salem public library

What am I ticked about? Well the library itself is fine,...even good. The stupid greed of a city that charges a parking meter price is disgraceful. Here is a place where low income people use to be able to take kids to learn to read, have education fun & get turned on to books and adventure, and they rob you today. Cities ought to be ashamed of themselves making libraries another family fun past due to expense once again!!!Thanks Salem. Period.

Our Salem library is a wonderful place to take your kids. They have more things going on that are geared to the kids, on an ongoing basis. Wednesday's are reading, singing and dancing about for different age groups throughout the day. Then after reading time, which lasts a half hour, you can take your child/children to the Discovery Room where they had different themes to explore and play with . A great place to introduce your toddlers to other kids before they head for daycare. They have a great selection of newly released books available for adults and if this library doesn't have it then you can request from other libraries. The joy of reading is the greatest gift that you can give to your kids and to yourself and to think that all of this is free, that is priceless.

I love going into this library and always have. The separation between genre is extremely helpful in locating items. The staff is always helpful and respectful.. Oh and there is plenty of covered parking - as long as you have some coins for the meter.

Friendly staff and a wide variety of resources make this a great destination. The children's section was a favorite of our family for many years, and now the Teen section is where it's at! A small café and lots of sitting area, quiet reading and listening areas, with an auditorium and small book store, it's fun to browse wherever you are! DVD rentals cost $1.00 and are good for three weeks. All in all, a great library. The only downside is metered parking, unless you're willing and able to walk from the free parking spaces along South Commercial Street.

I needed to research an upcoming trip to South America and found multiple books on the area. Took four home ... after getting a library card as this was my first visit to the library. It was a bit hard to find the driveway into parking lot, and it has parking meters ... a surprise to me!

Clean, quiet with lots of places to sit. Large number of computers on the main floor and a HUGE computer center down in the basement with at least 30 PCs set up for use by patrons. BTW - that area is kept very very clean - attendants swipe the computers with antibacterial cloths every time one is vacated. Modern checkout with scanning but still lots of human help. So nice to spend a quiet rainy day afternoon there just browsing til you find that special book, DVD or periodical.

I use the West Salem library due to parking. The parking is awful. The library is large and has lots of room, three floors, etc. If you are willing to deal with the parking, it is a good library. For me, ordering online and using the local one is the best.

Well apportioned, Can purchase from Friends of the library, nice little cafe, and interesting things happening in the auditorium, concerts, sing along movies, travel logs, etc.

Hubby and I visit the Library at least every 2 weeks to load up with books. We have found it to be a really comprehensive library for all genres. We love that you can "rent art"! I have ordered books to be imported for other branches and they have always come very quickly. It's a bright and warm place to visit.

Unlike Portland, with libraries in every neighborhood, Salem has one main library and a newer small library in West Salem. I have not spent time at the West Salem Library so I can only speak about the main Salem Public Library. While it is not handy for children to get to on their own, unless they know how to use the bus system, it does make up for that inconvenience by having a terrific children's library section. Activities and the feeling that books are supposed to stimulate discussion and enjoyment and not silence permeate this wonderful space. You will find kids and adults huddled on the floor looking through books, children doing a variety of activities including a discovery space open when there are volunteers available to staff it, all different ages and hours of story times including bedtime story time, programs to stimulate reading, movies, and not only books but media to loan. It is a very nice place to some hours with children. The rest of the library is also nice with lovely people who enjoy helping folks find books and resources for research or just the pleasure of learning.

The Salem Public Library is a true community asset. Heavily used, and always providing the latest in technology for its patrons and the area. One of the first to provide free computer access, helped start the first Internet service in Salem, now providing e-books. Many programs, mostly free, in their comfortable theater. Outstanding children's center.

One of the best small city libraries anywhere. Welcoming, egalitarian, community oriented, multimedia library and a great little volunteer "friends of the library" bookstore. You can get a recent, used novel for $1.50-$2.00!

A stellar library with very well-trained staff who are always eager to assist. Clean and well planned with easy access to books and other printed materials. A lovely children's library with many activities for children.

Welcoming to all, with a wide range of books and media. Staff are knowledgeable and friendly. A wonderful resource for residents and visitors a like. Excellent collection of Salem history resources.

At one time the Salem Public Library was rated one of the busiest library's in the country for cities the size of Salem. It has a great selection and is part of the Chemeketa Library system which allows you to order books from other libraries.