Saint Paul Central Public Library

Day 1 ⁸⁄₁₁ After walking a half mile to get here they closed early, not at 530 but at 525 so I was out of luck. I expects more from a public facility. After explaining they said to come another day. Not helpful, not friendly, and cheating the tax payers by closing early.
I walked in and was told they were closed, it was 525. They were standing around and I explained all I wanted was a card and they said the computers etc were all close down. They could have given me the card In The time it took to give me a hard time and suggest I walk to the next closest library. Yeah, I’ll do that. Note I still have to walk home. Glad it was summer and hot not a blizzard and freezing
2 days later 8/​13, I ventured out again. Mavis was there and she redeemed my faith in librarians. She have me my library card, was helpful in finding what I wanted and gave me information and insight on what a beautiful building this is. Thank you Mavis! Your what made me revise my rating from 1* to 5*

My adoration of this library’s building struggles constantly with my irritation about what’s inside.
1. James J. Hill library is one of the prettiest buildings evah, with ceiling frescoes in the magazine room and marble everything. It’s connected to the skyway in the basement which is a real treat in the wintertime, and has comfy leather chairs to sit in while reading Vogue.
2. The fiction book selection suuuuucks. Rest assured, if you’re looking for a prolific author, they will only have the dregs of that author’s work– if you’re looking for any decently well-​known book, they probably won’t have it. CD selection is meh.
3. Their librarians are generally very nice, but I had a weird interaction with one yesterday who insisted on reading, out loud, the summary of a book I was looking for that HAPPENED to be dealing with sado-​masochism (for a feminist paper, folks, come on). I mean… thanks. That was really special for me. I am permanently blushing, forever.
4. The most important– this library seems to be stuck in 1995. They can’t look up your library card number to do an inter-​library loan. Getting a library card at this place took weeks. They don’t seem to talk to the Minneapolis libraries, at all, ever. Where other librarians are like Swiss Army Knives of awesome, these librarians are kind of one tool or another, and seem to be able to answer only select questions before sending you to tromp up and down the stairs for someone else.

I had not been to this library in a few years. My wife and I needed new library cards and wanted something fun to do for the afternoon. We took our two well behaved daughters that are still in diapers and had plenty of room to maneuver with a double stroller. The place is so big it got a little confusing getting from non-​fiction to fiction and back to the children’s area but now that I know the way it will take no time at all. The story time lady was super nice to our girls. They had a ton of things for the little ones to do and see. The building is old and gorgeous. Just what you would think of when you think of an old regal library. Free wi-​fi without the hassle of signing up and computers everywhere for looking up books if you do not have a smart phone on you. I will be going back a lot from now on.

This is my go to library. My number one favorite thing is the Childrens Reading Rooms. After years of taking my boys here we are all on a first name basis with the childrens’ librarians. They make recommendations, find books for us and even leave books with the kids names on them to check out.
This location has it all. I really like it on a rainy day… just browse and soak in the stately feel of the building.

My library of choice. Its a totally cool building, and the book selection is decent. Across the street from work, which is hugely convenient as well. The kids section is where I spend a fair amount of time, and it is well stocked, has fun stuff for the kiddies to do, and the staff are friendly. Plus, free wi-​fi! Bonus!

If you read other reviews of this library, you will notice they all rave about this gorgeous building. It really is a landmark in downtown St. Paul with gorgeous views of the Mississippi river behind it. Head to the periodicals level and look out the east-​facing windows for a beautiful view.
Since I’ve only been here once before, and don’t even have a library card (I know, I know), I’m not sure what more I am qualified to write about, so I will end this here.
Want to mingle with some homeless? Come here about 5 minutes before opening and hang with them at the front door.

A beautiful building and they let you borrow books and DVDs for free! Doesn’t get any better than that.

Having recently gone here again for a free concert event, I realize that it’s some of the people attending the event that make for an unpleasant experience, not the library or its staff.
Why are people out in public so rude?

Wonderful library. I’m sorry that when I took my students here one of them (CHAZ) decided to spit down the book return. He was properly punished with detention, but I’m not sure it worked. Anyway, they gave my students a nice tour, and if I was teaching summer school I would take them down once a week to get books. An interesting tour, and great librarians. Thank you for all your hard work!

This is a cultural gem for the city. The Renaissance Revival architecture is magnificent — could not think of a more inspiring place to read, and LEARN, than the second floor reading room. I almost got a tear in my eye seeing actual children there on a weekend day, reading, instead of playing with their Wiis or texting or channeling the Jonas Brothers.
The loan system is equally fabulous. I picked up a library card and I’m now able to reserve a book online using my number, and even if it’s not held by the Central Library, it will get transferred over, with an email notifying me when it’s ready for pick-​up. I can renew books online too. I love the self-​checkout, too — seriously, something about scanning a barcode is exciting for me.
My only complaints are the short hours of operation (5:30 PM on a weekday? Boo) and the dearth of parking. That’s not for me, since I usually walk over.

Being from Chicago, I thought that libraries were only for the homeless.
Alas, this library is for everybody! I used to go to the one on Marshall, but found that I prefer the Central Library for two reasons. One: I can walk there. Two: It is georgous. The marble steps are worn in the center from years of book laden bodies trudging up and down. Stone but it seems like they sag under this weight.
When I am pressed for time, I order online, they call when the book is pulled so I can just double park and run in, self check out and head home…

Beautiful downtown library since a multi-​million-​dollar renovation, with massive marble stairs and huge reading rooms. Pretty good hours, pretty nice selection of materials including video and audio, great children’s area with presentations for kids every Saturday morning.
Nicely connected by tunnel to the St. Paul Skyway system and parking (it gets cold here), includes a nice little coffee/​snack place on the main floor, and serves as a gorgeous backdrop for warm-​weather festivals, weddings, and outdoor concerns in St. Paul’s Rice Park.
I also like the fact that the library’s website lets me quickly find what I want and see which branch has it. If the downtown branch doesn’t, I can request it or just go to the other branch, and then return to any of the branches’ drop boxes. Finally, the librarians are always helpful.
One of many little-​known jewels in St. Paul.