New York Public Library – Morningside Heights

Disappointed in this library. I’ve been here three times and every time was as disappointing as the last. The space itself is clean and has a small computer room available for those who need to use a computer. But this has to be the noisiest library I’ve been to. With children and infants running around as if it were a daycare center, this is not a place you want to go to get work done.

I like this NYPL, since it’s right next to Columbia University. The inside is very spacious and clean, and the appeal is modern. It’s organized and neat, with the children section upstairs. The only issue is that there aren’t enough outlets here to charge your laptop to those who come here to do research and use the free wifi. But other than that, I love it!

This library is a really nice facility, with a great air conditioning system so stop in on a hot day. There is a ton of seating, a restroom, and lots of computers. My one dislike of this location is that they don’t actually have that many books. There are a lot of classic books (like Gone with the Wind) that I have to put a hold on and have delivered to this branch because they don’t actually have it. Though they don’t have a huge selection of books, they do have at least a few shelves of books from a lot of different genres. There have also been a few occasions when I’ve witnessed staff members being less than friendly, but regardless, I will keep coming back to this branch again and again.

This place is unacceptable. Its a Glorified welfare center. I went to read and do my work for school and person hoped up on high end medication attempted to rage a fight with me. Not only did he threaten to assault me but made a threat about the situation. Now being a prior service member, i know my bounds, i informed the librarian to inform the manager, who did nothing… Didnt call the police didnt offer to file an incident report and call the police… did nothing… I called the office of the president, who turns out to have his own issues with subatances, his entire staff did nothing.
people, leadership teaches its staff through, example, if you dont take things seriously neither will they here is he article

I enthusiastically recommend this place if you are looking to share your reading time in a pseudo– infant day care center.
Honestly.
While think your cherubic children are delightful, if they are wailing, a library is an awful place for your little ones. Where are the caretakers? Where are the Parents? Where are the nannies?
Libraries are not infant day care centers.
I almost lost it when a chorus of screaming babies ran away from the children section and in my direction. WHERE ARE YOU UPPER WEST SIDE NANNY? GET THIS KID OUT OF MY FACE…
Also, where is the librarian regulating these patrons? They are quietly sitting in their seats like zombies.
FAIL.
If you must frequent this branch try to avoid the second floor or pinpoint what you need and get the heck out of dodge.
Otherwise, a very nice, clean albeit small collection library.

My fave location other than the hidden one in SoHo. New building. Nice format. Friendly and helpful staff. Window seats for reading :)

I’m reviewing this library based on the fact that I only use it for picking up and returning books. I have not used their internet, computers, or stayed to read in the library. As far as I’m concerned, it’s great! I request books online, they show up at this library for me, and it’s awesome. The staff is polite and helpful, and I’ve never had to wait more than a minute or so to check out books. There’s also a self checkout, which is great if you’re only getting books (not DVDs, etc.).

Not a great place for hanging out and reading in, but it’s good if you’re just coming to pick up your holds and drop them back off. The staff is very courteous and efficient. I’ve never waited in line for more than 3 minutes, and usually it’s more like 30 seconds.

This is a very small library compared to the other branches. It is much newer and feels cleaner but if you’re looking for a place to hang out or look for books, I would suggest trying any other branch. The children’s section is half of the second floor while the adults and teens share the other half. The librarians upstairs can be super helpful or outright rude, depends on your luck. The movies are located on the first floor as well a computer room for adults (children’s computers are upstairs in their section).
I use this branch for picking up books when I stop at the Columbia farmer’s market on Thursdays during their season.
There is a self-​checkout machine if you don’t want wait for service. But, if you are picking up a requested movie, you have to wait for them to find it behind the counter.

I’ve lived all over the country and my public library often becomes my home away from home. I love going to the library to study, work, learn, or just enjoy some air conditioning while I read and relax.
The NYPL library in Morningside Heights is good for none of the above. There is little seating, none of it comfortable, and all of it usually already taken. The selection of books is so poor that it isn’t even a great place to peruse for reading materials. The only use this library serves for me is a place to pick up the books that I request through the NYPL system.

I love this library. Definitely the best in the Morning side/​Harlem area (I have tried 115^th, 125^th, and Harlem). It is pretty large, with a decent selection, and it has a HUGE children section.
There is a lot of seating and the majority of the people who work here are kind and super helpful.

Okay-​sized compared to other NYPLs (I’ve only been to Riverside, Chelsea, Yorkville, and mid-​Manhattan). It has an unfortunate mix of college kids, little kids, and old people so while it’s conveniently next to the subway, I’ve never wanted to stay and hang out in this one (unlike the Riverside library). Their sci-​fi section is just one bookshelf, their large print is 3, and their fiction just wraps around two walls. I stay out of the children’s section. YA reading is a passable size, as is their foreign language section. They have a good amount of seating that has always been full no matter when I’ve gone and a water fountain next to the bathrooms (I appreciate strange things). Their new book section is on the first floor right by the doors, which I like, but almost nothing else is down there (just reserves, DVDs, and I think books for sale?).
I love libraries, but I probably wouldn’t go to this one if it weren’t on the way home/​had extended hours. Those extended hours really make a difference.

I can only give it 4 stars because while they rarely carry the particular book I’m looking for, I can always request it online and expect them to have it in 2 – 4 weeks. This might seem like a while, but the book is free to borrow, so what more can I ask for? I also really like that this branch is new-​ish and has an elevator. It doesn’t usually smell too bad and the children’s book section covers what appears to be a ¹⁄₃ or the library.

I love the public library too but not this one. I grew up in a library since my Grandmother was a librarian. I have spent time in the libraries of every location I’ve lived. This particular library is the worst. If this wasn’t a New York Public library it would get 1 STAR. I spent over an hour sitting and studying away from my small apartment. This place is filled with children, seniors, and the homeless. I love each of these groups separately but put them together in competition for bathrooms and free computer access and its mayhem.
I start my visit looking to sign up for a library card. I stand in front of the «Library Card» sign at the counter. I wait 5 minutes while being ignored. Finally the counter women and tells me there isn’t anyone working there. You need to wait in the return line. I get my card and find my way to the second floor in search of a quite place to study. There is no quite place here. It is small and crowded. In the short time being here I heard a gentleman say «All you F’in.» repeatedly. Another man yelled at a women «YOU NEED TO GO BACK TO NURSING HOME LADY!» after being scolded by her for knocking on the bathroom door.
I had another gentleman sit at my table that smelled of body oder that the entire library must have been able to smell.
In summary if you’re interested in getting books there is no need to spend time here. Order them online. Pick them up upon arrival. Ignore the fact that there’s a second floor.

I love the public library. I love that they are heated and air conditioned, have movies, music and books to rent, don’t cost anything, and that you can order materials from one library and have them transported to another, more convenient location all with the click of a few buttons.
I love that I can wear my library card on my key chain.

A beautiful branch of the New York Public Library. Looks more like a museum than I library, with cool floors that echo when you walk on them if you happen to be in loud shoes.