Where to get an old school library experience

[Anonymous]

Our FCPL branch has some computers, but they are usually idle. My kids go there and head for the kids books section.

Story time for little kids exists weekly, but is held in a separate meeting room.

[Anonymous]

What area are you in? None of our local libraries have as many screens as you are describing.

But to cultivate a relationship with library staff, your kid needs to become a regular. They should go at the same time once a week and hang out for an hour. I am sure after a few weeks, the librarians will recognize them and chit chat.

Or was the point of your post to shame the people who are using the library in a way you don't prefer?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What area are you in? None of our local libraries have as many screens as you are describing.

But to cultivate a relationship with library staff, your kid needs to become a regular. They should go at the same time once a week and hang out for an hour. I am sure after a few weeks, the librarians will recognize them and chit chat.

Or was the point of your post to shame the people who are using the library in a way you don't prefer?

+1 Our libraries are all as you describe. Also, plenty of people can't afford internet at home, so they go to the library to get it. What a great community benefit!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What area are you in? None of our local libraries have as many screens as you are describing.

But to cultivate a relationship with library staff, your kid needs to become a regular. They should go at the same time once a week and hang out for an hour. I am sure after a few weeks, the librarians will recognize them and chit chat.

Or was the point of your post to shame the people who are using the library in a way you don't prefer?

+1 Our libraries are all as you describe. Also, plenty of people can't afford internet at home, so they go to the library to get it. What a great community benefit!

no its not when riff raff and homeless use them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What area are you in? None of our local libraries have as many screens as you are describing.

But to cultivate a relationship with library staff, your kid needs to become a regular. They should go at the same time once a week and hang out for an hour. I am sure after a few weeks, the librarians will recognize them and chit chat.

Or was the point of your post to shame the people who are using the library in a way you don't prefer?

+1 Our libraries are all as you describe. Also, plenty of people can't afford internet at home, so they go to the library to get it. What a great community benefit!

no its not when riff raff and homeless use them

That's a community problem, not a library problem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Takoma neighborhood branch of DCPL. Lovely old building. You can get a DC library if you live in the DMV area.

All of the DCPL branches we use are this way. I think the historic buildings are designed to have the children's sections set aside in a way that doesn't allow for rows of computers in the same space. New buildings may be different, but I think most older urban buildings with many smaller rooms don't have the space to do otherwise.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think most of the Arlington libraries fit this bill. There are some screens at the Central one but not a ton.

I agree. Our local branch is Cherrydale and there are only 3 computers and usually have adults on them doing job searches, looking at news, etc. I loved to bring my kids there when they were young.

[Anonymous]

I’m a librarian, and I do not see what OP sees.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Takoma neighborhood branch of DCPL. Lovely old building. You can get a DC library if you live in the DMV area.

All of the DCPL branches we use are this way. I think the historic buildings are designed to have the children's sections set aside in a way that doesn't allow for rows of computers in the same space. New buildings may be different, but I think most older urban buildings with many smaller rooms don't have the space to do otherwise.

I think this is right. We regularly go to NE library, no computers for kids, old building, and Lamond-Riggs, lots of kid computers, new building. I really wish the kid computers weren’t there. There’s a separate teen section and little kids don’t need access to video games at the library.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Noyes library in Kensington is great

+1,000,000

[Anonymous]

Go to the MLK library in DC. Wonderful kids section with a few seating areas. There is even a wooden slide in the stairwell. You can go to the cafe in the Portrait Gallery courtyard across the street while you are there.

[Anonymous]

OP, I'm not sure where you live but try another branch near you if you can. In Montgomery County, I have not observed what you're sharing here - yes, there are usually children playing in the children's section, but this is encouraged because they are playing with toys provided by the library. Every branch I've been to has quieter areas for those who are looking for quiet work space, and computers are either minimal in children's sections (I think Aspen Hill has just a few) or located outside the children's section (Rockville has this set up). Every branch I've been to has staff who are happy to ask questions, and you just need to choose a branch to become a regular at if you'd like to build relationships.

[Anonymous]

Georgetown DCPL is awesome. I remember back in the day when, if your kid read enough books, you could get free Nats tickets.

Little Falls in Bethesda has a very midcentury modern, old-school feel to it. It's an old, smaller library but it's very charming.

[Anonymous]

Agree that Takoma Park in DC is lovely. Not known by many so let’s keep it a secret it is such a great building. Also homeless free!

Avoid Georgetown and Ward 3 libraries. The sad reality is these became homeless shelters at this point. Tenleytown is terrifying.

[Anonymous]

I like the central ffx library.