New York Public Library – Chatham Square Library

I’m not sure how you can give any library less than a 3-​star review… but I digress.
Yes, I am definitely a bookworm. I have yet to get the Geek badge (still trying to figure that out), but maybe Unilocal can also add a Bookworm badge? Then I’ll be going to every single library and checking-​in to get my badge. Wink wink…
I am constantly reading, whether it be magazines, books, and/​or useless flyers that end up in my mailbox. Gosh, I sincerely hope I do not end up with early onset macular degeneration and/​or dementia, because that would be super bummer, ok, I digress again.
I came here today to drop off a few DVDs I checked out previously and also wanted to see what was on hand here.
First floor has adult nonfiction/​fiction, young adults section, DVDs/​CDs/​audiobooks labeled for English and Chinese. I like that the libraries also have a section for new fiction/​nonfiction, you will always find me making a beeline to that section first! There is also a section for Chinese DVDs for rent at $ 3/​day, not sure what that is all about. Mmm, I’ll have to go back and investigate. They also have many computers here for public use. The photocopier at this location works, but the printer card machine is not working, so instead of paying 15 cents/​copy, you will be paying 20 cents/​copy. That price is kind of steep…
I wandered up to the second floor, but soon realized it was the children’s section. I stood on the 2^nd floor landing looking a bit confused, only to have the 2^nd floor librarian yell at me about something. I quickly replied, «I am fine» and scurried back downstairs like a scared little mouse. But on the way down to the 1^st floor, I started admiring the beautiful photography exhibition on the wall of shots taken of Chinatown. Oh, to find the beauty in small things.
This library has a different selection than what Seward Park carries and I found many books that focused on Asian Americans, so that was neat to see. The library definitely caters to the Chinatown community, which I applaud.
Solid library in the heart of Chinatown, nothing glamorous, but if you need a «library fix,» it’ll get the job done.

Came here to print early on a Tuesday morning. The guy working was so very helpful. My first time using the library in NYC (not from here) and he made it a good one.

Most of the time im not able to fine a seat in here due to older Chinese men sitting, drinking tea, talking loud as if it were a hangout. I do notice the security doin there best in wsking out people from sleeping on the chairs. I remember when the library was a quite play to study. now its a new place to hang out! Can some one address this? Lets see!

It looks nice enough, and anything Chinatown is less homeless and bum orientated which of course is a good thing with such a slum clientele wasting their dying lives away everywhere free & public, but it’s mad small and a pretty lame library in the definition of to be honest.

I love this library due to their Chinese language selection. I’m learning mandarin so it helps to be able to rent DVDs and books in mandarin so I can practice using real world language. It’s also very clean and the people are helpful enough. Love the wifi access as well.

I went in quick just to look around, and this is a cute little branch. Decent selection, and a clean environment.

From my perusal, it looks very nice. It’s quiet, clean and well organized. If they actually enforce the rules against offensive body order, unattended children & letting the homeless hang out and bother folk, I could be persuaded to come into Manhattan to take care of my library needs. The DVD collection was okay and it felt like a place where everyone would be welcomed. A bit of a hike from the F train station but maybe that’s why it’s more quiet here.

As much as I love this local branch, i still reminisce about the library it once was before years ago before their major renovation (nearly a decade ago). While brightly lid, the current layout doesn’t utilize the space to it’s best advantage. This location used to be filled with floor to ceiling wooden shelves and rows and row of books. The lower archival/​Chinese section was more impressive and now is simply stuff in a corner where oversize tables and computers are front and center with an awkwardly redesigned set of stairs. The main architecture is still there so it does retain something of it’s original appeal — the grand staircase and arched windows. Nowadays I rarely head up to the children’s area but as a kid there would be presentations and events on the top floor, which I’m not sure still remains open to the public.

I haven’t been here in so many years. I remember I used to come borrow children books as a kid. It’s a really small library, crowded, and it is kind of dirty, given the location, since it’s in the middle of markets, stores, etc. The staff are very helpful and kind, especially the man on the 1^st floor who helped me. The only things I hate about this library is that check-​out and returning, you have you stand in the same line, up the stairs and the cd section, it’s like you have to dig in your hand to look. They don’t have that much CDs and DVDs, even though they do have good CDs, and a huge selection of chinese DVDs (it IS in Chinatown).

what i like about this library is the presence of so many asians, mainly those of chinese descent (obviously, as this is in chinatown), in all its floors. i’ve seen some of them deal negatively or behaved like completely ignoring the black lady security staff who i always see walking around the ground, doing her routine. they look like they despise her.
i also like going here every chance i’ve got — i enjoy using my laptop & accessing the library’s free wifi. it’s great feeling to be doing all these things in a book reading public place in the midst of a heavily commercialized section of manhattan.

This is the busiest branch in the NYPL branch system (The circulating library on 40^th St. and 5^th Ave. isn’t a branch). People are lined up at the door before the branch even opens. If you’re lucky enough to be in front you may get those first DVDs, but chances are you’ll get run over by the other patrons. They’re serious about those DVDs. Its location in Chinatown boasts a large collection of books in Chinese and books about China, as well as Chinese VCDs and DVDs.
If you want to see something crazy, go to the summer reading celebration for the kids. Hundreds of screaming kids. Screaming for ice scream.

I like this library… it’s cosy and the only place you can sit in the oasis of peace and quiet around noisy and bustling Chinatown and comes with free Internet too!

Renovated in past 5 years. AND it has books in Chinese.

This is a pretty small library, but I live like five blocks away, and I put massive amounts of holds on my card, so I just pick ‘em up here. Great service. Though… the hours are short. They close at six on most days. Closed sunday. Thursdays they close at eight though. The children’s room upstairs is pretty nice. They have a neat selection of children’s books. There’s a chinese/​newspaper room downstairs. The main level is YA and Adult stuff. Their dvd/​video collection is expanding. Good classics section (they have most of the Shakespeare stuff). It’s really hard to get a table on regular hours unless the weather is terrible. Erm. If you want internet connection, you have to sign up and it takes forever. Other than that, this is a very sufficient library that I’ve been going to for about ten years now.