Reviews of Joplin Public Library (Library)

Nic S.

By far this is the best library I've ever joined! It used to be a close second with the Library center in Springfield because there was no limit on how many movies you could take out. However it has become number one on my list because you can put in a request for them to purchase and it will be ordered very very quickly! My mother and I have lived in four other states and never had so many great options! And ome of the states was New York! Way to go Missouri! You beat out an east coast state!

Brooke Fleshman

Awesome kids area and great storytimes

Glen

Just wanted to comment that today we drove by the library and the outside really looks so good right now. The decision to take away the prairie grass surrounding the building was the best decision. It looks so much nicer now!

Tiffany Ndauwa

The new library is awesome!!! The only question I have is that are kids allowed to have their own library card there? I'm going to middle school and I also want to come here on my bike so that I can have a nice and quiet place to do my homework and study for a test or something like that. And you would also like to check out books there by myself. I'm 11 and very trustworthy to be by myself in a library. So please let me be by myself there and let me study there. Thank you!!!

Phillip Bishop

Nice library but you need to do something about those that consider it a shelter. Not the Salvation Army!

Terry Carroll

Never been to the new library and don't ever plan to go there, too far to go, should of left it downtown!!! They tore down The Conner Hotel, an historic place, to build the library, now it's shut down, what a crock, they should of left The Conner Hotel alone and built in the library some place else, but it's too late for that, besides there is too many lowlife bums that hang out at the library, I don't need to go there

Tim Ashe

Awesome new building. Fun for all ages. Very modern and sophisticated.

Lemmie Walsh

One of the nicest libraries I've been to. Snack area with vending machines, wifi, clean bathrooms, large children's area with plenty to do. This place is a parent's dream.

Kelly Pilkerton

Will there now be two locations? I pray the downtown one will be open too?? So close to my current location :)

Sabrina Wiseman

Love the atmosphere here. I am always treated kindly by staff and always feel welcome.

Briley

The library has been my go to space for writing and for homework lately. But today, a employee there named Beth Snow was so incredibly sweet and really brought a smile to my face today when I asked her about finding which direction I needed to go in to find material for a literature review paper. Not only did she find me some awesome online resources but she also really just made my day. My spirits were drastically lifted by the time I left today. The library obviously has an amazing staff, they are genuine and easy to talk to which is something that some people take for granted. I always have a great experience here but today was more exceptional than normal. Beth is the best!!!

JoAnn Christensen

Utilized computer lab.Had difficulty navigating the system.There is an assistant there, but he was very busy. I did get a new ♎ library card, but there was waiting line.Checked out electric scooter which made my visit easier for me.As I was leaving, saw my daughter-in-law,2 of the younger grandchildren,DIL's. Mother, so it made for an unexpected very happy visit.My daughter in law says they drive over from WebbCity 2-3x a week as the children enjoy the new library so very much.

Amy Brake

Great selection. Awesome children's area. A better drive up book drop would be great though.

Dan Renegar

You have to be a permanent Joplin resident with mail to prove it to get a library card. So basically every student from out of town doesn't get to use the facility. This is the only public library I've ever been to - from Arkansas to Alaska - that won't give you a library card for $5 or less. Tax payers in Joplin (and Andrew Carnegie) have ALREADY paid for the facilities so WHY are you penalizing students and visitors who just want to enjoy reading? Two stars since it is a pretty new building with a decent reading selection for the priveleved few that get to read them.

Perry Elkins

Friendly, helpful staff. Public WiFi worked well during my visit.

Mallory Olson

Awesome activities for children. We go every week for story time. Our kids love checking out books and movies. The children's area has really improved.

Sue Smith

I would Love to know the address of the New Location

Jadrien Wilson

Love the 24/7 hold and check out. Makes picking up requested books 100 times easier!

Kiara & Brook Vlogs

It's a huge library, great selection, honestly if my friends were diwnnid just hangout in the library but me and my friend Maddie are the only people in our group of 4 that like reading.

Couch Dude

Takes a very short time to get a library card, Demaris is very friendly and knowledgeable! The programs they have for children are some of the best I've ever seen! During the reading group they were even teaching sign language to the children, wow! It's a very modern building with self checkouts and a great and easy to use search system. Best part is the a/c makes it very comfortable to get lost reading a good book!

Stephanie Roy

Love it! Great place to have the children. Clean and very calm. Great job on the building.

Tyler Tracy

Its really awesome but like all public libraries if you are from out of town you must pay for a card. The new building is beautiful and functional. I do not like the sculpture in the parking lot though. I don't know how it was approved.

Daniel Todd

Great new building! Much more open and inviting than the old one. My kids love visiting and checking out books as well as the programs they have. The self check out option is awesome and hassle free.

Claire A

My husband and I were under the impression that we lived within Joplin city limits, and we were given free library memberships. We checked out books successfully, and when we tried to check out more books, we were told that we were outside of Joplin city limits and that we would have to pay $50 each for memberships. My husband and I are upset about this. Why give us free memberships only to revoke them later?

Matt Roy

Much bigger better and more advanced then the old library of Joplin. Great place to read, study, find real paper books, magazine's or Audio books. Barrow any books or even movies if that's what you're looking for. Use their computers or bring your own and use the free WiFi. They also have a few play areas set up for children... blew my kids minds. We love it!

Nick Vandyke

This place is great!!!! Amazing selection of blue rays, dvds, audio books. I love just going in there to walk around and enjoy the atmosphere. They have great clubs for all interests and if you can't find a group for you just start your own. The staff is very helpful and make it simple to find what you are looking for. To get a membership card you will need a piece of mail with your home address on it and a photo id. If you are bored and looking for something to do this is fun and free!!! They also have an area for local art where you can see the great works of talented artists in our area.

rinnybirb

great library with a great manga club

Jople Mira

I'm not sure if they are running a free public library or a business... The service is poor and frustrating, I have had one experience with one helpful employee. Pointless rules which inhibit the very goal of a library (to encourage reading)!! Employees don't even realize that the very rule they are upholding is preposterous... making the entire experience even more frustrating.

Debbie Massey

My mother lives outside city limits & is more than happy to pay the membership fee. Kind, friendly staff and so many books etc to pick from!

Sarah Dill

I love the library it has everything I need and I would go there every day if I could!!

Sandra Figueroa

I've visited the library just a few times, but most of my visits have been satisfactory except for this last time. This last time I had brought my own laptop to finish up some projects. During this time of day, school was in (i had thought this ahead) but I noticed that the few tables that were there to use were occupied so i went to the teen section that I had used in my previous visits because there was no one there just as my previous visits. After a few minutes I was approached by an employee stating that this was the teens from school use this area. So then i explained this area was the only area available, school is in, and I was going to be there about an hour just to finish and will be done way before school lets out. Then she stated well pupblic and private schools sometimes reserve it for their students also so then i asked is there a reservation at that time she stated there wasn't any that day. So then again I explained to her once I am done which would be before school lets out she stood there for a few minutes but at this point I become upset because of the way i was approached and stayed for about 10 minutes then left and guess what prior to that a few more ladies were also looking for a reading area and were searching for a place to read and that whole corner is empty and the employee that talked to me quickly got up from her desk and started stalking behind them around that area until they decided to leave as well. So, I've read some of the other reviews and one included that certain individuals that may "consider it as a shelter" were there and I read the response in regards to acceptance and I agree as well as long as they adhere to a conduct. So, when it come down to an actual Joplin resident, who is dressed to code, adheres yo the conduct, who owns their home and pays their real estate taxes that help "fund" this library since that seems to be a big response from the owner in regards to other comments why was I not able to use a chair and part of a table in this joplin PUBLIC libray that nobody else was using at the time and get approached in a rude way by your staff. If this is the case then you can return the funding you have received from the taxes or maybe it was because of my ethnicity?

Carson Jensen

Beautiful newer facility with many different services.

Joshua Berryann

The Joplin Public Library is a good place to study and it offers quality wifi. I had a nice experience with the selections, and the attached art gallery, but the building as a whole is in need of renovation. However, the new library is being built, so if all of the nice attributes continue in a new building, it will most certainly be a five star on my list.

Kevin McClintock

I call this place my second home. I really do. I couldn't imagine life without a library. I'm probably inside the place at least once a week, if not more, checking out a book or occasional DVD. I think if I didn't live in Joplin and wasn't a resident I would still pay (and gladly pay) the $50 annual fee. I mean, c'mon, point to me where else in Joplin or the surrounding communities could you choose from tens of thousands of books and thousands of DVDs, audio books, music CDs and ready access to the Internet. Heck, Internet access alone inside a home or apartment would cost you $50 within five months time. My kids are grown up but I can only imagine what added benefits there are for young mothers and fathers with children visiting the library, considering all the great activities both the children's department and teen department offers. Best "bang for your buck" place in Joplin, hands down. I'm also happy they are moving to the new location, though because I work in downtown Joplin, I'm gonna miss being able to walk less than a block for a visit. :(

armando zarazua

Coming from Neosho, the library was impressive but if i work and buy items in Joplin , one should be able to have a library card to access books or computers sytem. Alittle too restrictive.

Daphne Dust

I think it is lame to have a Joplin address and can't check out books they say we have to pay for the memberships by monthly. It is crazy