Boston Public Library, East Boston Branch

Just got here for the first time. Eight parking spots in the lot all taken. Everything else is street parking with two hour limits of you aren’t local.
Got inside and noticed daycare unit set up in back corner. Plenty of crying kids keeping the library noisy. On top of it, the circle of librarians in the middle were in a, let’s call it non-​whispering discussion.
Meanwhile I saw a friend wave to me just before I went in, so when I sat down in the library I made a quick call to tell her I was trying out the this library for the first time as I knew she was wondering where I was heading as she beeped. Not on the phone with her for even five minutes when one of the librarians from the center circle approached me and asked me to take the phone conversation outside. This amused me to no end. I said a quick goodbye to my friend on the phone, sat at the table for another ten minutes to write this, my first Unilocal review, and soak in all the sounds around me.
This is the loudest most hypocritical library I’ve ever come across. I would not have made a phone call if I thought this place was anything like a normal library when I walked in, but it was so loud I thought a quick phone conversation would actually blend. I won’t be coming back to this place ever again.
How do you give a place a half star on Unilocal?For unique views of the surrounding park and skyline only.

Honestly one of my favorite places to hide and get work done. I love that it’s so community centered and has amazing resources for both young and old. Very inclusive space.

Love this new library. Some say «all looks no books» but it is set up for the future. Tons on computer terminals… I would guess 50!
I take my kids here a few times a week. They have lots of clubs and groups. My kids are in the Yu-​Gi-​Oh club. We’re currently at the big tournament. Great bunch of kids running the club.
The staff I know from other libraries in Eastie and over the years have developed great relationships with them. The staff makes this library hum with excitement. This place is always packed is the jewel of the neighborhood.
I can’t praise this place enough. If you want to see a public building that really get used by the public this is the place.

This new library is absolutely stunning, especially in East Boston where you don’t see many glass structures. The inside is practically all wood, giving the place a very natural vibe. Sitting near giant windows that give off warm sunlight as you delve into a reading is one of my best past times.
One minor inconvenience is that the library moved to a location farther away from my home. What use to be a fast 5−7min walk turned into 20min since they moved it literally next to the airport. I also gotta wonder about the airplane noise. Now instead of walking to the library for a quick drop off or pick up, I’m more inclined to drive. Good thing it has a private lot. The location might also be a little intimidating to some as it’s lacks a lot of foot traffic compared to the old place. Less foot traffic, cars going by, and street lights, so I advise not going too late in the night by yourself. Though 5min away is the delicious Santarpios and 7−8min is Maverick Sq, home to the MBTA and an array of fast food joints.

Loved this place!
It is a beautiful constructed building with a great park in front of it.
Just moved to East Boston a few days ago and was glad I stumbled upon the library.
Don’t have a library card? No problem! Just bring photo ID and proof of residence and you’re good to go (Free of charge). There is a large selection of children’s books and limited quantity of any other kind of book…
The upside is that they can fetch a book from any of the other public library locations and have it ready for you in a few days. They have a large variety of DVD’s as well. You can take 75 items out at a time!
You can have the items for 3 weeks and if no one has asked for that item, you can renew it online! How convenient.
The employees were excellent and had a great attitude.
There is also access to computers (for adults and kids), copiers, printing, conference rooms etc…
Overall a great place!
Will definitely be back.

service: good/​standard
Dear Unilocal Diary,
My third time here since I moved to Boston. I finally got my Boston library card. And Im sooooo excited. Ive been ill for weeks and had nothing to read so it is like candy to a kid right now being able to check out some books to accompany me. Not much selection to read for me here but enough for me to check out 6 books. Cooking, IT, How to’s etc. I cant wait to read!!!