Took my goddaughter to the queens public library for a class project as her parents were both busy or that's the excuse they gave and that's ok cause I had fond memories of the library during the school years and the memories have returned. Big place with plenty of spaced seating to read , study , sleep ,etc. Very good selection of books , magazines and other learning materials as well . While my goddaughter was able to do her research on her own , I roamed around and felt a bite nostalgia like as I looked around . Glad the public library is still around and a great resource to have regardless of ones age . Got a new library card while I was here and now have a good excuse to come back . 5 stars and thanks for the memories . read more

I went to the Broadway branch to renew my library card. I was seen immediately and the librarian was friendly and helpful.

I have lived I the neighborhood for more than 20 years and just started visiting this branch as I am 61 years old and finally have some time to myself. Be warned: if you are looking for a quiet place to read and think, this is not it. For starters, the space is too small to accommodate the burgeoning population in the area. It's chronically overcrowded and overused. You can say that about most public spaces in NY, but here the atmosphere is not courteous, serious, or pleasant; people who are frequent this branch seem to have no clue what a library is or that it's not supposed to be a place to flop. The noise level is outrageous. read more

Steinway Branch has been closed forever and it just reopened suddenly in January 2022. I didn't realize that until the following month when I was looking at the QPL locator. I'm happy that I actually live in a walking distance from a library. It's a small branch but it's nicer than the Astoria branch (until now, I had to go to the Astoria branch, which only has one room and is kind of old and creepy). The Steinway Branch has 3-4 big desks that you can sit and study/do work on the first floor. It's adjacent to big windows and I was excited to imagine myself getting things done there sometime. Another catch is that the library is equipped with 24 hr return area! The return machine is located right outside the library, and just like the return boxes elsewhere, you can just put the books in there and the machine will change the status to "returned" immediately after accepting the books. I think this is a big plus since I'd always had to go into the library at the right time since I could only return books when the library is open. I've never seen this system in NY elsewhere so I wish they have this set up in other places too. It's a norm to have the machine set up in Japan, so public libraries in NY, please step it up. read more

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Every time I come here, noise levels are unbelievable. (And actually - and contrary to another person's review here - it IS the library staff's fault, as it is totally within their power, and their responsibility, to ask library patrons to keep their voices down. Loud conversations and phone calls are Not supposed to be allowed in libraries. Period. ) Phone calls are often being conducted, multiple loud conversations are going on (including by the library staff - either among themselves, or with library clients). It seems modern-day society (at least in Queens) does not understand what a 'library', or 'library-voice', is. When I go into the city to use either the main branch or the one across the street from it (by 5th and 42nd), you could hear a pin drop. People there know what a Library is. But not here, in Astoria, where folks consider the library like a 'coffeeshop'....a place to congregate and converse with friends, a place to make their various phone calls, etc. read more

This review is for the librarian Miss Joyce who hosts the children's classes. Attending her classes have been a blessing. Miss Joyce is always a delight and keeps things entertaining and educational for the little ones. She truly puts her all into these classes and I just wanted to share my appreciation for her and the program. THANK YOU, MISS JOYCE. read more

I go to this library mainly to use the computers + 20 free prints a day. All the staff members have been helpful and patient in my experience. You get one hour of computer time (in 30 minute intervals) , and may continue if no one else is waiting. There are only 6 computers so I would not rely on these computers in an emergency because they do tend to fill up. Tip: pay attention to the opening and closing times! Every day is different. read more

Queens Public Library - Steinway - Library Hours - Libraries Near Me

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I adore this library. I've lived across the street from it for 10 years and I have to say everything that I cannot find at New York public library, the Queens system has. I prefer it to NYPL. read more

Guys, the problem(s) with this place isn't the library management's fault. The fact that every mentally unstable elderly woman, every vaguely homeless vagrant, and every deaf, Greek, widowed grandfather in Astoria congregates at this library is not the fault of those who run the library. The bottom line is it's a free, public space. This place understandably becomes a warzone: Grandpa Socrates hogs the last 3 days of New York Times newspapers and doesn't get the leather chair he likes sitting in, so now Grandpa Socrates is angry. So when the unstable crazy woman, wearing a pink $2 scarf and a Key Food bag on her head, answers her cell phone, he takes her noise personally (even though he can't hear it too well because of his hearing impairment). But because of his hearing impairment, he rebukes the crazy woman in what he thinks is a moderate volume, but is actually a full-throated scream that turns all the acne-scarred, unkempt, and abandoned faces in his direction. I like the people who run this place. There are at least two 30something women who you can imagine at a cafe or a book reading in Brooklyn -- the horn rimmed glasses, the political correctness, that ambivalent femininity. The other people who work there are government employees as you'd expect them. The other people who work there are an extension of the bland, 1970s-Socialist cement architecture of the place. Good selection of books -- not great. Photocopy machine doesn't work. Computer usage is a prickly affair, so don't go into using their 30-minute/20-page limit computers with a grouchy frame of mind. You'll get grouchier. read more

Pros: -Bathroom downstairs is private and key-reliant -Good selection of DVDs and magazines for such a small library. -Some friendly help -not too loud Cons: -Mostly incompetent help that makes you want to strangle a librarian. -Stupid name, it's nowhere near Steinway, and the branch on the corner of Steinway is named Broadway...cuz it's ON Broadway. -The internet stations are almost constantly manned, and the printer goes down often. read more

As far as libraries go, I'm not very picky. All I ask for is that the have the following: Books to browse and read Bright lights so it's easy to read, my dear Seats!! Because I'm not going to stand and read I think the Steinway library has all three. I'm good to go. read more

I absolutely hate this library. It is always ridiculously noisy from all of the screaming kids they have. There really is no quiet place to do any work. The staff doesn't do anything to control the noise level what's so ever. Do not go here if you need to get any work done! read more

I was super excited to check out this little branch of the Queens Library! I thought it'd be a great hub to request materials to and a snug little spot to hang out with a book. However, I just spent 5 minutes in there and will not return. I witnessed one of the rudest, most condescending women, a manager of some sort, make a parental judgment on a polite Hispanic man. The elderly clerk behind the counter tried to awkwardly laugh away her out-of-bounds comment on the man's parenting but it was too late. The man was asking a question and needed assistance but this woman pinned him as some neglectful father (while in fact his wife was with their son). Ironically, the manager's own child appeared moments later, strapped to a children's leash.... Regardless of this funny hypocrisy, the judgement and rudeness displayed by the woman in charge put me off the place. read more

Growing up in Queens, I have been to many branches of the Queens Public Library. The Steinway branch is by far the most helpful. I have lived in this neighborhood specifically for over a decade, and throughout, the librarians at this branch have gone above and beyond in assisting so far as I have seen and experienced. Even as far as asking my opinion on what sort of books people may like to read given the genera that I had a tendency to borrow. During construction when the main bld was closed, the people working in the remote trailer did as much as humanly possible to help the customers, illustrating the best aspect; the staff actually cares about the patrons, particularly the manager. (try going there around when school lets out and see how she handles some of the crazier kids...on second thought, maybe don't go when school lets out) I have been to other libraries in the area (Astoria, Broadway, etc) but will always think of this as "my branch" given the sense of community fostered there, and that is what a library should be. read more

Oof, this place is tiny and looks ancient, not in a quaint, cute way. At first there didn't seem to be enough seating, but it was alright because there weren't too many people, even on a Saturday. The chairs weren't all that comfortable, and I wish they had more cubicles. Also, the hours are not conducive to people with full-time jobs. I feel bad that I'm rambling on about only bad things about this library, so let's see... the lighting is really bright! And they have a/c! And the staff is pretty friendly. read more

Close by and has good hours. It's easy to pick up books you got sent here online but there actual selection in the library is not that great. I am glad they have self check out bec I like to avoid the very nasty librarian that works behind the checkout desk (Overweight black lady) She was mentioned in another post and is always in a bad mood with customers (I have seen her smile only when flirting). Overall the library can't be beat for free books but a better selection is nice since it takes a while for books on hold to get there. read more

Working with children finds me in the library quite often. The librarians on the children's floor are completely rude most of the time. When children ask for help, they kind of just brush them off or give off a miserable attitude. It honesty disappoints me to see such work ethics from people that children rely on to learn, are supposed to be inspired to read by and etc. I hope that management gets a hold of this and makes changes towards the future. However, there is a good selection of books and it is always clean ! read more

The hours are so varying and unusual and the library itself is small. Make sure you're out of the upstairs children's section 15 minutes prior to closing or they'll kick you out anyways. I enjoy the hold system and that I can use the library app to check out. The books are generally well-kept and organized and they have a nice selection of horror films on DVD! read more

This is a pretty good branch of the queens library. They don't have a wide variety of stock, so I find myself mostly reserving from other branches and using this convenient location as a pick-up spot. Everything is set up in a manner that is easy to navigate and quickly locate what you're looking for. I've never needed help from a librarian as a result, so I can't really comment on whether or not they are helpful. They always seem happy to be there though. Good place for students to study. read more

For irony and cleverness, check out the work of professional writers available at this library. Socialist architecture, government workers etc., derelict or senile patrons are all funny in a way and true in a way, but it all misses the point. Free access to a wealth of literature, music and movies. I am so glad this is here around the corner from me. Rock on and always be here! read more

In my opinion rating a library is difficult because everyone has different expectations. For me I just expect a clean environment with an ok book selection with the oppurtunity to request materials from other branches. If that is what you are looking for you will not be disappointed. read more

Free composting outside the library, every Monday 8-10am! The nice compost collectors have info about what can be composted, and all compost goes to public trees & parks. read more

Good local branch. Apathetic staff at the check-out desk. Harry and main librarians are much more helpful. Reserve books in advance as there are the best-sellers available immediately but not much space for some not-so recent titles. Good DVD selections. read more

yeah it's a fine spot. more than fine variety of movies from which to choose. i am obsessed, though, by the characters in this place. the intense energy of the woman in charge is pure sitcom when matched by the spastic charm of the angry desk gentleman. i wish it did not smell of urine. amazing movie selection, did i say that? read more

When it comes to the library's selection, it's great. Plenty of good books and a ton of DVD's. But when it comes to the library's staff, forget it. Rude, unhelpful, snippy, completely unknowledgeable about their own place of business - need I go on? It's like a constant raincloud hangs over the head of everyone who works there. So if you just want to stop by and grab a book/movie and get out, you'll be totally satisfied. Just avoid speaking to anyone at all costs. Seriously. read more

Small library compared to other locations in Queens. I come here sometimes to donate books. Came here to renew my card last week and aparently, I am Chinese because all Asians look it. He then mentioned something about my name. Quite offended. Maybe they should hire new staff. read more

If you want a book from this library, you're most likely going to have to reserve it online from the Central library in Jamaica. The selection of books is lacking. I know there are budget cuts, but I think I might have more books in my house, than this library does. The Customer Service provides neither service nor does it care about the customers. The librarian at the front desk referred me to the "librarian's desk" where there were two people just waiting for something to do. I asked the librarian who was reading through a magazine for help. He was annoyed at having his magazine reading interrupted, and gave me every excuse as to why he couldn't help me. He eventually decided he didn't want to help me at all and told me I could come back tomorrow with enough condescension that I told him not to patronize me. He finally stood up, and told me not to patronize him. I don't know what that meant, but it probably doesn't fall within the customer is always right realm. I eventually figured out where the books I wanted were on my own. I don't know what the budget cuts look like for this year, but I can give you one incompetent magazine-reading librarian that is looking to be laid off. read more

A nicely-sized, quiet and friendly library. Not a fan of libraries in general, but if I go to any, it's this one. It's not too bright and not too dim. Relaxing to work. Hours are decent as well and the computers run smoothly. read more