Rahway Public Library — Attraction in Rahway

I really wanted to like this library but I just can't get over the difficulty getting in the building with a stroller, parking, and the rude staff. I just tried to apply for a card here (Mural because I live in a different city) and the older women at the circulation desk (wearing glasses and a short hair cut doesn't speak English too well and wore a white shirt with red horizontal lines) was very rude to me. I said hello and asked about applying for the card and she rolled her eyes because I guess she would actually have to do some work aside from whatever was keeping her attention on the computer. I asked just to double check if I could apply for the card because of the way she responded to me wanting to apply for a card. She said yes and mumbled something else under her breathe not making eye contact. I said I just want to make sure because I live in "X" city. I proceeded to get my ID and license because I know the drill at this point. She said where you live, I said "X" city again and she then pointed at a sign which had a run down of the process which includes 2 separate proofs of address which is silly because WHO WALKS AROUND WITH PAY STUBS AND BILLS? On top of that, why do you need proof of address so bad that require more than a license if I don't live here? Anyway I said I don't walk around with this things (to myself) and she said well you need it for a card- still avoiding eye contact. Needless to say I walked away, no matter what I said at this moment it would have gone over her head anyway, it wasn't worth my time. I didn't want to disappoint my kids so we played for a little and left after about 20 minutes. It was definitely NOT worth the hike up the narrow ramp, fight with the non-automatic doors, or the circles I drove in trying to find parking. It's safe to say, we will not be returning. The are much better libraries around me that I would be happy to go to and are...

This morning at that Rahway library, I was doing a recording. I became parche, so I went to the front desk to ask if there was a water fountain to get a drink from. This lady named Laurent who is one of the circulation associates or assistants said that there was no water fountain in the building. Then she said to my horror, “I can give you a cup and you can go to the toilet to get a drink from the sink.” Being stunned and shocked beyond imagination, I asked her, “Do you go drink from the toilet sink when you need water?” She looked at me square in the face and with shock registered on her face at my retort question and said, “No! I don’t drink tap water.” I am looking at that Caucasian woman and thinking that these people will never ever give up that disgusting mentality of theirs. We are in 2022, and that woman still thinks that water from the toilet sink is good for people like me though it is certainly not suited for her. So I said to her, “I don’t drink from toilet sinks either,” and turned away from her....

Have to give 2 because of how loud this library is and useless as a quite place to study. You be better off using Clark library to study or your college library or stay at home is my advise. Rahway Library is good to get movies, CDs, books or bring your children to the kids section. But useless for students or adults to study. People come in a sit to chat like it's a social spot in the study desk areas, phones rings and start conversation over the phone very easily with no regards of who is next to them studying. So disrespectful. Or sometimes a loud laptop with no headphones playing music or youtube video. Administration of this library should make of this what real library should be. implement no talking signs on tables, enforce noise policies or do something. shame is nice...