Sewell Mill Library & Cultural Center — Attraction in Marietta

Very nice library, the film room is a cool place to check out some special events, and I like the rotating art gallery in the lobby area. And I love the Cool Beans outpost in the lobby as well. It's the perfect compliment to the library space: Grab a latte, find a good book, have a seat and enjoy.

I am also a big fan of the self-checkout spot. Yes, automation has a shiny and dull side, but it is convenient if you just want to quickly check out a book or two.

The employees are all friendly, though sometimes it feels like they need more of a customer-oriented manner as they can sometimes be a bit cold in their interaction or initial greeting (as in waiting in line for a minute before being acknowledged).

I wish they would do more 'adult' events in the amphitheater (it seems to be mainly child-focused shows). For example, we went to see a coffeehouse once and, for some reason, they had it inside as opposed to in the amphitheater. Didn't make sense to me.

They do have a few study/quiet rooms, but good luck getting one as a walk-in. Best to book ahead. And finally, the book selection is...light. Not to say you won't find a few books, but it's not an extensive collection compared to some...

This place is ridiculous for someone who actually wants to study for something. I sat in a quiet section and a few seconds later, I was told it was the kid's section. I understood , and went to the front desk to reserve a study room as i could see plenty of rooms were available. I was told they were full and i would have to wait 2 hours to reserve a study room even though plenty of the rooms were empty. I saw rooms with plenty of chairs and tables completely empty and i asked if I could go in there and study. The lady asked me how old I was, as I replied "27". She then shook her head and said "oh, no these rooms are for TEENAGERS " only. There clearly was no one in there. I understand someone being paranoid of adults around children in the world we live in, but having a huge section blocked off for teenagers makes no sense. Yes, if you are going for renting movies, or checking you're facebook page, this is a paradise , but for someone actually trying to be productive it is ridiculous. It should not be that difficult to have a nice quiet place to study. If there is someone who actually wants to read and study , this is what you...

I initially rated this library with one star due to an unfortunate experience of discrimination encountered on our first visit. My three-year-old son, who had already read 300 books as part of a ‘Thousand Books Before Kindergarten’ program at another library, was met with skepticism by a staff member. We were told that he would not be able to complete the program, which was not only discouraging but also reflected a dismissive attitude.

My update: I am pleased to report that not only did my son successfully complete the program, but he also entered kindergarten reading at a second-grade level. I hope this serves as a reminder to the staff to approach every patron with respect and to refrain from making assumptions based on biases.

I urge the library administration to ensure that all employees are trained to support and encourage young readers, rather than hinder their progress with...