Franklin Public Library — Attraction in Franklin

I would like to preface this review by stating that my comments pertain solely to an incident involving a mother who attended the "Tales for Twos" program on October 8, 2024, at 9:30 AM.

On this particular morning, the program had a higher attendance than usual, which understandably resulted in a more boisterous atmosphere typical of a room filled with toddlers, most of whom were around the age of two. Those familiar with child development recognize that young children naturally seek to explore their surroundings and engage with the activities presented to them. Miss Briony, the instructor for this program, consistently demonstrates exceptional skill in fostering a welcoming and encouraging environment for the children to enjoy themselves.

However, on this day, the noise level was notably elevated, and the overall environment felt somewhat chaotic. Importantly, none of the children were behaving disrespectfully or dangerously; their actions were entirely typical for toddlers. Unfortunately, a particular mother chose to interrupt Miss Briony during her lesson, addressing the entire room of approximately 40 caregivers and their children in a manner that was both rude and inappropriate. While I understand that the noise level was higher than usual, there was no justification for her to chastise the adults as if they were children themselves.

Additionally, she intervened physically by stopping my child from exploring a cabinet door, which is a natural behavior for a two-year-old. While setting clear boundaries is essential, it is not appropriate for one parent to assume the role of another’s caregiver in a non-threatening situation. The program is designed to be a safe and supportive environment for all children, and it is disheartening that a member of the board felt compelled to address the attendees in such a presumptuous manner.

Following the incident, a friend and I discussed our concerns with the assistant director, but we felt our issues were dismissed. Their response seemed condescending, suggesting that our concerns were not taken seriously. This experience has been disappointing, as my family has previously enjoyed this library and its programs. However, the handling of this situation felt unprofessional.

I would advise caution for parents considering this library's programs, especially if their children are typical toddlers who may exhibit normal behavior in such settings. It may be advisable to ensure that children remain still and quiet, as there seems to be a lack of understanding and tolerance for the natural behavior of...

While I truly appreciate this library for its convenient location near my home and its cleanliness and organization, I find myself struggling with the level of noise allowed in the study spaces. I recently came here to study for my upcoming licensing exam in one of the study rooms. Initially, it was relatively quiet, but after about an hour, a group of younger men sat in the room next to mine. They began making continuous phone calls to their 'clients' and then spent over an hour on a Zoom call. I could hear every word of their conversation, and I imagine others in the library could as well. While I’m not one to typically complain, I believe there should be a more consistent effort to maintain a quiet atmosphere, especially in a...

They don't have a very large selection like I'm accustomed to from NYC; but the staff is so nice. They also have some good events for children at the library; what I really love is the ease of borrowing from other branches at your local branch (as long as it's part of the county). Anyway, I really like it a lot. My son loves playing in the kid's area. They also have things that you can use for like resumes and job searching like copy machines, computers, printer, and even a...