What's your favorite library branch?

[Anonymous]

There's another thread about where to hang out to work/read and several people said to go to the library over a bookstore. I'm wondering what our favorite library branches are in the region.

Are any particularly beautiful (besides the Library of Congress, of course!)? Who has comfy seating for reading? Good places to get some work done? Best atmosphere? I admit that I go to my closest branch, but I'd love to check out some other libraries in the area for fun.

[Anonymous]

MD DC or VA?

[Anonymous]

The old MLK (main DC branch) was absolutely awful. After a $211 million renovation, which was was completed in 2020, it's a beautiful and comfortable space. The kids area is particularly nice, but the whole building is a pleasure to visit.

[Anonymous]

Last time I was at the Chevy Chase library their librarian choice suggestions were all really good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The old MLK (main DC branch) was absolutely awful. After a $211 million renovation, which was was completed in 2020, it's a beautiful and comfortable space. The kids area is particularly nice, but the whole building is a pleasure to visit.

The kid/teen sections look amazing. And there's a slide?
https://www.washingtonian.com/2020/08/04/photos-look-inside-the-mlk-librarys-211-million-renovation/

[Anonymous]

Southwest Library in DC

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Southwest Library in DC

Wooow!!!

[Anonymous]

Brambleton Library in Loudoun

[Anonymous]

The Olney library is nice.



When my kids were little we went to the Rockville library in town square a lot. It was easy to make an afternoon out it, even in poor weather. I would grab a coffee, then go to Color Me Mine for a craft, then lunch, then the library. We have such fond memories of those days.

[Anonymous]

Just wanted to say that while they have a great selection of books and ebooks, the Fairfax county libraries themselves are extremely underwhelming. They did a major renovation of the Pohick branch a few years back it it's not half as nice as any of the pictures posted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wanted to say that while they have a great selection of books and ebooks, the Fairfax county libraries themselves are extremely underwhelming. They did a major renovation of the Pohick branch a few years back it it's not half as nice as any of the pictures posted.

Ebooks are shared among the county, and in some instances the state.

For physical books you can do inter-library requests so it's delivered to your home library.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Last time I was at the Chevy Chase library their librarian choice suggestions were all really good.

The Chevy Chase library is tiny and reminds of the old library in my very small town. I probably wouldn't pick it as my favorite. The Silver Spring remodel looks like nice but it's not a comfortable place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just wanted to say that while they have a great selection of books and ebooks, the Fairfax county libraries themselves are extremely underwhelming. They did a major renovation of the Pohick branch a few years back it it's not half as nice as any of the pictures posted.

They're older. The Annandale library was a showcase in its heyday.

[Anonymous]

There are a lot of beautiful libraries in the DMV, but I love the homey, 1950s era MCPL Little Falls branch. It's quiet and a great place to work. Easy to park or you can bike or walk on the Crescent Trail.

[Anonymous]

My favorite library branch was HoCo. I was going there regularly both in person and online and it seemed I never had to wait for books and it wasn't hard to find new titles. Now I primarily use DCPL and they're ok but I do have to wait on a lot of books and make suggestions for them to buy more books.

But the multiple library cards and finding the numbers and keeping them active was just stressful. I'm happy to be working with just one.