Cute little library with super friendly and helpful staff. I like that they have programming for all ages, not just little kids. It's also useful to have computers and printing available for those occasions when a cell phone is not enough to get your business done. They even have outside lockers to pick up your books when the library is closed!! One star off for just how stinky it can get in the adult section. I realize that the restrooms are there, but how is it more stinky than park restrooms?? read more

The Good: The library itself is excellent, as are the staff and programs. The Bad: Those sliding doors on Empire Street... who's stupid idea was that?? The ongoing construction makes them constantly open and let in the noise. When there's street cleaning, the dust flies in. People walking by causes them to open. The wind opens them and leaves fly in. Meanwhile, disabled people and parents with strollers struggle to open the heavy manual doors on the parking lot side. Switch them, please! read more

Love this library! I have not had a library card since college and saw that this branch was close to me and decided to check it out. I was very impressed by their book collection and their book recommendations they spot lighted. When I went up with the books I wanted to check out the librarian was very kind and helped me open up an account. I finished the book I checked out and plan on going back to get more. I also noticed they hold a ton of community events and saw one of their book reading when I walked by. Definitely worth checking out. read more

This library is cute and with great kids programs. Michelle and Carolina are the best. read more

I've come here pre-COVID days because it's close to home. It's a bit smaller than what I'm used to because I grew up going to the Berryessa branch since I was young, but the selection is fine here. I always liked looking at the new books they have because they always have fresh finds at this branch. During COVID, they are allowing pickups (appt schedule online) on holds and you text them when you've arrived. They set up a table in the back and do contactless pickups. Returning books is the same, of course. read more

Joyce Ellington Branch Library - Backside of library. They're doing pickups here on this side. - Libraries Near Me - San Jose, California

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I strictly come to Joyce Ellington Branch alone to read/journal away from people in my own bubble and meet with my life coach here sometimes too. I think this place has some character, as do most of the 20 + odd something libraries the City of San Jose has to offer. The only public study room is STRICTLY locked non open access and need to ask for permission to use from the front desk. They will unlock and open the door after the room has been reserved, most if not all other libraries are open available for use that I know of. Room use in 1 hour time slots per library card, non consecutive per card member. Someone must have ruined the open access for everyone because they guard study room use. WHATEVER. I GET IT. Watch out for homeless people. MLK has this problem too. SUCKS. Kid/teenager friendly. Overall friendly staff. Small to non existent Japanese movie selection and its literally next to Japan town via Empire. hahahahaha. At least for now we are satisfied Enso. Meow. Yelper. Yelpish. Yeeeeeeelp! read more

This is our neighborhood library and we are so lucky to have it. We regularly come here on Saturdays for story time. The library is always clean and organized. It has a great children's collection. The New Picture Books are always filled with wonderful brand new books. In December they have a holiday event filled with kids activities, face painting and photo op with Santa!! Please keep our libraries well funded. read more

Joyce Ellington Branch Library - Childrens Area - Libraries Near Me - San Jose, California

Excellent library with a great story time for kids. I just wish they had more employees working. Looks like they're suffering a staff shortage read more

Love Joyce Ellington Library! My kiddos (ages 3 and 1) come here often to play and participate in their story times/other events. Staff is friendly and helpful. Feels clean and well taken care of. We especially love Miss Karolina, the Children's Librarian. She does great activities for the kids (story times, music class, special events--magicians, bird shows, sing-a-longs) and even takes the time to come out and play with the little ones and learn their names/interests. Very grateful to have this little gem of a library. read more

It's been over a year since I came to this library. I think it deserves an update. Still clean, organized and kid friendly. Noticed kids love this place-but they're quite today. No day care today I guess. They have more references available from last year. I also noticed that their teen section got bigger in book selections. They do have tons of movies that you can borrow or watch in the library. Very cool! I'm a happy camper. read more

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We absolutely love our local library branch! It's a great community of families that gather for family story time, and Miss Karolina always has the best programs for the kids. We often go just to play with the toys on a rainy day. We feel so lucky to have this branch nearby! read more

This branch opened on June 28, 2008. It was formerly known as Empire Branch Library [http://www.yelp.com/biz/empire-branch-library-san-jose-city-of-san-jose]. It's right across from a school, so I'm sure the kids will be filling the place during the weekdays. Backesto Park is just two blocks away, so the location is quite convenient. While the design of the library is the same as all remodeled libraries in this system, this one feels a bit more cramped than others. The computer room holds 25 computers, and there are just two study rooms. That being said, the main entry room feels very open. You'll find the audio CDs and floating bookshelves here. You can park on the street, but it's better to get into the lot between the library and the school. The exterior returns are here anyway. Because the library is on the smaller side, the selection is not as great. MLK isn't that far away if you really need to find something. So, Joyce Ellington is not a destination library, but if you're in the area, check it out. read more

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Great neighborhood library with a parking lot steps away from the entrance. Lots of different subject books here to explore as well as monthly bulletin boards of community events. What a gem to have in the neighborhood. read more

This is a nice library to pop in and out of, but I don't like to stay. Smells: It can be uncomfortable if you need to use the computer rather than your laptop if you are scent sensitive (constant smelly hobo presence). Dab a favorite perfume under your nose. Noise: Talking is apparently a thing at libraries, nowadays. Having speakers on is also a thing (while it's not ok to plug in headphones). Bring earplugs. Speed: If you are on the Wi-Fi, be aware that the kids slow it way down after school with their video games. read more

Its as clean as a library can probably get, very accessible and I can probably say, its worth the trip vs. the main library if you're only looking for something to read or a place to chill while reading or listening to music. I love it because its not congested like most libraries seem to be these days. read more

Joyce Ellington Branch Library - Libraries Near Me - San Jose, California

I had a little problem with the drive-up delivery, on-line appointment confirmation, but the staff was very efficient and kind when I picked up my book. read more

I dont come here often, and with personal Experience with a lot of libraries that I HAVE been to. there's really nothing or any action that make me, give this rating but (there's always the exception and if you CARE about your family as I do) the help here is about average, but my certain experience before (once) left me looking at WHO they really hired thru the city of san jose. seriously I can be Nosy, or Pushy when I chat, but if someone is that personal (to an extent) LEAVE YOUR OPINIONS back at HOME. On the plus side, The videos non-fiction and Fiction are always, available. :) depending on what your looking for anyway :) read more

I'm only a fan because its just blocks away from my house. the movie selections are okay, the book selections are eh, okay, but the kid section, is where its at. So many children's books, I think the library forgot that adults read too... The music section is pretty good too, i've found things here that i never thought a library would have. so heck it out, and also, the only thing that sucks is the computer room, there is hardly ever any availability. read more

Clean, tidy, family- and neighborhood-friendly library. Like most branches in the system, it's an attractive building with limited goods and lots of lounging areas. Free Internet and WiFi. My one complaint: Why do all the libraries seem to carry pretty much the exact same DVD titles? It seems that they could greatly broaden the overall library by not buying so many multiple copies of the same title. Does each library really need three or four copies of "Eyes without a Face," however good it may be? Also, please, please invest in a scratch removal machine, SJPLs. The general condition of these things is really bad. read more

Great library! New and clean, there is plenty of parking and the area is well lit. There are some shady looking characters focusing too intently on the computer, but that is not abnormal in libraries these days. read more

good for: Kids brats etc, movies, vietnamese materials, spanish materials, noticed a lot of "how to pass the TOEFL" books, Manga! bad for: Reading english at an adult level Walked in and first thought was "wtf is that kid doing skating in here?" It was a saturday morning, shouldn't they be watching cartoons or something? I mean it makes me feel like an old "get off my lawn" man saying this, but seriously no respect. The librarian told me the place is packed with an after school crowd on the weekdays so I'd avoid it then. Half this place is childrens section, there's a "teen room" with manga a place to watch movies and internet terminals, the adult section had a lot of viet/spanish foreign movies and materials. Was not very comfortable as I had the choice of sitting in a small area with some uncle grandpa types reading periodicals, didn't want to set foot in the kids section and finally chose the teen room. Not really any place to chill in there, had to listen to Hercules playing in the background and the occasion exclaimed obscenity from the two tween girls stalking myspace while browsing the manga. Grabbed some DVDs (they have a good selection of movies for a library) and got me out of there. read more

Nice friendly staff (Lost my DL -saved in a safe box) returned with no problems.

I'd probably like this library a little better if the children's section were more isolated and the adult book collection were a little bigger. OK, a lot bigger. But there's something to be said for concentrating on creating a big open inviting space where adults and children just feel good being there. read more

I go to this library usually once or maybe twice a week. It is always clean and reasonably quite. The place smells of disinfectant . While it is small they can order any book in there system and sent it to Joyce Ellington. There is also a copy machine that can be used with the computers. The staff is helpful. Ok to be honest there are a few cons. There are a few homeless sleeping. But it is not a problem. With heat and a/c it is a pretty comfortable place. I do wish they would have more than 1 copy of the newspaper. The paper is all stapled, stamped, worn by the end of the day. I guess my big complaint is there is too many people eating lunch and snacks. Also check the hours they are opened some days 10 or 11 o'clock. They are closed Friday Saturday and Sunday. The mosaic of Joyce Ellington is welcoming. Like this place! read more

Library is not good no book selections and the teen room is no food aloud no movies just a bad library in general

Heads up!!! I've frequented this library because its close to home. Its noisy and parents and staff allow kids to run rampid and disrupt the whole environment a library should be. The school kids are not as noisy and irritating as the children accompanied by there parents. This is a diverse review not one stands alone. I think staff should take the responsibility to control the the environment before it becomes uncontrollable, or has it already? read more

Took a class at this library today. The main portion was closed, but the community room is where we had the class. It has newer tech. And a nice corner location with big windows to people watch from when you get bored in class. Clean restrooms and the rest of the library looks brand new. The gate was down, so i couldn't get to the rest. read more

Great library! Clean, the staff is always ready to help, lot of craft activities for the kids, and story times several times a week.

this place sucks... stuck up girls. rude staff and too much noise. the only thing good about this place is the wifi