# Brooklyn Public Library — user reviews > 41 indexed App Store user reviews of Brooklyn Public Library by Brooklyn Public Library, rated 3.47/5 from 58 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brooklyn-public-library/id1333668058/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/brooklyn-public-library/id1333668058.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 25 · 4★ 7 · 3★ 8 · 2★ 6 · 1★ 12 ## Newest reviews (11 of 41) ### 2/5 — Not functional *2024-07-14* Continually getting an “HTTP error” when checking my holds. ### 3/5 — Request item button no longer works *2022-11-23, version 1.0.15* iOS 16 seems to have disabled the already fiddly request item button. ### 3/5 — Larger text is not well supported. *2022-11-21, version 1.0.15* I find after I search for a book I’m not able to check it out. Because I ‘m using larger text on my phone it over fills the screen and the button to check out is at the bottom of the screen and does not respond to being pressed. I checked this out by reducing my text size and that fixed the problem. Otherwise I think the app works well. ### 3/5 — Need to be more accessible and modern. *2022-10-01, version 1.0.15* It’s an app made with good intentions but it feels like this was made in 2008 and hasn’t been updated since! This app really needs a remodel, it doesn’t even fit my screen. ### 3/5 — Glitches *2021-12-08, version 1.0.13* I hate to say it but I agree with other people saying the app feels unfinished. I got a message saying my digital loan was expiring. When I go to the app to renew it, I get an error message pop up. I updated the app and it’s still happening. Love the Brooklyn Library system, so I hope they are able to fix this. ### 3/5 — Needs Apple Wallet Support *2021-09-23, version 1.0.11* Would be great if the app could send my library card to the Apple wallet. ### 2/5 — Need better search results and the “Lists” feature! *2019-01-27, version 1.0.4* I’m a teacher and I use the library a lot. I’ve created lists of books and cannot access them through the app. In addition, the desktop gives me search results of books in different versions and languages, which is helpful; but the app does not. Please expand the search result for more options. ### 2/5 — How did they manage to make it worse? *2018-09-19, version 1.0.3* For the amount of time we had to wait for this new app, the results couldn’t be more disappointing. The interface is a step back, there’s no ability to bulk renew all checked-out items, and everything just feels incredibly dated. I am baffled. ### 3/5 — Functional but not the same as before *2018-08-01, version 1.0.1* I love my local library, and I go every week! The digital library card feature is excellent, and I like that I can request holds from my phone. I miss the bookshelf feature! In the previous app (and currently just online), you could categorize books as “completed,” “in progress,” and “for later.” I have been using those features since I became a library patron, and now they’re less accessible. ### 1/5 — Worse than previous version! *2018-06-11, version 1.0.1* Catalog search doesn’t seem to work, and when I try, options come up that don’t have any of the keywords I used. There is no ability to manage your book lists, which you have to do on the website now. This app is much more rudimentary than the previous version. It has a terrible user experience. ### 1/5 — Can't renew anything *2018-05-28, version 1.0.1* I can't renew my books because when I press my checkouts it doesn't load ever. Maybe it did once. Just spins and spins. So frustrating. Miss the old app. Much better ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Broken app *2022-12-24, version 1.0.15* The app will not allow me to take out a hold because the text is too large ### 1/5 — Old and outdated *2021-12-12, version 1.0.13* This app is old, outdated and counter intuitive. A two year old with Crayons could have done a better job. Don’t attempt to cancel holds on this app because you’ll end up accidentally removing other holds that weren’t even highlighted ### 1/5 — Should have known... *2021-10-14, version 1.0.11* ...that the BK Public Library with execs who make $300,000+ a year would not have a functional, useable app. Looks like it was designed 15 years ago. But I downloaded it, logged on after realizing the password field was actually a pin code field, then tried to put a hold on a book and got "holds cannot currently be processed online." So.... I guess you can browse only, though some people said it doesn't have the full collection. So it's just useless. ### 1/5 — DELETED MY ACCOUNT *2020-12-29, version 1.0.9* Do not get!!! Downloaded and on the same day it wiped all traces of my library card, the librarian literally could not find my history at all and all my books on hold were gone. ### 1/5 — Notifications?! *2020-09-14, version 1.0.9* Am I doing something wrong? I placed a book on hold for the first time a couple of weeks ago and didn’t hear anything- didn’t even know whether it worked- then remembered the check it a few days ago but when I went to pick up the book that was apparently on hold for me, it wasn’t on the shelves and had disappeared from my holds section. Are there no notifications to tell you when a book is ready for collection? I definitely have notifications for this app switched on. Also, you have my email, so a message could be sent there. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t work *2020-01-08, version 1.0.7* I can’t log in because there is no way to set up a password. I tried to email using the email button and my message was immediately bounced back. This app is useless. ### 1/5 — Please, please bring back the old app! *2018-12-24, version 1.0.4* Is this really the best you could do? This app feels unfinished. It can't reliably find books and put them on hold for you. What else is a library app supposed to do?? Seriously. This is killing my reading life. Please fix! ### 1/5 — Definitely not an improvement over the old app *2018-10-31, version 1.0.4* This app is such a disappointment, especially given how long we had to wait for it. Specifically, my shelves-the ability to create lists of what you would like to read and have completed-is missing. This is such a drag on my reading life, since you can’t search for and add a book to your for later list on the fly, which was so terrific for an avid reader. I also could not find the history of what I’ve checked out. Please bring back the old app! This one bites. ### 1/5 — Terrible new app *2018-07-11, version 1.0.1* I love my library, but the old app was so much better. I used it all the time. Waited what seemed like a year for this new app, and all the functionality is gone! Why!! I can’t look at and sort my holds and checks out easily- the UI is terrible. ### 1/5 — Please bring back old app *2018-07-10, version 1.0.1* Wow, really was looking forward to the new bpl app but this is terrible! No way to add books to your ‘shelves’ or lists, my closest branch was closed for renovation but recently reopened and doesn’t even show up as a branch to send holds to, and my favorite option was seeing the recently reviewed books home screen. What a terrible app. Was not worth the very long wait without the old one. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Needs work, but works great for what it is! *2023-07-09* One thing lately I’m noticing is that the advanced search still shows ebooks even if I select “books” in the drop-down. Also I wish the app had a way of changing your home library (so that when you reserve books it defaults to selecting your closest library). As it stands currently, you have to go on the website on a computer and log into your account to change your home library. ### 5/5 — Great! *2020-09-28, version 1.0.9* So happy to be able to quickly manage my library account! Very user friendly. ### 5/5 — Mobile checkout is a game changer! *2020-02-11, version 1.0.9* The BPL app lets me scan book barcodes and borrow it right from my phone — such a fun way to browse and check out! ### 5/5 — Love using it for searching the stacks and for mobile checkout *2019-06-07, version 1.0.6* Since downloading this app, anytime someone at a party recommends a book to me, I pull it up, search for the book, and place a hold right there. Also, when I’m at the library, it’s helpful to have the call number available on my phone, instead of having to run back and forth from the catalog computers with a tiny slip of paper, the coolest feature, though, is the mobile checkout, where you can scan a book with your phone to check it out to yourself 😱 thanks BPL! ### 5/5 — Great improvement *2019-03-26, version 1.0.6* I like the improvement. This app works very well. I am able to renew my items fast. I like the layout it’s very easy to use. Over all very pleased ### 4/5 — It was a long time that I use the library card *2022-03-08, version 1.0.13* I wanted the app have a way to check the balance that I have I still have on my card. ### 4/5 — Fantastic App, but lacks full profile features *2020-02-20, version 1.0.9* My family and I are frequent library goers. I love that I can manage holds, renew books, browse the catalogs, and pull up my library card from anywhere. It’s a seamless app, my only disappointment is that there is no way to access my profile’s book lists or bookshelf like I can on my computer browser. I use these features all the time to organize which books I want to read later, what books my kids enjoyed so I remember them for another time, and what books I found useful for different topics. But these features aren’t available on the app. So I have to make a note on my phone and do it on my computer. Would give the app 5 stars if they just updated this one thing. ### 4/5 — Good *2018-06-15, version 1.0.1* I got this app after waiting for the new my BPL app to come out. The app seems to work fine for me but I wish we can customize the theme colors. ### 4/5 — Great app, one suggestion *2018-06-10, version 1.0.1* I love BPL, what a great community resource! My family depends on BPL and our local branch not just for books, but a sense of community, neighborhood, and connections. Thank you for everything you do! I enjoy using the app, as it makes managing holds and paying fines (yes, I feel I just must finish my book, even if it cannot be extended- it is probably me who is delaying your hold) so much easier. One suggestion: ability to sort checkouts by due date would be priceless! This will help with planning what to read next, what to extend or bring back. Otherwise, a great, easy to use app. Thank you for your service!! ### 4/5 — When will Park Slope Branch be included. *2018-04-05, version 1.0.1* No Park Slope Branch. --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-10.*