Richland Public Library

Beautiful inside & out. Great, big tables for work & study. Wonderful gem of a used bookstore! Very little selection in the library. Was very disappointed in nonfiction selection downstairs.

My son and I like to come to a quiet place to study. We try and make it 5 days a week. I guess the library scene has changed since I was a child. I assumed that a library is a quiet place to study, not social hour. There are many days that we have to constantly move around to find a quiet spot to study if the quiet rooms are taken which are when we get here. We can not reserve one the day before so we are stuck listening to teenagers talking, laughing, children screaming etc. When a room did open up and I let the lady at the desk know that we’ve been moving around trying to find a quiet spot and now that a room opened up I would like the room. She said that was fine and I told her I just needed to grab my things. As I go to head in the quiet room another lady allowed some other couple into the room. We had waited over an hour for a quiet room. The lady said well it’s first come and if that’s the case we were first come! Staff needs to have better communication. Also the so called study or quiet rooms are a joke! I can hear full conversations, even with my Pandora on to drown out the voices. It’s very disappointing how libraries use to be a quiet place to study, read etc. and now it’s like trying to study at Starbucks!

I have to admit technology has passed me by, and so when new things are offered I’m interested but, quite frankly, apprehensive. So, Richland Public Library announced that beginning March 9, they will offer free streaming movies, etc. If it’s free, it’s me. But how? worked up my courage to apply for a library card.
Today, I go in to get said card. The librarian (I wish I’d gotten her name) spent good quality time not only preparing my card, but then — without asking her — she turned her computer screen to me and showed me all the electronic resources and HOW to access them. And then she assured me that I should contact them if I have any trouble whatsoever. I was totally blown away by this fantastic customer service.
Nice amenity to this community. I’m now a huge fan!

Oh, so you decided it was too scandalous to leave Urban Dictionary unblocked at Richland Public Library? And are there any YouTube videos that aren’t blocked?
Who are the bluenose chumps running this place?

I would like to say its always lovely visiting this library but there always seems to be some guy eating popcorn or chips or yogurt or freaking cereal right next to me! How very irritating it is to listen to another person chomping in a quiet building.
but for book selection, internet and convenience Id say this library is wonderful.

Best Library I’ve ever been to. It has a coffee shop inside!

Great modern design. The library is a decent size with study rooms, children section, and complimentary computers which were usually being used when I went. They also have a coffee/​tea shop at the front with tables for group study. I usually went after work around 6 — 7pm to study and I always found a table to myself. There are additional study tables upstairs which is where I usually went. The contemporary design and new and clean furniture helps make this a comfortable place to go and study.

I have always loved this library and I’m completely THRILLED at how the new remodel turned out. I love the new sleek modern look, the use of open space, and the natural light that just pours in through the walls of windows. I love the loft feel to the second floor overlooking the foyer. The back corner upstairs with the fireplace and built-​in wooden display shelving are a great touch. Another nice touch was that they kept the old brick mural that used to be in the entry way (it is now located in the foyer, by the coffee shop) and moved the Storytime sculpture from John Dam Plaza to the more appropriate library lawn.
My favorite addition to the library is definitely Buzz Joy Coffee Roasters. I love that the library contains a coffee shop that uses locally roasted gourmet coffee beans, organic milk, and local tea. :D Hands down, this is the best cup of coffee in the Tri-​Cities.
The library website has also recently undergone a remodel. Through it, you can access tons of ebooks and downloadable audiobooks, which is pretty cool.

One thing that I don’t like about using the library computers is that I think the internet filters are a bit TOO controlling. You can’t watch ANYTHING on YouTube because the library filters have rated ALL material on YouTube as Rated R. Also, sometimes pages utilizing Flash don’t work correctly.
There’s one thing I really do NOT like about the Richland library. It is not part of the Mid-​Columbia Library System, which means that there are fewer materials to choose from and you can’t just walk into any other library in town and pick up the book you want. Richland residents have to pay a fee for a MCL card and non-​Richland residents have to pay a fee for an RPL card. You can still get access to MCL materials (or any materials at any other library, for that matter) through inter-​library loan, but it’s a little more complicated.

I just love this library with its new location and building. Its very clean and very organized. They even have a separate room for study area. I just borrowed 6 good books without any problem and I have 20 days before it’s due date. I noticed they have plenty of computers with good sized monitors so if you need to use computer you don’t need to wait long. They even have a coffee shop inside and the coffees are freshly grind and brewed and it’s very reasonable… what else you can ask for?.

I had to come here everyday for almost 2 weeks while waiting for internet to be installed at home. At first, I was a bit bugged that they didn’t open at 9:30, however they have a spacious lobby with lots of seating and a family-​run coffee stand. They have outlets for laptops every few feet or so. For a couple days I went inside the library after 9:30 and sat upstairs and used a table, then was given access to their study rooms. Their seats are hard wood and a bit uncomfortable so the rest of the time I sat at the couches in the lobby. I love how open and airy the library feels and the librarians have been very friendly. Not to mention the coffee stand (Buzz Joy) has pretty good drinks too.

I love libraries, and a new Unilocal is in order. The Richland library is no longer a refugee held up in the old Rite-​Aid! Our old library’s much-​anticipated upgrade is complete, and our library is back in business! (see new photos)
The grand opening was last Saturday (wish I could have made it for the festivities, but I was home sick).
The upgrade is interesting in that a major portion of the old building remains. Architecturally, the space was expanded mainly upward and has a very nice looking «facelift».
There is now a big and open lobby in front. It’s bright with light and large windows. This is a cool place where one can just hang out and chill. The new upstairs houses much of the fiction, and periodicals. Use of natural light is used throughout up here.
Overall, it’s great to have an old friend back, better and bigger than ever.
I Unilocaled about the content of the library earlier, but let me just reiterate. I love libraries.

In Richland wher ethere is little to do, this is a large place for people to congregate.
I have had wonderful help and conversations at the info desk.
I had oen strange and upsettign interchange about trying to gget a book for a book club reading and I in my alert and bored state made a big deal about it. If yo uhave a book group, then have enough books, or work with peopel to try to ge t the copies spread around. I never connected up with the group. Somehow, «you are welcoem to join the discussion group and then read th ebook afterwards» didn’t sit well with me.
I giv eit overall a 4 because I have been there for community events and overall things are good.
Sorry its in a warehouse now.

I’m going to ignore the location situation… as far as I’m concerned, that’s pretty secondary since I’m utilizing a service and don’t actually spend much time there. I *hope* that they’re getting the new building to expand, since that would be my biggest complaint – the collection is small. Granted I’m spoiled, since I came from Cambridge, which has a totally kick-​ass library system.
The good: they’re all over the internet. You can check up on stuff you have checked out and renew online. You can also search the catalog, reserve something, and they’ll email you when it’s ready (this is something that I used to do in Cambridge, and it’s a great feature for those of us who are always tight on time).
The bad: The collection is small. Yes, you can request that they buy items. I’ve been requesting various items over the course of months and have yet to see one of them get purchased. I’m not sure if this is a budget issue or a space issue. I guess we’ll find out when they move.
The weird: Only library I’ve ever gotten a card at that slapped my picture on it (and I have a Boston Public Library card). Seriously, is this the best use of our tax dollars? Who’s going to bother stealing my card to check out books? They aren’t exactly hard to get…