Portsmouth Public Library (Manor Branch)

Staff is most friendly and accommodating to make sure everyone is helped properly kudos from Sherri Berri 🍓 Parker

I have lived in Portsmouth for the last 18 years and the Manor Branch Library is the one closest to me. I have always found the staff helpful and friendly. When they put in the self-check-out, I had trouble for a while and they always were patient and came over to help me. I was sorry when they had to close on Fridays due to budget cuts but glad to still have a library close by. I would like to say thank you to the great staff. Toby

The customer service is great. The staff is always helpful, especially during the summer months when school is out. They make sure the kids are part of the reading program and they hold special programs for the children so they have something to do.

I rate it as a out of 5.

Perfect location

It is on the campus of the high school so get there early if you are wanting to study. There are also no outlets to plug in devices.

Pro: Clean, organized.
Con: We were to asked to leave because someone in the adult section across the building complained that my 2.5 year old son, who stayed in the children's section, was "too loud." We were the only people in the children's section and he was very excited to be at this library for the first time since we moved here. We were told if we wanted to do anything but whisper we could go to the other library that is apparently more child friendly. I was extremely disappointed. In our old town the librarians engaged with my son, smiled at his antics, invited him to play, etc. He was seen as what he is - a blessing and a fellow citizen - instead of an annoyance. I hope whatever the complainer was working on was super important, because my son was heart borken that we were asked to leave just a few minutes after arriving. Hopefully this library learns how to engage children to cultivate a love for reading and life.

I guess being connected to a school gives you a "good excuse" to be a rude S.O.B. to someone? For years without reason? When I went to this school the main woman ( an older, heavy-set black woman with white/black hair & a light voice) always had a problem of some sort. Now I'm not a high school kid who needs to sit there & say nothing when I'm being treated poorly. I will have these issues brought up to the proper people asap. Until then take this as advice to get your head out of that place the sun doesn't shine.. High school kids can be bad but they aren't all bad. Also, if you aren't "feeling" the job you have then you probably shouldn't have it.