Westfield Memorial Library

This library is very unwelcoming, when you walk in no one speaks they look at you like you don’t belong. I guess that’s if you are only African American I suggest any one that looks like me to get ready for stares. None of those people in there is better then any one most of them are miserable and upset that they still have to work.

Victoria the librarian is so helpful every time I come in and so knowledgeable with the computers, nice personality soft spoken , that’s the reason I keep coming back.

I went to register my child for the 1,000 books before kindergarten here. The older lady with short hair and glasses at the children’s section was not very welcoming, she was quick to tell me to go do that online when she had a computer and they were not busy. I’ve read many reviews about BIPOC parents and individuals speaking about the lack of cultural competence and it shows. Because I insisted that I was told I can come in person and do it, she got her supervisor and I was able to register my baby. Her supervisor was a very sweet older lady who was helpful. Westfield is becoming a more diverse community and the staff needs to get trained. No excuses!

My family regularly visits the Westfield Library and we are so grateful to have it in our community. Since becoming members, I’ve gone back to being a vivacious reader. Something I gave up in the early years of juggling kids and work. Keeps me off my phone. It’s also allowing me to instill a love for reading in my young children. We also take advantage of the many community events they offer for young kids to adults.

The library has a nice set up, I found what I was looking for and it has a great selection of new books. The overall experience, not pleasant. I imagine people that look like me don’t utilize this space too often because when I walked in you’d have thought they had seen an alien. When I checked my book out the librarian wasn’t very friendly and only said what was necessary. This won’t be my last time here, as I love a good collection of books, but next time I will be more prepared to walk into an unwelcoming space.