Farmingdale Public Library

Some of the reviews here are way off base. This library is very large. It has an excellent children’s area and lots of events and activities.
I moved to the area 4 years ago and one of the first things I did was find the library. The staff here are very kind and courteous. I realize they may talk about annoying patrons but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad library. Who among us can say they’ve never complained about a difficult patron?
I’ve found their dvd & blue ray selection to be excellent and well catalogued. The cd section could be better organized but it’s really just a problem with crossover artists. There are a few large tables in the middle of the library where I see people studying every time I go by. There are also private rooms available. There are approx.15 computers available. This does not include the computers in the children’s area. I think there are 5. There are also numerous small desks located throughout the library. They all have power outlets near or on them. They must work because I always see people using them. And library catalogue search stations are easily located in each section of the library.
It’s a nice place. Check it out and see for yourself.
Please excuse grammar or spelling. This is posted from my phone.

The people behind the desk talk behind the customers back after they leave. A lady walked in stressed out with her two kids and had a problem with some $ 2 late fee they were trying to charge her and after she left and as I was cruising through the CD’s, all I heard was the front desk people ripping on this lady for 15 – 20 min straight.
They also put plastic security covers on their cd’s which cause friction when played or ripped and heat up in your cd drive causing the drive to malfunction. I peeled a few of these off and they threw a fit and charged me $ 2 for each plastic cover. We pay for libraries with our hard earned money through taxes and to spend your free time in there only to have it wasted is petty. When I spend an hour flipping through music cd’s and go home and am ready to enjoy them, do you really think I want to have to deal with problems occurring do to frivolous measures taking by the people of this library. Not all libraries around Nassau do this with their music, so just be warned. I really hope my CD Drive isn’t damaged.

The new front is nice… But it’s fenced off. Only a handful of study tables and maybe ten computers. Tried an outlet, I didn’t work. Kids section is ¹⁄₃ of the place but since I don’t have kids– idc. Some bookshelves half or completely empty but tai chi on Tuesdays…

Great library! Impressive looking from the outside and just as awesome inside. Huge open library featuring 5 meeting rooms one which features a full size stage. Big children’s dept which has an enclosed play area with some nice toys and a huge salt water fish tank. Staff is friendly, knowledgable and helpful.

This library is huge! It has everything that should make it great, but things do not come together as they should.
First of all, the video section. They are seperated into 2 categories: domestic and foreign. Thats all. The VHS, DVD, TV shows, movies, and every subject in between are all mixed in with eachother. An absolute alphabetical order of everything ever put into the video format .
Also, the books themselves are hard to find. The labels for the aisles are hard to read, they are not all on the edges of the aisles. As I see it, you have to look through each aisle to see what is inside.
In addition, the computer catalog and reference are out of the way entirely. You have to walk at least 15 feet out of anyone’s way just to reach this area. These should be the brain of a library section, not an extermity!
The checkout counters are a little too wide as soon as you walk in. Maybe it creates a claustrophobic affect? Whatever it is, it takes up too much valuable real estate in the library itself.
Many libraries have a specialty. I have no idea what it is here, but the architects suck.