One of the best public libraries in this area. Alot more resources and books here than Monrovia and Duarte libraries. This library has so many books and magazines to the degree to where they have to have book sales occasionally. NIce childrens library and community events here to sign up for. Staff are wonderful here. Place is always clean with great security. Parking can be a challenge, But it is a big parking lot. Lots of young people from Arcadia High school do homework here. Its a great place to study and kill time as well. read more

Butterfly in the sky, I can go twice as high! It's in a book, just take a look. The reading rainbow! Books have always had a special place in my heart. This library in particular has definitely helped fuel my passion. They have a wonderful selection of books for children, teenagers and adults. Great place to do research, borrow magazines, or even get some DVDs! The programs at the library are very extensive, I thoroughly enjoyed their summer reading program, which was very rewarding! They have an event calendar that is pretty jam packed with various activities catered for everyone of all ages! Casual book clubs, adult recess, coloring, movie nights, and a lot of other special events! All of the staff at the library are extremely friendly and helpful. I really appreciate the time and effort they put into providing for the community. Thank you! read more

Have enjoyed coming here since I was a kid! It was also my go to study spot in high school and is conveniently located right across from AHS. They have a lot of cool programs for kids and teenagers. I came here a lot this past summer to study. However, I noticed that during the school year, the internet lags so much that it basically doesn't work from 3-6. Even though they close at 9, lights turn off at 8:45. And security guards eagerly rush you out because they want to go home (that's actually what they tell everyone). read more

Solid library! I have no issues with this place. Of course, I am comparing this library to other public libraries that I have been to less university libraries since those tend to always be better. This library is spacious and huge, has lots of desks and tables for studying. There's a section for pretty much everyone. The only issue that I have is that since Arcadia high school is right next door, obnoxious and loud teenagers can be super disrupting. They even have tables reserved for them in the teen section. However, besides that I love everything about this library. Be sure to park in the west side parking lot if you plan to be here for a long time. They allow up to four hours in that side. Otherwise, your car might be towed. read more

I've been here a Couple of times and they always seem to have events or book related events I should say lol for kids which I think is great. It's a big library, and has many different areas to enjoy. I have not checked out books here, I've just gone with kids that need tutoring and so far we've been able to work in a quiet environment. read more

I love this library and I go at least once a week. They have a section for new books as well as DVDs and blu-rays. I like that they're always getting new materials in. I was able to borrow some new blu-rays and even one of my favourite tv shows that Netflix used to have but no longer carries - Pushing Daisies. Ugh I love Lee Pace and the show's quirkiness but I digress. There's ample parking but make sure to park on the west side of the library if you're staying for longer than 2 hours! If you park out front you *may* get a ticket. Free wi-fi, lots of study areas, and great program for kids. read more

Arcadia Public Library - Spring in bloom. - Libraries Near Me - Arcadia, California

I pretty much grew up with this library and I still come here every once in a while to study when I come home from college for a weekend or during the long breaks. They offer a pretty good selection of books for both kids and adults. You can check out pretty much a million books at a time which was what I used to do when my dad brought me when I was a little kid. Books can be checked out for 3 weeks and I think DVDs and other things like audiobooks and CDs have to be returned after 1 week. There's self check out which is always a plus. When I was a high schooler and I needed books for my English classes I was always able to find them here instead of having to go buy them. If you would rather borrow books for class instead of buying them definitely come here early because they only have a limited number of copies of whatever book you need! They host a summer reading program for children over the summer to encourage kids to read even when school is out and they can win little prizes for however many hours they read for that week. I used to participate as a kid and when I grew up I volunteered to help out. It was always really fun and its nice that they have community service opportunities for high schoolers over the summer. Older kids can also volunteer year-round at the check out counter/shelving books. So why 3 stars? Its sort of dark and dank and I can't help but compare to my university library and wish it were bigger and...not as gross-looking. Arcadia definitely deserves a nicer library and its unfortunate that ours is only one story and doesn't have very many windows or better lighting or a higher ceiling. It also closes way too early!!! 9 PM on weekdays and 6 PM on Fridays and Saturdays is ridiculous, not to mention ITS NOT EVEN OPEN ON SUNDAY WHAATTT. That and their website needs some serious revamping my goodness. High school wangsters loitering around aren't that big of a deal since they usually just hang outside and mess around until they're picked up by their parents. Location is pretty good since its within walking distance from AHS and First Ave/Dana Middle Schools. There's also boba right across the street and Cafe Maji is just a block over! :) read more

This place holds many many memories for me. When I was in elementary school, I'd walk here with my parents to borrow books. I participated in that Summer Reading program every summer and often attended arts and crafts events. When I was in middle school, I'd stop by the library on my way home to get a drink of water (hah) or just study and do homework there with friends until I'd walk home in time for dinner. When I was in high school, I often studied there and worked on projects with classmates in the study rooms. I've read many of the books in the children, teen, and adult sections. With many tables and ample seating, this is a great library. The staff are friendly and they really help make the environment warm and welcoming. The location is great - it's close to the high school, two middle schools, a lot of small eateries, and my house. With that said, I've "grown out" of it - I need bigger libraries with bigger selections! read more

God I hated coming here during high school. They've upgraded alot since 2006, though. Get your library card and come inside for a bunch of books, magazines and a plethora of open computers. They also have a lot of free Wi-Fi as well as desks/private study areas for you. I love that there's a lot of parking, but beware on peak hours for the mass of traffic at Duarte/Santa Anita. If you have kids, bring them here and sign them up in their youth programs. When I was little, I was always enrolled in some program and won things for reading, doing educational activities etc... it's also a good way to meet other kids/families in a similar age range with similar interests, always nice for your kids to have outside of school. -1 star for being the place I spent 1000000 hours at from K-12, lol read more

This review is for the passport service at this library and specifically for their manager Pat Smith who is rude, distasteful and should realize that I have the right to sue for intentional infliction of emotional distress. After a no show on my first appointment, my wife texted that someone else showed up so I rushed there with my son only to be told they have no time to process the application. Second appointment, the guy at the desk was aloof and disappeared without explanation halfway through the appointment. Needless to say, he made mistakes so I had to go back a third time, and you guessed it, the person was late for the appointment again. Go anywhere else but here. read more

HA!!! I was so angry I was going to give them a two. But, as you can see they earned my 4. Their website is horrible, unfriendly, and it appears you need a log-in and pass word just to look for a book or check availability...My god, this is not homeland security. I thought it was a PUBLIC library, not a private club for Arcadia's over pampered students. But I thought, There must be a way around this, so I called the library and the librarian was very helpful. now 4 points from me. read more

Some great things this place offers: - Free wifi, which is super awesome when you are here studying (though, sort of bad when it distracts you) - Plenty of space for studying, alone or in a group - Parking galore! Just make sure to park in the right spot, whether you're here for 15 minutes or all the way to 4 hrs or all day - Big selection of books - Fun activities for everyone. They had movie nights in the summer; I was sad to have missed out on the night when they showed The Da Vinci Code! - Ability to use your computer outside at the tables - SELF CHECKOUT!! =) I'm a nerd, I completely love this place. It was great for when I had to study for my CPA exam and they have an impressive collection of Agatha Christie novels--I'm still working through their inventory! read more

I'm a long-time 1-book-at-a-time patron of this library and have had only good experiences. (Why would anyone need 10 or 20 books at once? This isn't a research library.) They're taking covid seriously, which I totally respect. I'm looking forward to the day when patrons can go in and browse, but for now I'm having no trouble accessing the collection. Kudos to the staff for a good job during difficult times. read more

Just started my masters program so I am starting to visit libraries more often. Compared to the Los Angeles County ones, the Arcadia Public Library is very very VERY clean. The environment is quiet for those who do not use headphones (I study with them on and off). The great plus is a surplus of study cubes, tables, and outlets! Another positive is the large windows which bring in natural light and helps with reading. One downside is the spotty wifi. I had to move from my original spot to get better connection. Even then, it went in and out which is very frustrating. Other than that, it is a great library and wish it was closer so I could do my schoolwork there more often. Abundance of parking! Happy reading. read more

A regular haunt for me. It's definitely the nicest library in the area. Nice, neat, and cozy. There is a pretty good sized DVD section in the front, where you can get everything from documentaries, to movies, to tv series. There is also an audiobook section nearby as well. And trust me, living in LA county, audiobooks are gold on the morning and afternoon commute both. Music is great but mixing it up with audiobook time is gold. An engrossing storyline makes sitting in rush hour traffic a breeze and can easily make you forget how long you've been waiting. My favorite area is the silent zone towards the back. You can't miss it if you just go straight back from the reception area, past the dvds. It begins with a plentiful, spacious desk area and ends with cozy chairs towards the back. Not all the outlets work, so you'll want to test them out first before you settle in. Wifi is pretty good, although it does start to slow down towards the end of the day when all the students and people getting off work come in. But even then it's fairly doable. If you are bringing in a takeout container from the restaurant you just ate at...please do not leave it on the ground while you work! Within minutes, the ants will infest the entire thing and you'll have a lot of wasted food to throw out. Librarians are nice and helpful and are also very swift at quieting the occasional people who try to have cell phone conversations in the silent section Also, don't forget, if the line gets busy at the front, there is a self checkout to the side, over towards where the alarmed entryway is. Another point, if you're looking for a library that gives you free access to The Great Courses, this one does not unfortunately. Try the LA library in Temple City for that, I do know they have it there. Also, this library closes early on Fridays, around 6pm. No night studying here those days, I'm afraid! read more

The Arcadia library has made the best of our literary expectations! They have a very user friendly Service that is fulfilled contact-free. I don't know how we would have made it through the pandemic without the Arcadia Public Library. They offer a "librarian pick" and we have discovered SO many amazing books, my kid's look forward to the day when we get a new bundle. read more

Nice big library, plenty of space for bookworms. read more

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Great library! I love the library but not the people who work there because they're extremely rude. Also, the tables aren't always clean and it can be noisy because of the toddlers or little kids go are immature... read more

It's a nice place to study. I come here to wait for my cousin to get out of school but overall it's like any other library. People come here to study, read, and sometimes sleep. One problem is the teen section. The teenagers are very talkative. I guess it's adolescence. Also, this is one of the libraries that I know that allows you to bring in food and drinks ;) I just got a parking ticket. read more

Arcadia Public Library - Fairly empty at this time - Libraries Near Me - Arcadia, California

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I enjoy going to this library because it has a very big children's section with an abundance of books for toddlers and children. There is usually a bison statue in the chiseled section on the carpet or on the couch for some reason. It used to be located on top of the book shelves. It's a lot cleaner than the pasadena library on orange grove. The library used to be very crowded on weekdays because the arcadia high school is across the street. However, they prohibited private tutoring here so there are more table spaces for students to study. There is a calendar of events each month like story time and arts and crafts. I usually work weekdays so I missed out on those events. Parking is two hours free, but the City of arcadia does mark your tires so they will issue a ticket. I noticed my tires were marked so I didn't exceed the parking limit. Pay attention to turning in books on time. They do issue late fees, but do not notify you until you try to check out books and they'll let you know you have a late fee. My son and I enjoy coming here and the staff are very nice and friendly. read more

Arcadia Library is a good spot too chill at, either early in the morning or a little bit later in the evening to just sit back and observe the mountains and relax. I love it read more

Still can't stand coming here! I went to pick up a book a little while ago, knocked on the door and stepped WAY back so that they could open the door and put my book on the table outside. The guy at the door asked if I had a mask and I said it was in my car. He REFUSED to give me my book until I went and got my mask!!! REALLY?????? Since when is a mask required OUTDOORS????? They are SO unbelievably UPTIGHT at this library!!! AGAIN, I ONLY COME HERE WHEN ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY!!!! Don't waste your time! read more

Rude librarians! I came in to get a card, they told me I need something with my current address since my DL has my old one. OK, no problem. I come back the next week with a vet bill that has my address clear as day. They tell me no it has to be mailed to you, we need to see the postage stamp. I'm just trying to read some freaking books!! What the hell kind of Oceans 11 scheme do you think I'm trying to pull here?? Like I'm gonna steal your books and take them to my secret lair but you won't know how to get them back because I gave you a decoy address! Do you think that I incurred a $145 vet bill so that I could put my alias address on the bill and fool the Arcadia Library into giving me a library card under false pretenses?????? Ughhhhgghhhhhhhnsbdnkkskdvdhsb read more

I have had too many problems at this library. Some of the problems include: - inconsistent internet. Even when having problems, they are not much help telling me to keep "restarting my laptop". - much too crowded on weekends & after-school hours - you can only reserve the study rooms for 2 hours (even when no one is here!) - MEAN librarians/staff I would suggest driving 10 minutes east to the Monrovia Public Library. read more

-1 Star, and you can thank the librarians for that! ...though I haven't met any of them, I just found out that the Arcadia Public Library does not carry any of the essential books on/by Andy Warhol: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andy_Warhol#Books_and_print They do, however, have the children's book that accounts of his nephew's visits to New York to see his uncle Andy (cute, fun read). They do have some books have him in it or have him referenced somehow, but it's not enough. Like him or not (or somewhere in between), he's a big part of an art movement and culture and the way people look at art today...how can you deny people from obtaining a bit of what he's about? Don't tell me that warrants a hop over to Pasadena... FYI: You can search APL's catalog by going here: http://library.ci.arcadia.ca.us/uhtbin/cgisirsi.exe/x/0/0/49 read more

Okay, the collection is quite decent -- their single facility is more extensive than the surrounding 10 county libraries put together. However, they get one star for the following: (1) On weekdays after 3 pm, the place will be inundated with geeky high schoolers who're either too unpopular or fearful of their parents to hang out elsewhere else, i.e. the mall. The teens will play cards, gossip, facebook, and flirt with each other in that socially awkward way found between the spaces of shifting hormones. Some will confine themselves to those study rooms, but it's easy to hear their antics through the paper-thin glass; (2) Reserving a book costs money. That makes me angrier than a yak in heat; and (3) If you park there longer than four hours, you stand a good chance of being ticketed. A security guard patrols the parking lot and marks your tires to see how long you've been there. I was at the library on a slow weekday morning from 10 am to 2pm studying like a responsible plebeian when I was rewarded for my good efforts with a $40 parking ticket. One positive aspect of the library is that its urinals don't use water, meaning even in the wings of David Dreier's Republican fiefdom, there is some modest showing of environmental awareness. Don't eat the urinal cakes. read more

Reasons why I give this place a 1 star 1. Crappy WiFi 2. Parking is a PAIN. Why? They are STICKLERS when it come to parking. Here I am visiting a public library and I park in the 2 hour space and notice that they are chalking tires on the way in. So 2 hours later what do I find but a 53 DOLLAR ticket on my window. On top of that I was with a friend that parked five cars down and she didn't get a ticket. when we both came out to move our cars. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!!!! THIS LIBRARY SUCKS read more

Free wifi. Kids section. Computers lined up. Runescape time! That was me back in '04, when middle schoolers would speed walk from First Ave to the library at 3:10PM to play games. Unfortunately, the kids from Dana would always beat us. :( Brings back good memories whenever I walk in. Too bad I don't read books anymore Huge amounts of computers but more people trying to use them. I hear they have WiFi now (middle school mind blown) Once upon a time there was a way to print for free as well 2 hour parking, and yes they actually do care. So watch out. Police chilin' in the parking lot for that purpose and to check speeds on the 35mph Duarte (east of Santa Anita is 40mph) Compared to other cities' libraries though it definitely deserves 5 stars. Someone with a brain put this in the right location when Arcadia was being laid out read more

Pros: wireless internet & computer stations, spacious, good study spots, self-check-out, good internet tools, well-cared-for books Cons: grouchy circulation desk, crowded during after school and summer, A/C can be too strong in parts of the library After the city of Arcadia performed a major renovation and expansion of their library, it took some time before I hung out here enough to appreciate my good fortune; that is, having one of the best and most modernized libraries in the area within close reach. Besides the hordes of high school students, us library person are quite a diverse group and this library caters to us. From stressed out students to the Chinese man who just wants a quiet place to read his paper. I really believe some people come here when they should be working, so they can take in a book or read the day's news. For college and beyond students, there are wireless Internet and computer workstations, career and education reference books, and even private study rooms available for reservation. When I couldn't find a reference book because the publisher ran out of copies, Arcadia library rescued my MSAR-desperate self. Even after spending hours upon hours of studying here and thus into the brink of insanity, I still love it here. Here are the perks at Arcadia library: a) Great parking lot and outdoor area for reading and relaxing b) Self-check-out!!! You get a printed receipt too c) Large, spacious desks with individual lighting d) Private study rooms (though usually snatched up in the morning) e) Wireless internet and computers f) Books are usually in great condition. Even paperbacks, which are protected by plastic sleeves! g) People who treat the library like home. I've seen older ladies who clip their toenails, peel and eat their bananas, and finish their needlework...and all at the same time! Gross, but absolutely amusing! Makes for great study breaks. h) Helpful children's librarians. The children's section has their own computers as well. i) Clean, well-lit bathrooms j) Easy renewals and holds at their online website. What to watch out for (the cons): a) Circulation desk people can be unusually cranky and anal sometimes. b) Computer room smells funky and warm when it's crowded c) Librarians can be kind of noisy d) The A/C is too good! I've seen people bring in blankets. Brrrr! read more

Convenient, clean, and plenty of parking. Parking is 2 hours but plenty of it. Walked right in a look for an empty tesk and went to work. No hassle at all read more

Horrible horrible customer service I rushed to get into library before closing which was 6pm I get there and rush to find my books then go to checkout to pay a fine and check out my books and I'm told the registers close service at 5:45 I called prior to coming in to ask about my fines and was never told that if you get here at 5:45 you can't be helped I was told we close at 6 pm This is poor poor service and misleading Jaime the supervisor was also no help Didn't even care about the situation This was very very upsetting after I rushed to get into library before they closed read more

Wow, brings me back so many memories! I used to come here almost everyday in middle school and high school. It's pretty clean in here but some areas are dusty. And their study rooms are fairly clean and quite. I think you have to make a reservations ahead of time and give them your id card. Also, there was this one security guy who worked there for the longest time, and he was the sweetest guy ever!! I forgot his name but he was a big african american :) overall, its a good library for kids and adults. I'd visit this place again. read more

For what it is, a public library, it's alright. It's not as fancy as other libraries found in university campuses or downtown. But it serves as a functional local library. It has more [and more current] selection than their Monrovia counterpart. Parking is relatively easy as they have their own lot, though I will echo other Yelpers' thoughts that I have seen parking enforcement hand out tickets if you don't pay attention to the parking signs (time limit, handicap). It can get rather crowded during after school hours, as it's right across the street from Arcadia high. You can reserve a study room, but do so in advance, as again, the school crowd plays a factor. I've found that getting on their wifi to be a bit of a problem on my Mac, again, a result of too many hormones in one place (yes, I went there!). Oh, and recently I saw that they have containers to recycle batteries. How awesome is that? read more

Who in the world would ever get a fvcking parking ticket in a public library because u want to spend more than 2 hrs studying! 2hr parking r u serious! Acadia doesn't like people going to their library or what!? Then don't even build one, or maybe the point of building a library is that they can get parking ticket money! I'm going to their city district to file a complaint. Ridicules! read more

This is one of the best public libraries in the SGV area. There's free wifi, free computer access, and plenty of tables/room to study. They even have private rooms that you can reserve. They also have a huge collection of books, I can always find what I need. Another plus is that the whole place is normally clean and organized. I definitely recommend this library if you need a place to study or to find books! read more

One of my favorite libraries around the SGV!! Pretty big, lots of couches to sit on and plenty of tables to study at. Not too loud but not a quite library. There are plenty of quiet zones but I've never been. Lots of parking but they only have 2 hour and 4 hour parking spaces and I've hear that they're pretty strict on parking. Theres also tables outside to study at. This library is pretty nice looking too, compared to the other libraries in nearby cities. Overall, one of my favorite places to study at back at home =) read more

Chicken Soup for the Soul Books and Disney Videos, oh my!!!! Which can be found in the Used Books and Videos Store by the Checkout Area. I love going in there to find out new little treasures to come home with, hehe! :D And they're pretty cheap and affordable, and of all the libraries that I have reviewed, it's the very best! It's freaking crowded when the school year is in session, and so if you're lucky to find a table or private cubicle, the stars have been aligned for you. However, the one other thing that I honestly do not like with this library is the limited parking area. At the most, four hours is all you get, and if you go over, even by like 5 minutes, those parking bastards end up ticketing you. Grrr!!! Nice remodel of the library, but seriously, the parking situation sucks! read more

I still remember the days when I would head over to this library after middle and high school. Wow.. that was a while ago... Not much has really changed IMO, and this library is still one of the best ones I've been in. It's really convenient for HS kids because it's right across from AHS and there are a lot of places to study or "hang out" in the large parking lot. It gets REALLY crowded after school hours and it's usually louder and more rowdy. I prefer to come when the school kids are not here... which is in the mornings or later on at night. The selection here is VAST and there's also a little used bookstore right when you walk in. The "New Arrivals" are also close to the entrance and I like to browse those. I really like their self checkout machines... I duno why I like them that much, I just do and I'm fascinated by them! Lol. Oh, and if the book you want is ever checked out, you can pay a dollar to reserve it. Happy reading! read more

I had been going to this library for years and really loved the nice environment and friendly and helpful librarians. Several Important Facts You Need to Know: 1. Easy parking is a plus, but *BE SURE to park less than 2 hrs in the area up front, or if you think it'd take you longer than that, park by the church a little further down (those are 4-hr parking limit if im correct), and do not take your chance since they are constantly people monitoring the parking to issue tix in collecting budget for our broken state! 2. I especially like the private study rooms offered at this library, but if you want to have one, you need to get there before high school is out, around 2:50pm M-F as kids from AHS flow into the library and take every spot they possibly can! It's operated on "first come, first service" basis, well as least supposedly. 3. The main area in the library is usually quiet and nice for studying, yet you cannot avoild some loud talkers talking between stacks or yelling in the rooms-RIGHT? I am asking myself the same question?-why are they here again? If you happen to be one who needs talking in the library, I suggest you to go over to the kids' reading section, however old you are as that's a better place for discussion! 4. The collection is okay, WAY better than most other local libraries, yet not quite enough for academic research.. I notice it lacks the collections of autobiographies, so if you need them check out Pasadena library, and if still no luck-go to UCLA Special Collection and Database! 5. Get comfortable with the self checkout machine as it really will save you a ton of time when there's a line! I like the fact that you can also check out DVDs, but BE CAREFUL when you return them, DON'T drop them off in the recycle bin- you might laugh now but trust me it's confusing and you don't want to end up paying hundreds of dollars for a stupid mistake, YES the fines are HIGH! Enjoy your studying and good luck! read more

I hardly come here anymore, but when I do, i start to regret it. I usually stop by if I need a place to just do some work in solitude. The thing that bugs me the most is that their internet is horribly slow. I guess no one can really complain about free internet... except ME! I almost rather have no internet than slow internet. But overall, its an ok place to just come relax and work alone. just dont count on a reliable connection. read more