Memorial Hall Library

I visited Andover in the late winter and early spring of 2013, and I found it to be a lovely town. This public library was delightful in all ways imaginable. It’s much more than just a library; there’s a wide variety of book sales, musical performances, cultural activities, and artistic offerings, and the building is beautiful on the inside and out. I saw a performance of Joe Leary, a local Celtic music performer, and like a true Irishman, he spun a great yarn, and captivated the audience with his stories and history lessons about his ancestral roots in Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal, Ballyvaughn, Co. Clare, and Co. Cork. This seems to be an important cultural institution for the residents of Andover, and when I’m back in the area, I’d certainly come again. One thing I wish we had in NYC was free museum tickets; people holding library cards here are able to get museum passes, which is a great way of promoting cultural and intellectual life in Boston.

This Library is great lots of books and lots of places to sit Quietly and read and to use WiFi or just to do homework or listen to some music in peace Quiet which is nice and you can Rent movies or CDs

Ok. Sorry but I need to update my review. After coming here several times a week for several months, I’ve decided the service is abysmal.
It’s about 1:2 you’re going to get someone who is at all interested customer service rather than just library science. I know they work in libraries because they’re inherently introverted reclusive people, but someone should tell them that they are really there to take care of people, not just books.

Lots of new renovations within the past year. A lot of the stacks in the middle floor were removed to make space for lots more tables and outlet strips for studying. New, modern tables and chairs for reading on the main floor next to the Teen room. The patio at the bottom entrance was completely redone with new stone and outdoor tables and chairs for lounging.
Free wifi doesn’t require any accounts to access. Limited hours on Sunday, but open till 9pm on weeknights. Can get pretty crowded and loud after school. Parking in the parking lot is metered. Make sure you throw some quarters in because the police definitely check.
Overall, fantastic public library.

Lots of books is a plus :) The director of the children’s dept is not as friendly as you would expect. I will never forget a really rude comment she made to me that was terribly inappropriate but maybe she was under a ton of stress… Not a super welcoming place. Overall a great resource though. The stairs are terrible but the elevators are always there for use. Having to pay to park even to run in to return something seems wrong.

I love this library, it has a large variety of books and you can look online ahead of time to see if they have your book. They have no late fees, and the employess/​volunteers are pleasant.

Home library, and just happens to be better than all the rest.
This library’s got it all, from a well-​maintained building to a comprehensive loan and acquisition database to a tantalizingly organized book collection to a current DVD list to an expansive music selection to non-​torn magazines to bubblers that serve nice-​tasting, chilled water.
The librarians have been around since my childhood and still look and act the same as ever. Their familiar faces are so encouraging, and they help everyone in all different ways.
The MHL is even a social center that accommodates tremendous programs for the community’s youth (INCLUDING sullen teenagers, not just cute little toddlers), book clubs, readings, art and music performances. The library even organizes fishing trips and other outings, and provides museum and aquarium passes for children AND adults to use in Boston and surrounding areas.
This library is a model for what every library should be. Everyone who steps into this haven of literacy and culture treats it with love and respect because it emanates love and respect from within… right down to the big cuddly stuffed animals downstairs in the kids’ room to the immaculately polished skylights of the upper level.
Saw some scaffolding outside the last time I was visiting — good luck with that facelift, MHL, but you will always be beautiful in my eyes.

My home library, it is a wonderful resource. There are many computers available and lots of databases to help you research a topic. The Andover Room (while sometimes hard to get into) can be a great resource for information about the town. There are also a lot of tables that you can work at, but they are often taken up by tutors and their charges in the afternoon.
There are a bunch of events going on and the children’s room has a huge selection plus fish! And a hamster!
Be careful in the parking lot because the police patrol the area and get a lot of people overstaying their meter.