New York Public Library – Tompkins Square Library

I wished I could give this library a NEGATIVE REVIEW… I was inside doing my school work … I needed to go to the bathroom and I was told that there’s no «public restroom at all» and was told to go ACROSS THE PARK TO GO TO THE BATHROOM… So I had to PACK everything with me and go outside to use the bathroom which was LOCKED … And now I lost my spot in the computer and can’t get my work done and have to go to another library. I tried to explain it to the male librarian there that i didn’t just walk in randomly looking for a public restroom that I was inside with a library card in hand. He was completely rude and dismissive. Very disappointing I’ve been to many libraries this one is truly the worst of them all miserable people.

From my quick experience here, I was pretty shocked at how run down this library had become.
I knew the library would be small, but this was definitely the smallest library I had ever seen — I am assuming its mainly a place for kids in the area to go.
The main reason I stopped by the library was to print a few copies of my resume since I just moved here and do not have a printer. I explained what I needed to do, and the librarian got me a guest pass with my out of state ID and said all the computers were taken so she would put me as next on the waiting list, but that it would be 30 minutes. I was so confused — all I needed to do was print something, not get a session for surfing the web.
Luckily, a guy got off one of the computers as she was saying this, I was able to get on and print my stuff. Once I printed it from that computer, I had to go to a different computer by the printer to pay for my pages (.15 each). What I don’t understand is why they don’t make the computer by the printer accessible so that if you have a USB stick or just need to grab the document from your email you can just do that there instead of having to use one of the desktops that people are using for longer times.
Overall I think this place has the potential to be a really quaint small library, but its clear that they are being underfunded and for quite some time. I hope that they get more funding soon so they are able to at least add a few more computers!

this was my home library when I was growing up on the Lower East Side before it became known as the East Village. I came in here today to use a computer. They don’t have many desktops available but they do have laptops available for use.

Very small, comfortable library and the location is great right across from the park. I just avoid going at busy times like after school when it gets crowded with kids.
The staff is good. Just treat them nicely and they will take care of whatever you need. I’ve seen some patrons really be jerks, but the staff is always professional. Some of them are really exceptional people.

The last time I was in there was a really live-​wire librarian. So engaging and funny. That seems new.

Well having not even left my house yet, I urge one not to go.
Having read a lot of reviews about no bathroom facilities, I gave the library a ring to find out for myself.
After a very low and miserable, half hearted greeting, I knew what I was in for. I politely stated that I wanted to come in and do some work, and explained that I heard a lot of reviews of there not being any facilities. The women replied, there are no bathrooms for adults? What? Is that even legal? The woman was so nasty. Let her dwell in her cave (lib) in solitude, it’s not even worth it.

It’s in a cool location and they have A/​C. The Staff is Friendly from what I experience. They change from time to time. Computers are up to Date. Annoying Teens some times upstairs. But it’s quiet most of the Time.

An okay place to chat and work, but there were very few places to plus in my laptop

A city is only as good as its libraries, and this library shares with New York one major problem: no bathrooms. This is a shameful condition. Human beings have to go to the bathroom. It’s just a fact of life. I thought public libraries were for human beings. This library has no bathrooms. It must not be for human beings. In that case, I don’t know what it’s here for. Okay, I realize it’s across from a park which most likely also doesn’t have bathrooms, and maybe the library doesn’t want to be the park bathroom. But come on! Millionaires live in this neighborhood! You wonder why people are peeing in your doorway?

I came in here around 4:00 on a Friday and they close at 5 — supposedly. They started making closing announcements and shutting off the lights at 4:45 when there was still a lot of people browsing, working on computers, and waiting to speak with library staff. 5:00 means 5:00, not 4:45. Very annoying.

I guess I lucked out on gaining access to the restroom.
The wait to get a laptop or even desktop was pretty long. Over an hour. Yikes. I decided to wait and read because it was hot out.
The staff also needs to learn to smile more.

Horrible! no bathroom and no establishments nearby where you can buy something quick and go to the restroom. How do people get their study on and get their caffeine fix?

Decent library.
Pretty small, pretty mild ’til
3 when the kids came
(b)

By far one of the worst-​staffed libraries in the city. The workers (I cannot call them «librarians» because doing so would imply that they are professionals with some sort of knowledge of library services… scratch that: I can’t even call them workers because that implies they actually do work) are so rude and lazy.
There is one in particular (a grumpy, obese woman who often sits behind the desk) who exemplifies this rudeness and laziness. Multiple times, I have placed items on hold for me at this library, and when the
website alerted me that they were ready to be picked up, I was unfortunately stuck with this staff member to check out my held items (although the other staff members are pretty much useless as well). And about 25% of the time, she refused to do so, claiming that they weren’t ready. I am confident that she was just too lazy to get up and actually look for my materials behind the counter because one time I saw my items on the desk. When I asked, «Well maybe those might be the items I put on hold?», she glared at me, grunted like I imagine an old bear would after being awaken from winter hibernation, and took her sweet old time getting up off her chair. She then decided to see what the other staff member was doing behind the counter, and felt compelled to gossip with her. She then decided to check her phone and text/​email some people before finally scanning my items to check out. She left them completely scattered in a pile on the desk, which forced me to pick up each individual item to stack to put into my bag. Then, she had the nerve to insinuate that I was taking too long gathering my items, saying «There are other people waiting.» Excuse me?!? I was speechless. I had so many choice words running through my head that I couldn’t decide on any phrase that would do justice to the thoughts I was having.
As for the rest of the staff, they seem to be more concerned with gossiping amongst themselves and letting library patrons wait until they are finished gossiping to start check-​ins and check-​outs.
I would compare my experiences coming to this particular library to going to the DMV. You wait to be served for way too long, and when you finally reach the front of the line, you realize that the person who is supposed to help you really has no interest in doing so at all.
I could go on and on about my other experiences, but I quite honestly don’t want to write a book. And, my grasp of the English language would not be able to describe just how BAD the service is here.
As for the library itself, it is old and run-​down with a limited selection of CD’s and DVD’s. Some days, there is a security guard there who walks around waking up the bums that fall asleep at the reading tables.
Now you may ask, why do I frequent this library when I always have these bad experiences there? Well, the library’s only redeeming quality is its location on the north side of Tompkins Square Park. It is useful only out of pure convenience for patrons in the east village and alphabet city.
If this is your local library, then I truly empathize. I recommend going to the Ottendorfer Library on 2^nd Avenue near St. Marks Place instead. I have always had a pleasant experience with the staff there as they are knowledgeable and extremely helpful.

It seems like this library is never open. On two days of the week it doesn’t even open until noon, and four out of the six days it’s open it closes at 6. Hourswise, it doesn’t really serve the adult, working audience.
When I visited this library, the walls were almost bare. Where were the books? Children were running around here and there and doing homework. The kid working behind the counter didn’t want to help me because the building was about to close in ten minutes.
This is not a library, it’s a daycare center.

This particular NY public library is set up well for people to actually USE the library. I’m also thrilled that the Tompkins Square Branch is open on Saturdays.

Local library branch facing TS Park, in Lower Manhattan.
Its Center for Reading and Writing offers FREE lessons in basic literacy and English as a Second Language to adults.