Brooklyn Public Library - Williamsburgh Branch — Attraction in New York

Nice library. Friendly staff. Could use some security. I work remotely and was doing a bit of work there just to get out of the house and a clearly mentally ill woman was muttering to herself for about 30 minutes and turned her attention to me threatening to kill me last week. They asked her to leave and she did after about three more minutes of threats at me. No one was hurt or anything but I know this kind of stuff happens at libraries in NYC all the time. Just disruptive behavior, harassment, lack of awareness of those around them, violence, and theft. Libraries are a net good but the mental illness and homelessness that runs rampant in NYC have turned most of them into homeless shelters during the day. No judgement obviously. I pray for these people but no one should feel unsafe at a public library. There needs to be more security. I don’t feel safe going there to work anymore since...

I truly don't know where any bad review is coming from. This is the most beautiful library I've ever seen in my life. They have pamphlets and flyers for reccomended book lists and relevant events (job fairs, social groups, etc) held there for the community. Its easy to print at the printing station. There are self serve kiosks for checking out books, adding a few bucks to your card to print, and checking your due dates. There are no late fees and librarians are incredibly helpful and kind. There are huge wooden tables everywhere in big rooms full of light where people can read and work and just be. They even have outdoor tables near the front door in the garden where you can access the free wifi and work. I could easily spend...

Many of the patrons are apparently homeless or obviously mentally ill. They run this place. The librarians are either untrained or unwilling to deal with their disruptions.

They will harass women, intimidate children, and make a flat out unpleasant experience for anyone trying to use this beautiful public space. The staff is either willfully ignorant of this behavior or tacitly encourages it, Stanford Prison Experiment-style.

Sure, this is a systematic failure of our society and librarians aren't necessarily the best people to provide care for the mentally unstable but there are dozens of other public libraries in Brooklyn, Manhattan and Queens that are not literal danger zones for people just...