Denver Public Library Reviews

Excellent staff, brought my son and 3 people went out of their way to welcome and help us. Do wish there was a way to keep out the hobos who use it as their clubhouse and are not their for the intended us of the community.

Gotta love this library. Always clean, tons of quiet places to read the day away, warm and friendly staff. Just a cool library.

I go here once or twice a week. I usually get the slow internet, great coffee and socialize. I can do most of my research here and get any book that I need. I would not go here if it wasn't the most comfortable place for reading and getting research done.

Staff is nice and facility is awesome my main issue here is the homeless and the drug use. I have walked in the bathroom multiple times and walked back out because people are shooting up with no care of being caught or removal. Literally people come in to sleep and come down off drug highs security is nice but never do anything to fix the situation. Stop enabling the homeless because most of these people are just lazy and know they will get a handout just by asking.

In terms of book collection I like this library a lot. Best thing about the library is you have everything handy and easy to access. The library is very organized and structured which is the best part.

Today as i entetrd the up town library i was stoped by security asking me if my whell chair was being used as a carry all or walker then they also wanted to know my medical information 1st off my medical affairs are private between me an the v a not security of the library and any stupid moron that used their head for other than a hat rack can damn well tell my whell chair is not used as a carry all thanks for slapping this vets face security of this library
Its damn sad a vet has to be treated as dirt by library security
This vet and others like me got you that ground this library sits on
How damn soon do you forget this very fact

Great resource. Wish there was more that could be done with the security.

It's easy to get lost in the stacks, for hours. All the books you want to read and books you didn't even know you wanted to read. Great selection of movies, as well.

The homeless population really drags this place down

Feels and smells more like a homeless shelter than a public library. I almost vomited just walking through the lobby. Homeless people shaving and bathing at sinks in the bathroom refused to step aside so that I could even wash my hands we using the restroom.

Wanted to check out the local archives for Denver (old newspapers etc) but the old man at the front desk was super condescending and not really willing to just let me view them randomly. Kind of discouraging for a curious young person like myself to be made feel stupid while I want to learn about the history of where I live.

I liked the areas where you can read or study. They are very quite!

This is truly a Great library one of the best in the state very friendly and family conscience thanks for being here

Santana was amazing and very helpful. I went to fourth floor to scan and email some documents. Having never scanned to email before I was lost but he left his desk and walked me through the entire process. He was very polite and made me feel very welcomed. I also asked about the studio he walked me to it and explained the process for the studio. I will definitely come back often with a staff like that!

Awesome! This is a very usefull place and great location for downtown...

This is a clean library with free dvd rentals, audio books and paper books. Well organized and with friendly staff to guide you should you get lost.

Amazing selection and a unique building to explore. They pretty much have everything. Sort of noisy on the first and second floors. There is a gallery in the upper levels and so much to look at and discover.

Great branch with huge selection and good places to get work done. Denver Public Library system is outstanding no matter where you go, except for the limited hours these days.

The staff were extremely helpful and the Reference section is easy to use. Most everything is on their computers that are easily accessible. I disagree with someone else's review saying the homeless make it smell bad. Only if you are hanging around the restrooms which are kept pretty separate from the rest of the library, which only has that new and old book smell specific to quality libraries

The art is very captivating. Very nice study environment. There are homeless people but not on all 6 floors, so theres always a nice quiet spot you can find away from the clutter of everyone.

Beautiful space. Easy to access books, video and more. Stunning views of the Capital (when the trees are bare). There are many homeless, but there are plenty of staff and security.

This might be the only place in the world I ever felt safe. I grew up in Denver and going to the Central library branch was always the highlight of my week the children's section is phenomenal librarians are caring and to be honest they do not get paid what they should. they are more than just librarians they are de facto social workers caregivers and missionaries helping the poor and homeless of Denver. it is the only thing that I really miss about living in Denver and when I was stranded in Denver a few months ago it was the safest place in the world. It was the only place where I was not harassed by transit cops for looking homeless when I was not and was the only place where I felt as if no one would harass me or tell me that I was not welcome of all the things in Denver I'm glad this is the only one that hasn't changed. I hope that gentrification never destroy this place as it has destroyed every other part of my once hometown.

since i was little, i loved the library, i could go there and lose time reading about everything.
but this particular location that i discovered lately was not like my beloved place from my childhood, first thing i noticed was the number of homeless people outside (nothing judgmental but a particular incident made me very uncomfortable) and for security reasons, i would avoid this place (i'm just talking about myself)

Fabulous resource for books, books on cd, movies, cds...nearly anything you want! Just order online and have it delivered to my local branch here in Park Hill. Friendly people and always something of interest! We are so blessed with this system here in Denver!

Stumbled upon here totally by accident (intended to go to Denver Art Museum for First Free Saturday, but was informed it was actually Aug 31 and thus Not Free Last Saturday). But Taste of Colorado was going on and this was along the way. And this place turned out way fun!!

The children's library is outstanding; has tables with iPads loaded with educational apps my son loved and instructional chess boards if you don't know how to play. Also had a project room where my daughter made a cute lil apron thing. But her favorite part was the ideaLab on the 4th floor. She designed a unicorn to be printed out on the 3d printer, and now she is learning how to use a sewing machine.

For the grownups who love art and architecture, the 5th and 7th floors are a must. Have been to many great city libraries around the US like NYPL, Boston, LAPL etc. But seriously this one is THE BEST.

Fantastic Library with wonderful architecture and nice feel. The oil derrick "created" inside the third floor is wonderful and there are not metal fasteners, just reclaimed lumber for an old mill and wooden pegs. This floor also houses a wonderful map collection and genealogical reference materials! There is huge media floor with Non Fiction books and probably a hundred computer terminals for folks to use. This floor also hosts a public science lab that has classes for all ages!! They also have a vast movie and music collection for everyone. A fine Library.

During my visits to Denver, I always make it a point to visit Denver Public Library. It s massive and a has a treasure of books, journals and magazines.

If you want to study for an exam or think about a new/existing project, this is the place to be!

This library is such a special place. I've been to libraries all over the country, and this easily is one of my favorites. There all sorts of quiet little nooks, yet the layout of the building is easy to navigate. There is a superb selection of music and movies. The staff has always been helpful and friendly. Also, check out the ideaLab! Its like a multimedia design and learning room where you can get help on projects. Honestly I could go on forever.

This past Wednesday I decided to go to the Central Library because quite a bit of things I wanted to check out were listed here. Before I went inside, I returned items I brought with me which was somewhere in the range of 20. I went inside to the cds and dvds room and looked on my list for all the items. Most of the items I found. I proceeded to check out everything. I could only go so far without checking things out before I could not do so anymore due to the limit of 50 items on cds. I saw a librarian on a computer and told her I was having problems checking the cds out and that I thought it was probably due to the 50 cds. I told her I returned at least 20 or more cds today. Without any hesitation, she did an override for all the cds. On my way out of the room through the security detector, it made a noise so I looked back at her and she told me to go ahead and go through. I decided to look at the books at the newly released section and newly returned section in the main lobby. As I was doing that, the same librarian went in the main lobby and told a staff member that the detector may go off when I leave but I am good. It was a great experience. I only wish staff members at the Green Valley Ranch branch were as helpful as this one.

Nice, but all the computers are taken by homeless people. Do it's not a great place to get computer work done unless you own a lap top

Well laid out. The automated book return sorting machine is fun for children to watch.

Staff is always helpful and friendly. Great book and media selections as well as access to some incredible resources, many of which you'd be surprised to learn they have.

Very helpful staff, great selection and willing to help find materials they might not have.

I know a lot of the librarians here. They are wonderful! The book collection is great and there are plenty of places to hide and read.

I frequent the library, and the staff is always welcoming and warm. I enjoy the helpful nature of the staff.

*Update* **I'm glad I received this response. I definitely reported it I just think security didn't get there in time. However I noticed there are police officers who walk around the building now which has seemed to deter many of the bad eggs.**

I love this library and all but they really need to clean this place up. I dread having to use the women's bathroom here because there's always a junkie or tweaker in the stall shooting up, just sitting there, harassing others in the stalls, I even witness oral sex happening in the handicap stall with a MAN in the bathroom. I've run across needle caps, some of the homeless just walk around aimlessly searching trash cans. Many of them have not showered in ages leaving behind major body odor. They get high in front of the building and ask you for things. This is a public place where families go. Children. Get this place cleaned up. Downtown Denver is a dump for drugs addicts and alcoholics now. What a shame.

The staff is very nice, and accommodating. As for the gentleman who seems to have issues with the homeless,

It is a good library overall...the day shelter bit can be overwhelming sometimes...a lot of chairs and desks are grungy and need to be cleaned a lot more...security is ok but failing to be vigilant w/ your property and you might be very sad later!

A great place for the community! This library has a great location in the city, right by major roads, and public transit. The building itself is wonderful, with everything from large multimedia rooms little reading rooms, and even a nice little cafe to recharge in. In addition, it is located right by Civic Center Park, which is great place to enjoy a book on a nice day. I always enjoy my time here!

Very friendly and helpful! Took about 5 mins to get a new library card with fun designs.

I am not against the homeless people, they need basic support, like access to the basic needs, but why a public library?
Bad smell from the bathrooms, homeless people all around the library, feel not safe at all. Library should be accessible only for the real people who need it, not need to serve as a homeless shelter.

From a small town and this is the biggest library I have seen in my 20 years!
All the staff seems very friendly and are super helpful!
Love it here!

Wonderful staff, a great collection and fabulous, inviting space/building.

I visited this library last week, not to study but just to check the place. The library is really huge, with lots and books and rooms. There are nice displays of arts outside next to the Museum too. The place is indeed nice and they welcome homeless people in the library, so the staff is not doing any discrimination. But I only visited less than an hour so I cannot say if the place is really safe despite multiple guards in the area.

A museum on the top floor. Super awesome artifacts with a nostalgic feeling of getting lost in how grand it is. Love this library!

This is the most amazing museum I've been to all thanks to the staff here. From the second I walked in I was stopped by an employee who spent at least 30 minutes giving me a tour of all the coolest parts of the library. I really appreciate the knowledge all staff members had and how friendly every staff member we came across were

Coolest library ever. The children's area is fantastic. There are play & learn activities, tablets, games, snacks, craft room and more... And the staff are stupendous. The Idea Lab on the 4th floor is really cool as well... You can do almost any thing you could imagine in there. It's got a recording studio, computers, sewing machines, sauntering, paint and art supplies galore.

It has a good welcome feeling to it and endless movies to choose from which is great, nothing wrong with this library at all.

Stopped by because I saw the cool architectural design of the building online while planning for a trip to Denver last year. The seventh floor gallery exhibit was Peter Essick's photography from the Ansel Adams Wilderness and it was wonderful looking at the night photography. But one of the real hidden gems on the top floor is the view you get looking out the balcony windows to the northwest, toward the Rocky Mountains.
The Legacy Table from the Denver Summit of The Eight is installed on the seventh floor as well, though it was originally in the reference room for the summit itself in 1997. It's worth taking some time out of your day if you are in LoDo or downtown to visit.

It's good place. Lot homeless there. I would stay out of the bathrooms.

This is one of the largest libraries in Denver and has amazing architecture! Really worth a visit, even if it's just to look around!

This is not ran as an library. It is more like a day shelter for the homeless. The teens do not even have the area that is for them.

While I wish there was something we could do about the influx of homeless people. This is an amazing library... great spots to hide away and read for hours. Tons of weird books! They have an extensive manga/comic book section! The ideal is also a great resource. They have a Macintosh with the Adobe suite installed, a recording studio, a 3D printer, and more available to the public.

My 9yr old and l come here on Fridays evening to read a book and summarized it foe school. Great time though .

I like the lighting in this library. Lots of great materials. I like the books. I go to libraries around the world to look at the different books. Why are there different books in all the libraries? Its very puzzling. It seems like there is multiple dimensional reality considering the vast amount of different books and I don't personally know that many authors. My favorite books tend to be really hard to find actually. I don't like most books for commercial purposes. My favorite books I cannot remember the author or the title but I remember the content. I books are a metaphor for people. The more heavily promoted books aren't as good as the ones that no knows about.

It's a really nice place in denver to go and hang out

I have no objections to the homeless folks using the facility. It is a public space. The unfortunate deserve our care. However, hosting the homeless should not be the primary function of a library. The society should take more responsibilities.

Otherwise, the librarians are helpful. The facility holds many small secrets. Explore...

Wonderful place for the academic scholar and also the homeless they show no favoritism plenty of resources and people to help great place all-around go Denver Public Library!!!

It's a great library in a great part of town. A wonderful resource and the setting is fantastic!

Excellent homeless shelter that doubles as an OK library.

Had a guy pull out a metal rod and say he was going to break my nose because I was walking within 20ft of him.

This is SUCH a beautiful library. With views that overlook the whole city, rooftop seating, high ceilings, large tables, natural lighting as lamps, it's a great place to go hide for the day and get work done.

The librarians are really helpful and friendly. Really great selection of materials. A great place for book worms!

My 1st day and I lasted about an hour. Too many homeless people. I couldn't even use the bathrooms as they were either washing themselves or hanging out or sleeping. Otherwise seems like a great library and a beautiful building.

Is the library for the homeless or for the people that actually need to work there and use it??

Good library, too bad the homeless make it smell like urine.

One if my favorite libraries ever, there are 7 floors!

This is a great library with lots of reading options. There are also a handful of unique art scattered around. This public library is downtown so there are many types of folks using this establishment but don't let that deter you from visiting!

The staff in the central library computer lab area and creative lab are low life's like the bums they smell and clean up after all day. Very poor people who else would work with bums all day. They know nothing. Worst computer labs I ever seen. When is the city going to fix this?

Beautiful library. Wonderful children's section and a great staff of librarians. Check out the 5th floor for beautiful artwork!

Helpful staff and a great layout. Took me less than 2 minutes to get a library card and get started.

Invaluable resource center. Amazing facility with amazing and helpful staff. I cannot explain or put into words, how helpful this place has been for me. I am thankful from the bottom of my heart for what the Denver Library has done for me.

My whole family loves the Denver Public Library! They offer so much, we can read all the books we want and watch many videos for free. Love the summer reading program for kids! Thank you so much for everything you offer.

This library is nice. But so many homeless in and outside of the library makes it a hassle.

Excellently selections and helpful staff. They have wifi and even a 3-d computer.

Have had great experiences with this Library great employees very helpful

An enjoyable place to spend a quite afternoon. Make sure you hit the 5th floor study room.