Wonderful librarians; great selection of materials; local historical items - What's not to love?!read more

Prior to Cragin Memorial I hadn't been in a public library in a couple of years. This is a decent…read moresized library with a good selection of books and other media. Ample seating (even some hidden away seating in case you are scared of people reading books). Plenty of tables and they have free wi-fi. I was looking for a quiet place to work for a couple of hours and Cragin filled that need. Worth a visit - Dan.

That library underwent a year-long multi-million renovation / expansion project that were in the…read moreworks for several years. The library reopened on August 20, 2022 after relocation in temporary setting for over a year amid renovation. The remodel project included the facelift of the building, new foyer, new layouts for adult and children's departments, and new Teen / Young Adult room. In addition, Children's Department went from plain boring room (pre-Covid) to that sparkling enlarged room for kids. The meeting / program room relocated from downstairs to the foyer area past the front entrance. Approx. 85% of all library occupation is different from my first trip to Lebanon in 2019. Just imagine what this library looked like pre-remodel. I can't believe that literally everything has changed in the library since the early days of COVID. Stepping foot in that library today isn't the same as old glory when bookshelves were crammed, carpets were outdated, boring paint and an outdated building that was in dire need of expansion for many years. In present times, you're going to see almost everything anew here: Sienna marble building, carpets, bookshelves, paint, Teen room, more portraits, you name it. Gone are the old wall mural of the John Trumbull dynasty and an older exterior layout that once reflected the origins of that building when it was originally occupied as a schoolhouse (?). I don't believe that library was in that same building a century ago. I heard about that history some years ago. I don't have any further details to tell you about it. P.S. I visited that library on Saturday afternoon (10/29/22). I originally visited that property back in July 2019 (pre-remodel) and things were mostly different in and out.

Adorable library! There's definitely an older looking exterior made of brick that's so pretty! By…read morethe parking lot, you have a mailbox and picnic tables. You enter into the new side, which does go down. The old side is on the other side of the circulation desk, and the public parks of the inside are smaller than the outside suggests. They are pretty though, you can feel the age in the boards you walk on. There is also a reading area with old fireplace. It may not be the biggest library but it's cozy.

Giving it 3 stars because of the hours. Was looking for a spot to study during the day but found it…read morewas closed when I arrived (Monday morning around 10 am). Library is closed on Mondays, Fridays and Sundays which was sort of a bummer I was not able to go in. Hoping to go back sometime when they are open. Large Donation bins for Red Cross outside in parking lot, seemed like there was ample free parking available. Also a large donation box for books and movies in parking lot.

I can't say enough about this library. It's so beautiful inside and out. It's always meticulously…read moremaintained. All of the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. I have so many fond memories visiting this library as a child and getting to see the mummy hand in the attic. The children's programs are excellent, we look forward to attending every week!

A library that will…read more never be built again I have been to a lot of libraries. big ones, small ones, old ones and new ones but i don't believe I have even seen one quite this physically impressive. It looks more like a medieval castle than a library. Being right next door to a 135 foot high obelisk, a cool old fort and great views of the Thames River certainly doesn't hurt. The money for this library was donated by an extremely generous man named Frederic Bill. He made his money in the linen business back in the 1800's and wanted to give back some of it to help his community. He ended up helping to build churches, schools, and of course this library. The library was opened in 1890 and constructed of huge blocks of granite floated down by barge by from the quarries at Stony Creek in Branford, Ct. The library originally held about 1,750 volumes but has grown a lot since then. It had major additions added in 1907 and 1994 and the amazing thing is that the additions blend in so well with the original structure that it all looks like it was built at one time. The inside has all the modern conveniences of most libraries but never lets you forget that you are in a very special place. Something cool to look at in every direction, this is far more than just a place to store books. This is a library that will never be built again. Look inside and you see all types of unique architecture and creative art, if you happen to take a peek out the window you see a monstrous obelisk looming overhead or perhaps an old revolutionary fort. The building, grounds and location are just so damn impressive that the books almost become superfluous. Walk slowly and breath deeply when you go through the doors, this is a very special library.

Great library - really like how they provide print outs of crosswords from newspapers. Staff was…read morereally friendly and was giving away free books and flowers that had been donated. Had many computers available for public use and tables to sit at. Only complaint was there were not lots of outlets near the tables making it difficult for people going to study with laptops/personal computers. Nothing an extension cord can't fix. Overall a wonderful place.

In honor of…read morePhoebe The great era of library building in New England was in the late part of the 19th century. Very wealthy individuals would donate vast sums of money to build libraries in honor of deceased loved ones. The Phoebe Griffin Noyes Library is a classic example. Charles Ludington gave money to the town of Old Lyme to build a library to memorialize his mother in law, Phoebe Griffin Noyes. The library was opened in 1898 and was very pleasant and lovely but rather modest by the standards of some of the more grand and opulent libraries being built. It served well for decades and was renovated and expanded over the years. The largest building project was in 1955 and the size of the library was great expanded. The library today is a very pleasant place, especially the old, original section. Unfortunately the new addition is rather incongruent with the original part and it is obvious when you go from one part to the other. Even parts of the original wall is exposed as you go from one part to another. The inside of the library is very colorful with all kinds of cool displays and art and plenty of computers and modern conveniences. An interesting and comfy library that is a nice memorial to a person long gone but not forgotten.

This is really a COMMUNITY library. Its in a quiet spot on a busy street with a pond on one side…read moreand a large parking lot in back. Inside the library is well divided and labeled. Large signs leave no question about where you're going. There's someplace for everyone, and bold advertising about upcoming events, other community actions, and what donations are being accepted.

Second "office" of the day, this is a medium-sized library that has a lot of technology available…read morefor patrons. Rows of computers and some that can be borrowed as well. I had my own laptops and found a table in the corner with power outlets. Plugged in and charging, I did one quiet Zoom meeting and sent a bunch of emails while writing a Yelp review of two. The wifi is free was and fast enough. Many resources available including a staffed reference desk, stacks of books and plenty of reading material. [Review 18670 overall - 85 in Connecticut - 2192 of 2022.]

This is an interesting library - it looks deceptively small. The upstairs has a front desk and two…read moresmall rooms with books and chairs. But there is a downstairs, so more library delightfulness is to be had! They also have the coolest book drop in the form of an old mailbox, and (dun dun dun) their symbol is squirrels! They're adorable, and for $1 you can get it on a magnet! The squirrels are reading in support of the library! It's amazing, and the best symbol/mascot I've ever seen.

This library is amazing, especially for children. The children's area is packed with books and toys…read morefor all ages. The programs are great and all of the staff are so kind and welcoming.

I have visited libraries in RI and CT and I love that my parents live close to this one. For kids…read morethey have the best area, away from the adult section with plenty of books, computers and toys. They have events almost everyday and really try to get the community involved. A great selection of movies for adults and kids alike. Books and magazines galore along with an adult computer area where you can get online and print out what you need (for a small fee). This library can request books from within the seconn system (southeast Connecticut) interlibrary and they will notify you when you can come pick up your holds. A wonderful place to occupy the kids on a rainy day or even come read some books for summer. The hours are good and the staff is always helpful.

I frequent this library more than any other due to its proximity to my house. It's a pretty small…read morelibrary. But for the size it has an impressive DVD and music collection. You can find a lot of foreign and Criterion films and they are in good condition because they are hardly ever checked out. The CDs are an eclectic mix with indie as well as mainstream selections. The drawback to this library is that well, it's just hard to explain. Here's a list of some things that have happened to me recently: 1) A lady yelled obscenities at me for parking. Granted, she pulled in behind me but she was really unhappy that I parked in what she must have decided was "her" parking spot. 2) I held the door for a guy who then slowed down, didn't make any effort to take the door, and then stopped halfway through the doorway. 3.) The circulation clerk asked me if the classic movie I was checking out was a DVD or an audiobook. That's just shocking for a few different reasons. The building itself is attractive from the outside. It's probably one of the most visually interesting libraries I've seen in the state. Parking is ample but inconvenient. There is a small parking lot in front of the building that is usually filled. There are now a few spots on the street but you'll have a short walk, and a large parking lot in the back that is also a bit of a walk. There is also no reference librarian here. So if you want to put something on hold you'll just be directed to the catalog and told to do it yourself. But the DVD and music collections are awesome! That's reason enough to keep me going back.

Great Library, friendly, helpful staff, well organize. I don't live in E. Hmptn. But stop in from…read moretime to time anyway. Nice selection of DVD's. Generous computer time policy. Plenty to like here.

Nice library located in downtown Norwich. Seems very diverse and appealing. Lots of books to choose…read morefrom. Book sales held twice a year. Nice staff as well.

Books genealogy and…read moreOtis The first Norwich library was built in 1849 with money donated by Deacon (Joseph) Otis; Like most of the libraries back then it was a subscription library and only became a free library in 1891. The old Greek Revival building was pretty cool but it was just to small to accommodate the growing community and so a new, larger but more ordinary building was built in the 1960s. Over the years the new building also proved to be inadequate so the library managed to receive a 4.5 million dollar grant in 2004 for renovations and improvements. This was the largest library grant in state's history and certain turned the library into a wonderful place to research and visit. Unfortunately over the last few years money has been scarce and the library has been losing funding, resulting in loss of hours and programs. Hopefully this will change in the near future. Lot of open space, cool places to sit and a extremely useful local history and genealogy room. A lovely area for kids and even a pleasant little courtyard outside. Not a historical or stunning building like lots of the many of the old libraries in the area but one that has a charming and friendly atmosphere and is a library that is a very pleasant place to work, learn or just look around.