Allentown Public Library

Large library with so many sections and selections. The front desk staff is always helpful and friendly. I like that books can come from other libraries for rent. Only issue is that it is a hub for the homeless, which is fine they need somewhere to stay warm in the winter, sit and rest. I understand that. What I don’t appreciate is that they use it more like a social bar than a library. The noise levels can get high. The staff can only do so much and I don’t blame them. One time a guy was yelling into his cell phone how he just got released from jail for assault! Maybe security would be helpful, or a policeman.

Great library. But rather than reaching out by phone, email, snail mail, they handed my info to a collection agency (Unique Management Services) for overdue books. My first notification was a debt collector. How very un-library, and how very 2025 enshittification. All books are now returned and fees will be paid, but never again. I now have an online library that is bigger, and no late fees, I download and keep - for less than the APL fee system. The books I have to donate will go to a different library system.

Love this library, the staff is helpful and friendly. I’m so grateful that libraries still exist and that I have a good one in my neighborhood. It’s the only inside public place that you can come to that doesn’t require you to spend any money whatsoever. Instead everything is available for free with the exception of using the printer which is still only 25 cents. Seriously think about that. Theres so many resources available to everyone. Support your local libraries people!

This library is great for researching and for reading older texts. The build itself is very nice. However it is filled with the homeless and there are drug users in the bathroom. I would not bring your children here. Not the safest place.

This library is a joke and so are the entitled staff members who work there. As if just standing around doing nothing all day whilst being paid by our tax dollars wasn't enough, they're extremely rude and condescending. They lock the bathrooms whenever they want and say it's because there's a "plumbing issue".... they've had this same plumbing issue for years and still haven't fixed it? I'm a diabetic and need access to the restroom, and a restroom located in a PUBLIC building should be accessible at all times. The library opens at 8 and the bathrooms open at 10. Is that even legal??