Queens Borough Public Library – Forest Hills

Once again Forest Hills Library employees have showed me just how forgotten customer service is! I walked in with my bike (after seeing that all bike racks were occupied and realizing I did NOT want another bike of mine stolen outside this facility) to grab two books that were already reserved for me. It was a two-​minute in and out job. As I was walking to check out (time in library: 15 seconds), a young Haitian girl berated me for having my bike in the library and then proceeded to mumble under her breath as she walked away (something to the effect of «are you serious???», etc). When I tried to talk to her, she made hand gestures behind her back as she walked away from me. Then she tried to get another employee to pull out her cell phone and take a photo of me (!!) which I informed her was illegal and would DEFINITELY get her fired. It was only when I threatened to call her manager and get her fired (which she SHOULD be because people who value their jobs do NOT treat human beings this way!) and confronted her in French that she backed off. And by then I was out of that damn place anyway.
I was told it’s common sense that bikes are not allowed inside– Wow! Questioning my sensibility! How is that common sense when there is no sign that bikes are not allowed and no place to park my bike? Common sense is something I have. Leaving my bike outside unchained is nonsensical. I bring my bike into almost every shop I go to (because I have had bikes stolen in the past) and I bring my bike into my apartment at the end of the day. Is that also nonsensical, FH library employees? Or maybe the people who work here are the type to double-​park in bike lanes and cross the street when it says «do not walk» and a person on a bike is approaching at full speed. And then blame the biker when they almost get hit.
The employees here need SERIOUS training on how to treat customers. It’s because of US that this godforsaken location is still open and you have a job! Learn from me and AVOID AVOID AVOID this dump of human misery. The people who work here just hate human beings and are not afraid to let you know it!

Offers a great selection of reading material; effective for research purposes. Staff is friendly and obliging, often providing professional opinions and suggestions that generally lead to a more effective outcome. Substantially clean facility, with a child-​friendly department and various areas that allow for prolonged studying/​work sessions.

Who shushes a toddler in the children’s room? This place is just… sad. And rundown. The children’s room is in need of a major weeding. The old books need to go and new books need to be purchased.
The people who think this library is great have obviously not been to many libraries.
All of the staff I have encountered, with the exception of the children’s librarian, are extremely ill tempered and do not belong working in public service.
There needs to be more programs for babies and toddlers.

WORST free wifi. Not worth the aggravation. The staff is not helpful with resolving this problem either. The computers can only be reserved for 30/​60mins and are usually occupied. Even the Internet on the computers is pretty slow.

A decent library in Forest Hills. Clean, organized and staff are efficient. Tranquility exists here. A small library but gets the job done.

If all you need is free wifi and a chair, then this is the place to be, otherwise don’t come here expecting to be productive. Among other things:
–Outlets are limited and seemed to be occupied by people surfing on their mobile devices.
–I guess quiet libraries are a thing of the past because everyone talks in the top of their lungs.
–Foul odor everywhere, particularly in the bathroom
–Rude, unhelpful staff.

I have seen this library go thru many positive transformations in the years I have lived in Forest Hills.
Plenty if room to sit and read.
Easy access to all transportation.
Open till 8PM Mondays and Thursdays.
Cons Need more and cleaner restrooms downstairs. Expand the downstairs event
Room as it is too small.

Wonderful library, clean, organized and staff are attentive and helpful, specially, Mrs. Goldman the children’s librarian. Absolutely quieter than the one on 63^rd Rego Park.
We usually come twice a week, during the week, for my son to work on his homeworks and projects, or just extra research. My son always finds the material he needs. Librarians assist us with suggestions and gives us thier best opinions. Sometimes they have college students, helping children with their homework and questions. That is a big help for some of us parents that might have forgotten a few things or so… forgetful brain. Saturday’s just for fun and some relaxing reading.
Their free events for children, teens and adults are fantastic! The children event are educational and fun, not just for kids but for the parents too! The music or dance events are absolutely entertaining, I love attending to the free concerts.

Decent branch location. I came here a few years back because I was in Forest Hills and wanted to check out the library. The staff were helpful. Computers ran smoothly and it wasn’t full for the time of day that I went. I would return again.

This library is one of the top librarys i like in the queens area, it has 2 floors the top floor is all for kids and is where i leave my daughter to read while I am down stairs reading. On the first floor you can find many rooms where it is available to study or even play chess. The 2 things I do not like is thier bathrooms can be better maintained and the library can be pact at times.

We love this library, I which this bring more music events.
Kids staff and classes are the best!

The last time I tried to use the ²⁴⁄₇ book slot, it was not working. Good going, Queens Borough.

Wow! This is a really decent library. I live in the farther end of Forest Hills, closer towards Kew Gardens. I usually goto the North Forest Hills branch on Metropolitan Ave. It’s really small and not funded as much as this one. This Forest Hills Library is nice! The check out process is all self-​checkout. There’s never ever a line. There’s always somebody ready to help you at the help desk. It’s amazing. You can reserve books and you can change the pickup locations. I haven’t been in public library for over 10 years and so all of this seem really new and cool to me. What I really like about this branch, they got a nice section of graphic novels and some mangas. I’ve been reading up on my Batman. Currently reading Knight Fall Volume 2. «KnightQuest».
Verdict — Excellent library in this beautiful neighborhood. Plenty of bicycle parking in front of the main entrance, location is right off of Queens Blvd, 71^st Continental Ave subway station and bus stop are all within a block. The only minor issue I have with this library are with some of the elderly people who come here. A lot of them are very rude and they seem to cut in front of you whether you’re using the self-​checkout machine or when you’re waiting on line to ask for help from a librarian from the help desk. They simply don’t care but I just look the other way when that happens. Really no point of arguing with a senior citizen in a public library of all places. The librarians are helpful but they sound very impatient when they’re dealing with you.

Pros:
* Great service from efficient, intelligent, helpful employees
* Convenient location right near the Forest Hills subway station, in the heart of the shopping district
* Easy to access website; reserve books online; phone or email notification when books ready for pickup
* Borrow digital books to read on smartphone
Cons:
* Parking very challenging; walk or bike instead of driving
* Can be busy during peak times

Small library. Advance technology for checkout and returns. But who still gives an actual library card and not a key card like they do in Manhattan? And why don’t all the public libraries speak to one another and use one system? You know it sucks having to carry a Manhattan and Queens library card around. Seriously NYC! Get your systems together!

By any standards, the Forest Hills Library is a disappointment. When you consider that this library has had a fairly recent remodeling, however, the disappointment grows further. When you consider the financial means of the area’s many citizens the disappointment turns to anger. I happen to frequent this abysmal library because my mom is an avid reader & her limited mobility makes this the easiest destination option.
It’s a dated, ugly building & it’s innards are equally drab. I get the distinct feeling of being in a 70s-80’s era schoolroom when inside. Depressing & anything but relaxing & conducive to reaching a nice sense of relaxed calmness. Maybe I’m weird in that the aesthetics of where I sit & stay matter to my sense of happiness.
And speaking of nice… on our last visit, I now see they allow loud chess players to long inhabit & congregate a large wing of the library, thus reducing seating options for the elderly & schoolchildren who regularly visit this downer domicile. The older chess men are very loud, rude & their appearance actually makes the library appear even uglier & seedier.. Well done library heads who chose this sterling idea.
Several year ago, I used to often visit an acquaintance in Corona near Junction Blvd & Northern Blvd. I was amazed when the beautifully constructed Langston Hughes Library went up on 100^th st. near there. I was thinking what kind of greased pockets & political chicanery allowed this rather desolate strip to get such a beautiful, large (!) and modern library. And meanwhile, Forest Hills, which has a high median average of living not only has an armpit of a library but gets only the most superficial scant remodeling of it. Like applying lipstick to a pig.
I actually dislike so many things that are just flat out wrong with Forest Hills as a long time denizen. For such nice homes and besides the higher median base of people here-​the amenities & basics are often horrid or merely disappointing.
Plus we had the career political doorblock Melissa Katz represent us for way too long. She did this by masterfully utilizing the senior voting block to constantly re-​elect her by ritual appearances at senior homes, events, etc. All the while neighborhoods like LIC, Astoria & others transcended us by light years in their advancement & development as Forest Hills remained stagnant & uninteresting this last decade. And now Katz is the borough President with the equally charlatan other recent new other borough Prez. charlatans. Falling upward indeed.
Katz is endemic of the career politicians mainly enriching their own pockets than their constituents & rotting our N.Y.C. offices like king toady Sheldon Silver. It’s no wonder Katz is married to ace huckster, self promoter Curtis Sliwa. What a perfect symbiosis of self interest, self promotion & smoke & mirrors not even worth the Windex to clean those dirty mirrors. Bah, humbug!

This is my library so I’m gonna give it 4 stars. For all its faults, and there are many, it’s a library and they’ve been great about going in the direction of modernizing and making up to date books available.
I would agree with prior comments that he staff, while looking a bit crabby, are actually really nice and knowledgeable.

I gave it two stars instead of one, because I love that it offers a drop slot for books on the outside so you don’t need to waste your time by going in. This is normally helpful when I’m running late to work and also racking up the fines on my book [unfortunately, back in my wilder days I’ve managed to rack up $ 34 in fines. Don’t ask. Not my proudest moment]
Cons:
–Small
–Not a lot of options
–bathroom in the basement is filthy and the area is abandoned looking. Overall, the one time I went down there I didn’t feel safe. And not exactly the most sanitary place.
–had bad experiences with attitude from two staff members
Pros:
–book slot outside! If you’re in the area and need to drop a book off and it’s close, doesn’t matter, you still can!
–next to austin street which has some good places to eat/​shop

This is my local library and its pretty simple and small. Not a huge selection of new books or good old ones for that matter. I do use the reserve book option a lot for this reason. The computer areas are always full which I use when I need to print something quick. The place gets packed afterschool and Saturdays. Staff are helpful for the most part and I love the self check out machines. Ive never used their DVD checkout but there’s a decent selection to choose from.

Sometimes the staff here looks unapproachable but in reality they are the kindest bunch of people ever.
They have a decent selection of books overall, not much but you’ll find at least one book you want (Probably more). The New Book selection is excellent. If they do not have a book, they are more than happy to assist you in having it send to their location for you.
And I know this isn’t new but that Check Out System! I can’t get over how AWESOME it is! You just beep your library card, enter your pin and stack your check-​out items on a pad and Bam, done! Receipt prints and you are on your way! LOVE IT!