Woodlawn Public Library

Woodlawn is my go-​to library because I live so close, and I volunteer there as well (on a side note, if there are any other teens reading this — start volunteering with Halifax Public Libraries, it’s incredibly rewarding).
The branch is beautiful and always clean with different sections for adults’ fiction and non-​fiction as well as kids’ and teens’ areas. The selection of books is fine, but if you can’t find what you’re looking for you can always place a hold from one of the many pretty darn nice computers available. Magazines, TV shows and movies (including Blu-​Rays), CDs, craft books and sheet music (thank you!!) … Everything’s here.
Noise level wise, yes, the kids’ and teens’ areas aren’t great, depending on the time of day. I just don’t spend much time in them myself, because there are plenty of spots to sit and enjoy a quiet book away from these sections of the library. There’s one seating area near the nonfiction section that’s often deserted. Additionally, there are a few «private» tables at the end of rows in nonfiction which I think are a brilliant idea — if you’re writing a paper, all your research material is just a few steps away!
Woodlawn, like other libraries, also offers great programs year-​long for kids, tweens, teens, adults, and seniors. They cater to all interests, from bridge, to graphic novels, to science. I would like more teen programs that are more educational of sorts, like a cooking or writing workshop, (but obviously, I don’t know what kind of demand there is for that).
Staff are lovely and are knowledgeable: my sister got set up with the Read Away Your Fines program easily and quickly. A special mention to a staff member who I saw stepping in to discipline the teens in their section, because I know other reviewers have complained about them.
To sum up, Woodlawn is a fantastic branch with fantastic facilities that is like a second home to me. Stop in to enjoy a good book here, you won’t regret it!

When ever I am in Dartmouth, this is my favourite library to pop into. It is in a great location, with plenty of parking near by. Newly opened, I like to browse the magazine section at the front. This library is nicely decorated. The high ceiling in the children’s section is filled with colourful kites!

I’ve been a lover of the library since I was a little girl coming with my mom. This library is beautiful on the inside and is stocked with top of the line computers, an auditorium and lovely displays. It’s very big and has a really nice children’s section. I tutor here sometimes and really like the study rooms that you can book in advance. I do wish they had a few more table to sit at in the back.
Here’s my one beef (and it’s a pretty major one):
I totally get that the library is trying to appeal to a younger crowd and is doing their best to get teens and tweens interested in reading and using the wonderful services at the library. This library however, lets it get way out of hand. There is a really nice teen section just to to the right of the entrance. They have computers, bean bag chairs and study kiosks. Lately, I’ve been coming for tutoring from 5−6pm one night a week and each time I come there is always a gaggle of teeny boppers hanging out in the teen area. Seems great right? Wrong! They’re running around, hurling themselves onto the bean bag chairs and yelling so loud that the «sound proof» study rooms (which have been placed just beside the teen area) don’t block out their obnoxiousness. I have seen someone come speak to them on several occasions, mildly asking them to settle down, but it just continues. They should have been asked to leave long before it gets to the point where my tutoring student can’t focus because of the yelling.
I know I may sound like an old lady with who needs to lighten up and let the kids have fun, but really, this is a library people. There needs to be some level of acceptable behaviour that is enforced. If it never is dealt with, then this will just keep on happening. I wish the people who work here would have more of a backbone.

This is the library that I frequent most often — not because of its proximity to my home, but because it is close to a number of other businesses that I patronize.
Pros:
— Decent parking lot (stick to the sides of the building for greater ease of entry/​exit);
— Modern facilities, including an auditorium, large bathrooms, private study rooms, and plenty of public computers; and
— Knowledgeable staff.
Cons:
— Selection leaves much to be desired. It’s gotten better since the library moved to this location, but with the amount of space available it’s not fantastic.
— The noise level is almost always high — during the day it’s because of the toddlers and small children running amok, and at night it’s because of the hoards of teenagers playing games on the computers and shouting at each other.
— Awkward entryway. The already-​constricted foyer becomes packed easily with those entering and exiting, patrons in line at the checkouts, those depositing books in the drop boxes, and all those in between.
Despite the cons, I gave the Woodlawn library 4 stars because I love books and libraries and I hope that this one will continue to improve over time. It has great potential.

Honestly? I’m a little disappointed.
Knowing the sheer volume of space at their disposal, I had hoped this would become a major branch of the Halifax Regional Library system. I finally went today only to discover that their selection isn’t that much better than when they had their smaller location across the street.
Yes, there’s an auditorium, program room and lots more space. But I’d hoped for two stories of library!
That said, there are lots of computers and self-​check-​out terminals. As with any branch, you can order in delivery.
They do use the auditorium for free movies for the kids. But overall, I’d hoped for more.