. Books are pretty great: Wonderful selection of Nabokov and other Russian writers, they have all of Charles Simic's stuff, great selection of Bukowski and Klosterman. My mum wants me to tell you that the "large type" selection is also grand. They keep their movie selection up to date as well - they ever have some Sundance favorites. Back to the Librarians. Some of them do not take kindly to you taking out "too many items." There is actually no official limit to how many items you can take out, but if you bring up more than 4 cds, you will get the evil death stare. They also are VERY SERIOUS about the no food and drink and no cell phone use policy. I have never broken any of these rules myself ::cough cough:: but my Grandmother got into a scuffle with one of the librarians because they fussed at her for pulling out a water bottle to take some of her medication. If you are not the kid-friendly type, don't come here from 3:30-7 M-F. Many of the St. Joseph students use the library as their personal after school program, I find them well behaved, but I have witnessed many of my compatriots eye rolling away at them. Twice a year, the library hosts a plant and book drive: selling their overstock and plants from the Medford gardening club to raise money. These usually happen in December and August - I highly recommend going. You can get tons of books for less than $2 a pop - everything from kids books to summer reads to Emily Bronte. read more

When I walked through those doors I knew I was in for an adventure. But it wasn't the beautiful decor, the lively atmosphere...it was something more. Bring your kids, bring you're wife, because they have "Weird" Al CDs. "Weird" Al CDs as far as the eye can see. Finally some culture in this godforsaken town. read more

Some libraries are meant for lounging--- posting up in a cozy spot, reading your latest borrow, perusing the new fiction section, or hopping on the computers. This, isn't that. One thing I miss from living in Somerville was proximity to the beautiful main branch there. Medford library is fine, but really nothing special. Parking's less than ideal, but I've never waited to pick up a book and I haven't had to deal with any of the surliness other reviewers mention. Get in, get your book, get out. Works for me. read more

Great small library. It's an open floor plan, so you just wonder to the section you need. Since it's small, there aren't any study rooms, but there are nooks and tables and chairs where you can plop down and work/read for a little while. The teen/childrens sections are the nicest - very well decorated, lots of displays with different suggestions. Lots of tables where kids can sit and work and hang out. The library is small, but you can order just about any book/music/movie through the interlibrary loan system. The librarians also seem very nice. Comparing the library to the others in the area, I'm guessing it's not very well funded because I saw that the roof was leaking in three different places and they just had tarps pulled over shelves there. The parking situation is also a little cramped and if you park in the narrow section, you'll spend forever getting out. The library itself is a very cramped/busy area of Medford, so tough on street parking too. read more

You know, the building itself is pretty old, worn down, small. I agree that it's lacking as a spot for "hanging out." But the staff is exceptional. Every time I walk in and see the posters of upcoming programming I am super impressed by the breadth, creativity, and sheer volume of their programming. There's almost always something clever going on in the childrens' or YA section to draw kids in (like the time I saw a display of books wrapped in brown paper as part of a Valentine's Day program, "go on a blind date with a book."). They throw wonderful book sales a couple times per year. The topical/seasonal curated displays by the checkout desk always catch my eye. They truly make a feast out of scraps. And as for the collection, since the library is part of the Minuteman Network, getting any book (or CD, DVD, etc.) is as easy as going online to "order" it and then picking it up, usually within a few days. It's nice if I can grab a book immediately but not essential. My only complaint is that I'd love to see what this talented group of folks could do with more funding and resources. read more

This is a pathetic excuse for a library. You're better off at the "leave a book, take a book" rack at Starbucks. Where's the option for zero stars? Besides the facility being a run-down dump that makes me wonder if I'm in a flea market or a Building 19, I completely agree with the comments about the miserable, pugnacious employees...I too have been reprimanded on more than one occasion by staff members for returning "too many books" from other Minuteman libraries. Really? Forgive me for trying to make good use of a membership benefit. If you dont like the rule, don't complain to me. Leave the Minuteman network. You would not be missed. MEDFORD - PLEASE FIX THIS LIBRARY! I'm ashamed of it, and you should be too. read more

This library is a disgrace to Medford. The facility is rundown and the librarians seem very unhappy. A few months ago, I returned some books and a video and when I checked online, I noticed one of the books and the video were not recorded as returned. When I called the library to fix this, the librarian found the video and then she told me she was too busy to look for the book and I'd have to come in and find it to get the overdue fine off my record. What? You made a mistake and I have to fix it? The librarian over in the children's department seems to live to reprimand the children. They also enjoy complaining when someone returns a book from a different library in the Minuteman system. Which is completely legal but apparently frowned upon. I suggest visiting the Winchester library, Arlington library or the beautiful new library in Cambridge instead. The facilities are much better and the librarians aren't as cranky. read more

I'm very impressed with their music selection. Especially their collection of Weird Al albums. Very impressed indeed.

What a change!!! Librarians who want to help! Fun programming for all ages! Thanks Medford yet another great reason to live here!

Staff is alway on their toes keeping busy. Very helpful. Lots of great selections for children. They love to read with the parents in the little play area. read more

Every other library I've been to in the area is bigger. There are no good places to study quietly unless I missed it. The children's section is decent though. read more

Medford Public Library has made some wonderful new hires in the last year or so and the library is now a fabulous place to spend time -- all the time. We have more activities posted on that back wall than almost any I've seen in the surrounding communities. Someday, we'll get it together and do a major fundraising drive for capital improvements, but for now, everyone I ever come in contact with is friendly and helpful, considerate and caring. read more

A library is supposed to be a santuary for the public, not a refuge for misanthropic public employees. Never before have I encountered such a miserable, unhelpful and uninformed staff. read more

I'll ditto everyone else on the surliness of the librarians. Last time I was in there the circulation clerk was having an animated conversation with a coworker and didn't notice me standing there waiting for assistance. When she did notice she said "Are you standing there for a reason?" Rude! Haven't been back since. I use the library near where I work instead of the one in my town. I was beginning to wonder if I should try again but the other reviews here tell me that it wasn't an isolated incident. read more

Phyllis who used to work there was the best person in the world. The new one that they hired now (at least i think that she is new) is JUST HORRIBLE. She is around 50, blond hair. Please let her go!! She is so incredibly unfriendly, never helps you with anything and always has an attitude! read more

Great new energetic children's librarian - many, MANY fun new programs and events are being offered. Many years ago, the place did have ahem...some "interesting" staff members, ("brusque" may be putting it nicely!) but that was long ago and the current crop are friendly and know their stuff. Decent enough collections and very prompt service getting items through the Minuteman library sharing system. Don't care for the private tutors working with clients at the tables when they can't keep their voices down and don't get me started on the noisy clutches of school kids from the parochial school across the street... Last, is the awful bathroom fixed yet? Like the hours - many libraries seem to have cut hours, but this one has held on. read more

I am a Medford resident but I have not been there for years. I just request my books to pick up from Somerville library, which has more friendly staff. A few years ago, I was in the library looking for some books for my daughter, even though it was still more than 30 minutes before closing, the staff started to rushing us to check out over and over again. When I need some help printing, they just ignore me. The printer was very slow so they kept rushing me - ironically, they were very prompt to ask for me to pay for the printing papers as if I would not pay. Very demeaning experience. read more

This is a library ? How sad is that ! Poor selection of books and anything else. Computers are from dark ages. Drive to Lexington and use their library. Now that's a real library. read more

I've never had a problem here. The desk staff is great - I've seen them be pleasant to people who want to haggle over a $1.00 fine (and are being very unpleasant!). I think that their staff has been cut (alot!) and yet I'm always greeted with a "how are you today - can I help you with anything?" I agree with Stephanie - "Awesome" read more