Portsmouth Public Library Review

Very big, lots of activitys, and I love the sunroom!

The staff is brilliant. The atmosphere is warm and inviting with a splash of Art to keep you interested in your surroundings. There are multiple places to study if you are looking for a quiet place to read or study. The children's section provides a myriad of resources to supplement your child's education or simply engage them in reading or creative tasks. I'm always amazed at their programming. We have visited live owls, taken platform 9 3/4 to Hogwarts, attended lectures, met with friends to engage minds and stay out of the cold, as well as visited a multitude of worlds when reading the books they loaned us. This is a splendid library.

PPL is top-shelf:
Approachable, helpful staff. Warm and inviting atmosphere. Kid friendly. Plenty of parking. Convenient hours. Comprehensive array of audio-visual and resource material. A number of free activities for families and individuals.
Suggested improvements:
Create more private computer staions. Encourage patrons to be quiet in the lobby area, as sometimes it is the only area with available seating. Make tray tables available so that patrons can work or study when all desks are occupied.

Really deserves 5 stars. Every single librarian I've asked for help has gone above and beyond. Also programs and discounts offered through the library are amazing!

Beautiful architecture, friendly staff, great atmosphere.

The Portsmouth Library is one of the best resources in the area. We are so lucky to have it.

Hands-down one of the best libraries I have ever been to. As a student a while back I spent 8 hours per day 3-days-a-week at this library, and did not once have a poor experience. As far as the library itself goes it is huge in terms of many other libraries I've been in. The building has two floors open to the public. One with a Children's Area, a Teen Space/Book Area, and a Cafe, and the other with a magazine section, three study rooms open for rental if you're interested for up to 2 hours per day, a computer/printing/copying room (bring change if you're planning to print or copy, computer use is free to the public with a slip of paper obtained by asking someone behind the desk), and of course a basic Fiction and Non Fiction books section. The cafe does not serve food, but has a vending machine for waters and coffee is available for $1 if I remember correctly. Three chess boards are also open to public use on the first floor of the library, two on a table and one huge set on the floor near the children and teen's sections. There are 3 sets of bathrooms available to the public. Two downstairs, one for families only and one set of basic restrooms, and a set of basic restrooms upstairs as well. Librarians are always nice and helpful, even if you've been there all day and have approached them multiple times. Overall a great place to visit and have a library card to, though the latter will cost you $50 a year. Take my advice; it's worth it.

The staff is beyond rude, and the fines are rich-city ridiculous. But the building, and the collection, is really quite impressive! They even have an entire room dedicated to genealogy!

A great library! Lots of open reading areas; cafe, meeting rooms. Not just for books!

The Staff is beyond rude and terrible and if I could I wouldnt even put a one star

There was art exhibition, daughter participated. By the way we investigated library. It is best what I ever seen (we just came to USA though).

Rude staff, uneducated and unprofessional, please respect the first amendment

Great place with great resources! Just wish they sell foods at the cafe

I'm absolutely appalled at the way my family and I were treated at this library just now. I came here with my wife and toddler to read, play, and escape the cold. We saw on their website that they have a "vet clinic" room that's open from 9-9 and thought it would be an ideal place for my son to play so he wouldn't disturb other patrons. After a few minutes we had an encounter with a disgustingly rude librarian who ran over shaking her head at us and said we needed to leave the room and it "wasn't an open house". This is a PUBLIC library, and my son was quietly playing. I truly don't understand how any of our behavior could be considered inappropriate for a PUBLIC library. To scold us like children and tell us it wasn't "an open house" is not only rude, but completely offensive. This encounter ruined our experience and will prevent us from ever stepping foot inside this establishment again.

Well funded library and it shows. Great place for reading and research. The staff is very helpful. Upstairs are study rooms and the designated reading areas.

Modern building on edge of town with 2 floors.
Limited selection of items as library looks big outside.
Lousy NH library system means there is NO Single library network like other states and library is meant for only local town residents but outsiders can Pay to join!
What a ripoff for NH libraries and the state!
Small, shared parking lot outside.

I can now see where my big sis lives with my own 2 eyes she's my best friend

Great modern library with everything one could want. Access to media, computers and a 3d printer. The kids section is huge, with an incredible staff, that put on awesome events. This library is world class. Top.

Love this place! Only complaint is there aren't a ton of good places to sit and do work. The staff is always super friendly and helpful though and the library itself is super nice.

Books, rooms, sunlight, services and staff! What libraries should aspire to!

Best library ever seen, staff is also nice, courteous and respectful. Huge collection of books for every age. They also have big collections of DVDs, game cds for ps4, xbox etc. Overall best place place. Kids section also arranged well and have lot of activities for kids.

I think every one is very helpful. And they have a great selection ok books. Also I am glad they let you take books out for 2 weeks, and I love that they have Geocaches.

One of the best library's ive been to. Great for kids and adults. Internet usage. Movies and tv series. And of coarse books. Place to study and hide aways to. staff is also very friendly and helpfuls.

Always welcomed. Helpful staff and great selection of books, movies, and online resources.