Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County: Main

This is a great library. I was able to find everything I was looking for plus a lot more. The staff is super friendly and they all have tablets to aid in your search and special requests. I am usually not a big fan of coming downtown Cincy but there is plenty of parking at reasonable rates. I was there for three hours and parked at nearby parking garage, basically across the street. It only cost three dollars.

I’ve been coming to this library since I was a little girl. It has changed and improved often and has become a place for people to learn and feel safe.
It has a phenomenal children’s library and library staff who are as kind as they are qualified. I especially love Mr. Bob and all of my preschoolers did too :)
The main branch is also a great place to come for printing needs and for passport services.
I continually have great experiences here and create wonderful memories!

With its expansive downtown location, the Main Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County serves as a reminder to all who walk through its doors that libraries are & will remain the great equalizer. However they may evolve over the years to come, as repositories for books, community centers, gathering places, maker spaces — a public library is the cornerstone of a democracy & an essential part of any city’s ongoing development.
While it lacks the stately grandeur of some of its counterparts in NYC, Boston or Chicago, this location, spread out over a couple of blocks on Vine Street, continues its evolution as libraries in general seem to fight to keep their place in the modern world of search engines & smart phones. But they are & always have been so much more. Inside the walls of this building there are physical collections, to be sure — if you have a love of reading, even if they don’t have exactly what you are looking for, you can request it from any of the 40 other locations in this system, or from a partner library elsewhere in Ohio. The same goes for CDs, DVDs & other items.
If you don’t have a computer at home, or if you don’t have access to a printer, there are several available here. There are also databases — access does require a library card, or some kind of guest pass, which you can see a staff member about.
Like Kroger, you can check out your books on your own, which is pretty cool.
The library regularly plays host to programs aimed at all ages — music, art, readings, book discussions, even a recent comic con was held.
There is a ton of display space, with things popping up around every corner. Most interesting right now, given the time of year & the approaching All-​Star madness, are the items on the 3^rd floor on loan from the Reds’ Hall of Fame & Museum.
But the biggest draw for many is probably the recently opened «maker space,» which is also on the third floor. Built for tech wizards & newbies alike, you can convert your old VHS tapes to DVD, use a greenscreen to make a music video or cool photo backdrop, use a mini-​audio studio, sewing machine, laser cutter, 3D printer, do random things with pieces of wood that looked pretty fancy, & other stuff I’m forgetting.
And you know the best part? Every single thing I just described? Free.

This library is huge! I always came here as a kid and I could always spend hours looking through the books and looking at the magazines (they have a huge collection) nothing has changed of course and whenever I go there it definitely brings back memories. They do have a extensive collection of CDs, DVDs so if you are movie mood grab up that library card and go… Or check out those cds if you still have a CD player. Check out the library you will be glad you did!

It’s big. It’s modern. It’s accessible. But it also is somewhat unwelcoming with it’s principally modern touches. I dropped in during my first visit to Cincinnati and couldn’t help but think this library would have fit better in downtown Philadelphia or Detroit. There’s apparently a significant homeless problem in and around the downtown area, and from the smell of it, this is one of their bathing locations. Which is great if you’re homeless, not so if you’re looking for a library setting in which to explore or get some work done. One plus was the small but eclectic gift shop, where I found a unique card for my wife’s birthday, and the fascinating, creative donor wall that is made to look like a cross section of an old felled tree. By the looks of it though, this library fulfills it’s primary mission, as there were many people at the computers and in the periodical room. Not a great spot for visitors though.

What an amazing library! Lots of books, constantly updated collection, free small concerts, book signings and other events, many activities for children. Huge collection of records and films. And all that for FREE! Woow!

A true asset to the community. I am so glad that this library is so actively used and appreciated. This is also a meeting place for community organizations and volunteers. My first memory of this place was when my mom was getting english lessons from a lady that volunteered with the YWCA to teach foreigners English. For a bored kid of 10 years old, this was a place of magic and it has yet to lose any of that wonder.
Thankfully they now offer internet access and other activities for people of all ages.

The Main Branch of the Hamilton County Public Library of Cincinnati far exceeded my expectations. It is so large that it is encased in not one but two buildings. Yes, two buildings! There is a walkway on the second floor that connect the two buildings. In a building of this size, there are so many titles. On the off chance that you are unable to find what you are looking for, if it is in the Hamilton County Library system, it can be transferred to the branch within a couple of days. Transfers of media are free of charge. There are plenty of places to read or study. As well as computer to use. About half of the seating was occupied the day we went. The inside seems to be well maintained.
There is a Friends of the Library gift shop located in this location. Both new and used item are sold there. Not only books, but other gift shop type items. The two women who were working in the shop were nice to not only my husband and myself, but our children as well.
My only complaint is the lack of parking. I’m not sure if we missed a designated lot, but we ended up in a metered spot. All of the other branches I have been to have free parking. Spending a day at the library could quickly add up. I wasn’t going to take away a star, but the more I thought about it, the more it occurred to me, having to hunt for and pay for parking will probably keep me from coming back unless I want to show it to someone who is visiting.

The library itself is great. It’s very big and has a huge selection. Beware of everything that’s going on in front of the library. There are lots of solicitors which can be a little intimidating and even a bit annoying. If you can get past that, you’re good to go!

I’m not a frequent visitor as I normally go to Half Price to buy my books but when I go they always have the item I want and everyone is helpful. The library book sale is on my calendar every year and it is a great event.

So then, I reviewed a library.
The Hamilton County main library is an awesome place. I have the luxury of being about two block from it when I work so I can go here on my lunch break.
It’s quiet, as a library should be. Furthermore, the people who work here are very passionate about the books they read. They have an entire selection of books the employees have read and recommend.
The one drawback to this library is the people outside. They’re rude, they bug you for change, they smoke and cause you a problem. I actually don’t go here as often as I want to because of the people lingering outside this place.

One of the best libraries and library systems in the USA! There’s an incredible selection of materials on hand. There are 2 entire floors stuffed with books, journals, etc. that are not even open to the public!
On the rare chance they don’t have what you’re looking for, the library can obtain most anything through SearchOhio and OhioLink which access public and academic libraries across the entire state!
There are some nice reading areas and lots of big windows bringing in light and providing views of the surrounding city. The genealogy and local history department is one of my favorites to visit. There is an amazing number of records available. Plus, in the library you have free access to the library version of
!
There’s street (metered) parking and also a parking garage just north of the library on 9^th street.
Well worth a visit.

I am absolutely in love with the Cincinnati Public Library System. They offer services that I didn’t even know that I wanted in the first place. In fact, it seems that I keep finding new programs and services all the time. Here are some of the great features I frequently use:
— Digital subscriptions to magazines like US Weekly, The Economist, BusinessWeek, lots of trashy tabloids, food magazines, etc. that can be downloaded to my tablet.
— DVDs. I cancelled my Netflix by mail service because the DVDs available at the library are just as current.
— Ebooks. The catalog isn’t as vast as their paper books, but you don’t have to leave your house or mess with bookmarks.
— Place a Hold. The wide net of smaller branches just can’t hold every book I’d like to check out. Fortunately I can access the library’s catalog from the comfort of my own home and request that these books be delivered to my local branch for me.
— Email alerts. They let me know if I have something ready to be picked up, if something is due soon and keep me abreast of upcoming events.
— Library babies. Songs, books, rhymes and activities for me and my 6 month old.
There are actually many services I don’t even use. I recently got an email from them about Freegal, a streaming service that is similar to Netflix and Hulu. I don’t need another media streaming service, but if I wasn’t willing to pay for a subscription I’d be so happy for this feature.

I have been very impressed with the library system in Cincinnati. I love how there are so many branches (even if some are very small) so there is a local library for SO many Cincinnati communities. Also, if you haven’t checked it out already, there is a great e-​library system– you can borrow things for your kindle from the comfort of your living room. Also the library lets you renew things over and over… and over again. I’ve been a fan of public libraries since I was a little girl, and it’s nice to see Cincinnati with the great system.

This is a pretty great library — it’s very large & has a nice selection. As you know (or actually — you most likely don’t know), I frequent libraries to check out their DVD selection. The library has organized it so that the ‘popular’ items are right there inside the South block of the library — this includes books, movies (both DVD & VHS for any archaic type people out there), and CDs (do people use those anymore?). I’m not the biggest fan of how they’ve organized the DVDs. They have separated the movies for TV on DVD, but they have created separate shelves for each genre (i.e. horror, comedy, drama, etc.), and it’s not always easy to figure out if ‘Taken’ is an Action, Adventure or Thriller movie or where the line is drawn between comedy, drama, and romantic.
That’s really my only beef with this location. I will say that the collection is extensive, if you can navigate through it, and they have a ‘Recenlty Released’ section that typically has a good amount of DVDs. Their TV on DVD selection is also really large! (That’s what she said??) Lastly, I will say that their staff is friendly and helpful! They once didn’t have a book on the shelves even though it was supposedly there. One of the librarians said that it was recenly moved, and got a courrier to go up to the third floor or wherever to get it and bring it right to me — that was awesome!!!

There is so much going on at the Main Library that I’m going to tell you everything I know, and it’s only going to be a portion of what they offer.
Yes, Yes, they have books; but they also have: current and classic movies, audiobooks, live recordings of comedy acts, rare albums, micropheesh (I know I spelled that wrong, so kudos to you if you know what I’m talking about), art collections, a way to register to vote, a quiet study area, live concerts, book signings, clean bathrooms, gardens, a gift shop, a used-​book store, and… AMAZING librarians.
Keep an eye on the hours:
Sunday: 1 – 5
Monday– Wednesday: 9 – 9
Thursday — Saturday: 9 – 6
Also keep an eye on the events the library has going on. We went to a book signing the other night and the place was packed! They also have a «Laugh and Lunch» session every Friday that I’ve been tempted to attend, but never been brave enough. The only problem is that I only find out about these things by actually going to the library and seeing the flyer.
Note to self: With all the awesome stuff you can rent for FREE from the library, you’re going to want to bring a bag. If you forget, they will kindly sell you one for a dollar.

I went there today for the purpose of seeing two lovely statues in the children’s garden (there’s also a nice garden outside the adult section and both gardens have seating). I discovered the library’s gift shop and it has a very good selection, plus the two women working there were very friendly. Along those lines, all of the staff members I spoke to (two guards plus a few others, as it was difficult to find the children’s garden) were *very* friendly and helpful. The library is also very attractive.

I just discovered today that in the library, you can go and check out the daguerreotype view of Cincinnati in 1848. Just go up to the third floor with the elevators and walk into the museum like corridor. You’ll find a room with the big picture that Charles Fontayne and William S. Porter took on September 24, 1848. They essentially set up their camera on a rooftop in Newport and took up a picture in 8 plates.
It is amazing to see how sharp the images are. I would dare to say that they are sharper than with our current cameras. Next to the original daguerreotype, there is a big touch screen which allows you to zoom into specific sections and learn more about different aspect of history (every day life, or culture, or economics).
Every Cincinnati should come up here and check it out — it’s such an amazing piece of history that I’m surprised that it isn’t marketed more widely. Go and check it out!

After lunch at Jr Table I headed over here with some time to kill and a library is the best place to do so.
I won’t go into details because a lot of other Unilocalers have and they do a great job in doing so.
The book selection is wow, I picked a book from the stack and found a chair and just started to read and it was great.
The movie selection here is rival to none.
This is one of Cincinnati’s Gems.

If you didn’t already know, Cincinnati has one of the best library systems in the U.S. if not world. The amount of material in print, media, and digital rivals that of many huge cities and if you’ve traveled or lived in other cities, you probably agree.
There are tons of programs and special events all year so keep checking their events page or just talk to your local librarians. One of the best events I’ve been to was a lecture and Q & A with Rick Steves. That guy was awesome.
Full disclosure, I worked here for a year and at a few branches. Great employers and some great co-​workers. Getting into the system can be quite difficult, I highly recommend befriending an employee to help your prospects. But even then you might have to start part time and doing something like shelving.
PSA for Parents: Do not let your kids roam out of sight from you! Seriously. Here or at a branch. This is a public (!) place and I’ve seen and experienced some pretty bad things at libraries.
All that aside, support your local library (40+ branches I believe) and this one. If I had to pay for all the books, CDs, DVDs, and magazines I’ve borrowed (FOR FREE) I’d be deeply in debt and on an episode of Hoarders.
Oh, and if you’re worried about your fines from that book you borrowed in grade school, not to fear, if the fine is over 5 years, it can be waived and you can start with a clean slate. Just be really really nice and remember to return them in the future.
Oh, while I am on the topic. If you have a mac or iPhone/​iPad, there is a great app called Library Books that can alert you of not only due dates but also any holds that are ready for pickup. It’s 2.99 and is worth it.