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Watertown Free Public Library
Category: Public Services & Government Libraries Libraries [Edit]
123 Main StWatertown, MA 02472
(617) 972-6431
- Nearest Transit:
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Main St @ Thaxter St (70, 70A)
Main St Opp Chestnut St (70, 70A)
Main St @ Chestnut St (70, 70A)
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
17 reviews for Watertown Free Public Library
17 reviews in English
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Review from Dan B.
Waltham, MA
10/24/2011
I can state that the Watertown Free Public Library, and by extension I guess the whole Minuteman Library network, is a top notch operation. I can say this because, as I'm no slouch in the friend making department, I very rarely get the chance to read anything that isn't a clumsily misspelled email or a throw away text-message, lol:)
What I like about this library in particular is the staff. I never have to endure a conversation if I don't feel like it, but if librarian is excited about a particular piece of literature that I'm checking out, they'll offer suggestions. For instance, did you know that Simon Pegg is a frequent guest on some podcast? Me neither. Plus this: a coworker might be unduly impressed if you're carrying around a copy of Lolita or Tropic of Cancer, but a librarian knows that you're either a) a pervert or b) making your third half-hearted attempt at making your way through the Modern Libraries list of the greatest fiction of the 20th century. Either way, the humility is refreshing.
On a side note, and even though the same might not be true for female patrons, and if it's not than that's just awful, but the restrooms are super. For one thing they're clean. For another, they have those super powerful hand dryers that damn near blow the skin off your fingers. It may be a problem that those are so loud, what this being a library and all, but it's worth it. For whatever reason, as soon as the library's automatic door slides open my colon starts to rumble. Not sure that this is the library's fault or not though. It may be that the library is only a fifteen minute stroll form my work, which I take as my post-lunch constitutional.
All that said, what ever happened to silence? The place sounds like a playground. But then, why are kids hanging out at the library? Because learning is fun. -
Review from Cyn C.
Chicago, IL
1/18/2011
This public library is my favorite one, EXCEPT for the lack of free or long term parking. I'm a grad student, so settling in for 6-8 hrs to work on my stuff is all in a day's work.
But I can't do that here b/c of the metered parking with stingy 3 hr limits (or was it 2 hrs?).
However, if you take the bus, you can be here ALL day. There's a cafe with pretty darn good food, or you can hop across the street to UpperCrust for a slice to sustain you. Free wi-fi and lots of light.
what more can you ask for? -
Review from Suzanne S.
Watertown, MA
8/26/2011 1 photo
This library is not close enough to be my everyday library, but I was very impressed by my trip here. The renovated building looks and feels great, the staff is friendly and they offer a really extensive collection of classes, groups and services.
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Review from Annie I.
West Newton, MA
1/6/2012
really nice place to study, if starbucks is to noisy for you
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Review from Cat L.
12/2/2009
I don't mind paying taxes when they're spent like this.
The new part of the library has clean bathrooms, comfy armchairs, plenty of outlets, a coffee shop/snack bar, and terribly useful meeting rooms.
The old part ---- ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh ---- so beautiful! This reading room feels like a lounge in an Edwardian train station with big carved wooden tables and newspapers displayed all around you and antique lighting fixtures.
When you get really hungry, hop across the street to the Upper Crust.
Studying here is the upscale version of the basement library/Domino's combo I pulled throughout college.
They have lots of books and movies, too.Listed in: Watertown! It's neat!
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Review from Betty P.
Peabody, MA
8/8/2008
Okay, I guess I am a slight dork and a really huge fan if I am reviewing a library on a Friday night. :)
I LOVE the newly renovated Watertown Free Library!!! I used to frequent the Newton one but am so glad there is one in my backyard now. The library is super clean and organized, and has a large circulation. And if there is something you can't find, you can get it from one of the affiliated libraries. (But you can still return it to your home branch once you are done.)
There are workshops here too and a cafe which sells used books. Wifi . . . ample parking . . . a cute kid area . . . lotsa DVDs and CDs in their inventory. The list goes on and on. I just wish it was open on Sundays in the summer!Listed in: The Lowdown on H20-town
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Review from Erin C.
10/31/2009
I made a New Year's resolution to not buy any books this year. The library has helped me keep this resolution! This branch of the library is a great sized and clean library with WiFi, desks, computers available, and private rooms you can reserve.
They offer out laptops to borrow during your stay at the library and if you forget your headphones they have some you can borrow too.
This branch has a big following and I"ve noticed that the teen sees a lot of action with kids hanging out and attending the gaming sessions.
After I park in their super convenient parking lot I walk in and I'm instant smiles. -
Review from Renee H.
East Watertown, MA
1/2/2008
This library is truly fab! It has single handedly brought back my love of reading! Did you know, you can go to this brand new, beautiful building, pick out any book you like, and bring it home for free? Seriously!
I don't know if this helps you picture how beautiful the new building is, but it doesn't even make my allergies act up! That is huge, because I can't even walk into a book store without starting to sneeze!
An added bonus... the staff are very friendly and extremely helpful! Even if you do not live in Watertown, you should definitely check this place out! -
Review from Lidya T.
East Watertown, MA
2/26/2008
I have lived in Watertown for 2 years and shame on me that I never stepped into this gorgeous state-of-the art library until recently.
This is the best neighborhood library that one should be proud of. I have been borrowing my books here since i 'discovered' it and will keep coming here to satiate my intellectual knowledge. This library offers a wide variety of books, workshops for kids and adults and a very conducive environment for studying. Because the library belong to the extensive Minuteman Library Network, i have no problem borrowing any kinds of book through the online catalog search and request-to-hold features. Good facilities indeed. -
Review from Robin G.
Lunenburg, MA
1/1/2011
Nice clean place and it was perfect to spend some time I had to waste for a party I had to go to a few hours after work.
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Review from Jason J.
Waltham, MA
12/29/2010
You can take out as many books, dvds and cds as you like. Unless you have 5 or more dollars in late fees you are welcome to unlimited resources.
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Review from Claire W.
Newton, MA
11/12/2007
I first visited this library on a quest to find "the next book" in a kids series my son was reading. Our closest library is the Newton Free Library. It was a pleasant discovery, and I have returned here since for a number of kids books. The library is new, both the kids and teen rooms are quite active. There is a "Cafe" on the premises, which is a nice spot to stop for a coffee or a sandwich. The walls of the cafe are filled with gently used books for sale to benefit the library building fund. The library is close to Watertown Square, and has metered parking behind.
Listed in: My Neighborhood: Newton and…
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Review from Rose K.
Boston, MA
6/26/2009
Really wonderful library, and I say this coming from the back bay library! The major advantage this place has over Copley: it's frickin' clean! Gleaming restrooms, pretty facility.
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Review from Byron M.
Framingham, MA
12/31/2009
This is an awesome place. Why buy books when you can borrow them from the library. What a concept. They do it really well. I also like their dvd and blueray collection. It is really pretty good and free too! They are part of the minute man library network and you can get books from participating libraries as well. Cool!
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Review from Daigo F.
Watertown, MA
1/26/2007
Is a very very good library! My son loves going to the library, and when its cold like this, it is an awesome place to hang out.
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Review from bill b.
New York, NY
3/23/2010
way overrated. the cafe, nothing special, just a way to make a few dollars serving cheap tasteless factory food.
the library itself; nothing special at all, just a new public addition to a public building like any other new public addition. bland but functional architecture. the old library is very good - lots of old wood - but not worth a trip. if you want to see a really great old library with plenty of old wood, try concord - or better yet - try lincoln.
the problem i have with the watertown library is that they have no books. they spent millions on the new addition and they have very few books. what a waste of money. most that they have are bad books. what they need to do is get amazon's top 1000 books and have enough on hand for everyone. and they should also monitor how many times a current book is used and archive those that get no use after a year or so. if you want one of those books, find it in the catalog and ask for it.
as for the librarians, two are very good, but many of the old women are battle-axes, like you may have had in public school. nasty authoritarian types who get in your face for no reason (and i'm not some teenager doing anything wrong). these librarians are control freaks for absolutely no reason and create a prison atmosphere.
try the other libraries in the system, which have much nicer atmospheres to while away your time with a good book. i recommend arlington, concord, and especially lexington and lincoln.
and if you have not used the online minuteman system definitely check it out - that gets 5 stars. -
Review from Deb C.
East Watertown, MA
8/11/2007
Admittedly, I have not made much of a foray into the adult section of the library as of yet, but the children's room is fabulous. Lots of toys to mess around with, clean, sunny & some great choices for kids. Massive DVD collection, and when we arrived on a rainy Monday last week, they were showing "Happy Feet." That said, I went to find a pretty common Updike novel, and they didn't own a copy. Hm. I'm far more likely to buy a book if I really want it, but the 'brary is my 1st stop when I am trying to build a syllabus for school. When most towns are cutting hours & funding for libraries, Watertown builds a new one--rock on.
