Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County: Symmes Township

I’ve had lots of time in the library with all my kidos. The kids section is plentiful. The staff have great summer programs, drawing in a large crowd of kids. Very thankful for the kids section crew!
Love being able to go online to my account and order a book, recheck a book, or look at what’s going on. The DVD selection is ample.

Always an incredibly helpful staff and great selection of materials!
Their DVD section is really nice to have available– especially since it seems all local video stores have gone out of business! Great selection of titles!
Also enjoy the magazine section.

A clean, quiet library. It’s nice that there are enough books for anyone’s needs. The DVD’s rentals they have are great. They generally have pretty new releases too. Since this is just a branch of a generally large library system, their selection is huge and there are almost always more than one copy. If it’s not available, your can always put a hold on what you’re looking for through their app and you’ll get an email when it comes in. You can have it sent to any branch of the Hamilton County libraries too. Doesn’t get any better than that.

This is a great regional branch! I typically go to the Loveland branch because I can swing by there easily on my daily commute but I might just start going out of my way a little bit to come here.
They are definitely a little more updated than the L-​Town branch and seems much larger as well. It is conducive to staying and reading/​studying/​whatever as there are some big rooms with tables, and also seems to be connected into the community with all sorts of local flyers and papers around. There are plenty of the self checkout computers, so even though it’s busy you don’t have to wait long to check out (they also save time with a drive thru book drop-​off!). I also really liked their huge new arrivals section, which is usually relegated to a lonely shelf at smaller branches. I found tons of books in that section and checked out about 6… I should probably stop Unilocaling cause I have some reading to do…

Everything you’d expect and more from one of Hamilton County’s regional libraries. Better than most of the satellite neighborhood libraries, the Symmes branch has lots and lots of titles, plus an amazing selection of New Releases. Clean, comfortable, large, and lots of patrons. This branch was built as a standalone library and as such they incorporated a huge amount of daylighting with windows virtually ringing the rotunda building; nice design work. Once again our public library is a benchmark for the nation, and the Symmes branch is a way-​above-​average example.
Important Details:
* Drop box for off-​hour returns (or you don’t care to be seen in your jammies Saturday at noon);
* Closed on Sunday, unfortunately, but open til 9 PM Mon.-Thur.;
* Lots of printed community and Cincy-​relevant freebies on large table just inside doorway;
* Self-​checkout with the scanning devices, no need to interact with staff unless you actually want to have a conversation (oh-​so-​nice option!);
Finally, and best of all, no pervs, drunks, addicts, or homeless folks hanging out and making a scene, a la downtown main branch. WINNING!

This is a great library, but before I get to all the lovely things inside I must address something on the outside that many don’t seem to understand. The circular object in the middle of driveway should be treated as a roundabout! No matter what direction you approach it, PASS… IT…ON…THE…RIGHT! (oh I shouldn’t yell in a library? Well this review hasn’t entered the building yet) I’ll draw a Timm diagram:
| | /​\ | observe: no matter the direction you approach, pass on the right!
| | | |
| /​O \ |
| \ /​|
| \/​| |
Now that there should be no more confusion, let’s assume you’ve driven on the correct side of the roundabout, parked your car and entered the library. You’ll find that there’s a lot to explore in here. Just to the right after you enter is a large space for entertaining and other special events. At the checkout counter, there are 4 or 5 different self-​checkout computers. New release DVDs are kept behind the counter. I haven’t paid much attention to the actual book selection here, but it does look like there’s a lot to choose from. I can usually be found towards the back browsing the music section or stalking the multiple DVD aisles. It’s very easy to find something to take home and enjoy, as they have many, many titles on hand. If they don’t have what you’re looking for, you can search the entire Cincinnati library system and request your particular item and request it be sent this branch for pickup.
If you’re just dropping off, you don’t even have to go in. The place has drive-​thru drop boxes for books and CDs/​DVDs. I don’t know what happens if you mix the two up (library card disapparates from your wallet?), but I am extra careful to put things in the drop box to which they belong.

This is the better of the library branches in the area and its apparently one of the most used in the Cincinnati system. The selection is decent, but you can always order whatever you want online and have it delivered to the branch for pickup with a couple of days. The staff is helpful but very busy and there are usually a number of people in line to talk to them during busy times. Lots of computers to use and desks for studying or meetings. They have a great kids’ area and lots of scheduled programs.

For a library that is kind of off the beaten path… this place is always hopping! No matter the time or day, always full of patrons getting their knowledge on. Its on the larger end of the Cincinnati Branch and looks relatively new. Great selection of newer books as well as CD and audio, magazines, and just about anything you could ask for. Plenty of tables for studying/​tutor sessions and a great teen area. Staff is always helpful and when I sheepisly told the librarian that I lost the cd in a rental car, he actually told me he was sorry that I felt upset… and helped me figure out my fine haha. Self check out makes getting in and out a breeze.
People of CIncinnati… You have a great thing going for you! Highly suggest you take advantage of this awesome branch, as well as all other locations.

I guess while I’m reviewing libraries I’d throw one out for the Symmes location too!
I have never actually talked to anyone in the library. The workers keep to themselves, they have automated check-​out, and I’ve never had any problems… Bonus.
What is amazing about this place is the size of the library. It’s huge inside, and there selection is amazing! They have a very large «New Release» section for movies and music. They have a ton of space for people to sit and read or tables to work at if you need.
And, like I said, the shelves are always stocked pretty well. You really never have to talk to anyone there if you don’t want to. They have 5 or 6 automated check out stations so you can get in and out very quickly. They usually never have a line. It’s a good place to get stuff… oh yeah… they also have books, too!

It’s hard to believe that the Symmes Township Regional Branch Library is 17-​years-​old, but it’s still has a new feeling to it and it’s a great library. It’s a 15,000 square foot building which includes a circular meeting room. On its exterior, the names of Homer, Aristotle, Dante, Chaucer, and Shakespeare, among others are inscribed, which I think is pretty cool. Inside there is a nice and comfortable atmosphere to it, and the many windows brighten the building, as opposed to making you feel like you’re just stuck inside a boring library.
Unlike any other library I’ve seen, the Symmes Library has a drive-​up book drop, which is extremely convenient. The library also contains quite a large selection of not only books, but also audio books, DVDs, CDs, and periodicals. Some of the newer things it offers are a self-​checkout and the ability to get your own items that are on hold, making things quite easy for library-​goers. While the self-​checkout has lessened the need for some of the librarians, the staff is still very knowledgeable and friendly.
There are many programs for children that are held in the meeting room, such as story telling and other interactive programs. Symmes also holds reading programs for kids.
Although I haven’t been doing as much reading as I could and should, I do really like Symmes library and might have to «check [it] out» again soon.