Clearwater Countryside Library — Attraction in Clearwater

Absolutely beautiful new library & lovely adjacent park with the rudest staff of any Pinellas County Library we've patronized. Evidently, they don't realize they are responsible for WORKING with the public... Every staff member gives serious attitude. Their positions are such that one would think by now they'd be accustomed to dealing with the public (one would think but such is not the case...) If they cannot bring themselves to enjoy dealing with the public perhaps they should consider relinquishing their posts to new EE's who would value the ultra strenuous job of being a Librarian. Current staff does not care to be bothered with questions of any sort; do not distract them from surfing the Internet or risk getting some serious stink eye! Of course, answering questions & helping library patrons with a smile until the library is completely closed & everyone is out the door--with a positive attitude--is in their job descriptions per the City of Clearwater. They need to read their employee manuals at the very least. Also, do not approach them anywhere even remotely near closing time if you do not want your head bitten off. Spoiled brat clock watchers with zero customer service skills. Their truly apathetic staff merits one lonely star at this otherwise fabulous library....

My sister and I planned to come here to study and called ahead to ask if we could bring our lunch and use a study room. We were told that eating inside the study rooms wasn’t allowed, but we could have lunch in the lobby, which was no big deal.

However, when we arrived, there were only two tables in the lobby, and both were already being used. We walked in with our food and asked about the availability of a study room. The lady at the desk kept glancing at our food and informed us that no study rooms were available until 3 PM — and we were there at 11 AM.

We explained that we didn’t mind waiting and would go outside to eat lunch in the meantime, but she still said there was no availability. It was frustrating because she could clearly see the lobby from her desk and didn’t mention that the tables were occupied when we called, even though we told her we were right around the corner. She also could have informed us that study rooms wouldn’t be available until much later when we initially asked over the phone.

I’ve been to this library once before and had a great experience, but this time was definitely disappointing.Thankfully there is a library not too far from that we went to and there was 2 different areas to eat our lunch and they had many study...

Not too happy with my first overall impression of the staff. I was rudely singled out by Sue who told me that because of COVID-19, I'm not supposed to be on the computer for longer than 1 hour and she asked me to leave. I don't know if this is a Countryside Library rule, but most libraries actually permit 180 minutes from what I've noticed.

The computers are spaced 1 every other understandably for Covid. She said that it was unfair to the other patrons.

If I could be frank, given my better judgement since there were absolutely no patrons at the computers or shortage thereof, there was just no reason to approach someone and tell them they have to leave because of COVID-19. And this is without faulter, no wrong in my doing, just me by myself at the computer.

So much for pleasantness and how to treat your neighbor, or property taxes I pay for that matter. It didn't...