Portsmouth Public Library — Attraction in Portsmouth

Hands-down one of the best libraries I have ever been to. As a student a while back I spent 8 hours per day 3-days-a-week at this library, and did not once have a poor experience. As far as the library itself goes it is huge in terms of many other libraries I've been in. The building has two floors open to the public. One with a Children's Area, a Teen Space/Book Area, and a Cafe, and the other with a magazine section, three study rooms open for rental if you're interested for up to 2 hours per day, a computer/printing/copying room (bring change if you're planning to print or copy, computer use is free to the public with a slip of paper obtained by asking someone behind the desk), and of course a basic Fiction and Non Fiction books section. The cafe does not serve food, but has a vending machine for waters and coffee is available for $1 if I remember correctly. Three chess boards are also open to public use on the first floor of the library, two on a table and one huge set on the floor near the children and teen's sections. There are 3 sets of bathrooms available to the public. Two downstairs, one for families only and one set of basic restrooms, and a set of basic restrooms upstairs as well. Librarians are always nice and helpful, even if you've been there all day and have approached them multiple times. Overall a great place to visit and have a library card to, though the latter will cost you $50 a year. Take my advice;...

The Public Library is awesome! I absolutely love studying here every day because the librarians are super personable and helpful. They also have one of the finest selections of books and source materials I’ve seen in a long time. The place is tidy and quiet and the staff very knowledgeable about anything you need help with. I am in the process of transferring schools and they have been extremely patient with me and my needs. I am learning disabled so I tend to talk out loud to myself while I am working. They are more accommodating and kind then my own home town library that no trespassed me for the very same thing. The computers are kept up to date and working well and they even have a magazine rack tablet with a ton of magazines and graphic novels. The one thing I love the most is their passion for learning and their commitment to have awesome events and resources for all ages. They have a summer schedule that is pretty awesome, I found everything I’ve needed so far as easily as if the thing found me. I also enjoy picking their brains about plants and growing them. The other thing I want to express is how clean the bathroom is. It is one of the nicest bathrooms I’ve been in. The proximity to town is nice as well. Their schedule though is probably the best part. 9am-9pm most weekdays and open till 5pm Saturday. I love the place and appreciate...

Disgraceful. An insult to the very idea of a library. Abysmal selection of "books" A library is a well, one where you drop the bucket deep to drink of the waters of knowledge, thought, ideas. Unfortunately, this library reeks of partisanship. A clearly fascist edifice where the only ideas found inside are parroted words that fit a specific person or persons worldview or mindset. You will find nothing to challenge or change you, only regurgitated drivel to quell thought. The saddest thing? You will find livelier more colorful or upbeat orthodontist offices than this sterile whitewashed clinic. What makes me weep is children are not welcome in the Portsmouth library. There is no comfortable happy children's area, merely a tepid uninteresting young adults section. As if the Portsmouth library demigods considered children to be an annoying afterthought, not the beating lifeline to its very future survival. Shame on Portsmouth that claims to be so wise and forward thinking yet has a third rate hovel worse than the...