I love this library-lots of activities and pleasant staff. Some of the negative reviews are really old; I saw one from 2009! Would be good if Yelp phased out older reviews, those over five years, say. read more

We love the library, especially the children's section. There have been some recent changes in staffing, programming, and physical layout and I think it's becoming an even better space for kids. My 3-year-old frequently asks to go and my 6-year-old thinks of the children's librarians as his personal friends. read more

Stoneham Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Stoneham, Massachusetts

Hmm... it would more self serving to give a bad review, and keep the Children's room a hidden gem. However, the old reviews for this library just doesn't do it justice. They revamped the staff and programming for the children and it's pretty great and lively. They reoriented the furniture so the librarians sit in the front of the Children's room, so there's an open play area in the central part of the room. There's a Children's computer games section, toys, lawn games, a frequent supply of new books, and other organized activities. My kids love going there and seeing all the friendly staff. read more

I can not believe how beautiful the children's section is - the light and architecture, let alone the good organization. It's cheerful, bright, up to date, and has a ton to offer. We were there during a staff-changeover, and the ladies who remained were friendly and kind, not to mention helpful. It's a shame others have experienced particularly unfriendly employees - why not talk/complain to the library directly about it so they can make some changes; maybe they can be switched to another dept there instead of the children's? There are multiple great reading spaces. Even the bathroom is clean. We are there weekly now, and I don't even live in Stoneham! Parking is easy, right out front, and good for 2 hours. We found new series of books easily. Kids are delighted, and so am I. I wish they were on the Minuteman or BPL system, but alas, no. Perhaps we were lucky to have two happy and friendly employees who did nothing but welcome students after school, on a weekday around 3 pm - but the employees who were there deserve kudos. read more

So with all the bad reviews, why are those miserables still there. I don't get it. My friend called the person who oversees these cranky old ladies and left a message. No call back. What do you expect from the person who hired them. She must be the same cranky miserable old dinosaur like them. People if we can't even go to a children's room and feel comfortable, imagine young children having to be treated with no dignity. I think it's time we band together and get rid of these miserable grouches. Anyone with me read more

Most of the children's library staff are miserable. They post signs outlining ridiculous rules. They ask you not to place diapers in the trash bin in the bathroom. Hellllooo, it is a children's room, of a public library, there will be diapers! They are super rude to me and now I just give them attitude right back. They try to scold me like a child. Calm down lady, you are a librarian, don't think for one second I am going to let you talk down to me. I usually avoid this library and choose the Wakefield one instead. read more

While I've only been a member for a little over a year now I have to say the kind folks at the Stoneham Library have treated me pretty well. Odd to admit it but I hadn't been a member of a library in a few years and the process of searching and actually finding a book stumped me the first couple of times. However, I had help from these fine librarians (is that term outdated?), who were immensely patient with me and more than eager to zero out my account if I returned a book a few days past its due date. Overall a great experience sharing in this great pastime: book reading. read more

Depressing. This is my public library. It's so sad to go here. It's this tiny little library that just really doesn't have much to offer and has been struggling to stay open for some time now. I feel bad for it. The building itself needs work - structurally. It's just not worth the effort to go there. read more

The librarians in the children's room are the most miserable, cranky old ladies I have ever seen. I like this library but they just make me want to stay away. The Wakefield and Reading librarians are so kind and love children. The other day I asked what happened to the dinasaurs. My grandson loves to play with them. One miserable answered they were hitting each other so they were put away. That's what happens when they act like that. She spoke to me as if I were a child. I personally think they are lazy rude and hate being there. They don't like to work. They just sit there on their computers. Never smiling. Gossiping. Honestly I think it's time to replace these dinasaurs. Let's get a happy staff that wants to be there. read more

Yeah. Some of the staff might need a refresher on polite behavior. Not the most inviting place.

I went in with my 11 year old to get a book in the Junior section of the library and had a similar experience to another reviewer. The two female staff members were completely rude. When checking out, I asked if we got the receipt telling us when the book is due and the librarian basically scolded me for not noticing that it was already in the book. I asked a couple other questions and was talked down to and "corrected" by one of the librarians. I can tell you that there is no way that my child would feel comfortable checking out a book on her own or asking for help from one of these women. My child could not stop talking about how mean they were even after we left. I have had other instances in the junior room in the past few years that were not exactly pleasant but never this outwardly horrible. Someone needs to take a look at what goes on in there! read more

I'm relieved yet saddened to know I'm not the only one who has experienced rudeness from the junior room staff. If you don't like children, don't work in a children's library. There is no need to scold parents for bad parenting. When parents bring their children to the library that is the definition of good parenting. Try treating others as you would like to be treated. Smile more and be kind to others. Try to encourage not discourage parents from taking their children to the library. read more

The only reason I am giving this library 1star is because some of the staff in the adult area are friendly. I am shocked that when the interview process took place for the jr library that the women who were hired were thought as suitable to work with children. I agree with the review " unhappy " gave. These women are about the most miserable librians I have ever encountered. Do yourself a favor and go elsewhere. You and your children will stand a better chance of being shown human kindness and treated with respect! read more

I usually go to the Wakefield library. Stoneham has horrible hours for anyone who works 9-5. Staff usually takes their time in assisting you, making you wait, and they are not friendly. The library is very dreary. At least Wakefield changes the decor monthly and offers different "picks", artwork, community event flyers, etc. read more

Being a resident of Stoneham for practically my whole life, I like to try to stay within the town when frequenting any type of business/pleasure. That being said~ trying to remain loyal to this Library has been nothing less than challenging. I have taken my two children there since they were babies. We have frequented story time and pretty much anything they had to offer!! My kids enjoyed seeing the familiar faces and also interacting with their friends during our visits. I must say that in the past four years (and a few new employees later) the library has gone completely downhill! The Jr Library staff is nothing less than rude and classless! My kids are very well behaved and are always in compliance with the "rules" which tend to be very hardcore. These employees sit behind their desks and badmouth moms of little ones who may be fussy, walking too fast or holding the crayons too tight. We associate with a family who's kids are also very well behaved. The only mistake this family made was trying to bring a baby stroller into the library! While the library may have their own rules about why strollers shouldn't be allowed in~ there is a nice way of telling someone that they don't allow strollers. You would have thought this mom was trying to smuggle booze in there!! Since that day~ the staff now treats my friends kids and my own kids like second class citizens. These poor kids can't even walk into the building without getting dirty looks from the staff, they are nervous to go to the desk to check out books and the staffs comments and snide remarks (to the children) are nothing less than insulting!! All of this because of a baby stroller!! Because of this~ we now have to go to out of town libraries!! It is so sad- because this library is very close to our house and like I said~ I do like to keep within the town. I have many friends who feel this way about the Jr. room staff also. They have zero patience and their level of tolerance with children is very disheartening. This staff is very unprofessional and not to mention immature!! Who holds a grudge towards children simply over a baby stroller? These ADULTS do!! Here's hoping to the Library taking a better look at their staff. Thank you! read more