I took my daughter to the Burnett Library to get some books to keep her busy over the summer. The…read morelibrary was clean, the environment was quiet, and a librarian asked my daughter if she needed any help. I was impressed. When we were ready to check-out, we lined up at the counter; my daughter was first. The clerk behind the counter did not look up. She tapped impatiently on the counter for my daughter to place her books there. My daughter and I stared at one another incredulously. It was not until she looked up and saw me that her demeanor abruptly changed. We were definitely not pleased with the customer service we received from this library.

the web catalogue went down for a month so they could…read moreupgrade to a system where you cannot sort by title title!!

This library is very convenient. Free access to the public. Everything from issuing out a book to…read moreusing their computer for research or checking emails. Staff constantly maintain facility by keeping it clean and sanitized. This library is very organized and kids friendly. Literally, next door to a recreational park with the original library adjacent to it. From time to time, they have events like traditional festivals to the scary fest for kids. Check the website to see the next upcoming events. Parking space is quite big, so therefore, you usually have space to park your vehicle or bike when you visit . This place is unique in their own way, from design and presentation, it's pretty nice. If you're in the area, stop by and say hi. Share your experience. P.s. Don't forget to smile cause you're beautiful. SYOY!

Nice and clean library, but the woman with the blue streaks in her black , half shaved hair is…read moreextremely rude.

I love coming to this library - i would give them 5 stars…read morebecause most people are kind and helpful. The lady at the reference desk was so rude, whoever was there on a thursday at 3pm. I had a very quick question to ask her and that only required a yes/no answer - and she told me to wait - and i just quickly asked it for a yes/no and she rolled her eyes so diligently ... this place, especially the library is suppose to be very friendly and welcoming - but as an employee there to CLEARLY ROLL her eyes.... so sad

We love this library. Super clean. Super friendly. We love the events They have. This is one the…read morebest libraries around. We really enjoy coming here.

Yelp Review - Bay Shore Neighborhood Library…read more Bay Shore Neighborhood Library is a tiny library offering a small collection of books stacked at the edge of Belmont Shore, along East Second Street. My visit here was strange; the activity and atmosphere felt as though I was standing in the middle of a stage with inauthentic actors sharing the space. Upon arrival, the librarians behind the counter were conversing among themselves and did not verbalize a greeting when I entered. I wasn't necessarily bothered by this, as the vibe of the place felt intended to be relaxed. Honestly, when someone loudly declares a "hello" the moment you walk in, it can be overstimulating, so I wasn't entirely put off by the lack of greeting. While I was there, I did find a nice handful of unique and interesting books, particularly in the historical and fantasy genres, that looked like they would be good reads. As for the seating arrangements, they were accommodating and matched the amount of space available within the layout. That said, it was noticeable that the majority of people appeared uncomfortable with how close they were sitting to one another. This is something to keep in mind if you intend to come in for remote work. There is a mini bookshelf area with books for sale located in the foyer right as you enter, facing the water. In the high-chair seating area, the electrical outlets seem to be low in their energetic output. For example, I arrived around 2:00 p.m. with 10% battery and left around 6:00 p.m. with only 35% power. This library feels more suitable for browsing and reading, and less ideal for remote work. The bathroom was grotesque. The floors were dirty, the loo (toilet) was unclean, and the restroom clearly needed a serious deep cleaning. This was surprising, as there didn't seem to be any legitimate reason for the bathroom to be so severely unkempt. Lastly, there was a spectacle involving staff and patrons that included an exchange of words, during which the statement was made--and I quote--"this library is for whites only." I will leave that for you to check against your own sound and ethical moral compass.

Always a good time at bay shore library especially Saturday morning story time at 11am for all ages…read moreand they do songs, chants and stories. Afterwards the children can play with some toys.

Once upon a time, this Faerie Queen was glad to find the research needed here. Love the campus,…read moretoo! The end.

Honestly as a library, amazing! I live in long Beach and didn't even go to csulb and they had free…read morewifi for guests. The major major negative though is that parking is paid for and is such a major pain to find. The walk is really far from the paid parking and I tried to find free parking but couldn't find any. Other than that, the library is honestly amazing, dedicated quiet floors, group study floors, and seemed safe

It's so refreshing to go here and know that every time you arrive it's the same friendly vibe and…read morethe best staff! Shout out to SoSo who helped my wife get a new library card and informed me on the transfer portal available for books at other outlying branches. Great place as always.

This small local branch caters to this Eastside neighborhood. The staff are super friendly and uber…read morehelpful. Small in size but big in that you can order whatever you want and have it transferred here for free. There are computers with the internet for free sessions. Even printers for I think 25 cents a page. I walk here which is a blessing.

I recently visited Los Cerritos Rancho and had such a meaningful experience. From the moment I…read morearrived, I was warmly welcomed by the staff, who took the time to share the rich history of the landmark, including stories about the Bixby family. Walking through the home and gardens truly felt like stepping back in time. There's something incredibly special about being able to see and feel how people lived in the past--it creates a deep sense of connection and nostalgia that's hard to put into words. For me, the visit was also a moment of reflection--appreciating the lives and efforts of those who came before us, and how their contributions shaped the world we live in today. In such a fast-paced, modern era, it felt especially powerful to immerse myself in a place that preserves history so beautifully. I even remembered visiting here as a child, and coming back as an adult gave me a whole new appreciation for it. It's more than just a historical site--it's an experience that invites you to reflect, learn, and reconnect. I highly recommend visiting. It's a beautiful reminder that Long Beach is full of incredible history and hidden gems worth exploring.

Rancho Los Cerritos is a slightly hidden national historic landmark within Long Beach with…read moreGabrielino-Tongva roots. It was once a sheep ranch, cattle ranch, and even serves as an extension of our public library archives for local history. Entrance is free. Parking is free (and close to the entrance). There are volunteer-lead tours as well as printed maps to help you navigate the property. If you're planning to visit I'd set aside a half hour for everything. Bonus tip: they host events.

What I like about this library: This is a massive, beautiful…read morefacility right in the heart of downtown Long Beach. One of the coolest features is the archive and history room, which houses a lot of fascinating historical books as well as the Medal of Honor awarded to the library's namesake, Billie Jean King! That's definitely something you don't see every day. The interior is well-designed with plenty of space between the books, computers, and study tables, making it easy to browse their extensive collection of media. Additionally, the recent installation of the steel cage barriers outside has resolved the issues with the homeless population loitering right at the entrance, making the exterior look much cleaner and more welcoming. What I don't like about this library: The parking situation is a bit frustrating. The lot directly adjacent to the library only offers 30 MINUTES of FREE PARKING. By the time you walk to and from your car, you really only have about 25 minutes to find your books and check out if you want to avoid paying. Your other option is to park in the lot behind the F&M building, which gives you two hours free, but that requires about a 10-minute walk each way.

Billie Jean Library presents itself as a semi-public, inclusive space intended to provide…read moreaccessibility, community engagement, and a safe environment for patrons of all backgrounds. While there are several aspects of the library that show thoughtful intention and potential, the overall execution remains inconsistent and in need of significant improvement. One of the strongest qualities of the library is its spacious layout. There is generally ample seating throughout the building, along with a reasonable number of outlets available for patrons working on laptops or other devices. If patrons are open to shared tables, seating is usually accessible, and many times individuals are still able to maintain personal space comfortably. The library also consistently offers activities and programming for teens and adults, often including snacks and community-oriented events. While the intention behind these programs appears positive, attendance seems noticeably low. The atmosphere of the library does not consistently feel welcoming or engaging enough to encourage stronger participation from the public. Another positive feature is the rotating local art display area, which highlights artwork from community artists. This is a thoughtful and culturally enriching concept that adds personality to the space. Additionally, the availability of water refill stations throughout the building is convenient and considerate for patrons carrying reusable bottles. Unfortunately, the maintenance of these amenities is where major concerns begin to emerge. The water refill stations appear poorly maintained, with little indication that the filters or surrounding areas are cleaned regularly. The same issue extends throughout much of the facility. The bathrooms, floors, carpets, stairways, tables, seating areas, and common spaces consistently appear unclean and inadequately maintained. Soap is frequently unavailable in the restrooms, which raises basic hygiene concerns. The library provides both upstairs and downstairs access to printing stations, research computers, and basic office-style resources such as pencil sharpeners. The children's section is minimal but visually pleasant and appropriately designed for younger visitors. There are also additional seating options downstairs, including small cushioned seating pods that are visually appealing, though not particularly practical for extended use. One recurring issue is the condition of the staircase leading upstairs, which is often sticky and clearly requires more consistent upkeep and cleaning. This becomes more concerning during closing procedures. The library typically keeps one primary entrance and exit open while designating another set of doors for exit-only use near closing time. During these periods, multiple librarians often gather together near the staircase while sheriff personnel remain positioned at the top of the stairs. The result is an unnecessarily crowded and restrictive flow of foot traffic that creates avoidable safety concerns, particularly given the condition of the stairway itself. Another major issue is the inconsistency in how library staff enforce rules and manage disruptive behavior. Staff appear selective regarding which situations they choose to address and which they ignore. The library regularly experiences excessive noise disturbances from patrons, including prolonged yelling, screaming, disruptive phone conversations, and other inappropriate behavior that often continues without intervention. On one occasion, a patron seated near me spent an extended period loudly yelling into his phone. After tolerating the disturbance for quite some time, I approached a librarian and directly identified the individual causing the disruption. Despite the situation being obvious and ongoing, the librarian responded by approaching me afterward and asking me to identify who the disruptive individual was, even though the patron remained actively yelling nearby. The handling of the situation felt dismissive, unproductive, and avoidant rather than solution-oriented. Overall, Billie Jean Library has the foundational structure and resources to be an excellent community space. However, the facility currently suffers from inconsistent professionalism, poor sanitation standards, inadequate oversight of disruptive behavior, and operational practices that diminish the experience for patrons attempting to use the library respectfully. With stronger maintenance, improved accountability, clearer enforcement of standards, and a more welcoming approach to community engagement, this library could significantly improve its public impact and functionality.

The team on duty looked for engine pictures that my 9 year old grandson could use for his class…read morepresentation. And Sharon (?) found and made copies for him. How fantastic was that? Thank you!!!

Love this local branch. It is small so have been a big fan of the hold shelf since so many things…read morecome from the main location. Friendly staff who can answer all of your questions. You can sign up for a library card right in the front and the process takes less than five minutes. There are not many tables so I would not stay here for hours, but if you need to stop in then this is the perfect place. Clean, easy to navigate and a perfect addition to the neighbourhood.

I've lived near Long Beach for many years and it never occurred to me to get a library card. I've…read morealways used county libraries and I am now realizing there are so many city libraries too. It was nice and quiet inside. I was able to get my library card in under 5 minutes. You just need your ID and fill out the paper application when you get there. There's lots of programs available but I'm not to familiar with them. I advise you to check out their website. You can borrow up to 50 items at a time. If you live near El Dorado park I recommend stopping by.

Love the monthly suggested books they display and everyone is super helpful. So thankful this is…read moreour main branch.