This place is an absolute treasure nestled in the heart of downtown Gloucester!…read more I will preface this by saying that this library will not be for everyone, and I likely represent a niche population. You've been warned. As a doctoral student working to complete my dissertation, I am forever searching for the perfect place to focus, write, and get my dissertation advisor off my ass. For starters, it is absolutely teeny tiny. It is literally a one room library, but that one room boasts an incredible collection of parenting, psychology, and health and wellness material. While I haven't personally utilized this material, I am consistently impressed by the depth and breadth available. Secondly, there is no wi-fi available here. At first, I panicked and immediately planned to leave, but I quickly realized that I'm much, much more productive without the lure of social media and constant e-mail checking. If you want to kill a few hours browsing the internet, don't bother, BUT if you need to complete an assignment or focus for an extended period of time, you will not be disappointed.

This place is a little Gem. I can't believe more people don't use it as a resource. Their books…read moremostly pertain to health, wellness, and childcare. There is no Wi-fi or public bathroom but it is free to rent books and they have a great selection.

A library by the…read moresea This quaint and lovely library is actually in a town really called Manchester By-The-Sea. I guess they really wanted every to know that the town is indeed right on the ocean. The library was completed in 1887 and is built from New England ashlar stone. Designed by the famous New York architect, Charles Makim, it is a wonderful and lovely library that has hardly changed during the decades. A children's room was added in 1965 and some renovations done in 2005 to bring it into the 21st century, but most of the library still looks, feels and probably even smells like it did when it was built. A relatively small library, it's certainly not a place to find some obscure tome or do some serious research. It is a great place to relax and enjoy the anachronistic ambiance and décor. All kinds of cool paintings, sculptures, lighting and woodwork all over the place. Everyone here is friendly and talkative and it's as much as a meeting house as it is a library. Small, cramped, and difficult to walk in places upstairs, there are books and stuff placed where ever there is room. A very, very cool and unique library, one that seems so right for a quaint and odd little town called Manchester By-The-Sea.

I've driven past this library for decades but never went inside until the past few years. After my…read moresecond visit to,look around, I just had to get myself a library card here. Besides being an architecturally appealing building, I love the layout and offerings. I've found books, and other items that other libraries either don't have or are hard to get, being checked out frequently. I recently discovered their nice DVD section. I found all seasons of Get Smart and rented them all over a period of about 5-1/2 weeks. They have a decent selection of Blu-Ray discs as well. The first room on the left as you enter is where they keep newspapers and periodicals. It's also a wonderful spot to sit and read. There's a small but adequate metered parking lot behind the building , which is managed by the Town. There's on-street metered parking as well. Just a block or two away, you'll find free parking on the side streets. They also offer passes to museums and some other local attractions, although, in most cases, the discount is somewhat less than those available from the Boston Public Library. The advantage is this is both easier to get to and park at. They do also offer,some virtual passes that you can easily obtain online. It is near at least two MBTA bus routes (77, 87). The staff is very helpful and friendly. They are associated with several other libraries within their network as well.

Great library. Helpful staff. Lots of audiobooks and DVDs. And a comfy area to explore fiction…read more Love the big overstuffed chair there.

this library is classy inside and kept in great order. friendly old woman working. nice and clean…read moreambiance. would recommend overall

I really like how organized the children's books area is laid out and also how the books are…read morepresented. Very clean and fun toys for the kiddos to play with.

Great service , lots of help from the workers highly recommended. If you need a library in the area…read moreplease go here

they have an easy online order type system but i find it not to be the most user friendly. loraine…read moreder & kim claire have been great over the years!! for children there are programs with rewards/schedules to make reading more fun. they have butterfly cocoons hatching sometimes, and other fun activities like painting pumpkins.

I was passing by and decided to stop by. This library is in the middle of a neighborhood. It's…read moregorgeous you can see it from far away. It looks like it used to be to be a house and they turned it into a library. As soon as you walk in there in there is a staircase to go upstairs or downstairs. This place is bright nice and open . It's very clean and they have a lot of new books. I went on a warm day and the air was blasting. Very nice library highly recommend checking out if you're in the area.

I love this library a lot. Personal is friendly and helpful. They do their best to do pleasant…read morethings. Recently they organized seeds bank - it was great idea! I hope they do it again in spring.

overall wouldn't recommend this library. the upstairs is blocked off so can't see in the upper…read morefloors of the building only the 1st. the young adult section is completely bombarded as you can see in the photo. smh. there's atleast a pretty good view off the back porch but you could get basically the same view at the park.

Very beautiful library. Go up to the second floor to see the 1/2 size replica boat that was built…read moreinside the library. This floor has the teen/kids section and it's a great spot. There's a toy/play area, crafting spot, veggies growing in a hydroponic tube, etc. This is a good place to let your kids relax and play a little and find some new books. Basement has public bathrooms (which is so nice after walking around all day). This floor also has a small room of books for sales. Lots of great finds if you are looking for vacation reading. Very nice library with multiple quiet areas of that is what you want. Also a reading room for Cape Cod books / information.

My mom purchased tickets to a talk and book signing starring fashion designer, Bob Mackie. I…read morepurchased a ticket that came with the book and I even brought my Tina Turner and Cher records for him to sign as well. The talk was great. The room was set up with a lot of space for people to sit comfortably. I got to ask my question and Bob Mackie even wished me a happy birthday. I don't know how the library got ahold of Bob Mackie and convinced him to come do a book signing, but this was a great event. I'm only in town over the summer but I'm now interested in seeing what other events and opportunities the library has to offer. I might also want to take a look at their book collection and see what they've got and how you can even check one out. I love a good public library and hope to support them and what they do for the community.

I am adding to a previous review because I want to call out a current employee for exceptional…read moreservice. Kristen, the reference librarian, is amazing. She has helped me with copy and print services, answered my questions and found my keys and remembered who I was (I had only been there a few times) so when I stepped out of the elevator she waved me down to return them. I have observed her with other patrons and she is equally as helpful with them.

this is a nice library. hours are pretty good. ambiance is clean and quiet inside. kept in great…read moreorder and friendly staff. would recommend