Mount Laurel Library

Superb public library — from books to DVDs to computers and scanners. It has it all. A bargain for nonresidents as well though a fee is charged.

Great library. They keep up on current needs of community. Wifi bar. DVDs, CDs, magazines, books. I’ve been able to get great books through inter-​library loan, too.

Good library with many children’s activities throughout the week, work/​study areas, and enough computers, printers and reading material to get the necessary research done.

I didn’t care for libraries when I was a little kid. Due dates and not being allowed to write in the books made them seem like school.
During my four yrs in college, I found myself having occassional affairs with the university’s three-​story library. In the summer, it was an air-​conditioned place to nap. During the school yr, I found places to hide books I needed for writing papers, discovered the 24-​hr room, sighed to delicious coffee available in the lobby, and checked out some cool movies.
Then there were the books. There were so many, it was gorgeous. Maybe I wouldn’t find a particular one, but I could figure that out before walking out my apartment door. And there were sure to be others I would find useful and/​or interesting.
When I returned to suburban New Jersey, I felt desolate. Seriously (for other reasons too, but partially because of the library situation). And yet I found myself in this one-​story building, all the outer limits of which one can easily see from almost anywhere inside.
And for a town library, Mt. Laurel Library does a good job. It’s a bright, open space. The furniture, floors, most books, etc., are in good condition. The seats are comfortable enough and tables sprinkled around, although I would love if people would STFU in the «quiet zone.» There is only one Silent spot, a small room past the info desk, all the way to the left from the entrance. It only has 4 desks, each facing the wall (bad for the eyes), and not nearly enough light. Plus, it is FREEZing. Boo.
The staff are helpful and at least someone is enthusiastic about programming. I attended a tea seminar in October; it was informational, full of old ladies, and not everything I expected but still cool.
To use the sit-​down computers, you need to have a library card or pay $ 5 for a one-​time pass. The library allows you to reserve time. There are computers at standing stations that anyone can use for 15 minutes and is able to send print jobs from. A b&w and color printers are set up nearby, where you punch in the name you used to log into the computer to release the jobs. Each b&w page costs 10 cents, and I’ve been told the machine does not like 5 dollar bills.
My only gripe here is the absence of a money machine of some sort. Lots of people don’t carry lots of cash or change these days, and I’d love if they would accept debit cards. If that’s really too much to ask, then there should be a change machine to break down tens and twenty dollar bills before feeding the printer.
Otherwise, the library has a pretty comprehensive website and database. Lots of resources are available online and the library offers eBooks. As a town library, it shouldn’t be held to the same standards as university libraries. And yet, I want it to be just as good. Sure, maybe most people aren’t interested in, say, philosophy, but I can tell you the selection is sad. More first-​source stuff before so-​called analysis and fluffy texts trying to be philosophy. At least, that would be a fundamental rule of thumb to go by if I were stocking a library.

Not just a good library, it’s the BEST library I could ask for. I really admire the people responsible for running this library because you can tell they put a lot of time and effort into making sure you get your money’s worth.
Of course there are tons of books, but you can also find lots of used books for sale. They also constantly host interesting events and classes. The DVD section is so big and full of new DVDs that you probably don’t even need a Netflix account.
A month or so ago I suggested a new cookbook that I thought would be a good addition, and yesterday I already saw it in the online catalog! Their website is really useful because it’s up-​to-​date and you can put stuff on hold and renew your books without calling or coming in. If you live/​work in Mt. Laurel and you haven’t been here yet, you’re missing out.

This is a very good library. I have lived a number of places over the years and this place is better than the rest.
They have a special one week section of new releases that is fantastic, tons of audio books, dozens of computers and a great quiet area for reading or research. Other new books, large print and mysteries are right up front and there is way more in the back if you want to go digging in the stacks.
If you have little ones, the library really shines in that department. What a great children’s and young adult section. Comfortable chairs for dad or mom to sit in that had a full view of the entire section so your kids can go have fun with their friends and you can relax.
There is free wifi, they are refreshment friendly and the place is clean, well-​lit and airy. The information staff is friendly and patient, even with really curious 8 year olds!
My only two negatives are that the HVAC is sometimes and issue and the bathrooms are often in need of cleaning, but these are small issues. On rainy Saturdays it can get a little close and crowded, but generally, this place is excellent.