Back in San Rafael at the original library near civic center and Falkirk. Spacious and fun to visit…read morein Marin Co.

Needless to say I will NOT bring my 8 year old daughter back to this branch. We were trying to read…read morein the children's section and it was just way too loud for her to concentrate. Ok I get it children's section. I took her upstairs to the adult section and honestly quite a few of the seats, tables were taken by the homeless. I saw one changing socks, picking sores on her feet. I was able to find a table on the other side of that mayhem and the pic posted should be enough to convince anyone how unsanitary this place is. San Rafael deals with enough homeless issues I'm not going to subject myself to more than I already am. I'll go to another library in a different town/city because San Rafael is too woke to care about those of us that apparently have little rights when it comes to dealing with this.

I don't ever bother going into this library. I enjoy the outside grounds. It is very green on the…read moreproperty where the library sits. Looking thru the windows it kind of appears to be stuffy inside and there doesn't appear it is a comfortable place to study.

Although I didn't attend DU, I came here frequently when I was a college student living in Marin…read moreCounty to study. I was always impressed by how quiet it was- other students and patrons were always respectful and mostly silent. Making everyone check in and present their IDs made me feel safe and secure, which is always appreciated when studying in a public location. I loved the tables that faced outwards because there were some great views to take in while hitting the books. One thing to be aware of if you're not a student- the library does not offer guest WiFi, so plan ahead by setting up a mobile hotspot or preloading things on your device.

Pickleweed Library is in the Canal neighborhood located inside the Albert J. Boro Community Center…read more Even though it is a tiny branch of the San Rafael Public Library, they offer many resources to the community. There are books, dvds, a computer lab, a 3D machine, and a nice space for kids to read and learn. I frequent this library often since it's convenient for me. Whenever I reserve a book online, I always choose to pick it up at Pickleweed. The staff are friendly. There is ample parking. They are open every day except for Sunday's and Monday's.

Lovely little library off of the Pickleweed Community Center! It's small, but that have fun cute…read moreevents at the library. When I came, they had a multilingual (English & Spanish) children's book reading! Staff was kind & helpful, and they have a few desks and computers you can work at.

Two words: MUST SEE!…read more This is my go-to library when I need to be productive and focused. Between the peaceful atmosphere, beautiful grounds, and views of nature, getting work done here hardly feels like work! PROS: * Ambiance: Gorgeous views inside and out, plus an outdoor deck. A nature lover's dream! * Seating: Plenty of different spots to settle in. I've never had trouble finding a seat, regardless of the time of day. * Selection: Great variety of books, DVDs, CDs, and other media. * Staff: Friendly and genuinely helpful! When I signed up, they walked me through all the membership perks. * Free perks: Access to digital resources like Libby, Kanopy, and Hoopla, plus museum passes! * Cleanliness: Well-maintained throughout, including the bathrooms. KEEP IN MIND: * Street parking only, so you might walk a block or two depending on the time of day. * Handicap accessible. What sets this library apart is the setting. It's not just somewhere to borrow books; it's somewhere I actually look forward to spending time. I'll keep coming back for the productivity, but the scenery is a pretty convincing bonus!

The Mill Valley Public Library feels less like a traditional public building and more like a cozy…read moremid-century mountain lodge. Easily one of the most stunning libraries in all of California. Here is what makes it so special: Atmosphere & Architecture: Tucked right into a redwood grove next to Old Mill Park, the mid-century design features huge floor-to-ceiling glass windows, warm exposed beams, and stone elements. Sitting in a comfortable armchair looking straight out into a forest of giant trees while you read is pure magic. The Outdoor Deck: The back deck overlooks the creek and redwoods. It's hands-down the best spot to work, study, or read outside on a clear day. Cozy Amenities: They have a real wood-burning fireplace in the main reading area, hand-crafted walnut furniture, and fine art pieces that make the entire space feel insanely serene and welcoming. Resources & Staff: The book and media collection is great, and because it's part of the MARINet system, hold pickups are super easy. The staff is always exceptionally friendly, helpful, and attentive. Whether you're looking for a peaceful workspace, bringing kids to the children's section, or just looking for a quiet afternoon escape from the city, this place is an absolute gem.

The selection is wonderful. The librarians are helpful. The facility is well organized with plenty…read moreof different seating options + meeting rooms. Easy to renew using the Marinet App. That App is also a great way to track what you've read. We're fortunate to have this Library & the entire Marin County library system easily available.

I mainly pick up books that I have placed on hold, so I forget how much space there is inside…read more There is a community room with plenty of seating to study, a teen area, free events, guest speakers, computers & printers, and helpful staff to answer questions. I will definitely consider spending time there the next time I feel stir crazy working on a project at home.

We took our fussy 2 year old to this colorful library on Saturday and she had an absolute blast! We…read moreread books, played with puppets, blocks and lots of toys! I'd highly recommend checking it out next time you're in the city of Novato! I know we'd return! SYOY! :-)

This place is so amazing, I almost want to keep it a secret. But libraries are one of our most…read moreimportant institutions, so it wouldn't be right not to shout out about the South Novato Library from the rooftops. The book space itself is just average for Marin (I miss my fancy big public libraries in small town Connecticut!), but there is something really special here: The Shop. The Shop is an all-ages Maker Space with almost everything you can imagine to create: a row of sewing machines, knitting and crocheting materials, paint supplies, all sorts of arts and crafts materials, and a full wood shop! I have a sewing machine, but can't work it and hate sewing. It's much easier for me to bring any kind of mending project (I irrationally volunteered to mend some classroom chairs) to the Shop on a Wednesday or Saturday, when a sewing librarian is there. My younger daughter has loved experimenting with sewing here. And my older daughter loves tinkering with the glue gun, foam, fabric, and other supplies. Kids 8 and over can actually stay at the shop during open hours without parental supervision. When we have gone, I've always seen industrious, creative, responsible kids and pre-teens there hard at work. What a great space for young people who often don't have a set place in public spaces, where most events/ places are focused on adults or toddlers/ preschoolers.

I meant to post this review a week ago…read more Last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Ruth and Bilal, who both were behind the front counter. Both employees were extremely friendly, courteous and informative. I had some questions regarding Libby and Ruth, (Clearly a Libby Veteran) informed me I should physically go to Oakland and San Francisco to obtain library cards and add them to the Libby app. She also recommended if I was in the Los Angeles area to obtain a library card there. She didn't have to tell me this but she went out of her way to help me out and that was appreciated. Yesterday I went to Oakland and got a library card and added that to my Libby app so that it would expand my library and it did. Library's are so important and I can appreciate Marin County keeping the Fairfax location open as well as all of the other locations. Thank you both, Ruth and Bilal.

Great little library in the charming hippie town of Fairfax. Good selection of books…read more I attended a mushroom lecture held in one of their meeting rooms, which was very educational. Parking lot has ample spaces. So many great libraries in Marin, and this one definitely holds its own.

I love this library…read more It's small and very old. It reminds me of my childhood library with a grand staircase that sends you to the second floor or higher learning. It hearkens back to the turn of the century, except thankfully with computers. They have a great selection of books for the size. There are comfy chairs to sit and read and the high windows provide a lot of natural light. Only 4 computers with a 1 hour limit. Just a few tables to sit at for study. I like it here.

Saturday storytime is our absolute favorite! We come every week to hear Jenny read to our kids…read more This community library is a gem and has the kindest, most informed librarians. The building itself is lovely, but the well organized books and kids coloring area is the stand out. What a wonderful home for reading. We love it here.

Love the new location and space of the Larkspur Library! It's beautiful and a good location…read more Reminds me a little of the very nice Tiburon library. Lots of outdoor space and seating. Good space inside as well. My only complaint is the dead end in the small parking lot is a bad design. Puts everyone's vehicles at risk to people who cannot maneuver out. They need more parking.

The new building interior falls short. Materials used will take a long time to out gas. They could…read morehave installed natural wood flooring or even laminate flooring instead of the carpet which was the least expensive way to go. The book shelves and tables all need out gassing and are a lesser quality adding to the toxic smell inside. The focus was on the exterior for which they spared no expensive and which acts as a shrine to the Architect. But libraries are used INSIDE. Bad decision on the part of City Council. Even the Librarians are made ill by the chemicals. The best part is them. We won't return due to the toxicity and a disappointing floor plan and interior.

Beautiful library in a gorgeous location! Good selection of…read morebooks in the main library. Great little room where they hold various events and speakers for small-ish but mighty crowds. I attended a Ca State Park Ranger talk about finding wellness in nature at Mt Tam, which was very helpful! Also, there is a fantastic used bookstore where you can score some great second hand books for very low prices. I think I got about 4 or 5 books for under $10 total. Definitely come to this wonderful library!

My local Corte Madera branch is being remodeled. Although I like the Mill Valley branch which is…read moreclose by, parking is challenging around there, so I decided to request a book through Link Plus for pick up at the Belvedere Tiburon library since it has a large parking lot. It was my first time at this branch and I was immediately impressed by the modern appearance, bright natural light with the many large windows, high ceilings, and overall vast size of the library. The staff who helped me with my Link Plus request was courteous and efficient. I enjoyed a walk by the water after visiting the library. I look forward to this being my local branch for the summer!