I can't say anything about the book selection, but I came here today to study for my boards and…read morethis is the LAST place on earth anyone should ever try to study. The "quiet" space has an automated elevator that literally announces when it's going up and down and the librarians and patrons literally yell at each other all day long. It's like going to a circus to study.

the building seems to be newly renovated and is very nice inside. cool to checkout and browse the…read moreselection. not too many tables for quiet study but the ambiance is prime for quiet reading/study. i could def hear a pen drop in there!

Really great library! The staff is always friendly and helpful. They have good collection of books…read moreand museum passes. The space is bright, clean and well maintained. I love the variety of programs they host for all ages. Their children's section is fantastic--well-stocked with books, toys, and programs that keep kids engaged and excited about reading. There is always sufficient parking available for anyone visiting the library.

cool library with rly nice staff! interesting to browse the collection. overall would recommend…read more books look in pretty good condition for the most part too.

I've only been using this library for the past six months, and I really wish I had started sooner…read more The space is always clean and well-kept, and I spend most of my time with my kids in the children's section on the ground floor. They have a wonderful selection of books for all ages, and I was pleasantly surprised to learn they also lend out audiobooks and video games. My 4-year-old daughter loved borrowing the Bluey game for our Switch--it was a great way for her to try it without us having to buy it. The staff is very friendly, especially in the children's area. They're polite, engaging, and always helpful. One unique feature is the sarcophagus with "Mr. Bones," the friendly neighborhood skeleton--my son's absolute favorite part of the library. He also enjoys the play area, which has a train table and puzzles. There are computers available for kids to play games or do homework, and plenty of comfortable reading spaces for everyone. If I had one wish, it would be for more kids' activities like story times or reading groups on Saturdays, since I work during the week. Still, I know this is not uncommon these days. Overall, this library is a wonderful place to spark a love of reading and play for kids, or to enjoy as an adult if you're looking for a comfortable, quiet space.

Newer to the Library scene and feel like they are so underrated. The Lucius Beebe library is great…read more It is down on Main St. and easy to get to. The staff is very friendly and helpful. The enrollment process for a library card is very quick and easy. It is three stories with lots of books, movies, tables/chairs, computers, etc. I primarily get ebooks through Libby on my Kindle, which has been an awesome resource; occasionally I will go in and get a hard-copy though and they have a lot to offer. They are very generous with the rental time and renewals and communicate effectively. I really enjoy that they have both the noble and libby app too - this makes things really easy. Highly recommend!

This is quite possibly the cream of the crop when it comes to public libraries in the North Shore…read morearea. I've been borrowing books, movies, and music at this location for nine years, and I have never been disappointed by their policies or their inventory. The staff is a healthy mix of positive work ethics and nonchalant attitude. Never have I felt as though I was walking into a hole in the wall museum,operated by snobby pseudo-intellectual curators. I feel as though the relatively casual atmosphere is maintained due to public appeasement and understanding that the average citizen may feel inhibited walking into a library (where one may expect cranky women with blue hair and bifocal reading glasses to shoot a death stare of silence upon entrance.) The selections at the Reading Public Library are seemingly infinite and their catalog never ceases to settle in an obsolete state or rotation. Their music section is widely varied, with a heavy emphasis on seventies glam/punk and eighties new wave/synth pop, which is right up my alley. As a voracious consumer of comics and graphic novels, many of my voids have been filled, as this section is booming with vintage Marvel/DC fare, along with quirky underground comix reading material. One of this libraries' useful hallmarks is their inclusion of a quiet computer study area, which has been very convenient for me over the years. This room is cut off and isolated for those who need to maintain unwavering focus on personal projects, schoolwork, finances, and the like. As if this isn't a formula for the perfect library, there are vending machines located on the basement level near the book sale room. Yes, you can also eat, drink, and merrily read books at this location, unlike most libraries that scoff at a rumbling stomach or the slightest hint of dehydration. For media geeks of all ages, I cannot rave enough about this library and it's wide range of largely unrivaled assets!

We were peacefully gaming, when one of my friends, got a little upset with one of the kids on a…read morecomputer. It wasn't anything big, but he had just changed schools, and he wanted to play with us. The kid said no, and my friend got a little mad. Nothing big, but the librarian still stepped in to break it up, nothing much. Then we came up with a compromise. However, later on, the librarian decided that we had enough gaming, and kicked us out! We didn't even do anything. There wasn't even anyone waiting in line for the computer. This act even goes against the law. Then, she tried to blame us that we had created a hostile environment earlier in the day. They held us on a 30 min limit on the computers, even though everyone else was not held to the same standard. She also tried saying that the library was closing, even though it was still half an hour away from closing time.

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.

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

We love the library, especially the children's section. There have been some recent changes in…read morestaffing, 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.

As someone who is not a student, I absolutely give this library 5 stars. My parents used to teach…read moreat Tufts, and all through high school I would cut class to come watch foreign films in the AV room, which I could access by leaving my keys at the desk since I had no form of ID whatsoever. I always came here rather than my school's crap library when I had a paper, and still sometimes go to read lit criticism. They have EVERYTHING!!! I have always loved libraries and this one is among the best. I love walking up that beautiful pastoral green hill and I love that they are open practically all night. I just wish I could check out materials.

It'll do. I know this is snobby, but my undergrad college had the 3rd-biggest university library…read morein the country...Tisch seems a little dinky in comparison. I mean, it's FINE, but nothing to write home about. BUT. The reference librarians here are awesome. Friendly, accommodating, and smart smart smart. Use them!

We love the library! The new library is beautiful and an amazing space for the Melrose community…read more We frequent the children's and YA rooms the most often and the staff is amazing. They're so so helpful when speaking with my kids about what to read next, listening to their likes and dislikes and always finding something new for them. The after school programming is also a pleasant plus! My teen enjoys their crafts, and I'm happy it's someplace she can walk to after school for something a little different. For myself, I love their Libby app. It's stocked with so many audiobooks which I read in the car, on walks, and around the house. I'm so grateful for our library - both the building and the programming they offer!

Best place in the game. Special shoutout to: reference department. This is the best library in the…read moreland. Thanks guys. The grandfather clock is still there.

This is a very nice library, with lots of books, magazines, movies to choose from…read more I love that's in a very historical town. Just to go and sit and read in quiet is very relaxing. There's street parking or in the back that you pay. I recommend coming, especially if you've never been and just want to check it out.

Wow what an amazing library in a great location walking distance from downtown Lexington, MA. We…read morestopped in on our way up north as a quick little stop for our-year-old to get out and play. The children's room was absolutely fantastic with plenty of areas for children to play in as well as a multitude of children programs, even Saturdays! The staff were friendly impersonal, and the library was well tidy and kept. The only complaint would be they paid parking as I believe there should be free parking when you were going to a public library.