Not exactly the gold standard in NYC public libraries, but its a small neighborhood so our needs are less. The fiction stacks read the same in terms of bookcase size and location as they were since inception, there are obviously new books and older books with new editions. I remember the day this library opened its doors. Prior to the construction it was an empty dirt lot where kids used to ride their BMX dirt bikes. People brought cakes and pies to celebrate the ribbon cutting ceremony, geekish memory but I love books. The Images of America-Forest Hills book is copyrighted in 2013, that's a current book by my standards. Many other popular titles hold the center of the floor, highlighting the top authors books. The PC area continues to be the busiest area outside the childrens section after 3:00pm, so if you need to jump on a machine quickly, head over to FedEx or Staples. Copies and newspapers remain at the front by the windows, my preferred area to narrow down my choices to two books, not seven. Great service at the counter provides minimal line hold ups. The wacky hours are a byproduct of citywide cuts, not the libraries decision. I scored Ann Rands FOUNTAINHEAD today which was held together by lots of thick tape which is fine. I just hope all the pages are where they are supposed to be. read more

Queens Public Library - North Forest Park - Libraries Near Me - Forest Hills, New York

Pros: easy to request books online, tables to study, easy to print at low cost Cons: no food, can get noisy so brined headphones! All in all a great library. Lucky to live so close to an important part of our neighborhood! read more

This is a very small library. There aren't a lot of tables. And the tables are kind of too close to each other. They only have four computers in this library. They have two bathrooms. It can be a bit noisy in this library. The librarians and people that come in talk and talk loud as if no one is reading or studying. There also needs to be a door for the children's section or room. There is a McDonald right next to the library. read more

For a branch of the Queens Public Library, this is definitely one of the smaller ones. It has the basics: newspapers, magazines, movies on DVDs, music CDs, a few books on tapes, and BOOKS. There is a community room where events are hosted. The two restrooms are relatively clean. The children's room and adult area are about equal in size. The librarians are nice but the check-out staff can be unfriendly at times. Since there are no self-checkouts, you must deal with one of them if you want to borrow something. DON'T park at McDonald's because you could be towed. read more

Small library but good enough for a boring neighborhood like this. I use to come in here to study during my college years. The school library in LaGuardia CC was filled with yappin hoodlums that would never shut up. Barnes and Nobles on Austin St had too many neighborhood kids chatting it up and all the Starbucks in Forest Hills are too noisy with door constantly opening and closing. If you're looking for a quiet place to read and study, this could be your spot. read more

Most of the librarians are nice and professional with the exception of two, a cranky old woman who should have retired by now. Not because of her age but due to her attitude. She's not nice and does not put the library customers first. She lets customers wait on line while she checks in returned books. If she were customer friendly she would check customers out first and not make them wait. Then there's a middle-aged Latina librarian who always seems to take a break to the back as customers line up to check out. I like this library but these two women make going their a negative experience. read more

One of the library clerks and a patron with a thick foreign accent were chatting too loud about their personal stuff for like forever. I really couldn't concentrate in what I was reading and really unbearable so I approached the reference desk clerk who was browsing the Internet and told her the problem. She seemed annoyed and really didn't care and didn't do something about it but instead asked me to move. I moved at the very end but i still can hear the noise because they were really loud and that library is not that big. So I approached the senior citizen clerk at the front desk and told her the problem. She just looked at me and didn't do or say anything and ignored me. So I said a library is supposed to be a quiet place and library staff should let people know to be considerate of other users. Her respond to me was "that was in the old days". Wow! The fact that I am a lot younger than her, where did she get that? She practically saying that she really don't care about good conduct and respect in the library nowadays. Shame on them. Those people should not be employed in the library. Unbelievable. read more

This is a library I use 2 constantly go 2 since the year 2001. I was forced 2 stop going here about 3 years ago because of the relentless bullying & slandering done 2 me by North Forest Park library employees by the names of Dorothy & Carmen. Dorothy would have a history of trying 2 brainwash the entire staff with slanderous lies about me & constantly following me around & always keeping a close eye on me. I always felt like she got off going out of her right wing, anti socialist, neocon way 2 make me feel extremely uncomfortable 2 be inside that library. Dorothy even called the cops on me for losing my cool with her by only screaming @ her for her constant bullying & slandering of me.When the cops showed up they told me I had 2 vacate the premises, I then left. Went 2 The Legal Aid Society the next day 2 be told by 1 of the pro bono attorneys volunteering there that if I didn't do anything illegal that I had no right 2 leave the library since it's public property. Everyone must leave the library by closing time Only made 1 complaint 2 Central about the way I was being bullied & slandered by Dorothy & Carmen & never got a response back by any of the higher ups @ Queens library after I sent an email 2 them & was told in a response back email that someone by the name of Tatiana would get back 2 me & she never did. If I had a history of consistently donating a lot of money 2 Queens library, believe u me, I would have quickly gotten a response back from the CEO. read more

Small and basic library. I came here while studying for entrance exams and the staff chatted the entire time. They were extremely disruptive and I would not recommend the library because of the limited selection and the unhelpful and loud staff. read more

The Staff Except For The "Asian Lady, Who Is Very Professional And Helpful, And The Quiet Receptionist Who Seems To Be Doing All The Work, Are Very "Immature, Childish, Extremely Prejudice" And Loud...I'm A Regular User Of This Library, And I Went There Last Wednesday Wearing An African Dashiki, And Feel That I Was Treated Disrespectfully Because Of My Attire...I Never Had A Problem In This Library Until Last Wednesday, My African Attire Is All The Problem That I Can Think Of When I Was Approached By The Librarian Who Always Drag Her Feet When Walking Which Is So Annoying, I Think Is In Charge Of The Children's Department Where She Always Sits, Telling Me That I Cannot Sit Where I Was Sitting, Which Is In The Back Where There Is Electrical Outlets Where I Always Sit, And She Never Said A Word To Me...Most Queens Libraries Do Not Have Proper Workstation Setups Like Other Libraries, Where You Can Go Plug Into An Outlet To Use Devices Such As A Laptop, Smartphone, Tablet, And Things Of That Nature...The Libraries That Do Only Have About Six Electrical Outlets Doubled Together, And Bar Stools Where About Three People At A Time Can Use...Queens Libraries Are Not User Friendly, And Are Not Set Up Like The Libraries That I've Used In NYC And Long Island...I Do Not Recommend This Forest Park Library Because Of The Disrespect I've Experienced There And The Boring Location, The Neighborhood Still Seem To Live In The 1960s... read more

This is a small local branch so nothing fancy, but the staff are very sweet and helpful, and they have a nice selection for a small place. The children's book area is wonderful and has nice tables for the kids to sit and read. The librarians are always willing to order books in from other libraries and they usually arrive quickly. And they have free shows and entertainment throughout the year. We love our little neighborhood library! read more

The staff here are chatty. If you're looking for somewhere quiet, this isn't it. But if you want a large children's section, this is perfect. I usually come here on Saturday morning with my son and it's never crowded. No self-service. Some other reviewers have said that the staff are rude but I never encountered any rudeness. read more

Self-checkouts please!!!, you must deal with an old woman that does not like her job if you want to check out items, she has a bad attitude most of the times. read more