Reviews of Cambridge Public Library (Library)

Nicole Smith

I love libraries in general, but this is one of my favorites! One of the things I love the most is the variety of spaces - they asked for feedback about what people wanted and put it into practice. There are quiet spaces to work or read, standing desks with outlets, a row of desks with outlets where you are allowed to eat and drink, a cafe table seating area, and outdoor seating area (weather permitting), a large computer area where I can usually find an open computer. They also have a variety of classes and opportunities like summer reading bingo that keep things interesting!

John Ohrenberger

One of the best libraries around. Ample space to study, great resources, a variety of seating. Excellent outdoor area. Great place.

Pimnipa Kangsanan

Great public library - beautiful blend of contemporary modern design of the interior and historical design of the building. The library is spacious and fully equipped with any tools anyone might want in a library - plenty of desks, chairs, electrical outlets, and of course books. They also offer many specialized rooms for many groups of visitors - research room, meeting room, teen toom, kids room. Most importantly, free fast wifi.

SSS

One of the nicest libraries I have ever been to and beautiful high ceilings. There is also an inscription of the Ten Commandments that cannot be removed from the building as it was a gift to the city by Frederick Rindge, fun fact

Tsegaw Hailu

Amazing library .

Janet Theurer

Librarians helpful, positive and very knowledgeable! Great lectures as well.

Cristina C

It is really cold inside

Elizabeth Selleck

Amazing library. Several different types of spaces for studying or reading (quiet, loud, bright, open etc). A truly lovely library.

B R

Nice library with lots of open spaces around. The library itself is clean and nice with high speed free wifi :)

Jonathan Brier

Beautiful modern clean design with historical twists. A balance of media and space to work and study. Best if all there is tons of natural light and it's LEED certified.

Allie A.

*Edit Coming here for three weeks and no problems with me having a backpack and messenger bag for my laptop. Now all of a sudden one particular employee decides to pick on me because I apparently look "homeless". Really? What is this world coming to? I spend maybe 2 hrs a day there to charge my devices and use the Wi-Fi to look for work. Kept to myself, never bothered anyone, but apparently I look like a bum dyke and that is against the rules. Have video of the old prick, smug as can be telling me he is the only manager on duty after asking to talk to a superior and if I did not leave he was going to waste the police time by having them come and escort me out. Since this place is going to discriminate, I can no longer recommend. Shame. Up until this incident my experience here was swell. But long behold there is always that one bad apple. One star. Original review

Katy Gero

My favorite library in the world. The inside of the building is simple and beautiful with high ceilings to allow large thoughts. The books are easy to find and clearly the focus. Lots of clusters of tables with power sockets and chairs that are not TOO comfortable. Free wifi. Helpful staff. Lots of bike parking outside. Come come come.

Makpal Kadyrbayeva

Better than Boston Public Library because of warm community

KALIHER JOHNSTON

i love this library. the children's room is cute. the teen room is Awesome, this place has nearly everything i could ask for. also, the grounds have some great climbing trees did i mention... BOOKS!

Sean Laurence

Great place to chill and read a book. The new building is great and has loads of sunshine which makes it relaxing. They don't have a cafe or events there though.

Viacheslav Stetskevych

Wow. I am in shock. Awesome place.

J Bro

I love this library! Been going here for years. The staff is super nice and extremely knowledgeable and helpful. HUGE selection of movies as well as many hard to find titles. Beautiful grounds surrounding the library where you can watch frisbee games in the summer while enjoying pizza from Angelo's which is directly across the street. My favorite library!!!

Sindy Tan

A good selection through the Minuteman network. This library has a cool and convenient self-checkout machine which registers all your books after you place them on top of an electronic pad. Staff are friendly and competent.

Rishi Nijhawan

Awesome place!!! I love this library!! Architecture is amazing!!

Angelique V

Beautiful library. Great book selection. Kids level is wonderful. Free WiFi. You can rent a desktop or a laptop for 3 hours. Bathrooms are clean. Nice little outdoor seating as well. Meter parking underground with access to library. Staff always friendly and helpful

John Cho

Modern-looking public library. Free wifi. However, if you are in search of a quiet place to study, this is not the place.

kimmy Huang

nice building... seats under sun shine.... Tons of things not only books, and u can borrow 150 things. Best part for me is I can online order the books I want to borrow, then go pick them up while I get Email notice from library.

Chris Shing

Great place to study. It’s peaceful and the rooms they have are up to date. Free WiFi and anyone with a library card could use their computers for free. I have one flaw though and that is they don’t have that much room for sitting down. It could get over crowded at some points and it’s hard to find a seat; especially on the weekdays.

Patrina Huff

Never really checked items out here. Stopped in from time to time to browse. Seems it's been renovated since my time.

Victoria B.

Excellent user focus and community connections. Great resources including laptops you can rent out. Also a very beautiful place.

さほり丸橋

The best library in the world ! There are a lot of books, DVD you can pick up and they are well maintained. Also kind staff always treat residents nicely. Kids section on 3rd floor is amazing too ! You can stay there all day long.

Charles Wyzanski

The staff, the design, and the facilities are all so wonderfully first-rate that the library is often overcrowded with hardly a place to sit. I’d further venture to say that the newly installed vending and coffee machines on the first floor are unneeded and second-rate addition. All in all, I thank my lucky stars to be living within walking distance from this library, particularly when compared to the satellite ones which should in all fairness be similarly upgraded.

Rosie Sotomayor Delacruz

I love the Second Floor for its study areas, particularly the Silent Study Room, where you are free of distractions. Power outlets at certain desks are very useful for using tech devices. Restrooms are on the same floor. There's plenty of natural light that comes in through the windows. The ceiling is high enough for your thoughts and ideas to bounce around in without getting lost. And if you need inspiration, all you have to do is look out the window and take in the natural surroundings.

-.- Cat

Great facility. I visit this place all the time. It's a pleasure to code, read, watch a show or just hanging out here.

Daniel Martines

We love this library! Especially the 3rd floor for kids. We’ve been taking our two daughters since an early age. They have two gerbils which the kids love to watch. The staff is super helpful and pleasant to work with. Really enjoy going there.

Kathy Holmes

Wonderful spaces for adults, youth and children, looking for books or a pleasant place to relax and read. Gorgeous facility.

Dhruv Bhardwaj

Really helpful staff and a good collection of books. It also has a lot of good places to sit and read. Overall it's a great place to relax and read a novel or to concentrate and work on a project.

Daniel Hashimoto

Excellent for books and can reserve study rooms for groups; however, WiFi here is completely unusable. On speed test, couldn't even get to 0.5 mbps download speed. Would highly recommend if you want a sunny place to read a book or two, …

Health Enthusiast

I love this library. Modern architecture, open spaces, and a tad bit of historical architecture that almost makes you think you're in a Harvard study hall. 10 free pages printed per day with free minuteman library membership, then 15 cents a page. I usually don't struggle too much to park in street as cambridge resident, but it might be hard if you are not. There are tennis courts in the same lot, but I'm not sure how to book them or if they are free. You can check out up to 20 DVD for free each day! ...and even xbox games or CDs. books are checkout for 3 weeks, DVDs 1 or 2 weeks depending on how recent. My personal favorite is audio books on portable players you can borrow (use your own earphones).

Gao Janet

Great library. I come here all the time

James Doyle

This is everything a public library should be. The community English language courses are ill-conceived, however.

Jamie Wen

Ideal place to study!

Abusayed Suman

Beautiful place & lots of different books collection. Employee are so helpful..

Ana P.

One of my favorite places in Cambridge.

Jahred

Fantastic selection of books and film. Excellent, friendly staff, and well-designed space.

Alexander Jarvey

I love to come here to read and work. The quiet atmosphere and great view over the lawn make it a perfect escape and great alternative to a coffee shop. It is also a nice place to watch a rainstorm.

Dark Dagger

This place is just amazing. Interior and exterior are both so beautiful, it’s just crazy. They have wonderful staff who help with any problem you have! The aisles are all labeled so that it makes it easier to find certain books. All 3 of the floors have staff working so that you can get help any time. I love all libraries but this one, definitely a favorite. They even have a park right outside the library which is perfect if you want to take a break and read while your kid plays or even if you just want to read! They also have computers that are free to use whenever you like. All in all, I recommend this library to ALL library lovers. Thank You!

doug mayo-wells

Beautiful building, spacious and well-organized stacks. There's even an area where coffee or a light snack is permitted! The sci-fi room is huge, with an unusually good selection of graphic novels. As others have noted, online ordering from the Minuteman Library website rocks. Closes early on Friday.

Callie Snow

Is it strange to have a crush on a library? Not in Cambridge. Tons of things besides books (and why is the fiction hiding in the basement? It's cool, tho, no one can see me looking at the bodice rippers). Avoid 3:00-5:00 unless you like obnoxious high school students.

Alex Conqer

great use of space plenty of seating and books for all ages

Sean Gearin

Terrific experience for ages of all levels!

P Princess

Sunny studies areas. Great lecture at night !

Michelle Li

Is it possible to love a public library more? Great selection of books and media, beautiful building, complete with areas for reading and doing work with coffee and a snack, if you like. The teen room is quite impressive, as is the children's room. I wish every public library were like the Cambridge Public Library's main branch!