Providence Public Library Review

5th year now as a patron. Outstanding, super-friendly, super-knowledgeable Research and Circulation staff, none better. Huge shout-out to Janice, who called me when she found my wallet 5 minutes before closing one Christmas weekend. And when I arrived, she and Security were waiting to welcome me and seemed almost as happy as I was.

Can't wait to explore the renovation, which, seen from the street, seems perfect. Everyone who cares about libraries, local history and architecture should take a tour when those resume. This place is full of treasures, print and otherwise.

I go here to study pretty frequently, when the odd hours allow. There is some beautiful architecture blocked by the terrible bit that is the eastern half of the building. I think that it has a lot more potential given the creative capital in the downtown area to put the community spaces and auditorium to better uses. If I had to change one thing though, it would be to extend the hours and days that the library is open.

Very classy,i wish it was open everyday with longer hours.

I love the new renovation look on the building! The staff are friendly and helpful if you are in need of something they will see if theirs a possibility or notify you whenever their is.

My daughter was married at PPL on December 15, 2018.
We met with event staff a year ago to start planning. From the very start, the staff was professional, courteous and welcoming. They were always available for questions and so reassuring.
We attended a tasting that we were thrilled with - and every concern we had was addressed with courtesy and professionalism.
My daughter s wedding was just perfect. Everything that was promised was delivered. The attention paid to even the smallest of details was carried out with elegance and happiness. The food was amazing. It was hot, beautifully plated and set in front of our guests with delight.
I would not only recommend PPL for a wedding or event, I would strongly suggest having an event there.
They are the pinnacle of a perfect experience.

Building is upgraded, Covid-19 Ready. Thank u Providence it.

Weird Al s books here Meg Whitman 2 blocks away at the Hasbro HQ playing with Mrs & Mrs Potatoe Head circa 1980 probably a card holder here at PPL

I have always found a comfortable place to sit and just be at the Providence Public Library! I love the building, the staff, and the selection!

Very nice place to get a book. Professional, and helpful staff.

I love this library but here is a cautionary tale: Make sure it is open before you come! The hours posted on the general google site have not been updated and the information is wrong. On January 7 this caused me to drive into the city, squeeze into onstreet parking, and stuff a meter with quarters only to be turned away by a staffer who said operating hours are confusing, due to the construction and stuff. I repaired to my paid parking spot in such an angry state that I almost wrote a one-star review! But this is a five-star library historic building with a great local archives, and staff that has gone out of its way for one of my research projects. It s a nice library when it is open. Through March please check the library s own web page for operating hours before wasting time and money on a visit.

It s sad to see this formerly magnificent public city library reduced to just one big dreary room. It does offer a place for the restless downtown homeless to find some temporary shelter which is good. But is this what all the people who gave or left money to the library ever had in mind?! Renovations are underway and hopefully this terribly long period of a dreary one room library will someday come to a close. But can a library that has lain fallow for years come back to life again? I hope so.

Absolutely beautiful, Spacious and great for events or small conferences or even community performances or art displays.

It was pretty sad to see the African American female security guard here harassing a patron and continuing to film him with her personal phone while he was there. If he was doing something wrong, "that's one thing", but if he wasn't doing anything wrong, then why is she filming him with her personal camera? What exactly is she going to do when she plays them in the privacy of her home... disgusting!

Excellent service.my visits bring me back to when I made frequent visits to PPL -as a child.

Beautiful building, friendly staff

lovely

Great area for kids to play. The blnding of the old library with "new" addition is fascinating to experience.

I took a training sponsored by PPL. I m writing to let you know that my experience with Lina B. from Workforce Development Coordinator was excellent. She goes above and beyond is relatable and such a great motivator!

Just watched a video of staff and security harassing a photographer for filming inside even though it is allowed by said library's own policy. And completely ignore a racist rant by another patron towards this photographer which is illegal. The ranter was calling across approximately 10 - 15 feet in a loud voice in a library and was ignored. And the biggest and most mind blowing claim was when it was said that the library didn't take any government monies to function. I think a public review of the finances will show that government "donations" are given to this entity and though I'm not positive if there is, I would be curious about any taxes levied against this institution for land, water, and utilities .

Been coming to this library for many years.Always enjoy private displays.Art work.Usrd to have great video&DVD collection.

I went there when it was under construction, a lot of cool things to see tho

Friendly staff. I loved how they took the time to show my kids around and allow them to enjoy everything the library has to offer.

It is warm when it s cold outside, the employees are helpful. The Wifi works really well, restrooms are private and not that dirty. Books seem really old though!
You can charge your devices in a room with tables with plugs.

Rating is based off hours. For being the central city library, the hours of operation are absurd.

the elevators have half floors. there are some good books here. it is nice to go away from the dopey homeless shelter the religious zealous is controlling people with bad food. there is a good scanner. i wrote a story about a piglet from guinea who wants to go to school. his mom is a pig who really needs a job and gets on project runaway. she likes an elephant who is a politician. she liked a pig pilot but didn't like his name. there is an airline with an ice cream buffet. there is a celebrity pig too named paris hiltonne. there is a teacher mr pig ford and piglet's best friend is a donkey whose mom is an accountant who puts piglet's mom on the tv show and get to be a pig something. there is a movie called the guacamole brothers and the former students of mr pig ford who work at the movie theatre. they try to have classes here. there is a weird al cd and recording room. dr demento was the singer who got weird al to push himself to get famous

It's very spacious and has a large selection of books and movies. Staff are kind and helpful

I love coming here, even though it s been under construction for the entire time I ve lived in Rhode Island. I m very excited for it to be fully open. It s a beautiful building and the renovation seems to be going well. There are a lot of programs that go on here, such as adult education classes, career help, book clubs, and more. It s a very nice place to come do work, read, or use the internet if you don t have access at home.

this library is a daytime homeless shelter ....good wifi ..clean .....the hours sucks.....east providence library are the best in hours .................

I like the computer room but some of the staff run it like it's a jail house! It's a library and your a security officer not the police relax.

The library is awesome, especially the Rhode Island Room.

Very helpful and guiding staff... helped me in obtaining books and materials of interest.

The PPL is a great library for all ages. I love to browse in the stacks and find authors that are new to me or find old friends to re read. I love the children's librarians too.
Don't change!

Today was my first visit as I am new to Providence. I was hoping for a smooth visit to set the foundation of frequent visits because I live in a nearby down apartment building. However, it was not welcoming to say the least. I applied for a library card, which went smooth. I asked if there was seating available to read and write. I was told, the only seating is available is for computer reservations. I then, reserved a computer and started reading, writing and researching. After about 20 mins the computer logged me off. I was unsure why as I know reservations are for one hour. Ann stormed over to me and in a harsh tone, told me I could not write or read at the computer I had reserved. In my attempts to explain the computer logged me off without prompting; she rudely said you must have logged off . She continued to interrupt me and I was not able to explain what actually happened. I was asking what was the solutions and she did not offer help or other options to get me back on the computer. It s unfortunate this was my first encounter with such a rude and unprofessional staff member. I then just reserved a couple and continued my reservations.

I like this place in general. However, the entrance is not really neat and organized. I believe that the city can improve this place by upgrading some sections and newer version of shelves and books. The staffs are helpful and nice people, by the way.

Providence Public Library of Providence, Rhode Island was founded in 1875. The central library building at 225 Washington Street opened in 1900 and was constructed in a Renaissance style with private donations including a large donation from John Nicholas Brown I, and a large addition was built in 1954. The Library is different from most city libraries because it is governed by a board of trustees and funded privately but serves the public.
The Providence Public Library was awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service in 2001, for outstanding service to their community.

I literally live one block from the Main Library on Empire Street it is a great location with good Wi-Fi and the use of computers also.

This hole new reduced hours is Lame you guys have all these events but can t actually be open when you re supposed to be, at least update it on google so people don t waste their time trying to come to the library to do what they need to do & this especially sucks for the people who are right down the street...

The library recently reopened its first floor after a long time of construction. It looks beautiful. Staff were very helpful and friendly, with masks on.