Fort Washington Library | Manhattan, NY

Just reopened, and looks great! First floor is adult, second floor is children’s and third floor is for teens, with a quiet study space with computers on the third floor. The first floor has printers, computers, and a long table with outlets if you’re bringing your own laptop to work, with space for maybe 20 people. The browsing collection for adults is small, but they have staff picks of popular books that are wonderful. They have a bathroom on each floor and an event space in the basement. They’re also hosting events regularly. Wish they had a more hefty browsable collection, but as is it seems like a nice community space, a good space for kids and teens with natural light, and you can pick up reserved books here.

Posted on: January 07, 2025

I've been coming to this library since I was 13! I'm 74 now. While the new construction is beautiful. I miss the old.

Posted on: May 18, 2026

So, I had heard mixed reviews about this library but I wanted to make my opinion coming in. Usually I just buy books but I decided to finally open a library card. My first time in years in NYPL. My first interaction (Picking up my card etc) was at the Inwood location, they were super helpful, informative, and kind. The lady there helped me put two books on hold, for them to arrive at fort Washington. A week later I get an email that one of my books are in. I go to fort Washington, I'm pointed to the shelf for the reserves with the instructions that the last four of my library card is the number to find. I only have my virtual card with me. I don't see my numbers. We find the book but the numbers are wrong. I'm not really sure why and neither is the worker. The worker calls her coworker or supervisor, we'll keep referring to them as the supervisor who spoke as if I wasn't standing there. Once they figured out what was wrong, without explaining anything to me, the worker says, "oh should I just copy and paste this for her?" And the supervisor goes "No she can do it herself." Again not explaining anything to me or even acknowledging I'm standing there. When I got home I figured it out myself but I found this interaction to extremely rude and unhelpful. A simple explanation could've been helpful and they could've easily just helped me with a simple click of copy and paste.

Posted on: October 21, 2025

The library is amazing. I have been waiting for the library to open, HOWEVER, the only adult section is in the front which means we can hear who comes in and out (loud), people talking at the front desk, VERY LOUD. It is almost imposible to read and focus!! I stopped going because I could not concentrate and it was such a heartbreak because the library itself looks gorgeous. But I feel like they should have a quiet adult section , we also deserve to have a quiet place.

Posted on: July 13, 2025

The library is visually stunning, but its design is not very functional. The first floor, which houses the adult section, is too open and expansive, resulting in poor acoustics, every sound echoes throughout the space, making it difficult to concentrate. Additionally, noise from the children’s section on the second floor easily carries down; while it’s understandable that kids will be energetic, the space should have been enclosed to contain the sound. Installing sound-dampening wall panels on the first floor would significantly improve the noise level. Given how much unused space there is, the library could also benefit from more seating options, such as study carrels or booths. Also not many book shelves they should add more book shelves.

Posted on: May 18, 2025