Flagstaff City-Coconino County Public Library — Attraction in Flagstaff

My kids have always loved coming here but being from an area in Texas where they are updating their libraries to look nice and have lots of incentives for kids to read (especially in the summer), I'm disappointed in the Flagstaff libraries. 1. Both libraries are a magnet for the homeless. It's hard to enjoy a nice picnic at Wheeler park since the homeless will end up asking you for food. 2. I'm just wondering why the youth section clutters the top of their shelves with old stuffed animals, old paper mache projects and other random projects. The ceilings could use a serious makeover since it's still popcorn style. The carpet is who know how old. The mural is very outdated.The stuffed lion and bear are sooooo old and gross!!! The fireplace needs a facelift. The furniture could be replaced with more modern furniture. And the thing that gets me is that there are always people smoking right outside of the entrance. 3. The only perk to this place is they just got a new book drop with a good view for the kids to see the books and DVDs get organized. 4. This place has a few programs for kids during the week that are free but I'd like to see more incentives for kids to READ more. Like a treasure chest for every so many books they read, they can pick out a prize, a really good summer reading program with big prizes for so many books or minutes read. The big prizes could be from local businesses or Phoenix attractions. This place just seems stuck in doing things the same old way from the 80's. Today's smell in the main library was wet laundry, dirty socks and B.O. Overall, this place is a place of reading and learning but needs serious work on the interior design...

This is a wonderful library and I particularly love the beautiful traditional Flagstaff architecture. I haven't had any trouble with the wifi, there is a good selection of books, dvds and cds, and the Free Books offering is a really nice feature. It is big and spacious and comfortable with a marvelous selection of Native American rugs displayed as wall hangings. A wonderful place to curl up and read!

That being said....the reason I can't give the library 5 stars is rather significant. IT'S FRICKEN LOUD!!!! People frequently talk in full-voice conversations, cell phones go off and their owners start talking right there in the library rather than taking the call outside. The librarians do nothing whatsoever to quiet people down. In fact....one of the loudest people in the library IS a librarian! I've heard her having loud, lengthy personal conversations at the front desk on several occasions, to the extent that I was unable to focus on what I was trying to read 20 feet away. Whatever happened to the days of "Shhhhhhh..." that I grew up with in libraries?

Other than that, I think that Flagstaff is really fortunate to have our library and I am very appreciative of having such a great (if...

Was super disappointed to be told several times in a row that there is no better bucks when this library is supposed to be kind and help distribute those resources! It feels biased there are people who come ask for the resources cause they need them!!! And to be told even on days they are supposed to be there "we have no better bucks" sticks me a feeling that they have no interest in helping us!! I'm Local have been for over 22 years now. I can't even look you guys in the eye anymore without feeling judgement over something it's not your job to judge on but help! Hope this review gets posted and you guys learn from it! I'm one of the nicest people to you guys too!! There should be ladies at the desk prepared to help young men not have prejudice intentions nor simply look them up and down and not feel like helping nor actually taking the time to see if you have better...