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Robbins Library
Category: Public Services & Government Libraries Libraries [Edit]
700 Massachusetts AveArlington, MA 02474
Neighborhood: Arlington Center
(781) 316-3200
- Nearest Transit:
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Massachusetts Ave @ Central St (67, 77, 79)
Massachusetts Ave @ Academy St (67, 77, 79)
Mill St @ Bacon St (67)
- Hours:
Mon-Wed 9 am - 9 pm
Thu 1 pm - 9 pm
Fri-Sat 9 am - 5 pm
Sun 2 pm - 5 pm
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
21 reviews for Robbins Library
21 reviews in English
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Review from George F. S.
Arlington, MA
1/18/2012
The stately central library in downtown Arlington greets the visitor with an atrium filled with classical 19th century paintings and sculptures. The atmosphere is hushed and mixed with the scent of old books. There are many nooks and crannies to hideaway and focus on reading, writing or study. It is easy to get lost in the book collections, the artwork (which you can rent out), the music CDs and the wide selection of DVDs, including current releases. It's a destination when you need quiet tranquility.
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Review from Mark G.
Lexington, MA
10/16/2011
Decent.
Not the easiest to find, as there is not a sign on the street or at least I could not see it. The building stands out but looks like the City Hall. -
Review from Matt S.
Arlington, MA
11/28/2011
What a great place to study! Nice and usually quiet, save for a few hyperactive kids (better than they hyperactive homeless people in the Boston Public Library--or hogging the computers at the Chicago Public Library). Glad that they can get me books from anywhere in their network (and they have a surprisingly decent Transcendentalism collection in that network) and also some things through interlibrary loan. I go in there on a Sunday and just read for three hours, I come out feeling relaxed and ready to start up the week again on Monday--almost.
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Review from Jake M.
8/6/2010 16 Check-ins Here
Oh, thank you thank you thank you, Robbins, for making me excited to go dawdle in my local public library again. What an upgrade over the architecturally moribund Somerville public (my former haunt), which, while fulfilling all the necessary functions, did nothing to promote itself as a central hub of the community. An outdated, decaying physical plant providing the perfect complement to its drab interior, it was just depressing, strictly a dash in and dash out establishment.
Not so Robbins. With its spacious atrium, its mix of classical and modern architecture, and the ready availability of nice deep comfy chairs, it is the Rolls Royce of the Minuteman network. The collection is laid out in a most sensible and efficient manner, allowing for easy browesability and quickness of locating a particular section.
Boasts a voluminous media collection, though film and TV rentals will set you back a buck to check out. At first this irked me, but then I realized that because of it a) more titles tended to be available and shelf ready and b) the discs tended to be in better condition. Whether the implied classism buried in this charge flies in the face of the core ethos at the bottom of the American public library ideal (open, free access to all citizens), I for one am, I guess, am happy enough to pony up a little dough to jump to the head of the line, and support the cause (DVD charges are funneled right into the upkeep of the library itself). -
Review from Carla G.
Arlington, MA
8/18/2011
Gorgeous architecture - the classical atrium room is inspiring to be in (and has wi-fi)! Friendly librarians, good selection, great programs! Its clear the staff puts love and passion into getting the community engaged with Robbins and with books. Parking is awful but that's not the library's fault and if you keep trying, you'll get a space (or take a bus). Long live books!
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Review from Ken M.
Arlington, MA
8/3/2011
It's a great resource here. One of the best things that hasn't yet been mentioned is that you can also take out artwork for six weeks (limit two at a time). The DVD collection is good, the reading rooms are nice, they have a lot of magazines and the opening hours are good (even open 2-5 pm during the school year!). One of the best town libraries I've ever been to.
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Review from Ger T.
Arlington, MA
3/6/2008
One of the most beautiful libraries I've been to in a long time. Three floors of books, with a pretty decent-sized YA section and a massive non-fiction collection. I love the reading room near the entrance, which is one of the only large rooms from the original library building that's in much use (the rest has been converted to study rooms/Friends of the library book sale, while most of the modern library was built later in an add-on building). DVDs are rental-only, but I don't mind donating a dollar or two to the Friends for a good cause. There's also free off-street parking if you drive, which isn't so common for libraries closer to the Boston metro area.
And as a sidenote: the circ people are some of the friendliest circ desk workers I've met yet in any library!Listed in: Library Catalogue!
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Review from Vanilla P.
San Lorenzo, CA
8/2/2009
EXCELLENT library, with a superstar Childrens room accessible via stairs or elevator (aka stroller friendly). The main entrance has a huge circular atrium (might be called something else, but I'm not an architect) with balconies that show off peeks of the top three floors. Awesome staircase out front, great book sale areas inside (both adult and childrens books).
And did I mention PUPPETS? Yes, you can play with them all you want in the kids section. Might help to have a kid with you so the other parents don't think you're a ped-o weirdo. -
Review from Ashley P.
Los Angeles, CA
2/2/2008
It's true, really beautiful library. It reminds me of the newport mansions.
The gardens next door are really beautiful in the spring.
Great place to study/read and very bright. You always need good lighting.
Really good children's section. -
Review from Steph P.
2/17/2011
The library suits me in two ways: I am in the dark ages technologically so I still read actual books, and I am cheap so I never buy them. This library in particular is great. It is huge, beautiful, has a fantastic selection and friendly staff. Did you know you can use the internet at the library for free? Or that you can check out DVDs and CDs? And they have good stuff too, like Entourage and newer movies. Don't know what to check out? Ask the librarian and she will give you a suggestion! They don't have the book you want? Let them know and they will order it up for you and let you know when it comes in! And for the tech savvy you can renew books, reserve books and tickets and search the catalog online.
Listed in: Ahhhhhlington, Frequent Flyer
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Review from Lauren B.
Arlington, MA
2/19/2011
It is one of the most beautiful libraries around. the staff is helpful and they have good collections. I wish there were more hours but that is an issue with town funding. I also wish the parking was better but again not their fault. the library itself is great!
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Review from Cee A.
Boston, MA
12/1/2010
Great Library!!!
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Review from Teri C.
Arlington, MA
3/6/2008
I love my local library. I remember the renovations done back in the 90s (oh hush you) and I love how they were able to incorporate the new building with the old building. It still looks wonderfully historical, but the whole basement is dedicated to children, they are slowly amassing a large CD collection, there are lots of study desks, cookbook selection is decent, etc.
And it's easy to get to. There's a parking lot, street parking, and buses since it's on Mass Ave. -
Review from Aaron B.
Arlington, MA
2/12/2008
Incredibly beautiful library with plenty of places to get reading/work/thinking done. Off-street parking available, which is nice. Good selection of books and access through the Minuteman Library network to an enormous selection. I've been able to get out-of-stock books quickly and without hassle.
Listed in: My Neighborhood
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Review from Tree M.
Arlington, MA
8/9/2009
The larger of the two libraries in Arlington, Robbins is, quite simply, amazing. They have free wifi throughout the library and offer computers, free to use as long as you have a library card. Also supplied are countless places to sit and read as well as more private desks for studying or to block possible distractions. In the Teen Fiction section, three tables are reserved from 3 to 5 in the afternoon, just for students to study and do homework, a very nice addition which has helped me quite a lot in recent years.
The building itself is quite beautiful. The circulation and check-out desk is located in a beautiful entrance with a high ceiling and a wondrous skylight. The architecture is simply breath-taking, reminiscent of an old style mansion with its great column and the endless garden located in the back.
The Children's room in the basement is quite nice and is filled with fun puppets and puzzles, perfect to distract the little kiddies. With the miles of book stacks, they basically have any book you could ever want. Even better, if they don't have the specific book your looking for, they can simply order it from another library free of charge. They'll even call you to let you know when your book is in.
Also offered are computers specifically designated to looking for books and their locations on the Minuteman Library Network. It's all very easy to use and you'll be able to find what you're looking for with little to no difficulty. They also have DVD and TV series for rental, at just $1 a week. Their selection isn't that big but it's quite larger than that of most libraries.
The librarians are some of the nicest around. They are some of the most helpful and patient people around. I've personally known one of the main librarians my entire life. Even after I came into the library after a two year hiatus, growing about 6 inches and dying my hair in the time, the librarian still recognized me and asked about my mother by name. They are very personable and some of the best I've even encountered. -
Review from Cait S.
12/7/2009
Robbins Library is awesome. It is huge, so you have enough space to read or do work without being bothered. The staff is super helpful and friendly. They have an amazing selection of fiction books and if they don't have what you went they will try and find it at another branch. DVDs can be rented for a week and you only pay a dollar per movie.
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Review from Amanda A.
Costa Mesa, CA
9/4/2009
Cute entrance to study rooms, huge DVD collection, great selection of magazines and journals, easy-access computers and wifi, and nice library staff. I love coming here whenever I can, it's a comfortable place to be and the temperature is always right (not an icebox nor a sauna). They have a nice stock of classics, but if I want something contemporary (e.g., Palahniuk, Pinker, etc), I usually have to request the book online. But that is absolutely painless. Arlington has a great library!
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Review from Lara S.
Arlington, MA
12/25/2008
The main library in Arlington, it is housed in a beautiful building and has a nice selection of books. It's also got plenty of places to sit and read or do work.
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Review from Jill L.
Belmont, MA
1/16/2010
The library staff is so helpful and friendly. Great collections.
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Review from M. Deloris D.
Arlington, MA
3/2/2008
This is my main local library and I love it!! The decor is beautiful and well maintained and much of it dates back to the early 20th century. The place is well lit and the property is well maintained. The stacks are well kept and you can check out movies (DVDs/VHS) for $1/week while instructional videos, documentaries, and music CDs are free. The library is open 'til 9 PM on weekdays during the school year, 'til 5PM on Saturdays and there are study rooms available for solo study, group study or, tutoring sessions and study carrels are also available. You also get free wifi. All kinds of events happen here so it's good to check the website for classes or book signings. If there's a book you want and can't find at Robbins, you can request it from any member library of the Minuteman Network and they will hold it for you at this branch for a cost of $0.30 per hold. Another bonus is that few people venture into Arlington so sometimes popular books are easier to snag despite the wait.
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Review from Mike B.
East Arlington, MA
10/12/2009
Hooray for libraries! A bit miffed by the $1 charge for DVD rentals and the charge for inter-library loan - but I guess it goes toward providing the service that I enjoy.
