Henry Waldinger Memorial Public Library

This library has an ok amount of books. I’d rather not interact with staff because they are mostly unfriendly. I came in here one Monday and one lady chased after my sister and I saying the library closes in 15 minutes. Yet, the schedule online says it closes at 9pm on Monday. SO ANNOYING. Why the library would close early during the school season is BEYOND ME! Little children are not the only ones that use the library. Just UGH SO FRUSTRATING. They could at least update the online hours or put a sign up on the door.

The computers are really outdated

This library is extremely dated, lacks any sort of variety in books nor have they ordered any new books since appx 1987 and as of last year, did not even have electrical outlets to plug in your laptop. I’m honestly not even sure if they have internet? OLD SCHOOL to the nth degree.
Atmosphere: Cadavers in there at all times having very loud conversations making it impossible to concentrate. The staff consists of many older folk who just cannot be bothered with helping you and are usually making more noise than unruly patrons. Majority of the patrons are cheap elderly people that just come in there to read the newspaper and take coupons.
I really wish this was a nice library because I do have very fond memories of coming here as a kid on a regular basis and would have loved to share the same experiences I had with my own daughter, but it’s just not a very friendly or resourceful place.

I don’t look fondly back on this library in my hometown. The majority of the staff are incredibly unaccommodating and remind me of strict nuns at a parochial school. They’re complete hard asses about late fees and they still adhere to old fashioned rules about how to reserve books.
This library desperately needs a younger vibe and to move into the 21^st Century. They should also have more appreciation for their patrons, considering that their tax dollars pay their salaries.
I really wish they’d consider giving this place a complete re-​haul in terms of management and services. Libraries should be a welcome place for the community, where the exchange of knowledge and pleasantries make it an open environment for all to enjoy.
Instead, it remains a relic and it smells like old people. C’mon Valley Stream, you deserve better.

This is the library of my hometown, my childhood, and now my adulthood. (There was a lapse of library frequency during my adolescent years when I lost my library card and decided it was too much of a hassle to try to get a new one). The interior has changed – the children’s nook has a handpainted fantasy land mural and the adult section is refurnished with dark wood and new walls and fresh paint.
The selection has grown but not by much. They are behind in contemporary authors and have few local Long Island writers on the shelves. Many of their books are old and falling apart – but I kinda like that about books.
One of my hugest problems with this library is that they aren’t open to new events or workshops. I’ve tried working with the library director on new ideas because I like to give back to my community. It was a no go. No poetry readings in the library? Really? Sad.
Still, it’s a nice place to hang. Always very quiet. Perfect for reading the day away. Bring a blanket in the summer, though, because the A/​C is on full blast. But it’s nice to take advantage of their A/​C instead of paying out the wahzoo for your own.
ETA: No, no, I’ve downgraded. Upon recent search of their contemporary literature and all around poetry section, I found nothing NOTHING readable. For shame, Waldinger, for shame!