Reviews of Minneapolis Central Library (Library)

Aaron ___

So noisy, and poorly designed. I couldn't focus while sitting in the atrium seating because the elevators make loud noises at the end of every ride. The flooring is already showing wear.

Mike Seper

From out of town and needed to stop in. So many homeless or homeless looking people. Surprised I didn’t see any drug activity. But the again it was 9am. Im sure it shows up later.

Bern

The best selection of books and music I have ever seen in a homeless shelter.

Joey Diderrich

This is a beautiful library with a vast collection. Staff seems friendly and knowledgeable from a few separate interactions. The building is very well kept for a city center location. Its best feature is location for those that do not live downtown. It is on, or within a few blocks, of nearly all local transit routes that cut through downtown. The only downside is the less than recently showered people you may encounter from section to section.

Sarah Burdash

I love this library. The design is perfect. Different floors for each subject is lovely. This is a fun place to explore or relax with a good book.

Maslah Mohamud

Cool place with a lot of resources. Just like everywhere else you find many different people with quite different backgrounds and attitudes, but still the Minneapolis central library is the best library I've seen so far. From the staff to security and the whole place is friendly.

Kriese Michael

This place was awesome. Until a woman walks in as if she just came directly from a strip club. While a class of students no bigger than 5'5 are in the library... I asked the first floor information desk how this was acceptable and they were like "uh-uh-uh" because they had been talking the whole time. And then I asked what could be done about it and guess what they said? Starts with a U and ends in a "uh-uh-uh." Maybe I should talk about the transgender mutilation pictures on the Second Floor. Where I can men who cut off their.... Get the picture? If not take a picture they are on the second floor wall.

Mary Jean Potamites

This library has a beautiful design! It feels like a nice place to hang out. There are comfy chairs and tables with nice views from giant windows hidden all over the library. Apparently you can also rent (for free) out rooms to have meetings in. The librarians seem really nice and helpful too. I love it!

Jessica Brouillette

Absolutely gorgeous interior and a fantastic place to study. There are study pod’s along each story of the building starting at level two. They are perfect for seclusion and gives access to a lot of natural light.

Jackie Kaufenberg

They have a great childrens section and the staff were so helpful. My daugheter asked for a Medusa book and the librarian had one in a special section. The librarian was very courteous to make sure it was ok that she go with her and that I knew where she was. There was some interesting people-watching but overall the library is very clean and was a great experience and worth a visit

Hazey Lavonne

I dont go there I dint like waiting on any bus in front I feel very unsafe in that area. Its a haven for drug dealers and people that won't do right as a citizen

Brett Johnson

Coolest library I have ever seen.

Wayne Martin

The library is really comfortable. The staff here is amazing and gives off welcoming energy.Such a quiet and comfortable place.

payton faber

Love this library! Always get so much done and the architecture is stunning.

Xin Yi

Been here many times and don’t feel safe most of the time. This 1 star represents my personal experience here at the central library, not the overall rating of this place. Tried to like this place and I can’t. Won't be back again

Ben Allen

Great looking library, incredible repository of resources, great maps and music. But, absolutely garbage for getting anything done. Between the headphones, the loud phone calls on speakerphone, the scary coughing, your concentration is in constant peril. Forget about productivity. Either book a private study room or get in and get out.

Tedros Abraha

Never have I read reviews of a library this polarized. For those who seem to miss this is a public library, meaning this is a PUBLIC space, so any person has a right to be there, no matter his/her current status of employment. If there is inappropriate behaviour going on, please alert the staff by all means. Otherwise it is not fair to negatively review the library because you can't stand looking at poor and/or black people in your vicinity. This is an excellent library, and just a wonderful, refreshing place to be even if it is only to spend some time. Be reasonable; homelessness is not a crime. Review the library and its staff honestly. Don't blame the library for homelessness, poverty or fashion choices of certain patrons. If you can't handle seeing poor and/or poorly dressed minorities in the same room as you, then the problem is you, not the library. Be compassionate amd understanding to your fellow human.

Karl Narveson

A mixed review: I wholeheartedly endorse the underground parking garage. The parking garage is orderly, peaceful, and quiet. I can visit without being hassled or made to feel that I am intruding on someone else's turf. It's free to drive …

Yoon Lee

This is a great library. The children section is well designed. I can see my kid spending a long time here. Library is well stocked and often has the book I’m looking for but be aware that there are waiting lists for popular books.

Jocelyn

Love the library, I wish they still had the secondhand store. Feel a bit afraid going in alone.

Brandon Allday

On the fourth floor, James K. Hosmer Special Collections' Minneapolis History Collection is an amazing resource for family history research.

Devale

It's a great place but needs more police and security. By the way, from my recent visit on 5/10/19 to the Central Library. I noticed that there are no longer cameras in the men's restrooms. In the past, this was an ineffective measure to deter crime and was an invasion of privacy for men in the public bathroom.

MayPa Yang

This is a great library! There are some parts where it is loud but if you know where to go you can find a quiet area to read or do your homework. The View is also very beautiful, looking out from the second floor or up is very nice. I …

David Tran

This has got to be the biggest library that I have visited this side of the Mississippi. The Librarians are very helpful; there are a wide variety of books on different subjects; I could spend the whole day here. However, some of the people hanging out here are pretty "shady", "ghetto", and "ratchet". Some people talk loudly and watch inappropriate videos in front of, dare I say not, kids!! The bathrooms are nasty and the aforementioned people loiter in them, doing "who knows what" in them. I also saw some guy attempt to steal a cell phone from a desk; he looked at me quickly, put the phone down, and scurried off. This library has the potential to be 5 stars, if the above issues were taken care of.

Special Singer

Good place to work on the laptop or phone. Your fine when you keep to yourself. Some people here a little more nosy than usual. Lots of great books to read. Keep an eye out for yourself. Not scary if you know common sense.

Queuelus Q

Scary place to be a small woman. Stinky dudes leer at you. Huge, tough women stare you down. There are drug deals going on and at any time it seems like violence might break out. Some good collections but I’m too afraid to go into isolated areas alone. Really sucks, because the library is not being used as it was intended to be.... I don’t want homeless people to be without resources, but why the heck do libraries have to be de facto warehouses? The administration wants us to review the library. How can I when I don’t feel safe to use it?

MN guy

As others have said, this is a great building, an amazing collection, wonderful staff, but it is not a welcoming environment. I cut through the atrium every morning, weaving around the groups of thugs and seeing if i can get through without hearing several obscene words. why would i want to be here?

Carolyn Dewey

What's with all the complaining about homeless people? They're just people, like the rest of us. The security seems to be doing an okay job getting rid of trouble. I once traversed the outside sidewalk and the main floor by myself without being bothered, and made it to the 3rd floor with no problems. It's not like there are creepy people hanging out at the library 24/7. With that said, I think the library is a fantastic place to study/read. I have never heard people being unreasonably loud in the quiet areas. Also, the science section is comprehensive and the elevators are fun.

Jennifer Michlitsch

Love the proximity to light rail, the abundance of natural light, kids' section, and various quiet areas to read or work. Oh, and great selection of books.

Patrick Kelly

Fantastic resources in a great space.

CandyMichelle Johnson

A nice place to study and learn new things.

Andy Adams

If Plato were alive he'd hang out here. Mostly for the books, but also the random break-dancers. Do you like emerald cities? Then you'll like all the windows.

Lee Gifford

the best library I have ever been to!! they have a nice coffee shop and book store inside too! also they have TONS of computers but also tons of people using them also so many books and they have some nice spots where you can over look a …

Zane Spang

Smells like weed.

Michael Sullivan

I love libraries. Unfortunately main branches tend to have large homeless populations with drug and alcohol abuse , mental illness issues and a strange feeling of entitlement. I recommend other branches if you are wanting a peaceful visit.

Teresa Cloud

Nice location ,love the childrens section,so the kiddos aren't a distraction to the adults that are possibly doing something important for school,work,etc,etc.!! Also I was wondering now that school is in session does the security let school age kids stay there? Was curious in case that they are possibly ditching school?

Grace

I love this library. Down town ins convenient for me and I often need a place to work in the mornings. I come right when it opens and usually stay until early afternoon. I am always able to find a quiet bright place to work and enjoy the view from the upper floor windows. I don't use the collections much but this place is huge and I imagine you can find whatever you need! Many people in the reviews seem concerned by some of the people who spend time at the library. I have never encountered anything that makes me feel unsafe and value the library as a public space open to all. If you are afraid of people who seem different then you, go to a coffee shop or a library out in the suburbs. Better yet, interrogate why you are so uncomfortable in situations where people are just living their lives in a different way than you. This library is great and I'm glad I live in a city with such excellent resources available to all!

Melanie Blazar

Love this library. Great for studying. Clean, friendly staff

Michael Bellotti

Whoever the person is that is in charge of the music selection area does an amazing job!!

Rebecca Taylor

This is a place where you can spend all day long without even realizing that. Very good atmosphere, very interesting books to read, comfortable chairs, friendly staff. Great variety of books. Love to visit here.. Plus, you're surrounded by books and the opportunity for infinite knowledge...all for free!!

Johnny Imgrund

I am saddened by what goes on in this library. There are people here who obviously have no respect for the space or their fellow patrons, the staff seems weary and nearly terrorized by the thugs who are squatting here. I have empathy for …

Drake Friesen

Best catalog of books in Minnesota! They also have a piano room you can reserve!

Joseph Renyolds

Great place to bring the kids on the weekends. Underground parking.

David S

Great layout, very big.

Aaron Carlson

The view of the city from the fourth floor never fails to put me in a good mood, and it's located only a block from Nicollet Mall Station, which makes riding the Metro convenient. I've always found the environment to be quiet, comfortable, and conducive to reading. I have been unexpectedly approached by other library patrons on multiple occasions, but I have never feared for my safety.

Mindy Huston

I love the location - accessible to everyone in the city. There are places that I am happy to have my taxes go - and THIS is one of them!! The building is beautiful and the sunlight is wonderful throughout the space. I have requested meeting rooms (Doty Room) and the staff there have been helpful and courteous. There is also an on-site coffee shop (Dunn Bros) which is great for any time of day.

Rob Z

Great location for a library. There is lots of historic material here!

Elizabeth Hasseries

Clean, well staffed, and huge. I’ve seen reviews of people being frightened here. As a former San Francian I’m fairly use to homeless people being in libraries. They don’t frighten me or my child. I’ve never seen drugs in use or being sold at this library.

Amy Morton

Open to the public, importantly to those without financial resources to spend their time indoors elsewhere; perfectly useful resource to anyone who doesn't have an anti-homeless stick up their asa

Camellia Kalra

It's great if you only take the bus. They even have a Dunn Bros on the first floor. Wish more libraries did this. Sometimes you need coffee while you read. It's a beautiful building too, architecturally very nice.

Jackie LaVaque

I'm a huge fan of libraries, and this one really stands out! Thanks to the amazing staff for answering my many questions and for making your amazing local history collections so easy to access. I wish more people knew about how many amazing things this place contains... it goes WAY beyond books and internet access!

King Zekeria

The place is great place to spend time with your friends

Blythe Warwas

Cool place! It's beautiful just to see, and of course the selection is fantastic. I've never been to a library big enough to have "stacks" so we were enraptured by the moving shelves.

z b

The library itself doesn't have anything to do with the homeless or drug situations. It is a public space for free resources. The reading loft is nice, the books are very diverse, the computers are available, you can print papers, and staff is nice. My only complaint is the movie section, but I understand why it might be lacking. Please do not leave a review for the people, other than staff, as it doesn't help anyone at all.

Bryan White

I love the views stays clean they just need to keep the snow cleaned up better but this is Minnesota cameras everywhere

Danae Bye

Books for days and huge. So many places to work and read or draw. Tons of natural light.

Laura Smith

It would be nice if people used the library to study and read books. with all the chaos down here it would be nice if security just asked them not to come back to the library at all. The bathrooms are nasty as every homeless person is …

Joshua Schwartz

Very shiny and large. And pointy.