R.H. Stafford Library — Attraction in Woodbury

This review evaluates the R.H. Stafford Library according to its function as a library only. It does not account for its exceptionally clean and modern facilities, its spacious and well-supplied restrooms, or its considerable technological equipment.

The principal problems with this library, at least in its current state, are that it tends to be loud, especially from afternoon until close-time, and that the library offers scarce options for the studious visitor to escape the noise, especially compared with any of the several libraries I have visited in the Twin Cites. It resembles more of an amusement park and social gathering place, regardless if considering the lovely outer area by the fake trees and fountains or in the library proper itself. I will address the so-called "quiet" area set off from the main library proper below.

While it is great that the library is kid-friendly, in the afternoon all the way through the evening, the library can often be replete with screaming, sometimes crying, and other loud noises that can be heard throughout the library. But this is really less of an issue to me, since children have an excuse, than than the large group of students who seem to be coming here after school for a study program, most of whom are incredibly loud throughout every corner and hallway of the library. Students will often run through the aisles of books playing tag and laughing (even screaming), or sit and stand along the inner walls of the building near the two paltry study carrels. The vast majority are unsurprisingly not studying and seem forced to be here, with bare minimal supervision from either the activity chaperones or the library staff. This is a major issue.

In the general area where the books are located, there is no escape from the noisy traffic distracting even the most concentrated visitor. Although there are many study tables, they are placed in the epicenter of the bustle. Another area with couches and tables is set near the circulation desk, where the staff are either speaking with one another (yesterday, one staff member would just not stop talking for at least an hour) or helping visitors. Communication with customers is always very professional in my experience, and the staff do everything to help with enthusiasm. The issue is more that the placement of tables and desks, sometimes being the only ones open, are set within easy hearing distance. More than a few times some impatient visitors have even yelled at the professionally behaved staff for minor technical issues, subjecting the entire library to the noise. In the afternoon through closing time, in the table and couch area between two shelves of books, the tables are full of hungry and chatty students eating and talking away. Just to the side and front of this is the staff. All 360 degrees of the user's placement, in most cases in this library, consist of overwhelming distraction.

At the architectural terminus of the "library's" general area, which is often merely a large ill-moderated classroom/amusement park/eating area, there is a designed "quiet" area with admittedly nice desks and ergonomic chairs all set up in rows, like one is in a classroom. This area is hardly sufficient for quiet reading: it tends to be filled with users who are typing loudly, and the aforementioned class members, seeking refuge in the corner of the library's general area to socialize, can be heard talking through the glass doors. The room itself has transparent glass walls on all sides, facing a main road (all the desks face this way), where cars and trucks loudly honk horns and can be heard through the walls. Sometimes the room is sufficiently quiet, depending on the time of day. But it really is a hit or miss.

Thus, if you could really care less about quiet study, the "library" will no doubt be lovely. Otherwise, most of the time, it is the loudest library I have visited in my experience, ill-conducive to serious intellectual labor, hardly a refuge from the usual rat-race from which many of us are so desperately...

This is a nice and quiet little library, and it has an indoor park, too. If for some reason you don't want to hang out in the library, there are plenty of tables and chairs in the indoor park! There's a stage, some vending machines, plenty of books, a children's indoor playground, and connects via a walkway to the YMCA, allowing for fast and easy travel between them.

The library not only has books available to rent, but free Wi-Fi, (you just have to accept the agreement regardless of what device you're on), printers to use, computers to work on, a study area to complete your work, magazines, Chromebooks for students, and even Wi-Fi hotspots. There's also volunteer work and clubs there, as well was temporary events and orientations. This library is quite relaxed with their book return deadlines, as even if you're late, they'll give you a two-to-three week extension until they finally charge you. It's a nice quiet library, and if you sit outside, you can hear the indoor waterfall act like some relaxing...

The library itself is very nice and modern, connected to central park offers different places inside and out of the library to sit snd relax. I give 3 stars because the staff is almost always rude and prudish. First off trying to get a replacement library card is like trying to get a loan, they ask for multiple identification verifications and wont let family members pick it up for you. The staff is very short and rude when you ask questions, today I witnessed one staff lady at the information desk get so mad and red faced at a child for playing in the play area and growling too loud and running that she screamed at him. I agree with other reviews if you want a family library go somewhere else. The city might want to think about hiring new employees, who dont walk around like they...