New Orleans Public Library Review

Actually I attend school at the YMCA located on the third floor..its the biggest library in the city which is the main library on Loyola

The renovations are just beautiful. I love the soft, soothing color scheme and modern touches. Very nice!

Security guards followed me the whole time as I browsed books.

Ancient building. They have a surprisingly good amount of old reference books like a Jane's Fighting Ships from 1915.

Was actually at Duncan Park but I love the people at the library they were always helpful when we were able to go in before the covid19 scared the whole country and I'm looking forward to being able to go again without the masks but I believe that won't happen

They tried help everybody and every day have computers for use.

Its ok lots of homless people that smell bad and dont respect the rules in this place

I've never been yet . But I was wondering how old this library is ??

Our local library is a great resource. You can go online to search for books and reserve them and keep up on events at the library. During non-covid times, they even took compost once a week. Friendly staff and easy to get information online. While there are better libraries, I love my library.

Staff are friendly and helpful, very accommodating.

Spacious, smells like books, feels like New Orleans

Really great library, with an extremely helpful staff. The staff is always willing to go above and beyond in answering the query you push to them at the desk. For instance, after my 12th attempt at reading Infinite Jest by David Foster Wallace and not being able to get through it, I asked a tall, tattooed librarian if he had an audiobook available. He showed me how to use the overdrive software, as well as telling me about a book club in a neighboring town.

I Must said I enjoy my Compute lesson with Mr. Charles it never to late to learn are to rent out a book an read I must thank the staffs at the the Public Library for always been nice to me an helpful. I'am in their almost every week during something faxing something important. Are in the Library Lap work on letter are copies an print-out my work and the peoples who work in the lab are very patient with me. And I know the Security Guard is their for a reason, But they have to remember everyone his not the same. I has to go their because I have a bad back and when I come with my lap top it in a case with wheel because I can pick it up, If they want to open it in look in it cool but done ask me to pick up something that will hurt me. And this incident happen last week. I understand they have a job but I done need all three of them to come at me at one time and then talk about me. Behind my back. This the first time this happen since I been visit the library. Computer case it fix in the contain so just ask me to move to the side somewhere an I done mind open it up for them. I know safety it better then to be sorry. But you just can handle anyone.

This is a rant about what happens when people follow directions: I rented three DVD's the other day: "You Have Mail", "Iron Man", and "Star Wars III."

I called the renew-by-phone hotline (with my government lifeline minutes) and followed the automated prompts to renew all three DVD's at the same time.

I was notified by the automated response that I had 3 more weeks! Come to find out today, when I returned the Public Library property, I was supposed to use the prompts to renew only 1 disk at a time, therefore the renewal period was not automatically processed, etc., and I owe late fees...more to come...the saga continues...(probably next week, Saturday...)

Info desk staff is very helpful, which is the only reason they get one star. Rest of staff was beyond rude and the "security" harasses you (outside for eating soup on the porch when there were numerous others sitting out there, then asking me if I had something to say when all I did was walk in). Mind you they did nothing about the man snoring to the right of me and the other man to the left of me threatening to shoot another guest. However, when I complained because my assigned computer locked up for the last 15 minutes of my time and was then given to another guest, guess who ran right over! The head guy apologized for the staff and reminded me that the security guards are just that, and were just trying to stay busy. I hate that this is the only branch attached to the Foundation Center. The staff at Nix would never behave that way!

Sometimes I just need a quiet place to come to and space out, read a bit, study, listen to music, whatever. This place is perfect for that. Not complaining, but the only downfall is that there is a maximum parking time limit, so I have to keep my car on my mind whenever I come here, or set some kind of an alarm, rather than entirely letting go of the clock alltogether.

They have a Serious problem with desperate homeless and criminals Nothing is safe, and bicycles laptops etc are regularly stolen. Staff is generally nasty.

I needed to print out my flight tickets and it was a very complicated process! But Mr. Charles Young in the Tech Center was such a great help!

There s a security officer here that said his name is Captain Curry Johnson that abuses his power. First he tried to tell me that my laptop bag was too big, when I was a little puzzled as it is the exact size of my laptop which is normal. Others had bigger bags and backpacks. He dropped that, it made no sense. Then he tried to make me leave before they closed. It was 4:52PM on Friday when they closed at 5PM. I was finishing an email and he was harassing others Let s go folks. And started harassing me telling me I need to unplug my computer. So I unplugged it and began wrapping up my email. At 4:54PM he said to me with an attitude, Its time to leave, are you hard of hearing? When I said it was 4:54PM, I still have 6 minutes and will be out the door before 5PM he started demanding that you close the laptop right now and leave. You heard what I told you. I said you re trying to make me leave before the library is closed, it s still open, do I need to speak to a manager? He said there was no manager there that day and I better listen to what he says and get out.

Another security officer came up and I said what time does this place close, I thought it closes at 5PM. He told me falsely actually it closes at 4:58PM I looked at my phone clock and said oh, then I still have 2 minutes and 4:58? Where is that posted? You have official posted hours? He said yes they have official hours on the door and still Curry Johnson demanded I leave and made some stereotype comment about me looking like Jesus because I was dressed in white. I said this was ridiculous. Why are they trying to force me to leave before it s closed and why is this guy trying to create such a problem over 3 or 4 minutes?

Curry Johnson then started saying, not allowed back. And then started telling a third security guard remember his face, not allowed back. I said what is he talking about? I m not allowed back? For what? The second security guard said don t pay attention to him and don t let it bother you, he just gets like this sometime. Curry Johnson in the background just kept repeating not allowed back. And some kind of threat of he s just asking for it. The second security guard told me to speak to a manager in a white coat if I wanted to or it he gave me any problems in the future. And repeated just don t pay any attention to him. I shouldn t have to deal with this power abusing security guard try to kick people out of a public library before closing time, or stereotyping me calling me Jesus . It seems he was trying to give me problems for no reason when I first went in. I ve never had a problem here before but this was ridiculous. I guess I ll have to speak with a manager because this guy says I m not allowed back for saying I wanted to speak to a manager for trying to make me leave for no reason when they were still open.

Staff was friendly enough, all the internet was busy with homeless persons and I was in a hurry and couldn't wait for a computer. Seemed pretty bland

I love this library especially the kids and teen section

The people working air New Orleans Public Library are knowledgeable, polite and very willing to help customers. I was so pleased with my initial contact that I baked some scones and took them to the ladies that were so helpful..

I visited NOLA for the weekend. I needed to do school work so I decided to go to this library. I was skeptical because the reviews said the guards were rude. It was actually the opposite for me, the guards were very friendly. However, the lady that works on the third floor with the dark shoulder length hair was extremely rude to me. Anytime I asked her about something, she would give me an attitude instead of just simply answering in a polite manner. If you don't want to be a librarian, don't be a librarian it's quite simple. I would never come back to this library.

I love the library, the books, and mainly just the books. Some of the workers are condescending. So if you don't know something, or say something in wrong syntax, be weary.

Library is very decent and quite. The lady security guard had the biggest attitude while others are smiling. Smh but hey.

Staff is courteous patrons are usually drink and just about anything can happen. I've seen a black patron 2 or three times bring manhandled by new Orleans police once. Gentleman was even tasered . It's a very distractive environment I wouldn't recommend going there at all to use compures you will only get the opportunity to mingle with the scum if society

Not a place i would go to if ur homeless white girl with a wheelchair

It is the worst library I've ever been to. The people that work there are very unhelpful and rude overall.From New Orleans and can say it is poorly ran. Manager staff African American Department strange.

I had a great experience INSIDE. I went to get my daughter's passport renewed. We spoke to, or worked with four different employees. All were pleasant, knowledgeable, and willing to assist at every turn. I had to run back out from our interview to get a separate money order, but when I came back, the individual that was working with us had someone else in her office, so I thought it only fair to wait, and not hold up the line.
She came out out to us, just as friendly and informative as could be, and got us underway without interrupting her other clients. Based on my previous experiences, I found the attitudes and personal services to be exemplary.
Bravo!
The place could stand a thorough cleaning, but that does not take away from the prompt and professional services.

If you ever travel to main library in Sydney AUS or HK library, they are ginormous. The main NOLA library...is like being the valedictorian of a class of 20 people (vs 300 or 1000).

Other than the size, it's not awe inspiring compared to the previous two places but it is functional. Plus it comes a lot of homeless and lower income people. However, it is a reasonable place to study and research material. I actually touched microfilm for the first time in 20 years (can't wait until the city actually digitizes the whole archive).

The staff is friendly. The place is lack luster but usable. It was quiet and I felt safe. 4-star.

I visited the Friends of New Orleans Public Library book sale while in town for a couple of months. I loved the mix of books and media that they have for sale. Each category is well marked. I was blown away when I discovered two books that will help me with my genealogy.

Great place for kids, families and students. Spacious area. Has a lot of resources. Nice staff.

I love new orleans public library computer and movie

good location near winn dixie and post office. need to call to make an appointment during corona no walk ins. thank you for existing.

This is a quiet library with resources available to those who are working on school projects or need to research topics for their education!

I like this library, but there are problems that make it difficult and unpleasant to use. It's large, good places to sit with natural light, and the selection in each type of media is the best. It is the main branch (next to city hall and the main post office) and because of that there is an obvious homeless population, which much energy and policies are directed against. Not blaiming the homeless, rather it's the staff that has become very callous and treat everyone poorly. There are excessive restrictions of all types and security guards everywhere; e.g., they limit any member of the public from bringing in more than one bag and certainly rolling bags because they look like suitcases. The parking is very limited and pay-to-park fees are huge, geared toward rich tourists and people who need to make short trips into city hall. In fact, now I will only ride my bike the 10 miles one-way, if I ever want to go. The other option is public transportation which is slow and costs money as well.

Like I said, I do like the branch but I dont use it as often as I would if these problems did not exist. And, most of all, the administration and staff are to be improved I believe.

Real people are so helpful during this crazy time. Thanks for answering all my questions thouroughly and quickly.