Minneapolis Central Library
Minneapolis Central Library
3.5
About
The largest library of the Hennepin County Library public library system. It bills itself as having "the third largest per capita public library collection of any major city in America with a collection of more than 2.4 million items—including books, DVDs, music, government documents."The 353,000 square foot building with two levels of underground parking was designed by Cesar Pelli and open
Duration: More than 3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
3.5
12 reviews
Excellent
4
Very good
4
Average
0
Poor
2
Terrible
2
Lapster2011
Jacksonville, FL1,586 contributions
Apr 2017 • Solo
Could not miss the wing-shaped steel roof: a real eye-stopper. There was major construction at the main entrance, but did not hear the noise or see the dust.
Commons area split the 2 blocky buildings into a pedestrian atrium. Walkways joined floors from each loft-style section. The design was warehouse modern, with straight angles and no classical arches.
Concrete supporting columns almost had the lily-pad look of F.L. Wright’s Johnson Wax Building. Overall feel was that of a transparent beehive, busy but quiet, and extremely well lit, with natural light and artificial ones.
Free Wi-fi was excellent.
Ookla speed test (x2):
Download: 18.6- 40.5 mbps. Upload: 77-99 mbps.
(comparison. Comcast Xfinity. Download 29 mbps. Upload 5-6 mbps).
Well worth a pit stop on an architecture tour. Or watch Youtube videos on a fast wi-fi connection.
Missing: an actual garden in the atrium! And a fountain or pond to soften all the angular lines.
Commons area split the 2 blocky buildings into a pedestrian atrium. Walkways joined floors from each loft-style section. The design was warehouse modern, with straight angles and no classical arches.
Concrete supporting columns almost had the lily-pad look of F.L. Wright’s Johnson Wax Building. Overall feel was that of a transparent beehive, busy but quiet, and extremely well lit, with natural light and artificial ones.
Free Wi-fi was excellent.
Ookla speed test (x2):
Download: 18.6- 40.5 mbps. Upload: 77-99 mbps.
(comparison. Comcast Xfinity. Download 29 mbps. Upload 5-6 mbps).
Well worth a pit stop on an architecture tour. Or watch Youtube videos on a fast wi-fi connection.
Missing: an actual garden in the atrium! And a fountain or pond to soften all the angular lines.
Written April 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stan W
Minneapolis, MN694 contributions
Jun 2019 • Business
Came here for an event. Library staff is helpful and it's clean and well maintained. After the event, visited the Dunn Brother's coffee shop. Overall a good experience
Written June 15, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lk12318
Bloomington, MN42 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
Come for the books, stay for the whip-smart librarians and Special Collections on the upper levels. This place has amazing architecture, ample resources, and unique programs (D&D clubs, therapy animals, job-seeker resources). Yes, this is a place where homeless people hang out, but most of the people other reviewers are complaining about are congregated on the first floor. If you wish to avoid this, then head to floors 2-4 where it is quieter and there are fewer people.
Written January 8, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark M
4 contributions
Aug 2023 • Couples
Where to start - The building looks impressive from the outside - but enter from the Nicollet Mall side and it’s a sea of homeless people, drug dealers, mentally I’ll and public urinating- you just have to plug your nose. The outdoor seating area and adjoining bus shelter wreak. It’s like being in San Francisco. The library needs to decide if it wants to be a homeless shelter or a library. Not a pleasant place to visit.
Written August 8, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Zach
Eagan, Minnesota37 contributions
Sep 2016 • Solo
There's like...stuff all over the toilets at all times (looks like puke) and it's just ghetto as hell in here. A fight literally just broke out and security kicked them out. And yeah, there are cameras in the bathrooms.
Basis of review: Come here weekly for studying with tutor
Basis of review: Come here weekly for studying with tutor
Written September 28, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Officer137
Scandia, MN12 contributions
Aug 2017 • Solo
It's a dump appears to be a large daycare center for the city's degenerates inside and outside of the building. It could be a vary nice library if they could get rid of that till then the employees have their hands full especially the cleaning and security staff.
Written August 18, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gypsymamma
Minnesota804 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
Did not feel especially safe even with the multitude of guards. Many people loitering. Hennepin County is spending a lot of taxpayer dollars on pushing a far left view in the library, with signs everywhere touching on all of the current hot button issues. They are promoting themselves as a safe space for illegal/undocumented immigrants. Even in the children's section. The teen area was a nice idea but unfortunately a few loud cursing kids seemed to be running the show in there. To their credit, the employees we interacted with were helpful and friendly. And the place is huge. But we won't be returning anytime soon.
Written March 28, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rshefland
Roseville, MN1 contribution
Jan 2019 • Solo
I spoke to Daniel down at the downtown library about some fines that I had in the past and he was able to help me with my issue and all my questions and I really appreciate his help in the matter... I love this library it is so nice, if you goto the 4th floor you are usually guaranteed to have a pc to use almost all day... first and second have time limits that are needed for people to get their share of time... great movie, book, CD and reference items plus lots of office equipment for people to use for sometimes small fees... plus, of they don't have it they will try and find it from another library and have it shipped to you at an amazing speed as long as it is available and not already been checked out... I love this place and everything it does for the community and yes they do have some people problems but what big city doesn't... I highly recommend this place and xi recommend Daniel as am outstanding employee!!!
Written January 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roger M
Redhill, UK169 contributions
Sep 2018 • Business
Billed as one of the best libraries in the States this is an iconic modern building which was stunning.
We were privileged to have a private dinner in the grand lobby - very memorable.
Worth a visit on any Minneapolis itinerary.
We were privileged to have a private dinner in the grand lobby - very memorable.
Worth a visit on any Minneapolis itinerary.
Written September 24, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
amandalilgreen
Charleston, SC165 contributions
Oct 2016 • Solo
The library is located conviently on the bus line and about a block from the light rail making it very easy to get to. There is a coffee shop located inside as well. The library is four stories tall and making it very large. The library hosts events like job fairs as well.
Written October 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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