Reviews of Lakeland Public Library (Library)

Beth Amos

Great place to relax.

Carrie Johnston

It is always quiet and the people here are very nice. I used to be best friends with a librarian that worked here because I came here so much. They have a very wide selection and you can request books from just about anywhere in FL. The staff are very helpful when you don't know what to read next and with finding a specific book. I love this place so much. It is much much better than the smaller branch farther north.

cassandra swift

It's a quiet library

Jessica Driskell

Clean and quiet - just like a library should be! There are always a lot of people there, which is nice to see in a library, and there are a ton of activities. All around wonderful place!

dean jarvis

Great books

DatMallu Chic

Lovely library across a beautiful lake with swans. The staff is very friendly. I bought a package of 10 books for $1.50. They have great sales on books and the library is very clean and well maintained. There are areas for children and teens. They even sell USB drives and headphones if needed. Very nice library!

Victor Acevedo

Very nice and accommodating. A beautiful view

Kawther Aljasim

It's my favorite place in Lakeland when kids and adults can read, do homework, assignments. Quite, clean, and safe place. BTW we can eat too just next door I LOVE IT.

Roger Allan

Great people who really care for their community and taking care of the arts .

Sahar Ghaedi

Very good place for kids and their classes are good,i very like it

David Jackson

Great staff and cool place to hang out at

Eric Baker

This is a very relaxed and quiet library. The reading room looks out over Lake Morton, home of the now famous swans of Lakeland. The staff are helpful and friendly as well as professional.

Lisa Ortiz

My daughter loves getting books and movies. Also playing games at computer and craft.

Marty Metten

I love all the events they have free to everyone. Suzanne is awesome!

Angela Pueschell

The Lakeland Library is truly a gem. Free Wi-Fi, the Black and Brew makes coming to library even better since you can get an iced tea and read outside or a coffee and stay cool in the building. Bring a jacket because it is cold! I took an excel class here and the instructors were knowledgeable and kind. Love the work you guys do!

Don Holt

Put a book on hold was number 5 in the que. They updated my email address to None. Never notified when it became available. Now I'm back to number 5 in the que again will take 9 months to check out a book. Obviously a Government Operated Establishment, would never survive in the Private Sector however they don't have to it's Government.

Mark Gai

Lakeland Public Library is part of the larger Polk Library Cooperative. This gives a library holder an access to a deep collection of hard to find items. It has helped me so much with business research in the past. I recommend this library for its facilities, knowledgeable staff and amazing resources. Check it out and you will be amazed!

Anon

Love this place!

Hunter Michael

Great atmosphere, friendly staff and very nice place to read and have quite time alone. Also kids love it.

Shannon Marie

It is a very nice library. I loved going there when I was staying in Lakeland.

Andrew Blough

Not too bad good use of the library's Wi-Fi good books so far nice people that work there, but look out for the little mean lady in the wheelchair.

George Benaroya

The library gets a 5, but because it’s not available to some of those who needed it, the overall score is a 3. At other public libraries, in New York City, Los Angeles and Houston, we realize that those whose are moving in cannot prove that they are residents. Thus, those libraries extend to them a 3 months or 6 months temporary card. At this library, they would not issue a temporary card. It’s a pity, our foundation would have provided funding based on the other good things I saw.

Orion O

Nice and clean, love this lib! The wifi password, by the way, is clearly visible on postings throughout the lib. Only minor compliant is there seem to be quite a few homeless people spending all hours about the place, not that any employee can do anything about that. Overall, the lib and surrounding environment are great!

Amber Ray

Absolutely love this library. My kids love the play area and all the people who do the story time events are great! Even when it’s busy there’s always plenty of parking. An added bonus the Polk Art Museum is right there. Can definitely make a fun day of reading and looking at art.

Debbie Meyer

Best library in Polk County!

Brad Bravard

I'm a big fan of the Lakeland Public Library. Public libraries in general have been a great blessing throughout my life, and Polk County is lucky to have a first class library system. Librarians are heroes - I can't say enough about how helpful and patient the staff is. There is a great selection on the shelves, and almost any book not in stock can be obtained through an interlibrary loan. The library itself is a calm space to relax and read or study. There is a large shelf of books available for sale at low prices. The Black and Brew coffee shop is a nice addition - it's a little loud for me sometimes, but I haven't personally noticed that noise affecting the rest of the library. This library is a valuable resource staffed by great people.

Amanda Beil

I love the beautiful view of the lake from the large windows. The poetry section was lovely, full of both widely known and local poets. I came here to sit and read once and it had such a lovely atmosphere. I picked up a book of poetry and got lost in it.

Emilia Ravenscroft

Love this library! Always quiet, staff is always friendly and helpful.

Ashley Jones

The staff is so friendly and knowledgeable. Great place to get your family engaged in the love of learning!

Harry P. Ness

Mediocrity at best.

Shon C-B

Big, organized with a diverse, friendly staff and a good selection of books. Very spacious with lots of tables for reading. Their children's wing is one of the best I've seen. Many computers for them. A teen room. A section for young toddlers. And like mossy libraries they offer write a few programs for the kids to be engaged in. The book choices really blew my mind, I was looking through them for myself. Large parking lot. Wheel chair accessible. Good finds at the book sale for under two bucks. Cash only though for that but they will hold your books until the next day at closing time which is really helpful. Plus the swans near swimming in the lake were breathtaking. The library is in the perfect place. Seems to be lots to take advantage of nearby.

Great White Network

Lovely place to sit and think about the universe and where we sit in it. Although it is a controlled environment, you can see Darwin everywhere.

Luis Carlos Sarmiento

I needed help to take some photo copies. The person incharge of making copies help me a lot. Thank you very much.

Jeffrey Schultz

First time I visited this library. Saturday June 9, 2018. Need to run off very important documents on computer. Signed in. Then made a quick bathroom stop. Half naked man shaving and bathing in sink. Took up entire 2 sink are with clothes and items. Playing loud music. I left and told front desk. Went back to my pc that was now occupied by a dirty street woman . I went to another computer but a notice came up to sign off other computer. I politely asked woman to sign out who started to to yell at me. Library staff just laughed and said this was a 'normal Saturday. I left and vowed not to return. JBS

Roosevelt Pickering

It some what quiet on some days and the only problem I have is that there no unlock wifi here could of been better

April Frye

Six months ago I'd have given my favorite library five stars. Lately though the volume level has become so insane that I just about can't stand going. Yes, I know there's a new cafe built on but people are now treating the entire building like it's a social venue. Reminding patrons the library a quiet study place (and enforcing it)would be a big step in the right direction to getting t back to being one of my favorite places to go in Lakeland. The book selections are unparalled and the staff is wonderful.

Jenny Mitchell

This is one of my favorite libraries in all of FL!! It is modern and clean. The view from the center study/reading area is quite peaceful and beautiful. You can watch the swans swimming in the lake and see the shady Live Oaks trees also. There are also lovely roses of all colors all around the beds of the library. They are fragrant. The internet is free and fast.

Joseph Posada

Helpful, Wonderful people at the Library. It would be spectacular there if Parents taught their children to respect the courtesy of being quiet in the library

Robert Bowling

This is a well staffed and publically engaged Library. They hold cultural events on a regular basis. They have kid, teen and adult classes and clubs as well as genealogy and historical archives. Soon they will finish installing a coffee shop as well.

Brenda Joyce Patterson

I work there. We offer everything from free tech classes to book and movie discussions to music concerts. And you get free access to books, movies, audiobooks, magazines, computers, hotspots and wi-fi.

Ashley Johnson

Really nice....I'm new from TX....lovely lake across the street....cyber cafe and museum of arts in the same parking lot.

Mimide Canton

Great staff and awesome customer service

Kiddie City

I absolutely love this place.i am currently going to the school up stairs in the art museum. This is a great after school hang out place.The thing for the people that are looking to go I wouldn’t suggest going between 3:00-4:30 this is when are school gets out and the library get crowded with middle schoolers. One thing I wish they would add is a vending machine just to grab a candy bar or something. I love to get a snack at black and brew though but sometimes it’s a little expensive. Overall the library is great!

sunisideup28

We love the activities and space for the younger kids

Lisette Eljaiek

Nice, clean library, but very loud on busy days. Most of the loudness comes from the employees when speaking to guest. Even in a quite room, it was loud.

Katrina Sikorski

Great place to bring the whole family!! A valuable resource to the area it serves!!!

Olivia Harris

A good library but the staff is very rude

Matt Whalon

Great library!

Katie *

Not sure if the library was so busy today because it is summertime or what, but the parking lot was packed! I was lucky to find a spot shortly after pulling in (10:15 am-ish). I agree with other reviewers, its book selection is minimal. Unless you know what you are looking for, the online card catalogue is hardly helpful. Wait lists for popular bestsellers can be well over 50 reservations. I've been twice to use the computers for job applications and resume tweaks. I like it better than CareerSource, but the internet can run a little slow at first and there are signs on each computer stating it can shut down at any time and all your information could be lost. If you get there early enough, you can get a computer, but it definitely is not a "quiet zone". The reference desk is right next to the area and the phone is always being answered. Crying kids in the lobby echo in the area. I was glad I had some headphones in my purse to drown out the noise. I'd be curious to stop in the coffee shop, it was also fairly full today too. In fairness, I was leaving around lunchtime. All in all, it is a cold indoor place, there are some books and movies, the internet works and you can print things (10 cents/page). It is acceptable.

Josh Prescott

They have an excellent selection of books, including recent titles. The staff are nice. Great place to bring children to get them into reading!

Tony Jenkins

I enjoy because it's quiet and a good change of scenery.

Peterson Mathew

Just got updated. Nice place. People that work there...meh...so far...no one outstanding. If you need free books, movies, etc.(end of thinking capacity) good place to go.

Trexlis

Is a place you use if you just need a computer to use, or shelter... or if your that strange person that likes to read...blahh.

Janie Humphrey

Nice place to visit. Lake Morton is across the street.

Patrick Ryan

Clean and quiet

Daliz Carrion

I love going to this library. It's is one of my top places to spend time in in Lakeland, by myself or with my family. My son loves going to get his books and use his own card and use the computers in the kids area that are already set for safe kid friendly use. The staff is amazing, super friendly and helpful, many know me by name due to my constant presence. Lol. The upgrades and changes it had give through in the last 12 years is beautiful and I can't wait to see how it keeps improving. FYI, Their book sales are awesome, cheap and awesome!!!!

Nasser Tajiani

This library location is great but sadly most beneficial to the HOMELESS people. They use this public place as their cool, calm, and pleasant chat place to either talk or watch videos and distracting other people who are coming to library to study. Staff seem like don't care or have no control over these inconsiderate mostly young homeless people so they own the library.