L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library

Macy B

in the last week •

After the remodel, the appearance is significantly better. There are spaces to work and read that are comfortable. Good variety of books and other items to checkout, including their “library of things.”

Ben Mickelson

2 weeks ago •

Loud kids everywhere! The library should be restricted to people aged 10 and up in my opinion. People are bringing their TODDLERS in... There is lots of crying, yelling, and screaming. I guess they have iPads on the first floor, which is probably somebody's idea of a "learning resource." In reality, it's likely just overstimulating the kids, making them louder. I also hear rattling or "plastic sounds" from downstairs, almost like they have toys down there or something... There is no reason to have toys in a library. Looking at the map now, it shows they have designated sections labeled 'PLAY AND LEARN' on the first floor. So that tells me that whoever planned this Library was 100% onboard with having this be a play place! What a joke. Parents, please, there are other free places to take your kids. Be mindful of the people who are actually trying to read, study, and do work. You know? That's the way libraries have been used for literally THOUSANDS OF YEARS, not as a day care. I read in someone else's review that the old library had a separated building/section for kids to play and be loud. That would be nice to have. Someone said you can reserve a private study room, but honestly that seems really tedious to reserve every single time, and I've noticed that many of those rooms are closed (or reserved for corporate business types; which could be turned into study rooms but are not). Not to mention, there is probably a time limit on those reservations which is also inconvenient. There is also lots of homeless people hanging about. Which is another good reason not to bring your kids there. Not sure what they can really do about that. At least they keep (relatively) quiet though. It is a very nice facility with nice bathrooms and I will also say that the staff has been very friendly and helpful so far. Good selection of books and other learning resources. They even have a 3d printer and lots of other cool gadgets! Which I think is great for kids, but they need to be well behaved.

Sherry Z

a year ago •

Definitely an oasis in the city. Modern design with huge floor-to-ceiling windows from which you can see the trees outside and leaves falling. Has a good selection of books, even though due to the limited amount of copies available, the ones I am interested in are mostly unavailable at the moment and needed to be placed hold on. It gets a bit noisy when kids roam around but I guess that’s just like any public libraries. Staff are very friendly and helpful, but I wish there are more information or map about the display/organization of books or categories. Overall I’m impressed with the new building.

Riley Raven

4 months ago •

I hate the new library. I’m severely disappointed and unimpressed. After growing up spending MANY days of my childhood and teenage years in the classic library I now can’t stand what it’s been turned into. Cold, white, sterile, and every seat taken by a homeless and/or drug addicted person (a situation that became more and more obvious even before the renovation). They’ve gotten rid of the tall rows of wooden bookshelves you could get lost in, carpet, and hidden nooks and crannies for privacy and study, and traded them for short white shelves which allow you to see across the room, cold hard floors, and the feel of a hospital cafeteria. There seems to be more digital media than actual books, and more focus on “social programs” than love of literature. It isn’t a library so far as I can tell. The renovation was a waste of everyone’s time and money. I don’t care how modernized it looks, it’s lost the magic and respect of a real library. The only positive thing to say about this place is the addition of the private study rooms, but they were basically necessary since no seats or private study areas are available otherwise. I could say so much more but I’ll leave it here.

Katlyn Lodermeier

3 months ago •

Growing up in a town of roughly 600 people this library tops any library experience I've ever had. Everytime we come I find new things. With the things library I have the opportunity try out/learn things I wouldn't have the chance to otherwise. I was so surpriaed at the amount of social predicament they provide. I clean bathrooms for a living and their bathrooms are some of the cleanest I've ever seen. They have such a great area for children and a very helpful staff. The art print library and the art gallery on the 3rd floor were a beautiful surprise. The first time we came here I cried TWICE. I know that sounds silly but dang they deserve 10 out of 10.