Cohoes Public Library — Attraction in City of Cohoes

This library is beautiful & quaint, situated inside an old cathedral style church. It has a decent selection and is kept very clean.

HOWEVER I caution anyone with special needs, therapists, resident aid's or anyone with children with special needs not to go there! My son is autistic, and I'm trying to expose him to as many public places as possible so that he can learn how to behave accordingly. As with most ASD cases my boy is sensitive and can become overstimulated. When this happens he has what looks like a bratty tantrum but it's really a cry for help & understanding because since he can't verbilize his needs/concerns he screams & thrashes. After the third time of not being able to calm him we were packing up to leave (sorry it takes a minute to gather things and leave since I'm also 9 months pregnant, I can't just RUN when someone is disturbed by something my baby boy can't control) when one of the librarians, with her back turned to us putting books away said, "if you can't get him under control you'll have to leave -it IS a library and other people are being disturbed!" She didn't even introduce herself. If she weren't putting books away I wouldn't have even known she worked there. Disgusted & mortified his therapist and I rushed him out the door which is what we were doing anyway if she had just given me a minute. She told me that maybe I shouldn't have him in a library since he can't read anyway.. Maybe I'm being an overprotective momma but I'm shocked and hurt by how she handled things and I'm pretty discouraged now. I'm well aware that you should be quiet in libraries which is why we were leaving. Maybe had she introduced herself and explained the policy without being so blaintly rude with her back turned and stating "it IS a library" then I wouldn't be so offended and upset. I chose this library because they have a section made for young children and I've seen a group from the center of disabled there using the computers at times so I thought they had compassion. I...

Before when the library was located over by the otb place I never had any issues I always brought my books and dvds on time and where they moved into the senior center I always have issues with my dvds saying they are late when they aren't this is the second time I’ve had this happen to me and this is the absolute last time I’m never coming back to this branch again. Always an issue and a thorn in my side. If I could give this place a zero I would.

And by the way I found the items back on the self when it says it’s never returned. Taking my time and video borrowing elsewhere and I think anyone who’s had this problem...

I want to say thank you to Cohoes Public Library. My daughter and I have been interested in our heritage and recently came across their geneology club they were very helpful. They pointed us in the right direction and have sparked a new interest for us. We are now looking a bit deeper and grateful for their help. I am sure we will be consulting them again and I highly recommend them for anyone that is looking into their own history. The staff is great and...