New Port Richey Public Library — Attraction in New Port Richey

Rude Staff and False Advertisement of Hours of Operation: Stopped by while in the area to quickly use my personal laptop to send out an important document that my boss needed. I wasn’t checking out material, looking for items or lingering. I was clearly on a mission. The library closes at 5 according to: Google, the library’s door and the library’s staff. However, at about 20 minutes til 5, staff came around to make patrons aware they close at 5. Great to give people a reminder to be prepared and start making final preparations to leave. No problem with this. I even thanked the lady and acknowledged that I was quickly finishing up. Since they were closing I called to make sure the document was received. Staff came back at 5 minutes til to tell me they were closed. I asked if they close at 5 and was told they were closed. As I walked out, I noticed a staff member standing in the office doorway with a purse on her shoulder ready to leave. While I was rushed out the door…before 5…an elderly man (with items to drop off) was coming to the door as I was walking out. I politely held it open and told him to enter at his own risk. What neither of us knew was, the staff had already locked the entry door before 5. The elderly man came back out after leaving items and a staff member followed him and asked if we had unlocked the door. The elderly man was fast with a sharp comment in jest and said yes, he used his key! I had not even made it to my car as I watched staff members hurriedly get in their vehicles to leave. By the time I talked to the man, watched the librarian check the door’s lock, crossed a street and got into my car…it just turned 5:00. I took a picture of the hours on the door and my car clock. For clarification purposes for the public, what is closing time at the New Port Richey Public Library on a Friday? 4:30 pm? 4:45 pm? 5:00 pm? If earlier than 5, please adjust on Google and other...

Came here to do some work and study. Guy came in talking loudly across the library to one of the workers, as if he was walking into a club. There's people on their phones throughout. Found an area that said, "Quiet Room". To which there were 3 men sitting right outside the door talking and laughing as if there was a party. I mentioned something to the workers, and they did nothing about it. I had to address it myself. Then later a women came in eating loudly and banging things around. Again, I mentioned something to the workers. Nothing. When I addressed it myself, the lady told me I was being rude, because she's an amputee. As if that was a reason to come into a "quiet room" making all the noise. Then she was joined by a man who proceeded to have a conversation with her in this "quiet room". When I addressed that, I ended up getting threatened. Mind you, I still hadn't seen one worker address my concerns. But when I lost my temper after getting threatened, I was asked to leave the "quiet room" because I was disturbing this "public space". When I asked what the purpose of having a sign and door outside, I was told "this is a public magazine room and my expectations were not reasonable". To which I responded by offering the definition of the word "quiet". And asked what the difference was in the main "public area" and "quiet room" was? She mentioned they are able to have conversations to do their work and the main area...

I visited this Library on a recommendation of a friend in New Port Richey and was very surprised to see how advanced their services have become. Upon entry of the building I noticed how organized and well planned the different areas were. The check out and information desk was well staffed and just inside the front doors, with the public computer access terminal banks being located opposite the Customer Service desk. There appeared to be over 25 to 30 available terminals, and half a dozen were being used. The decor was open and friendly with the upstairs being an open loft style which really gave a light and airy feeling. The book sections were very well marked and there were well designed reading tables and chairs positioned throughout the 1st floor. Videos and video game sections had their own well marked areas. I didn't go upstairs to the 2nd level, but there is a curved staircase as well as an elevator for handicapped access. There are Business Services available, and I requested a Notary service which took less than 5 minutes to complete. One of the best parts was the central Downtown location in a beautiful and stylish brick building. Was the staff friendly and knowledgeable? Yes Yes Yes, a very pleasant...