Appleton Public Library — Attraction in Appleton

I see a lot of people of upset about the new library writing reviews here and I can totally understand why. Indeed the library feels soulless, corporate, and unwelcoming. I came here on Sunday, looking for somewhere to get out of the house and find somewhere to relax and sink into a good book. Upon my arrival and walkthrough, I really didn't find anywhere that was quiet and cozy to do so. All of the furniture feels temporary in both its comfort and location. I also looked through their adult fiction book collection and it seemed rather bare bones. The building materials and atrium area amplify the noise in the building and decrease the amount of quiet spaces available unless you check out a specific study area. Things I think they could really do to fix this place are as follows: Bring lots of earthy materials indoors, an advanced cafe vending station, create a separate entrance for the kids floor, there is too much noise with kids coming in the main entrance, add lots of sound dampening materials, and lastly bring in decor and artifacts that symbolize the city. I really hope there's still money in the budget, $40m is a lot of money for what we...

I am disappointed with the new library. Sure it’s new and has some pretty aspects, but even that feels uninspiring and felt like the whole library was picked out of a catalogue. There is ZERO coziness vibes to this museum, but clearly that was intentional. The kids area hasnt received much design yet due to just trying to get the library open, so I am hoping with proper signs they could make it feel better but if they do it wrong and boring then 👎🏻 I didn’t have good phone connection down in the kids area which is a NO GO for a mom. Hopefully that can get fixed. **but worst of all is having to pay to park! I get that its in the city, but it such a deterrent. It already is a lack luster experience then add to that having to pay for parking. I am a homeschool mom of 5 boys and would have loved a feel good library to go on a regular basis. But really, I just plan on ordering on the website and running in to get our books… but of course that means I have to have my husband take me so I can run in and not pay to park. Dumb. Such a let down. I preferred the library in the old Best Buy better. If we want a library experience we will have to...

Went to the new library today. Wow talk about an outdated early 2000s ugly office building. More concerned with closing the building then being friendly. 20 minutes before closing one of the employees 'Dave' said to my fiance' & I we are closing we said we know. Then he asked 'and what time do we close' we replied '5 pm' to which he replied 'that means you are checked out and gone by 5pm'. Way to rudely harass patrons during your 'closing duties'. As we were telling the supervisor he walks down and shouts at us 'looks like you still have three minutes'. Probably micro-agressions towards us as he didn't say this to anyone else. Sub par library. Will not be back. Lots of homeless scattered about not getting told to leave. Also, kids eating meals throughout the library ummm gross. Glad the city of Appleton wasted 40 million dollars on this dump with terrible rude employees that harass us. Such ugly furniture in a stale office environment. Don't worry we will relocate to a better more accepting city with a library that doesn't harrass...