Bethesda Library

This is a great library for spending an afternoon. It is usually full, but not too full, of people working and reading quietly. You can check out books even if you forgot your library card at home. There is a phone-​charging station where you can lock your phone up safely while it charges. You can go in if you don’t have a library card. If you want a library card, it’s easiest to fill out the paperwork online and then go in to pick it up with your ID. There’s a decent set of e-​books available, though not as extensive as in the Chicago Public Library system.

I love libraries, and this library is no exception. People complaining about rude staff should take a cold shower and toughen up a bit. Librarians have every right to be rude if they want to be. That’s just the way it is.
And guess what? You have to grow up and get over it. It’s a tough world out there and I sure as heck don’t want a librarian to sugarcoat anything for me.
You come here to learn. What are you going to learn about life if the librarian treats you like the world is full of rainbows and butterflies? «Right this way, sir, for our daily unicorn and magic show, and today it’s a very special show just for you!»
Is that really what you want? You want nice?
You will learn nothing my friend. You have no idea what service these librarians are providing.

Chris was rude when I inquired about tax services.

We are lucky to have this little gem in the neighborhood. I find the staff very helpful and courteous. Love the resale racks! Keep up the good work.

The librarians are not very friendly. I work a block away and come for quiet during lunch. One day their alarm system was going off near the front door and not knowing if they knew already I told one of the librarians about it. The one I told barely looked at me and said «We know.» in a short tone. I was just doing them a favor by letting them know. Also the library is rather dirty and not well lit.

I’m an avid reader and I was soo excited to visit the Bethesda library since my new job is right down the street. My excitement ended pretty quickly when the lady at the counter was rude to me and the person in front of me. Like other reviews stated, they act like they’re doing you a favor and you’re inconveniencing them. I can’t even speak to their books because I wanted to get a new library card, she told me (while being short about it) that their system was down and there’s nothing she could do. Then she just looked at me waiting for me to walk away. I would rather pay for a book at Barnes & Nobles or travel to the Rockville library then come back. Bethesda is a great community, this just isn’t a good representation of it.

They have a book on the soviet gulag system shelved under criminal justice which is absurd and offensive. I sent a message pointing this out and asked for a reply and got nothing back. I guess they feel like they don’t need to reply or perhaps are too stupid to understand their mistake.

Great little library in convenient location. I just love their cookbook section! They have a terrific selection of clean, like-​new books. I even found quite a few from the current best sellers list! So nice to be able to really review these books before deciding whether to buy or not!
I do wish they’d offer an easier way to log in for renewals. I don’t carry the library card with me so it made it challenging and I’ve ended up paying a few fines.
You do have to pay the meter to park, but, isn’t that the case everywhere these days?

It is a decent building, but I find a majority of the staff to be extremely rude. I have tried to go twice, but will stick to e-​books. I would imagine that most people that become librarians get joy out of helping children learn to read, supporting those with reading disabilities, or proactively help people find resources. I don’t get the sense that that is how these librarians feel. When I asked a question about library resources I was scowled at, she half heartedly looked something up on line and then stared at me (apparently just hoping I would leave). Such a shame… growing up my public library was a great resource. It’s a shame my kids can’t have the same experience.

A great little library in Bethesda! I haven’t actually had a chance to get a library to check out books yet (I suppose that’s a big part of what a library is for… oops, I’ll get around to that!)
But I love studying/​working here! If you’re one who needs absolute (or close enough) silence, there’s a quiet glass-​enclosed reading room with about 20 (approx) cubicles that each have their own outlets (perfect if you have electronics, phones, lap tops, etc that need to be charged). If you can’t take such silence, there’s plenty of working space in the main area, whether you need a table, a computer, a cubicle, etc. There’s also a group study room in the back, too. Their wifi works fine for me. They have some books when you first enter that they sale… pretty nice collection.
I guess, I should go back and check out their collection of books and then maybe will need to update this. But definitely a nice place to study in Bethesda!

After ”browsing” through books at Barnes and Nobels for a bit, I felt like I should just get myself to the local library and do that same in silence and without guilt.
Being new to the hood, I had to look up where the library was and was a little shocked that the parking lot was metered. I was hoping to spend hours here, but I guess I had to work faster now since I’m paying for the time. Be careful though, there are ONE hour spots and THREE hour spots.
Pretty much self explanatory of where everything is. Reference Books, Kids Books, Children’s books. There were lots of people checking in and checking out books, mostly parents and seniors. Inside the library, most people were set up in the desk areas, using the computer. I guess no one goes to the library to read anymore. …
I sat myself down at one of the stations, which had an outlet for my laptop. Perfect. The desk had enough space for my bags and books. Perfect. Found the free WiFi. Perfect. The chair and desk was standard size so I was comfortable and ready to work… and I was powering through until…
… the lady next to me picked up her cellphone and told her friend that, «I’m in the library,» and not in her library voice. Her conversation ended about 4 minutes later…
… a man plopped himself down in a nearby chair and cracked opened a 3 inch thick autobiography on Truman, and it smelled like he hadn’t showered since Truman was in office.
It was about time for me to go anyway since my meter was about to expire. I grabbed a few of the books I was browsing through and went to go check them out … and then realized that I needed to sign up for a library card!
The lady at the counter was super nice. I had to just show her a photo ID and proof I lived in Maryland to qualify… I used my car registration since I still have an out of state DL. Got the card and access to all its services online.
Great place to go work for bit, just watch your meter.

Great library. Fully stocked with books AND helpful employees.

I don’t have any idea what their book selection is like, or how nice the staff is, but I do know that it’s a nice place to get work done. It feels open and spacious with lots of windows that let the light in. They have a large quiet room in the back, in addition to a couple of group rooms that are first come first serve. It can be super annoying having to not only pay for parking, but to have to move your car every 3 hours, but I can always find parking spots to move to, and the metro is really close by. The bathrooms are kind of scary and dark, but not as bad as the Cleveland Park library (shudder).

This is a wonderful library, I’m from Damascus and stopped in here to use the internet connection (my Android hot spot was giving me fits today)
I may be accustomed to less but this library is spacious, quiet, had what I wanted, I even had a decent place to park.
I did not have to offer my Montgomery County library card to use the wifi

The one star might be a bit harsh but I dont ask for alot in a library. Quiet and for books to be available. I’ve been to this library twice to do those things and found it not good at all. On the sound front, some people can study with noise I struggle. Its very noisy in the general areas in the library. Even in the quiet room it was noisy, so thats a no go. Finding books is hard. Either their checked out or at other sites. If you need something now you might be in trouble

When I first went to this library I was expecting a lot. I had already been to the library in Silver Spring (which is quite small and does not have a large collection) and was not impressed. As a teacher I was quite impressed with Bethesda’s children’s selection (that is until I went the the new library in Rockville which is amazing!). The staff was very friendly when I needed help to find a book for a project.
I like to just find a book, instead of actually having to look for one. Every time I have come to this library-​I feel like I have to work really hard on finding a semi-​decent book to read. I am not sure exactly why but I would have to guess it has something to do with the displays or lack there of.
On a high note-​they do have a large quantity of computers that are available.
Decent library but If i had a choice I would go to the Rockville library.