Nothing quite like the smell of old books. This library is quite grand and was a welcome surprise…read more I did not need to do research or to check out a book. I needed a quiet and cool Place to hang out before my flight home and for about 3 hours. This library was so perfect for my needs. And it was much larger than I expected. There were large tables with several chairs and lots of space and there were small individual tables. I was able to catch up on some work!! Air conditioning in the Deep South and Work! Win win!! Oh! One other mention, their internet is super fast. Another plus for my needs. If you're looking for a place for study or work, give this library a try! I'll be back next time I'm in Hattiesburg.

I'll start with the good, and there is a lot to like here. From the vast openness and beautiful…read morearchitectural design to its collections of books and media, computer lab with printing services and a helpful staff, meeting rooms, community events/activities, game/media center for teenagers, huge lower level children's area designed just for them, and an enclosed and mostly covered outdoor patio, it seems perfect at first glance. But spend some time there, and its problems permeate the space. Expect to be greeted at the front entrance steps to large puddles and accumulated mud due uncorrected incline drainage issues, fed by morning sprinklers and rain. If you require concentration and focus, be sure to request one of the three small individual study rooms as the noise level inside is high most of the times, and the rooms go fast! The vast openness and lack of textiles spreads and amplifies even normal conversations, and the frequent screaming child can be very distracting and annoying. Headphones can help, but noise-cancelling capability should be used, especially with earbuds. The noise level might be tolerable if a patron believed the staff was ACTIVELY trying to manage it as is expected in a normal library environment, but unfortunately, this is absolutely not the case as it is very hands off by the staff with the ONLY single action done--listening to a required complaint from a patron. But don't expect an intervention or change, as a noise complaint is usually tolerated and dismissed. And to emphasize the passivity to noise level, the library doesn't even have a SINGLE friendly-toned sign posted ANYWHERE to remind an unthinking or unaware or forgetting patron about using an inside voice within the library in its acoustically challenged environment. If it did, it would establish an expected boundary for noise level, and thereby giving patrons the assumption of potential verbal warnings for the non-compliant. Isn't that the very LEAST that they could do? But honestly, they should do so much more.

This hands down my favorite library in Baldwin County. It has a nice atmosphere. It is sectioned…read morewell. Always very clean and well organized. I love how the childrens/youth area is laid out. There is sooooo much to choose from for the children and youth. They really try so hard to have things to do for them at the library. I am just so impressed by the staff. We love making a day of it. Go to the library, then picnic at the park. I am very thankful for all the very hard work the staff put in.

Great library, super modern, clean. You can charge your phone and even borrow an iPad! Who else…read moredoes that.

Everyone was friendly and helpful. Very clean and quiet. Very nice outdoor area to relax and read…read moreif you wanted.

First time here, I was helping my sister get a library card. Really nice, modern library. There is…read morea quiet room & a computer room on the second floor by nonfiction. First floor is Fiction & a large children's room. Has elevators & stairs. Will return. Staff very helpful.

I love going to al the local libraries here in Mobile, AL. My favorite is the Moore Branch Library…read morewhere I have made friends and several acquaintances there. My major complaint is that the circulation department at West Regional is extremely slow. In particular the library purchases movies for rental. The circulation/preparation department then sits on them for six to eight weeks after release date before making them available to rent. Now on average new release movies cost from $15.00 to $35.00 each. In most cases they will purchase from 12-20 copies of the movie. At the rental rate of 75 cents for a one week rental or the same amount for a three week rental of T.V. shows by the time they are available to rent the library never recoups the initial investment for each title. This is my major beef. The library uses taxpayer funds to make these purchases knowing full well they are going to lose money on each title. It used to not be this way. What can be done? Probably nothing. Who can fight governmental organizations and win!!!

Welcoming and warm, lots of seats with games and movies available. Friendly and knowledgeable…read morestaff. Check with front desk for WiFi password.

My daughter and I are avid readers, as are my best friend and her children. We don't always get out…read moreto the library, but when we do, we head to the Crestview branch. It isn't as large, bright, and airy as the Niceville branch, but it is well-staffed and well-stocked with selections. And it is local to us. Best of all, if something is at one of the sister branches, they'll have it transferred for us, which is always nice! I recently went in to the library to return some books, and came across the friendliest librarian I'd met at the Crestview branch in the three years I have lived here. I was in a hurry - my best friend was in the car with 10 children, waiting on me - but now I wish I had thought to get her name. Many of the other staff I have encountered here seem to be worn out, tired of dealing with people. That's not the attitude I want to encounter when I'm coming to find materials to promote relaxation and happiness for me, or education and learning in my daughter. We do love the story hour and arts/crafts mornings. My best friend's daycare looks forward to the days we promise to take them. The changes they made in the layout for the Teen section are nice - nothing overwhelming, but definitely more welcoming. All in all .. we appreciate the Library, the services they provide, and the people who continue to work hard to make it a great experience for everyone.

I visit with my young granddaughter every week. The staff is always friendly and helpful.read more

My family and I come to this library regularly all the way from Elberta because they have a better…read moreselection of books, dvds, children's books, and audiobooks than the Foley library, Elberta library and Lillian libraries combined. It's worth the hike for us because we are regular library users, being home schoolers. I've found this library to be the best of those I've visited in the county, and I'm something of a library connoisseur, though I admit I haven't visited them all yet. Btw as for the other reviews: Just because someone liked "the cute little red haired librarian" is not a reason to give a review. IMHO.

Quiet, clean, great staff, free wifi. Couches, carrels, tables and awesome study "pods" available…read moreto all. Perfect for studying.

Favorite place to come and study. Although I graduated from here years ago I still come all the…read moretime because I go to grad school online and prefer not to sit at home and work. Plenty of room to study with desks, chairs, couches, tables, and outlets spread throughout. Stays pretty quiet. Lots of lighting. Vending available. Coffee shop by front entrance serves drowsy poet coffee among other snacks. Bathrooms are located upstairs and downstairs and are ALWAYS clean. Staff is friendly. Lots of areas for group studying too and they have private rooms available if you need them

Haven't been to a library in years and the experience at the Niceville Library was so nostalgic…read more From the entry to the warm welcome it all was great! Seeing patrons sitting in the floor reading was so darling. There was even one person sleeping, my guess is based on how homey the atmosphere was it led to full relaxation. Educating my kiddos on how to use a printed encyclopedia was phenomenal. Do yourself a favor and go visit, ensure you stop by Friends Bookstore there too.

This is the loudest library I've ever been in. The staff are always having half shouting…read moreconversations that I can hear even through my noise cancelling headphones. Visitors usually treat this like a social club or play park where children scream and run unattended throughout the library.

A lot of homeless people outside. They made me feel uncomfortable. And of course asked for money…read more Did not feel comfortable returning my book.

Good library, it is the main branch downtown, plenty of free parking. Lots of new books, movies,…read morebiographies.There is a very old cemetery next door, the Church Street Cemetery, good for exploring everyday from 8am-4pm. Free Wifi.

Wonderful library with a helpful staff and wide selection. While smaller than the Hattiesburg…read morePublic Library, the atmosphere is much cozier. ​

The librarians are great! They are friendly, kind and helpful. They are constantly updating their…read morebook displays and decorations. They make the library a very special place. As a retired teacher I very much appreciate their dedication to making the library a wonderful place that fosters the love of reading. My granddaughter and I have gone weekly for over two years. I am very thankful for this place, and all who work there.