Boston Public Library – North End Branch

This is a really small branch of the library. The staff were nice but it was confusing for a first timer to the branch. I had to do a bit of wandering to find what I was looking for, but that’s half the fun of a library so I didn’t mind. I don’t have a local BPL location near where I live, so I will definitely check this location out again when I’m in the area.

Decent resource but far from excellent. FYI restroom right near the door was used by the postman after ashing his cig in flowers out front.

Great library in terms of books and needs. My only complaint is that it is so loud all the time, either people talking on cell phones or kids screaming all the time. I never hear them tell people to be quiet. It is so hard to study and do work there. Every other library that I have been to in Boston is very strict with noise.

This is a great library with an abundance of books, nice people and pretty good hours.
The people that work here are really nice, and they offer free printing if you have a library card (easy to get — just provide proof of being a Boston resident like a piece of mail). I had a problem printing a brochure double-​sided, but one of the women that was working with a group of children helped me out with no problem! She used the copy machine instead which eased the process and even gave me a manila folder to protect it.
Good selection of a variety of book types. I can always find something here that interests me.
You can tell by the people that come here from all ages that this is definitely a library for the community. Happy it’s in my neighborhood.

The North End library is relatively small, but has some unique architectural designs, a lot of natural light, and artwork and sculptures. It’s basically how you would expect an American architect from the 1920s to design a library if his intent was to make a library in America feel Italian.
I went to the North End branch to do some research and work, and was hoping for some quiet. It is a library after all. Unfortunately, it was difficult to concentrate with kids screaming on the other side of the building. I can’t fault the kids for this. But their parents and the librarians did absolutely nothing to at least suggest the kids use an indoor voice. Never once did I hear «Shhh».
Plus for the cool designs and minus for the noise.

One beautiful spring afternoon, I stepped through the doors of the North End branch of the Boston Public Library and into a pleasant calm filled with BOOKS! Yes, though petite in comparison to the central library in Copley Square, but there is actually a decent little library nestled in this district.
I spied a rotary pencil sharpener tucked behind a bookcase, twin shelves filled with games (to play or to borrow? I’m not certain), a nice carpeted area for the youngling patrons, an impressive diorama, and a scattering of computer terminals where guests are allowed to surf the web (limited to an hour’s time).
Go ahead and find yourself a seat at one of the many tables and relax with your choice of books at this urban oasis. And don’t worry about remembering which book came from which shelf — they prefer it if you would leave it on the table when you’re done with it.
Monday 10 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Tuesday 10 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Wednesday 12 p.m. — 8 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. — 6 p.m.
Friday 9 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. — 3 p.m.

I love this library!
To get a library card: Bring license and piece of mail with your current address on it. If you already have a library card with Charlestown, Milton, Dorchester, JP, South Boston, South End, and West Roxbury. .. they all work here at the North End Branch. (There’s a complete list on the website)
Checking Books/​Movies out: You can renew online!!! Even though the section is not huge, you can order any book from the 25 library network to be shipped to this library for free, and then pick up locally.
Wait List: I am on a wait list for Gone Girl. When I signed up I was around 620^th on the list, on 140 or so copies. 3 weeks late I’m down to 96^th. So even if the wait is long, it goes by fairly quickly.
Physical Library: The library is worth checking out – It has a beautiful skylight, a little garden and benches outside to sit on. And of course, right around the corner is Modern Pastry and all the yummy North end Restaurants.
Computers: always one available when I’ve gone in, and the machine that you can buy printer cards from is broken. The librarian says they are not planning on fixing the machine, so printing is free until further notice! You can borrow a Mac or laptop within the library for one hour, or a desktop for an hour as well.
Librarians: Very nice and so helpful. They gave me suggestions to read while on the wait list for the book I’m so stoked to read.
Hours: They are open until 6:00pm 3 days a week, one late night until 8:00pm, Friday is 9 – 5:00, and Saturday is 10 – 3 (I think) best to check their automated greeting to be sure on the phone number. (617) 227‑8135
Love my little local library, will be sad to leave the north end and this Branch!!!

I am so glad that I read everyone else’s review so now I know that the people who work here don’t hate me they hate everyone! I have been going in here once or twice a week for a good 3 plus years now and not once have I even gotten a «hello» from anyone who works here. But overall I do love the library, I love that you can do almost everything on-​line, and it is FREE! I don’t go here to socialize I go here for my free books and Dvd’s so, though this may be a first I am giving them 4 stars.

Good things:
–The building is cool. I especially like the sky light and the little garden.
–The apostrophe-​shaped cement thingies (benches? decoration?) that were added during the entrance renovation.
–The ability to put a book or dvd from just about any local library on hold and then pick it up a few days later from my neighborhood branch. I love library networks.
Not-​so-​good things:
–The hours clash with my work hours horribly. If I want to stop by to pick up something I have on hold, I usually have to leave work early just to get there before they close. But this is understandable, considering it’s a branch library.
–The staff. SO surly. I’ve never had a librarian there smile at me, let alone act like they want to help me. I totally understand that working with the public every day is not fun (I’ve worked both in retail and in a public library, so I can sympathize), but helping people is kind of their job and the whole reason they’re there. Each time I get attitude, I’m tempted to share that I, too, am a librarian, in hopes that a sense of camaraderie will make the experience better. But I’m always too scared to utter more than a «thank you» before scurrying out the door as quickly as possible.
I was really tempted to give this place 2 stars, but it gets an extra one as a symbol of my support for public libraries. With a more friendly and helpful staff (or even just a little public service training for the current staff), this branch could be awesome and totally worth 5 stars.

I have to agree with the other reviewers– staff is downright unpleasant. Granted I went in about 15 minutes before closing, and asked to sign up for a card and check out a book 10 minutes before. I got a big sigh, some huffing and puffing, and finally, «You know we close in 10 minutes, right?» Well, I’m sorry, but how long does it take to open a card? I got my answer– less than 5 minutes. So I got my book no problem, but the commentary really was unneccessary, several «You’ve got to be kidding me“s complete with eyerolls to other customers who believed that when a library is open until 6, you can take out a book at 5:55.
Other than the staff, it’s a decent neighborhood library, nothing special but it’s close by. Since the selection is not that large, I will be making use of the reservation function online, which should make my trips nice and short.

«Look at that cool building. Interesting architectural details. Is it open?»
We happened upon it, looking closed down for construction. It’s a tiny branch, but the garden, sky light, and courtyard are interesting. Stop in for quick internet access. Or if you live nearby, have your book sent here for easy pickup.
New in town, we applied for library cards. I love that I was able to choose my color (orange, blue, or red), though I miss the keychain card I had in the last three cities. The librarian who helped me was very nice. The other, however, was grouchy. I heard her bark at the other people she was ‘helping.’ Another new card applicant tried to make small talk, but she’d have none of it.
In summary: neat building that will look great after renovation. Not a branch to seek out, but at least there’s something in the neighborhood if you want to pick up a book on order or just escape for a bit.

Awful. First of all, the chairs are uncomfortable. Second of all the staff (all three times I went before writing the place off completely) are really quite prickly. Third, my roommate was there a few weeks ago and some guy walked in and started threatening people with a knife.
Too bad, because I think libraries are great. The main branch of the BPL is historic, beautiful, and comprehensive. You’re better off making the trek to Copley if you need a library. Otherwise, hang out at a coffee shop to do whatever you need to do. But really this place is not worth your time.