I live close to two branches of the public library. Both are meant to be a local library, while the big library is in the city center. I loved my local branch when I was younger, and I remember most kids did. Even now the two branches focus on children a lot, but they don't just do books. Oh, no.
There's storytelling, reading from books, family days, youth corner (where teens pick the books). There's music and films, magazines... computer access. Both branches do regular topic tables - books about a war, a person, a genre, for readers.
The libraries also organise reading-help - recruiting booklovers who do volunteer work by reading at hospitals, homes for the elderly and ill and generally where people can't read themselves.
I still like going there once in a while and get some book advice, but generally the local branches don't have that much of a supply. But - you can order whatever you like and have them delivered to you local branch. That is something I really like.
It's great to browse the big libraries as well.