New York Public Library NYPL Reviews

After going years without a dedicated app it’s astounding that one of the greatest libraries in the would couldn’t do better. Instead of consolidating all library information in one app, you have to go to Simply E for digital information. It’s not optimized for iPads so it’s just phone size on the screen. Someone in app development should take a look at the Brooklyn Public Library app for features and user interface.

I’m not sure this has been thought through

I, I think like most people, leave my wifi on on my phone

At the library it does reconnect as it is a remembered network

But I still need to open a browser page to accept the terms and conditions. I may need to do this unpredictably again if my browser was refreshed or the NYPL branch network was

Otherwise the mobile checkout will get stuck as it can’t connect (it just said “loading” rather than something useful).

Alternatively I can shut off wifi on my phone. And of course remember to turn it in again later so I don’t use up my data plan.

This seems like a good deal of bother to just take out a book.

If I use the kiosk in my branch I have to remember to first scan my library card and then the NYPL barcode on the book(s).

Easier but still have to remember the sequence as there are no instructions at the kiosk (at least at my local branch)

Again, is this really worth it? Maybe if there are long lines, which I don’t see at my branch.

Most of this seems like technology for technology’s sake. A solution looking for a problem, which invariably causes other problems

Bottom line - perhaps useful at peak times once folks learn all this but when not peak then librarian check out is much easier and faster and hopefully will remain available.

Doesn’t deal with e books so you need another app for that. They suggest SimplyE but you can’t find most ebooks that way so you have to search using Libby and/or Overdrive as well. They need to hire a programmer who understands how things should work in 2020.

It’s incredibly frustrating to search for a book that you know if available and come up with no results. And then when you search on the website, there are listings for hardcover, large print, e and audio versions. Seems to me when one of the key purposes of NewYorkPublicLibraryNYPL just doesn’t work well, they need to do some fixes.

I still thankfully have the old no longer available NYPL app (with the white icon) which still works perfectly. Doing a search with the new app does not link all media types and I don’t know why. I use eBooks now. Borrow and send to my Kindle. This new app? Cannot do. SimplyE is fine. But no kindle integration so no go. Please fix. Please unify. Its a think we all need now. LOL.

Every time I search the catalog and select a book from that results list, NewYorkPublicLibraryNYPL immediately crashes. I have not ever successfully completed a book search in NewYorkPublicLibraryNYPL . Please fix these issues! I love the NYPL and BPL, and look forward to hopefully checking out a book successfully with NewYorkPublicLibraryNYPL someday. 📚💚

Thrilled to see a dedicated NYPL app. Been waiting for one for years. Has potential to be very useful tool.

Biggest initial gripe: Where are the LISTS and the ability to add to/manage them? Many books in NYPLs collection are unavailable to be checked out/put on hold. This is my primary use of the website/catalog beyond searching the catalog itself.

Why not use apple wallet for card? Would make sense? Is it what it’s there for?

The previous method was very archaic and somewhat outdated. It so nice to have all of the advancements now within NewYorkPublicLibraryNYPL . I love the mobile checkout and the ease of reserving books through NewYorkPublicLibraryNYPL . It’s been a total game changer in the best possible way.

Fantastic
Magazine search soo easy
Check out yourself
Always have your &/or your family library card
Events virtual easily accessible
Library hours so easy
Thank You NYPL