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    Burlingame Public Library

    4.4 (143 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

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    Shirley H.

    11/11/2023 Sat This library is pretty good size with three stories. Beautiful architecture in "Italian Renaissance" style designed by Burlingame architect Col. E. L. Norberg according to the website. Also it said in 1971, Burlingame had the largest city library for its population of any city on the Peninsula. I haven't been to many libraries in the Bay Area but that was my first impression that this library is quite large compared to the few other city libraries I've been to. This library debuted back in 1909, it's more than a century old! The third level housed some foreign books (Spanish, French, Chinese, etc...), not a huge collection though. It also has a outdoor terrace/patio which will be nice to sit outside during the warmer seasons. Also it has a few individual cubbies, a quiet zone and a meeting room. The second level which is the main level where the entrance is has the children section, teen zone, and quiet zone with tables and chairs. Restrooms are also on this level. As soon as you walked into the library, you are greeted by an owl statue. The lower level has a media/tech lab (there's a 3D printer), couple smaller huddle rooms, and tables and chairs outside of the rooms. A few lounge chairs in the atrium under the stairwell. This library definitely one of the nicer libraries I've been to. Well done City of Burlingame!

    outside lion statue
    Michele C.

    This is as a library should be--fast wi-fi, ample space so people can sit without being crowded together,separation between areas--the list goes on! San Jose libraries seem cheap by comparison. The Burlingame main library is in a nice building with three levels, and there are historical spots through the interior.Anson Burlingame was a real person, and you can find paintings of him as well as artwork, including a needle word picture of the library. The spaces are nice and quiet--at least when it first opens. The computers aren't near windows, so you won't get a headache from using them, and they are spaced apart as they should be. In San Jose they re too cheap to even get shades! All in all a great place to study or find books. They also have a cafe and book sale nook.

    current hours as of May 2022 - they extended Monday to Thursday hours from 6pm to 8pm
    Sarah F.

    Pros: Great selection of books, plenty of DVDs to borrow. They also allow patrons to print 3 pages (black and white, 15c per page) or up to 1 page (color, 45c per page) with their $0.45 a day allowance for printing. Library staff was friendly and helpful. Cons: They no longer have Hoopla for ebooks, and that was my main source for comic books to read. If not for this they'd get 5 stars.

    The upper level.
    Lawrence J.

    Minus one-half star for frequent homeless patrons. As I write this there's one in the front room of the second floor cleaning her (his?) socks out, clearing her throat, snorting and belching really loudly every two minutes, and cursing under her breath. She smells like toe jams and is creating a hygiene hazard. To launder her wardrobe, she's digging the sand and debris out of her socks and other articles of clothing, letting the debris fall onto the foot rest and then wiping the debris onto the floor with her bare hand. I'm going to go vomit now. Minus another half a star for the circumstance that none of the library staff are attentive enough to have noticed. I would go complain to one of the employees but I don't want to make a scene. Minus another half star for the fact that I just walked into the restroom and stepped in human shit. There was a turd in the middle of the large stall in the men's bathroom. Not blaming the staff, (as the turd probably landed there only a few minutes earlier), but the quality of the people who come here - the type of people who would defecate in the middle of the stall and not bother to pick it up. That leaves a total of 3.5 stars, which I've rounded up to 4.

    Beautiful Spanish building for a library.
    Ben H.

    Thankfully, people still go to the library (sans COVID). What a beautiful Spanish architecture and an amazing library, well organized, soothing decor, helpful librarians.

    No V day date? No problem!
    Valerie C.

    Love this library! I go out of my way to study here. I am one of those people who needs the right working environment in order to be productive. They did this very cute thing for Valentine's Day where they match you up with a blind book date. I definitely saw this on tumblr or Twitter but it is still very cute.

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    Ask the Community - Burlingame Public Library

    Is there free wifi there and is there an enty/membership fee?

    Burlingame Library has free wifi. You may visit the library for free. If you want to borrow books, you'll need a library card, free to San Mateo County residents. Your… Read more

    Which areas of the library, besides the snack bar area, are accessible to snackers?

    If you mean by where you can eat, I think you can do so in the patio out front (there are tables and chairs, stone benches), the balcony upstairs (also with tables/ chairs) and the side of library (wooden boxes). I believe you can drink anywhere in… Read more

    View All 3 Questions

    Review Highlights - Burlingame Public Library

    The Spanish architecture outside and inside makes this place so pretty and warm, perfect for book nerds like me.

    Mentioned in 5 reviews

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    Burlingame Easton Branch Library - Lion's Den

    Burlingame Easton Branch Library

    4.6(8 reviews)
    1.3 mi

    What a nice cozy little library. The Libyans are always super helpful and kind. Enough of a…read moreselection to make it worth it and easy ways to request more. My son loves it.

    Disclaimer: I worked here in high school for 2 years, but I grew up coming to the main Burlingame…read moreLibrary branch where I volunteered in middle school, and then when a part-time role opened at the Easton Branch, I jumped at the chance to have a paid job at one of my favorite places in the world. It's small, intimate, cozy, and homey. There's a fireplace and big leather sofas and chairs. There's stuffed animals, a small garden with a bench in the back (I used to water those plants!), and jigsaw puzzles for kids. You will get to know the librarians and staff here. There's story times and events for adults as well as kids. They really make it like a community center. I make sure to stop by whenever I visit my parents and I love saying hi to my old coworkers and seeing how the library is growing and changing. It's a great place to get movies, books, magazines, the daily newspaper, and use the WiFi, or their desktop computers and printers. They have less selection than the main library on Primrose near downtown, but the parking is free here and they have all the new DVDs and books and fewer library patrons come to the Easton Branch. So what are you waiting for? Visit today!

    Photos
    Burlingame Easton Branch Library - Cozy reading spot

    Cozy reading spot

    Burlingame Easton Branch Library - Children's section

    Children's section

    Burlingame Easton Branch Library - Wine And Margaritas for Halloween!

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    Wine And Margaritas for Halloween!

    Burlingame Public Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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