Cambridge Public Library – Boudreau Branch

My rating hasn’t changed. The update is that I’ve given up. I’ll now be using the library in my own neighborhood. Perhaps it will be friendlier. I do know that the Robbins Library, at least, has books I’d actually consider checking out.

This humble little library is located on Concord Ave, which runs between Harvard Square and Fresh Pond. Although it has a very limited selection of books, it is a nice quiet spot that is never too busy so even though there are only a handful of tables and chairs, you’ll always find a place to settle down for a few hours. It also offers free wifi and free printing up to 20 pages. As part of the Cambridge Public Library system, you can request books that will be delivered here for pick-​up so even though the selection is limited on site, it can still allow you to access the wider selection if this happens to be the library closest to you. This has been my main experience with the library and I rarely find a book here simply by browsing their few shelves but rather I come here to pick up the books that I have requested online.
The biggest downside is that the hours are quite limited and on every day except Tuesdays, I have a hard time getting here since I get to work before they open and get off work after they close:
Mon, Wed, Fri 10am-​6pm
Tue 10am-​8pm
Closed Thursday
They post events on their website and although I have never attended any of them, I appreciate that they are offered and the information is readily accessible. Overall, I have appreciated having this humble neighborhood branch of the Cambridge Public Library near my workplace.