Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library Reviews

Of all the libraries in all of the places we've visited, this one is the best. Staff is overly friendly and accommodating.

Best library in all the 20 states I've visited! So glad I get to call TSCPL "my" library! Great resource for everything we need. Great help with my homeschooling and preschool curriculum.

I'm sorry but doesn't the term "public library" imply a service for the benefit of the people? (At least that's the impression I got from the Wikipedia article.) Since when did the use of a PUBLIC library depend on the payment of a fee? Didn't the idea of a subscription library die out over a century ago? Apparently someone forgot to inform Topeka about those recent developments. Because I live in the "wrong" county, I'm not allowed to receive a card to the library without paying $80! Are they really that strapped for cash that they have to gouge the people? Not by the looks of the building they're not. I don't see why they need my $80 so badly.

Top notch library. Very nice inside with a friendly staff.

Beautiful library with wonderful selection and great service!

Nice atmosphere and very helpful staff. Can't ask for anything better!

Tons and tons of books. Unfortunately, since I live outside Shawnee County, they won't give me a card unless I shell out $80! EIGHTY DOLLARS!!! Are they insane?!? (Unless I'm silly for thinking I'm one of the "public" in their name.) This is the first library that I've every heard of that penalizes someone for living in the "wrong" area. The only reason I have for coming back now is their bookstore.

Great library. Lots of wonderful services. Even a good place to eat.

Its a beautiful library! I absolutely love the childrens section, and so do my daughters. Friendly staff and they have tons of books too!

Interlibrary loan can get it for you if tscpl doesn't have it. Excellent library, although their "neighborhoods" way of organization is sub-optimal.

I was continuously interrupted by an employee each time I took my mask off to drink my water. Keep in mind I am in a remote learning room where the door is closed in an isolated area. I understand that policies are in line and safety measures are required but this is just ridiculous.

Came 6/22/19 to see the "Space Art Exhibit". Really?? I would be embarassed to call it such or waste web space advertising it. Space pictures are amazing and beautiful. This "exhibit" nearly demeans them! You do many things on a professional level. This is very poorly done. If you do not have the funds to present an exhibit, then don't spend the little money you have to do a sub rate job. I certainly dont want my tax dollars wasted on such. I know you can do better.

We couldn't ask for a better library! Beautiful place, professional assistance when needed. Tremendous selections in all departments.

I absolutely love our library and consider it a terrific asset for our community. My one extremely felt frustration is that even when talking to the librarians at the customer service desk, I have been directed to the self serve kiosks. In a world that is losing touch with human interactions, I cherish being and seeing warm smiles and kind faces. Please stop directing people to the kiosks if they come to you.

As always a fun and welcoming environment, and with the safety precautions they have in place I feel safe going back.

The Topeka library is one of the best places in Topeka. It is very large and has a great selection of material!

Amazing space! Modern design and programs for everyone. The children's area is amazing. Colorful and fun with computers, games and books for all interests. The even have a concert space for music and other guest performers. If you haven't stopped in you're missing out!

I use the library exclusively for ebooks, and the library here does better than I ever imagined. I've found that even if the library does not have a book I'd like to check out, I can recommend they get the book, and within a week or so I get an email telling me I can now check out this book. I know from friends and families who check out ebooks from libraries in other areas that not all libraries do this. Truly amazing.

One of the best libraries I have been to in my travels across many states and cities in the United States. We are lucky to have such a nice and well maintenance library with a large selection here in Topeka. Definitely recommend checking out some of the events and different services they have to offer including unexpected things like 3D printing as well as different art installations that cycle out with new topics every once in a while. There are also cool activities and computer programs for children and teens of all ages. The art and fish tank are very fun for small children.

Great place to study. Quite area has lots of big desks with power and comfortable chairs.

One of Topeka's gems. World class library second to none.

People are friendly. Those that work there. Its quiet,as it should be.

I have been going to the library with my mom since I was a little girl, I can remember how it looked back in the mid-late 80's early 90's with the children's books that had the cassette tapes. I always checked those out as a little girl and now to be able to enjoy the library with my daughter and its newly built library and just a great way for us to make our own memories. Thank you TSCP for making the library a great place to begin family memories!!

Spend lots of time in this library while growing up. It was time well spent.

One of the few gems in Topeka. My husband and I go here often to do book studies together. And the kids area is so great. This is a good use of our tax dollars, Topeka.

My service animal was banned for growling at the loud noise from construction workers power tools,didn't think that was legal...guess I'm banned

There are vaild reasons that this institution was nationally awarded Library of the Year.

The staff works FOR you and with you from finding a title to ancestors to even other libraries.

Best Place to visit while this Virus Mess is going on. Check out Good Books & Movies to Enjoy.

The car rental I was in (at the library) last week wouldn't start and Avis in Topeka, where I rented the car, wouldn't even come and help me although they were still open when I called them and asked for help, with their refusing to come and telling me to call roadside assistance. I didn't have enough power left on my phone battery to do this and the security guard, David (DJ), helped me by letting me use his phone (since the library had just closed). I'm so grateful for this help, and someone else jumped the car and got it going. DJ spent a lot of time trying to help me get the car to start, even calling people he knew who might know why it wouldn't start. I'm SO grateful for his help. Thank you DJ!

10/21/19, Very nice place library public!! Friendly staff!! There have everything movies' dvds, books, computers, and small shopping!! Love it.

Update 11/7/19, I give 4 stars because I notice, library' wifi block my Sorenson videophone app for deaf needed communication America sign language thru my interpreters. Not same other states' library public.

Staff are kind and actually care to hello you find a book

I went into the library to make up something for a event tomorrow and when I was ready to print it. NO ONE WAS AROUND TO HELP ME GET IT TO THE PRINTER. BESIDES THAT THEY SAID SORRY AND SORRY DOES NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM.

I love our library! There are so many valuable resources and kind people there to help you find what you need!

Best public library! Great place to get work done . online book selection is excellent! On-site general services include a gift shop, museum, many community events. They also have great study rooms for working with groups or video conferencing.

We were visiting family. And my kids and I came here and it was great! Very friendly and nice atmosphere.

One of the nicest library's I've seen and large too! It's always easy to find a nice quiet corner to get some work done. Also I love the electronic check outs.

I love our library ... And the people who work there are wonderful. Tho I don't often go in person cuz I usually do e-books, when I do go, everyone there is incredibly helpful AND they offset masks at the for in case you forgot yours or just don't have one. Stores should do the same.

I think its a very special place. I see some out of county people complain about having to pay a fee because they consider themselves to be part of the public. But the library is the Shawnee County Public Library and the people s taxes from Shawnee County help fund the library. I do not have a problem with paying a fee to have access to such a wonderful resource.

TSCPL has wonderful resources for children and teens and these draw a lot of them in. I do wish staff would help them have more appropriate behavior. The activity in the area in front of the library is especially troublesome at times.

i just went there yesterday and got this really good vampire book, eclipse you know the twilight saga

Pretty great library, huge selectiom, and services. Lots of un attended children so thats a down side but has a killer quiet study area and a 3d printer!!

Best library I've ever been to, super helpful staff, and a great selection of materials!

The Topeka Shawnee County Library is the best. I don't have internet at home and needed to update my phone. Had trouble getting my phone to connect, there tech person got it working and explained how to do it (had a new phone) . All the people who work in this library are so friendly and helpful

Great! Peace ans quiet. I finally got all my paperwork accomplished

My first time here in Topeka, Kansas looking for a comfortable, private nook to read and relax. I thought I would find that in this library. I was very disappointed. I did not find a nook, and surfaces are hard, from the chairs to the uncarpeted floors. There was one padded chair but it was already occupied.

Wonderful facilities and amazing staff! The ultimate library experience for a lover of the arts!

I absolutely LOVE the Topeka Library. I'm not really a library kind of guy so when I walked in I expected the old type library from my school days. Much to my surprise it was a vibrant place with so much to offer. I have used them to notarize documents, I check out books through hoopla, and I have attended community meetings there. This place rocks.

Traveled through the area in 2003 and needed to check emails. Was easily able to use a computer as a guest.

Very helpful staff. Quiet and peaceful environment. Nice place with art gallery. Plenty of facilities available. Conf rooms, wifi, printer etc. Wonderful arrangement of books and study materials. For sure will make good scholars.