I see there hasn't been a review in years, so I wanted to show my appreciation for an amazing…read morelibrary downtown!! The staff is extremely friendly, and it is so cozy and relaxing inside. They have a large selection, and I love to come here and just browse. If you are downtown New Bedford, make sure to venture inside!

Art books and…read morewhales The New Bedford library is a massive edifice but not particularly beautiful or aesthetical pleasing. Huge blocks of granite piled together and some powerful looking pillars in the front. However since this is New Bedford, the land of Moby Dick, several very interesting statues about whaling grace the front of the library. Actually rather stern and brutal looking but then I guess whaling was never a pleasant vocation. The inside of the library is stunning. Lovely and graceful staircases and wonderful lights and windows. This is definitely one of those libraries that is more art museum that a place for books. But along with the art and antiques this library does have books. A whole lot of books. All the usual best sellers and useful modern books but also an amazing collection of very, very old books. A very cool library that is definitely that is a lot more than just a place to go for a book. A beautiful place that is fascinating to prowl around even if you don't want to read.

Windows and parks…read more The Lawler Branch Library is one of the four libraries in the city of New Bedford. It was built in 1960 with money donated by Sylvia A.H.G. Wilkes and is located right next to Buttonwoods Park. The library is fairly large for a branch library and is basically one large room that has all the separate areas just delineated by a bit of space and some signs. The library has some cool windows and the whole building kind of reminds of me of an old fashion gymnasium with a pool or basketball courts inside. Definitely a unique but pleasant look for a library The inside is very clean and convenient with working wifi and everything you would except from a modern library, just not as much of it as in one of the larger libraries. There is even a meeting room for events and groups. Not a huge, historic or architecturally impressive library but a very nice branch library located in a very convenient location.

This is the library branch of the NB Whaling Museum, housing (I believe) all of their written…read morecollections - logbooks, historical documents, a lot of art, most of it sent over from the Kendall Whaling Museum when it was absorbed by the NB Museum. I can't imagine anyone comes here who isn't doing specific research on whaling, but appointments are pretty much required and there's also a $10 per hour fee if you're not a museum member. Both of the librarians here were extremely helpful and really passionate about the subject. The patron-accessible library is limited to mostly the reading room, which is spacious and quiet with lots of tables. Most of the delicate, rare-books stuff is in the back, so you'll need to specially request a librarian to get it for you, but I was just impressed with the general-knowledge books they had outside in the cases for anyone to browse, comprising a very in-depth overview of whaling worldwide in themselves. The library I believe also houses the Melville Archive, so 19th century literature nuts might also like to pay them a visit.

Books and stuff…read more The Howland Green Branch Library was built in 1964 with funds left by Sylvia Howland Green and is one of the five libraries in the city of New Bedford. It has a graceful and sweeping sort of look for the exterior and I was surprised to learn that it was constructed in the 1960s. The library is in the south end of New Bedford and has a nice selection of Spanish books, magazines and other items. Like most branch libraries, Howland Green has a good supply of popular and best sellers but it also has nice reference and research services too. The librarians we talked to we helpful and friendly and the entire library was well maintained and very clean. Plenty of tables to spread out on or chairs off by themselves for those who want some quiet. Branch libraries have their other niche and are usually quite different than main libraries. And that 's how it should be. Howland Green is a very convenient and useful library for those people living in the south end of New Bedford.

Wonderful local library. The staff are do kind and helpful. Great selection of books with local…read moreemphasis.

This is an awesome library. The staff are so helpful and pleasant. Always happy and smiling. Such a…read moregreat selection of books and children's section. My favorite part is the activities they offer. From children's story time and crafts, to novel teas and Lego night, book clubs and so much more. They have things you can borrow such as yoga mats and helpful devices such as knee scooters and walkers, as well as games such as jenga and more. Don't forget the passes that could get you free access to places such as the Buttonwood ZooBy far one of the best libraries I've ever been to.

Love this library! Great place for toddlers!! They have a room for kids in the ground level where…read morekids can read, play, and explore! Also, check out the free programs they have for kids!

Harpoons ships and…read morenaked ladies The Southworth Library was opened in 1969 and looks like a massively strong and stout building from the outside. A lot of stairs to climb to get into the main entrance but with handicapped access also available. Once inside it becomes immediately apparent that this library is as much museum as a place for books. Lots of cool paintings and models of ships, most reflecting the area's very nautical history. Some old harpoons are prominently displayed on one wall and right in the middle of the library is a large statue of a very naked lady. Not sure who she is but the statue is definitely hard to miss. A very pleasant and unique library that is more than just a place to find a book or use a computer. Lots of local history is available and even some historical and prurient art.

Old schools new libraries…read more The Acushnet Public Library opened in 2015 and is located in the old Marie S. Howard school that was closed sometime in the 1960s and was used as a community center for several decades. The old Russell Library, located not far away, was a very cool building but was too small and very difficult to access for people with any kind of disability. Definitely not an easy place to get in and out of. The new library is spacious, practical and still manages to be aesthetical pleasing even though its old school roots are still obvious. The children's area is especially nice and everything is well organized and easy to find. The librarian we talked with was very friendly and helpful and was proud of the new library. It's actually fun going around and trying to find little reminders of the building's school origins and it's obvious that the choice of the building as the new library was a wise move that will serve Acushnet for decades to come.

Great location and awesome children's book area with a great selection and some activities to keep…read morethe kids busy. Very clean and staff is always helpful

Cannon clocks and…read morecases Mattapoisett means place of rest in the local Native American language and this library is indeed a peaceful and extremely interesting place. Nestled on a quiet side street close enough to the ocean that you can smell it, the library has a unique charm. As you approach the library you notice all the cool stuff outside. A huge old naval cannon sits guarding the lawn, a huge boulder with a plaque on it and a cool civil war statue all demand your attention. They now are displaying an octopus made out of trash picked up from the area. Even if you didn't go into the building this would still be a interesting place. Once you do go inside you quickly realize this is not your average small town library. Cool old grandfather clocks, beautiful artwork, cases filled with cool stuff and a magnificent staircase all conspire to catch your eye. The library was renovated in 2008 with 4,000 square feet added and the architects did a marvelous job. Everything blends together very well and the new area is congruent with the original. Not the cheap, hack jobs that you frequently see on some renovated libraries, this was well thought out. The librarians there were very friendly, knowledgeable, hospitable and just plain nice. Gave me all the information about the library that I could every desire and let us explore as much as we wanted. Of course the facility has all the usual modern items that most libraries have and lots of cozy places to read but we didn't even bother to look at them, we were having too much fun with everything else. Mattatpoisett Public Library makes you realize that a library can be a lot more than just a place to read.

Definitely one of the nicest libraries in the state. Lots of cozy places to sit and read a good…read morebook. The children's portion of the library is fantastic, with lots of fun projects kids can work on, from arts and crafts, puzzles, a science corner, and a large lego play table with legos. My kids love to spend time here as do I!

Used their computers and printers to print a doc from my Dropbox account. Helpful and knowledgeable…read moregentleman at the information desk got me sorted.

Time to retire…read more The Essex Public Library is a cool looking stone library that isn't very large. Built like it could last forever, unfortunately or perhaps fortunately it won't. At least not as a library. The cool looking stone part is fine but the isn't very large part is what dooms it. I'm sure it will survive as something, it is just to cool looking to destroy, but it's library days are almost gone. The library was built back in 1939 and the massive stone walls survived whatever nature could throw at it with ease. Cozy and very pleasant inside, the venerable old library just could expand no further. Just no more room to put computers and other new necessitates. So it was decided to build a new library that is much larger, more convenient, more user friendly and much more modern. It is scheduled to open in 2014. The old library is not very easy to get into, steep stairs get slippery in the rain or snow and it must be difficult for anyone with a handicap to manage. The library is wonderful once you manage to get in, cozy, comfy, with a great sense of history. The stairs down to the kid's department has a fantastic mosaic covering both walls. Absolutely stunning to look at, I hope this somehow makes it to the new library. Yeah, a new library is needed and will serve the community much better. But seeing this building retired will still be sad. Hopefully it can be turned into some type of museum or educational edifice. Time passes and the old fade into the mists of time and the new takes over. Doesn't matter if it's a building or a person, time will always have it's way.