Brooklyn Public Library – Carroll Gardens Library

Great library. I find that the Wi-​Fi here is better than the Wi-​Fi at the Brooklyn Heights branch. I also find that the librarians here are also friendlier than the rather rude ones at Brooklyn Heights. Even though this is farther from my home than the Brooklyn Heights branch, I much prefer coming here. Usually there are plenty of seats, despite how small the library is, and there seem to be fewer crazy people here.
The one downside is that it can get rather noisy due to screaming toddlers or uncontrolled children. It would be nice if the librarians would put more effort into enforcing the signs they put up about the levels of noise.

What can I say? I love my library!

Its really loud because theres tons of little kids, which wasnt much of a problem since I brought my ear plugs and most people working were using head phones. Otherwise, its a decent place to get work done. I cant really comment on the services since I didnt use them.

Libraries are cool and this is a cool library.
Pros and cons together (what may be my con might be your pro)–
It is old.
It has a smallish selection of books.
You can order books that are not on the shelves. Your books arrive pretty promptly.
The staff are really competent.
The library is quiet, mostly, before 2 – 3 p.m.
I once saw a dog tied outside in the heavy rain and told the librarian who then made an announcement on the PA to the human whose dog it was to save the dog from the torrential downpour.
«Crotch fruit» (kids) do overrun the library after 2 – 3 p.m. The crotch fruit are well behaved, mostly.
There is stroller parking inside the library (see note about «Crotch fruit» above).
Kids get tutored at the desks so there might be talking immediately near you.
There are awesome community programming and happenings at the library, almost every day, including knitting on Tuesdays and robot making, crafts for the kiddos and other amazing things.
This library branch makes an effort to be part of your community.
The library sometimes has library schwag to give away.
There is no book drop outside.

It’s too bad this tiny gem of a library isn’t as quaint as it seems on the outside. Once you walk in you’ll find your hit with the noise of screaming children and loud patrons and librarians speaking in full volume as if its their own place of entertainment. The collection itself at this branch is actually very decent but the atmosphere of various crazies and homeless people as well as what you would call «eccentric”(i.e. incompetent) librarians leave so much to be desired that I’ve run to my local coffee shop just to get a place to peacefully write and read.

If you are looking for a quiet space to read or do work, this is not the place for you. If you are a toddler who likes to scream and run around indoors, this is the place for you.

Horrible, absolutely horrible! As a young adult who uses the library to quietly study and do research, I am Absolutely appalled at this so-​called ‘library’ (should be called a playground) First off, there is NO separation of children’s area from the adults (just one big open space), so the parents just let their kids run around and play, scream, yell, jump around — in the LIBRARY! I mean, please, parents, please teach your damn kids some library etiquette. Since when is it ok to have your children yelling and running around in a quiet area. My mother would’ve whooped my butt if I acted that way…
Secondly, the librarians just sit on their behinds and play on Facebook while adults talk loudly on their cellphones and kids yell. It’s ashame that people in NYC have forgotten how to act in a library.
Also, if u are tired at studying at Starbucks and need a place to plug in your laptop… good luck! This place has NO designated laptop stations (like other libraries), so people with laptops have to rely on the only two outlets place high on the wall next to the window and radiator! Seriously, you have put your laptop on top of a radiator Bc there are no plug-​ins on or near the tables. Also, all the chairs and tables are outdated (haven’t been changed since the 70s) – old wood and very uncomfortable.
Finally, why do the librarians let these smelly bums come in with 8 – 10 bags and sit and smell up the library. It’s unsanitary and unpleasant. If your homeless, please go to a homeless shelter and get some help.
I would give this place ZERO stars if I could, but it’s the only place Nearby that I can study for free for some of the day without going insane staying at home. I have resorted to bringing earplugs, cologne, and two extension cords…

When I was a kid, I spent a lot of my time in the library (because books are kind of like friends, right?), so I feel like I have a good handle on them.
This is a pretty good one. When I’ve already read the Internet twice in one day, I try and get me a book. The selection here isn’t huge, which means that it’s not really a browsing kind of place… but they are willing to order stuff on your behalf. The staff is nice for the most part (strange for the other part), and they do a really good job accommodating their largest demographic: kids coming in after school.
Now you’ve been warned, after 3 pm this place will be overrun with what are locally known as «crotch fruit.» It’s really not so bad; they are overall very well-​behaved and even cute, but if you can, head over before 3 pm when the din is slightly less loud. If you do end up sticking around and trying to work on at one of the tables that is slowly taken over by 8-​year-​olds, you’ll find that nobody wants to hang out with the 2^nd graders. And who can blame them.
What I’m trying to say in a rambling, drawn out way, is that I like this library, and I’m glad it’s here.
Seriously though, they need to get a book drop.

Haiku for the library:
Ideal for kids but
Love the balcony desk space.
Sadly the hours blow.

I find there are two excellent ways to go to this library — with great purpose, you’ve probably made a request through the super-​reliable book request system OR with a completely open mind.
Lately, all I’ve been doing is using the request system and it’s been working out very well. I heartily endorse it. Find nearly any book you want, it’ll be there in a few days.
My early visits all seemed to be considerably more free spirited. I’d wander in and wander around for an hour, pecking at the shelves until I came up with something that worked for me. I was usually surprised by what interesting things I could find and not know that I actually wanted to find them. If that sounds strange, it’s not. It’s exciting to make those kinds of leisurely discoveries.
And yes, it can get a bit rowdy in there with all the kids. But kids are fun and they should be in libraries.
All the folks who work there seem like really stellar folks. Very kind and very helpful.
It’s also a really nice library space. Good windows let plenty of light in and though I haven’t spent very much time reading there, it seems like the tables would be a good place to spend a bit of time.

I think this library is so great. When I first moved to Brooklyn, I read a review of the library, maybe here on Unilocal,where the reviewer claimed that she could just use the library like Netflix, make a request and soon the book would be ready. I thought, «yeah right» as I had attempted to request a book online in Boston and am still waiting (that was 4 years ago). But it is totally true here in Brooklyn! I read or hear a review, request online, and the book is ready to be picked up in a few weeks at the most. It’s amazing. The people at the Carroll Gardens branch are really friendly, and they are open until 8 pm on Wednesdays for those lucky people with jobs!
I do agree that they need a book drop though!