Catching up on summer reading recently, and what better way than to join the reading program at your local library? Each week if you've read your quota of at least 100 minutes, a prize awaits. For adults, the first week was a tote bag, the second being a fan-like cutting board, and the latest one was a mason jar for sipping on a cold beverage. Prizes are till the week of the July 20th and follows this year's theme, "Savor Every Story". Apart from the books and the typical resources you'd find at a library, here they've created a small section near the entrance focused on the community of gardening. Their "Let's Grow Alhambra Seed Library" provides packets of seeds to take and grow within the confines of your premises. Seeds include chamomile, lavender, cucumbers, and broccoli. And if your garden is blessed were an abundant source of fruits and veggies, you can drop them off at the "Produce Exchange Station". Win-win! read more

See all

Plenty of free resources for the community and public. This library is two stories and it's quite busy. They have parking below or street parking. The children section is huge, and plenty of tables for studying. They have a large selection of kids books ranging from infants, toddlers, & kids. They always have different fun events each month, check their website or calendar for more information. read more

真是个小惊喜！本来没抱太大期望，结果发现Alhambra Civic Center Library的藏书还挺丰富，居然有一个专门的中文区！ 最让我乐的是，这里不光有中文小说，居然还有中餐食谱和种菜攻略，哈哈哈！这是要精准俘获我们华人同胞的胃和田园梦吗？甚合我意啊，哈哈哈！ 图书馆门口的花圃也是一绝，每到花季简直是一道亮丽的风景线，拍照打卡超美！ 不过，唯一有点小遗憾----那个免费可领的种子站，我去了几次都是空的。问了前台，也直接说"没有"。看着那么大个展示区域形同虚设，感觉错过了一个亿的快乐！ 希望图书馆能把这个有趣的项目重新搞起来呀！ read more

See all

Parking lot information: To start off with some facts about the underground parking lot which is free. The parking lot closes 30 minutes after the library closes so be mindful if you have your car is there as the gates will close and your car will be locked in for the night. In an emergency a police officer can walk over to release your vehicle but try to avoid that scenario. read more

It's been a long told since we visited the Alhambra library. We arrived late morning and spent most of our time in the children's area. There's a pretty cool interactive space for all kinds of activities, they call it their Stay & Play. It's open Wednesday-Friday from 11am-12:30pm. We eye in the book area so we didn't get too much time to play. They also provide crayons and coloring sheets. There's a children's bathroom that's built for their size. They also have story time during the week. Underground parking is free and street parking is you're lucky to snag a spot. Don't forget their used book store on thy second floor. Bring your own bags to fill up. read more

See all

I was looking for a local library that was kid friendly and had kind employees with a good selection. I am really happy with Alhambra Library. The kids section has a nice layout with a pre-K section. My kids love it and there are multiple areas to play. The books are well organized and I like their 1000 books before Kindergarten program. The kids can get small toys at every 100. They also participate in the annual reading program to get a free In-N-Out burger. They also have a free seeds section in at the entrance and you can recycle batteries here read more

We absolutely love this public library. It's consistently clean, well-maintained, and feels very safe especially with the police station right next door. The children's section is adorable and a great space for little ones to explore. Occasionally you'll see a homeless individual wander through, but staff generally handles it quickly and professionally. One suggestion: the wall toys and kids' tables could use more frequent cleaning, as there's some visible grime from heavy use. Also, while the library offers a lot of great children's events, most are scheduled on weekday mornings, which makes it difficult for working parents or families with kids in daycare. It would be wonderful to see more weekend or late-afternoon options around 4 PM. Overall, the atmosphere, and the convenience of being within walking distance of so many great restaurants is great. It's truly a gem for families in the area. read more

The Alhambra Library is a great place to come read, study and/or do some work! The restrooms are clean! They also have a seed garden and a tree/plant cutting station to help grow plants! The library is well air conditioned! I wish they had more outlets in the children section in case kids have a laptop to charge to do homework. TIP: They have restrooms on every floor! In addition, they have underground parking for 4 hours. read more

Having been nearly two decades since I've been to the library, I was giddy as a kid to get a library card. The process was a quick 5 minute application online; going in person, I had the library card in hand within 10 minutes. There is dedicated parking as well as a variety of other free parking options on the street and in nearby parking structures (even up to 4 hours). At the time of visit, I used the computers, and there was a two hour limit per day - plenty for the average person. The library itself was fairly clean, and there was a community board. Staff were friendly and available to help. However, one thing I noticed was that I had accidentally left my coffee, and within 2 minutes of noticing and running back, my coffee had... disappeared?! :( The library was not that busy at the time, either. read more

[ SERVICE ] Staff is accommodating. [ PLACE ] Nice modern exterior with access to underground parking on both sides of the building. Interior is okay, nothing groundbreaking but better than the average library around. [ VERDICT ] Underground parking from the sun is the highlight. I used to come here on hot days just to browse the internet and print resumes. read more

Who knew libraries were such great places that provide a ton of community resources. The Alhambra library is especially useful. They offer various events, workshops, and programs like gardening. You're able to grab free fruit, herb, and vegetable seeds from their seed library, which is pretty neat. They also offer passport services with easy appointment scheduling online. My favorite thing to do is rent the books. You can search the online catalog for a wide variety books you're looking for and even reserve prior. I find that renting books brings back the school-age nostalgia that you don't get from buying a book online. The library is clean and parking is usually plenty on First Street (additional parking is available underground). Keep the ol' library memories alive and check out the beautiful Alhambra Library. read more

Alhambra Library - Libraries Near Me - Alhambra, California

Fuck Alhambra library. Just got a parking ticket for underground parking. Why is there a limit to 4 hours? I need to stay there all day and study. Im already a poor college student and u just make life harder. It wasn't even busy and it's practically empty and u still gave me a ticket. Wtf. read more

We come here often on weekends to do homework. We like they have tables with outlets for our laptops and WIFI is fast enough. Patrons are respectful and bathrooms are clean and no graffiti. Lots of books with helpful staff. We like their study rooms but they need more. Open on Sundays so that's a plus. read more

Probably our go to library despite living out of town a bit. It's nearby the farmers market on Sunday's which is a big plus for us. The library has great programs for littles even at 1 year old which I appreciate them finding ways to encourage reading. The kids area of the library is conveniently located on the first floor and always seems to be fairly busy. There are a number of computers to use with 2 hour time limits I believe. Just sign up for a library card if you don't have one! Parking is almost always easy as there's a spacious underground lot. read more

Very calming place to be! I go here pretty much only t0 print assignments and posters I need for work at my sch00l and they all c0me out so great 0NLY f0r $0.30 cents!! Now thas a great deal! I REC0MMEND to place too for the books too. THERE IS SOO MANY T0 Ch00se fr0m!! My mom & nana g0es here to pick out a b00k every month or longer and they both L0V3 th1s place for th3 most part!! Childens pLAY AR3A is also nice for y0ung3r p3ople to disc0ver & read B00kz :D keep it up!! ^^ read more

Quite disappointed with this library. They charged me for items that were never brought to my attention and for damages we didn't make. There were two separate times they accused us of damaging a book and a camping backpack -- even though we never even used or opened the backpack since we never made it to the campsite. Despite explaining the situation, they refused to clear the balance. It feels unfair and makes me question how they handle their charges. On the positive side, they often have seed packets available by the entrance, which you can sign for -- that's a really nice touch. The children's area is a good space for kids to do homework, though it can get quite loud at times. Unfortunately, the staff isn't very friendly or welcoming and tend to be overly strict, which makes the place feel less inviting. Also, be aware that the library is closed on Sundays, and there's a farmers market right outside, which makes it hard to access or return books. Because of that, I ended up getting charged again for late returns. It really feels like this library is quick to charge fees, even when situations are out of your control. Heads up -- if your balance is under $10, they won't notify you until it goes over, but they will mention it at checkout. read more

They turn off the wifi 15 min early , and they hella bug trying to get you to leave early. We understand the library closes at 8pm

This library is always clean and organized. It can get busy during after school hours, but a good place to study, especially for the kids!

Put my name on the wait list for there WiFi hotspot. They sent me a text that it was my turn and the hotspot was ready for pickup. Went to the library today and the parking was very convenient because they have an underground parking lot that is free for 4 hours. When you pick up the hotspot for the first time, there is a form that needs to be filled out. It was super easy because the library staff person will actually fill out most of the information for you. All I had to do was put my phone number and sign the form. It is very easy to connect the hotspot to your phone. You basically click on the hotspot username on your phone and enter the password. That info is on the form and the folder that comes with it. And you get to keep it for 3 weeks. Another thing nice about this library is that it is open everyday, unlike the LA County libraries that are closed Sundays and Mondays. Operating hours for this library is Mon-Th 11am-8pm; Fri-Sat 10am-5pm; and Sun 1pm-5pm. The police department is also right around the corner so, this location is generally pretty safe. read more

Decided to try out a new library since I was in the area and needed a place to do some work. Alhambra Library is a beautiful building (exterior and interior), it's clean, new, and very comfortable. I usually go to Arcadia Library, since that's the one closest to me. But Alhambra is great - they don't blast their air conditioning to the point where it's painfully cold. And Alhambra Library also has underground parking (4 hours free) which is great! There's also a parking lot across the street if you're going to other places as well. There are lots of tables - there are 2 floors, and a lot of the individual desks have outlets for you to plug in your laptops or charge your phones. There's free wifi and it's fast enough for most people's needs. They also do battery recycling. I think there's less table / seats here than compared to Arcadia, but I did not have any trouble finding a spot. The front desk/librarians were really friendly and helpful since I had some questions since it was my first time! I'll definitely be back if I'm in the area :) read more

This library has lots of seating, computers, is clean, great parking, restrooms and many other offerings.

How does this library have only 3 stars on Yelp? It's so nice! There's an underground parking structure - free 4 hours. They open 11 AM - 8 PM, which is pretty good for a public library. The tables and seats have outlets next to them (not all). Children have their own room/section. They offer so many classes and activities and services for the community. Some of them are even bilingual (Spanish and Chinese)! read more

Alhambra Library - Chinese magazines lol - Libraries Near Me - Alhambra, California

Having not used the library for years because it provides no useful service to me or my community, I tried again. I wanted an audiobook (trouble with vision), and there is an app that let's you get them through your local library, which Alhambra is supposedly signed up with. The app was unable to connect with Alhambra library and told me to call the library. I did, was put on hold immediately. After 15 minutes, hung up. There is no point. I sincerely suggest converting libraries to homeless shelters to better serve our community. read more

Came here to apply for my kids passport. Appointment scheduling was super easy and the appointment itself was a breeze. Staff is helpful and they are quick. read more

Came by on a Saturday to do some studying since I was grabbing some lunch next door. They do have free parking in the underground structure, which is really nice and super convenient. When I arrived you can just go in through the front and they have 2 levels. The first level has the information booths and children's section and upstairs is the quiet area. I noticed that they have a few study rooms that you can book which was really cool to know. I hope to come back and study there again and maybe book a room too! read more

I love this library! It's not huge but still they have good amounts collection. Most of the time you can find books that relative to your desired topic. On the first floor they have newspaper, Chinese books, and an area just for kids with computer games. On the second floor they have computer and printing area. If you apply for a library card you can use computer 2hr/day. There is also a small bookstore on the 2nd floor which sell used books and children's toys for cheap. They have a lot of different events happen in this library, storytelling, movie night, crochet club...etc. And this week they are having a big sale! A bag of books for only $2!! read more

See all

2 stars Old Asian woman with mask at front counter very rude. No greeting, just tell me "what do you want". I have question about library first. I want to ask question and she interrupts as soon as I start asking. I forgot to ask all my questions because she rush me. She yelled at me for not knowing something even though it is my very first time setting foot in this library. Told me go to website, but I'm in person, I'd rather know in the moment. Nice place but her service was not good, then she calls next person in line and does the same thing! Like I was bothering her by asking her questions. Its my first few times here how can I know. Isn't that your job to help! My son loved the children area. read more

A fantastic library experience every time! I recently requested an audiobook, and it was ready for pickup within a day. The collection is diverse and in excellent condition. The library also offers wonderful programs, such as book clubs and author talks, which are free for members. The services provided are invaluable for those looking to expand their knowledge, and the atmosphere is perfect for study or relaxation. read more

ACTUAL GREAT STUDY SPOT Each Star represents a different rating point, 1. Good Parking- 4hr free parking in underground parking structure (BIG SUMMER BONUS) 2. Wifi/outlets- free wifi and tons of outlets 3. Snack/Drink- you can bring snacks and drinks, and they have an outdoor patio. No coffee shop, but safe for snacking 4. Ambiance- excellent! Lots of nooks and crannies, shady and sunny spots. Plus there is a separate kids room, so upstairs stays quiet! Also you can reserve a study room. 5. Seat Comfort- most tables are wooden chairs. I like a sturdy seat, they have some softer lounge spots if needed. read more

I dropped my books inside the library's slot. A few days later, I received a text saying I didn't return my books and got some fine for it. I called the circulation desk immediately and told them to check the surveillance cameras I physically went inside to return the books. The dude said his big boss was not available to talk. I had to call back a few hours later, and the dude said they found the books. He didn't even bother to return my phone call. It happened again today, and I have to wait a few hours to call them back. This is so ridiculous! Another problem is to check the status of my account. I emailed the circulation desk to let their IT staff know about the computer glitch regarding renewing items, and they just told me my PIN is incorrect. The technical errors included web certificates and a 400 Bad Request on their website. I never had both issues with the LA County Public Library. Alhambra Library received a lot of donations from private donors, and I have high expectations of their staff. read more

Love this library. So big. So clean. Great selection. Lots of study areas. It's right across the street from Alhambra High School. And next to the police station and USPS. Very convenient location. Lots of kids studying. But it's fairly quiet. They have a free plant exchange program too! They are quite modern as well. They'll text you when your books are 3 days before due. And you have the option to renew right from your text messages. Love that! read more

Like other Yelpers have shared, the front desk person is very rude. Libraries are about communities and librarians are usually very helpful people. This is the first time that I have had a bad experience at any libraries. Very disappointed at the Alhambra Library especially because I grew up going here and this is my community. read more

This library is what most libraries strive to be like. Upon entering, everything is laid out before you. The children's area is on the right after the staircase that leads to the top floor adult section. Walking through, there are so many things to look at, options to check out, and venues to explore. The staff have been super kind and everyone that I talk to really enjoys this library. There are individual study areas as well as group study areas. They have Manga/manhua/manhwa options that really blew me away. I was so excited being there and I would love to go back again just to enjoy that atmosphere. read more

See all

I remember my mom used to take me to the Alhambra library when I was a little kid, back when it was in the late 80s and early 90s and it was "safe" for our parents to drop us off for hours at a time to do our homework or study while they head off to work. We then moved away from Alhambra and I never had the opportunity to step foot in that library since then. Fast forward to close to over 30+ years and I brought my own children to visit this library, although now located at a different location but just being in the same area, still brought back many wonderful memories of my childhood. This place is great! Brand new, clean and extremely organized. My 9 year old was able to find her Anne Frank autobiography within minutes! The staffs were so friendly and the librarian Daniel assisted me with obtaining a new library card. They have free underground parking as well, which I love! I didn't realize they had a second level until I was on my way out so I will be back next week to check it out. Highly recommended!!!! read more

This is a pretty nice library, they have passport services, there's parking, WiFi, and a patio upstairs. It's not too crowded most of the time. Most of their books are online, which is annoying, but I guess that's the times we live in, the only other annoying thing is that printing is 15 cents a page for b/w, but they only take coins and 1 dollar bills (no fives, no bill breaking). The staff is nice though. read more

Love this library! Quiet, clean and resourceful. Plenty of parking in garage. Wi-Fi is extremely fast and reliable.

Wonderfully clean library with friendly staff. They have sections for each age, a generous book rental policy, and activities throughout the week. Parkings conveniently located below the library. If you can't find a book, you can always use their Hoopla app. Can't really ask for anything more! read more

Do not book your passport appointment at this location. We were two minutes late to our appointment and they weren't able to help us. They canceled our appointment and asked us to reschedule. DO NOT BOOK here!!! The agent working at the passport is an inconsiderate duck! read more

Any time my dad wants to get away from my mom, this is his go to get away space. Free admission, ample parking, endless amount of resources and knowledge. Love that they have books in different languages. 2 story building with lots of seating. But be warned- it can be hard to find a spot sometimes. Lots of retired people taking up these chairs. read more

I always come to borrow some DvDs about God,Solomon,Moses,some Bible stories,I really enjoyed it.it's quite and big library,very close to my place . read more