Queens Public Library at Bayside — Attraction in New York

I believe that our Public Library system is one of this country's great resources. I have traveled to so many states and graciously received help from library staff wherever I have gone. Today at the Bayside Public Library, I was curtly told that library resources could only be used by library card carrying NYC residents. There were no accommodations for guests. No, I could not log on to a computer for five minutes to print that single page I desperately needed. Rules are rules, and they are inflexible.

Maybe I have a misguided sense of what the mission of our public libraries should be, but I want New Yorkers to know that if they are ever in need of library services in any other state, I am sure that the staff there will bend over backwards to help a stranger or visitor in need. In both the small towns and cities, I have visited, my experience is that library staff see themselves as ambassadors for their community. Welcoming visitors and treating them with kindness. That is, until I came...

Overall a great library, parking may be difficult to find but the workers in the adult section are very helpful and will definitely do their best to help you find the book you need and the floor people are also very helpful and friendly. However the children's librarian is incredibly rude, I have witnessed her belittling a mother of a child for not speaking adequate English. I have also witnessed the children's librarian complaining about her coworkers to random patrons visiting the library which is highly unprofessional and I have also witnessed her yelling at children, I understand the need for instilling discipline but that is a...

Bayside brunch is my neighbor library. It's not too crowded and has a decent amount of books, including some Chinese books, Korean books and Spanish books. The library has a nice machine to check out and return books. You can also return books from the outside of the library. It scans your book and gives you the receipt so you know for sure you returned your books. The staffs are very friendly and can answer any question you may...