I love how this library is right next to the Science Center and art museum. It is beautiful and has a wonderful children's section. We came for a concert and had a great time. read more

The librarians are so nice and they helped me with anything. There are no overdue fines, which is great, and the variety of books, cds, and dvds, are amazing. I am pleased to say I love my library. read more

I have lived in Hickory since Spring 2019. I got on YELP to leave this review and happened to read a few previous reviews from 2015. Wow! Never would I have imagined that the library I visit weekly used to be such a mess. That has not been my experience. One of the first things an avid reader looks forward to in a new town is visiting the local library and Patrick Beaver has been great! I have never had anything but a pleasant visit. They do not always have a book I am looking for, but their inter-library loan department has always found what I was looking for at another library and had it brought to Patrick Beaver. This library was a God-send during the initial phases of the pandemic for me. Not being able to get out and socialize, or do anything beside grocery shop was really becoming depressing when I heard that the staff a Patrick Beaver were allowing people to checkout books online and pick them up in the foyer of the library. Most library's remained closed, but the staff at Patrick Beaver came through in a big way. This was greatly appreciated by me! The only improvement I can think of would be their catalog search system. I always have a difficult time finding the book I am looking for. Even exact titles often will not bring the book up. So then I will ask for the book to be brought in from another library only to be told that they have that book. I don't know why their search system is not user friendly. But still a wonderful library, with lots of free classes and community activities. read more

To be honest, as new resident my expectations were initially low but I have been pleased with my experiences at the Patrick Beaver Library. The staff is polite, helpful and knowledgeable. One or two of them could smile more. The building is always clean, seating and computer stations are comfortable. Lighting could be better.The supply of computers seems adequate and have worked properly when I've had a need to use them. The grounds are nice but at times are in need of TLC. Perhaps the library could reach out to the Master Gardner's volunteer program for regular sprucing up. The periodicals selection is modest but covers a wide range of interests. More diversity in the selection of DVD movies and documentaries would be a plus, but selection of books-on-tap (CDs) is pretty decent. I can not comment on research materials or the children's library as I've had no need to use either.. Fiction selection is good, biography selection could be better. read more

Their website to renew books cannot be accessed outside of the library. I brought this to the attention of the man at the circulation desk when I returned my DVD's this week. He dismissed me completely, twice. I told him I've tried on two different computers with different browsers and the link failed both times. He also denied that the woman who checked them out to me told me they were due on the day I returned them. I don't know why he thinks it's ok to deny my personal experience which he was not present for, especially when he didn't even TRY to access the renewal page through the library home page link. He did not offer to take off the fine either. Even after he checked them in, a DVD about fibromyalgia included, he just continued with his horrible attitude. It's not like I made a scene either. I just told him the facts, but this guy apparently gets some kind of kick out of being a jerk. I'd rather purchase books than get them for free and be treated like that. read more

It saddens me to see that so many negative reviews of this library are written from the perspective of people eager to describe some library users as homeless, beggars, and drug dealers. Certainly, this library is in a city center and that means it draws a very diverse group of users. Some of them may well be homeless or drug dealers, but as someone who works in public service, I know that these people are a challenge to identify and that our perceptions are often wrong and biased. Further, even if I knew for a fact that a user was homeless and sleeping in the library, I would be happy to know that this person has found safety and sanctuary in a place of learning and equality. I am SO PROUD that the staff of this library treat all people with dignity and respect, unlike the rude reviewer who clearly violated another human's privacy by taking a photo of them sleeping and sharing it online, calling them homeless. I ask administrators to remove this photo immediately. Further, I am SO PROUD that members of the Black community have a place to gather where they are not immediately chased away by police. I believe it says something that they know they can come to the library. Yes, sometimes this takes the form of a few people asking for cigarettes outside, but the answer to this is not harassing them with police intervention. It's in inviting them inside and opening up a world of resources and respect for them. Let's have an open chess club, music sharing, free movies and more all day long so that our poorest and most vulnerable citizens have enriching experiences available to them as often as possible. As a young educator, I often come to this library in the evening after work when things are quiet. Still, I see families enjoying this library, learning on computers together, speaking with librarians who are eager to help, and benefiting from lots of programs. I have always been able to find the materials I need to teach and share. I think the collection is excellent and the staff do a good job of making things accessible. There is way more to this library than the usual gripes from, frankly, ignorant people. I have many young children in my life and I hope to be a mother soon. I hope that the children I teach and the ones I raise will be able to go to any library in the US and find as much acceptance for the less fortunate as this one provides. My constructive criticisms are these: 1. I wish that they would pick up holds for users on materials that are checked in. 2. I wish for more evening and weekend events. 3. There are too many rules. I'd like to bring in drinks and answer my phone quietly. read more

Great library! Nice kids section with Duplo Lego's and puzzles. Great Dvd's for kids. Helpful staff and great location.

The Patrick Beaver Memorial Library is a fantastic resource and a hub of activity to the community. There are always things to do for people of all ages. If you think libraries are obsolete in this digital age, do yourself a favor and stop by. I can mostly only speak to the activities for families with children, but we are always welcome and can always find something to do. There are weekly activities with music, story time, and sometimes magicians and other performers. There are often activities such as Lego builds and other special interest projects. There are things to do all summer long and the summer reading program includes awesome prizes for kids who fill out their reading chart (we have won something almost every year we have participated, but maybe we are just lucky! You also automatically get a goodie bag with tickets to the Crawdads and Science Center and free food at various restaurants). The children's room has a play house and computers with age-appropriate games. You can check out almost any children's movie you can think of and any book you can think of, obviously. The staff are great with kids, patient, and very knowledgeable. On the adult side, there are plenty of books, obviously, as well as audio books, TONS of digital books, TONS of movies (FREE as long as you return them on time!), and you get a free subscription to Hoopla which includes more Kindle books and more movies. I love the cookbook selection! The library is also a place to go for folks who are trying to make a better life for themselves. If you are unemployed, its hard to pay for a computer or internet service, so you have to go to the library to look for jobs. So it is a very diverse place. You will see everyone from wealthy families to college students to folks on the fringes, and you will hear different languages spoken. I have never felt threatened by anyone (and we spend a ton of time there) and usually I see people of all walks of life greeting each other, holding doors open, etc. The worst thing I have ever experienced is people smoking by the door, but unfortunately I encounter rude smokers everywhere in Hickory, including doctor's offices, and lately the folks at the library have been better about smoking farther away from the door. read more