Bogota Public Library — Attraction in Bogota

This is my home library, and it's one of my absolute favorite neighborhood spots. This library's on the smaller side and attached to a neighborhood senior center but because it's nestled in a mostly-residential area, I've never struggled to find street parking.

The smallness of the library means the self-service aspect of more modern libraries aren't available. Books placed on hold are kept behind the counter, so one of the librarians have to retrieve them AND check out all your books. I see this as a plus and a minus. Sure, my visits take just a little longer, but it means I have to have some human contact with every visit and that's not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, my favorite librarian is a bit of a visual genius. After a few visits, she's come to recognize me on sight and grabs my library holds the second she sees me coming through the door. You don't get that kind of personal service from a machine.

While there aren't a ton of titles in this particular library, the interlibrary loan system works beautifully. I'll search for whatever book I need through the website and - if it's available at another location within the system - I'll receive it here within a matter of days.

I've also come to appreciate the rich programming. There's a busy calendar of events for all ages from month to month, and there was a summer reading program this past summer for all ages, with raffles to incentivize reading. I was happily surprised to be one of the raffle winners, but even if I weren't, I would absolutely encourage locals to participate because there were trinket prizes just for reading a certain number of books.

Though this library is small, the children's section is a delight, complete with a carpeted seating area... and a tree! It's fake, of course, but large and looming enough that it adds a ton of charm. This clearly attracts a lot of kiddos, which sometimes means the library loses its quietude with the squeaks and squeals of little ones. I'm not personally bothered by it, but possibly something to consider for patrons who need...

Best place for passport applications!!

I almost didn’t want to share this information... 😬 but considering that I just had my kids passports done I won’t have to do it in the next 5 years. Soo, this is the absolute best place to submit your passport paperwork especially if it’s for kids. It’s a library so it’s quiet and relaxing. Plus probably not many people know that you can apply for passport at a library so it’s not crowded. I read reviews for Clifton post office and people say it is a nightmare, so if you need to have your kids passports done - go to the library. The staff is friendly and professional. You are in and out in half hour max. They sit down at a table with you while they are going through paperwork. I am so happy I went there...

UPDATE from 4 months ago: This summer was the absolute best! The staff had so many activities going on for all ages. It was the place to be for a lot more than just great reading. It was an epicenter for education, entertainment, inspiration, and fun!

The nicest, most helpful library staff ever. Although I belong to a different library in the Bergen County system, I almost always come here

I love walking in because the atmosphere is always warm and welcoming. There's often a hubbub of activity with people of all ages learning together, reading, using computers, conversing about books.

It seems that the library is much more than just stacks of books. It's really a community center for learning and reading, in a group...