The Ocean City Free Public Library — Attraction in Ocean City

Okay - I don't live in Ocean City, but am a frequent summer and regular 'off-season' visitor and a BIG reader. The plus side - The library is located in a big center that includes the art museum, the history museum, conference rooms for meetings and events, a gym with a pool and a big atrium where you can sit and work and where they hold events and book sales. The library staff always seems friendly and helpful and there are a variety of periodicals, a computer room, quiet study room great for students. 5 stars on that. The minus side - The events calendar is poor. Most libraries and community activity centers have to sell themselves today with events. Here, if you are a kid or if you are a senior citizen, you might find something of interest, but the selection of activities for those 'in between' are few and seem like they are just copying from some other activity calendar handed down by the ALA instead of finding out the personal interests of the community. One star on that.

11/2021 - I am updating the review. I would still give OCFPL 3 stars, but a lot closer to 2 than before. I am in OC now and though it was understandable to make adjustments for covid, I see that other local libraries are holding in person talks, book clubs, classes. Some require a mask, but went back to in person. Don't understand why OCFPL can hold their book sales, and make their meeting room available and be open for business, but keep the events virtual. Many people in OC, especially older people, have been so isolated, and not many of them are comfortable with Zoom and Skype - a library isn't just a place to take out books, it is the social and cultural center of a small town. Needs to do a better job of...

This is a truly stellar library. The staff at the children’s and circulation desks are absolutely phenomenal! I’ve been to plenty of libraries and while most are wonderful, the staff at the OCNJ library were the most helpful, courteous and really genuinely excited to provide help and information. When I got my card I was told about all kinds of tips on programs and a lot of other things the library provides, such as free and/or discounted passes to a lot of places (like the Cape May Lighthouse which we planning on going to the next day!) I was genuinely pumped to explore thanks to these...

This is the nicest library I've ever been to. They have computers in the kids section which are awesome because they have dozens of games for learning and pleasure for kids under 8 and we enjoyed that for 45 minutes, we then went to the auditorium and watched a free movie in what seemed like a state of the art theater and enjoyed watching "Abominable" on there large projector screen and stadium seating theater with surround sound for free with free snacks and waters. They were setting up a free hot cocoa bar when we were leaving. I wish I...