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    Julia Yates Semmes Library

    4.4 (28 reviews)
    Closed 10:00 am - 6:00 pm

    Julia Yates Semmes Library Photos

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    Books on hold
    Lauren G.

    Cute neighborhood library. I renewed my card and go to looking. They have vinyls to check out and even the record player. Along with your membership comes two book apps. I found a new place to hide out this summer. I checked out some cook books and plan to look for more.

    Melody with the short hair and "manager on shift"
    Julianna J.

    June 28th at 10:30 MELODY, short hair with glasses - was absolutely rude, aggressive and DISRESPECTFUL. The manager on duty stated we need to get out and pay for a room instead. - Except Carolyn she was AMAZING. We are apart of a homeschool group and have come to this location multiple of times as we are very pro libraries and encourage our children to get excited about libraries. Encouraging them to be readers and curious about books. Instead today we came in to have an "art class" with our kiddos and asked if we could use one of the conference rooms. We were told that they were both booked but had options to choose from since those were taken. One of those options were "a quiet room", which we ended up choosing. We were half way finished when she, Melody, stormed in and loudly told us we needed to get out since "this is NOT a teaching room this is a QUIET ROOM and you need to pay for a room instead so all of you need to GET OUT" in front of the kids. Remember we previously got permission from another librarian to use this quiet room. The children were drawing and were being quiet and behaved. So we stopped "teaching how to draw cats" and said to just have quiet time and color their pictures so we can follow the rules. So the entire room was quiet and following the rules. So I went back out and found the disgruntled librarian and told her we were so sorry for not following the rules initially (as we were told we could use the room for art class) but we made sure that the kids are now being quiet and following rules. She was still upset and said no you need to all get out. Now. I then told her again the children are being quiet and invited her in to show we were being quiet. No one is talking and she said "no get out now, I'm going to call my manager." The "manager" then came outside and said "you need to get out now of that room or pay for a room. That's a quiet room, no talking. Here's my card for my manager, call him. Give him a call. But he's on vacation. But go ahead. Call him" So I went back to this quiet room to tell our group to pack it up and another mom told me they were taking PICTURES of our group which is full of MINORS. I turn around and Melody and the "manager" both had their phones out pointing them toward our room. So I walked out there to tell them to not do that but they left to their back room. So I asked Carolyn if they could delete the pictures as they took pictures of MINORS and she went and told them and stated they were deleted. Our children asked questions why "we were in trouble". Why we couldn't stay coloring if "we were behaving and not breaking any rules" "why don't the library ladies like us, what did we do wrong" I'm very upset with those two librarians poor taste of behavior towards us and setting a bad example for our children. I hope this doesn't happen to anyone else and those two ladies are capable of fixing their behavior.

    Outside the library
    Hoa L.

    A small, modern looking library. They also pull buses in to drop children off so the parking lot might be packed depending on the time you go. It's a good sized parking lot. It's bright and well-organized inside. I was able to find the sections I needed immediately. It looks very new and clean. It is a bit on the small size, yet neighborhood friendly. It was very quiet and they have computers, small rooms and a little area for children.

    Michelle H.

    Wow. This library is nice-looking! Decided to stop by just to see what they had to offer just in case I wanted to bring my daughter here one of these days. The kids' section is a little small and the books in the cart are really worn down. But, I was impressed with the cleanliness, the view, the reading areas, and of course---Mac computers?! Nice! Lots of charging stations for those of you who still want to make sure their phones get charged. They even have a silent room where you can go or reserve. The library also has a playground outside and I believe it is connected to a park/hiking trails.

    Chairs for kids have cute little animal cut outs in nature themed colors. There are outside patios for quiet relaxing reading.
    Yvonne P.

    My kids and I have been coming to this library all summer long and have been keeping us busy with all their reading programs and each time you get your library card punched you have more opportunities to win a prize and the likelihood to win it. The kids love the read-to me programs, the cute chairs in the kids add a nice homey feeling to the library. Lunch is free for kids and $3.50 for adults all summer long during the week as an incentive to keep kids reading longer at the library. The best thing about all these programs is that they are free to join! The library staff is always very nice, knowledgeable and friendly. They are very good about informing people about the incentive programs that they've never had before. It's exciting and keeps us coming back for more! Not only that but the library is steps away from a park where kids from all around come before and after the library programs. The Comanche trail park is next door so you can read a relaxing book before or after your workout...I highly recommend this beautiful location to anyone who appreciates literature and nature or who have kids.

    School district uses library as pickup/ drop off point for children who ride bus to school
    Meridith Ray L.

    Top notch library, The Center for learning and for many social and political activities/events. Vote here for National, State & Local candidates. The Julia Semmes Yates Library has bern my first & last source of help during the Tax Season. Their staff has gone out of their way to explain how to use their computer & other equipment to obtain documents & forms. Were I not 100% paperless and read e-books & newspapers on my tablet, i would be using this library all the time. It has a beautiful courtyard where its customers can relax. The Library has a children's playground, an outdoor classroom and is linked to Comanche Lookout Park. The Library supports fitness and health. There are 9 exercise machines on the Library Loop Trail. A beautiful library.

    Lori G.

    We love this library. Architecturally, it's beautiful, nestled adjacent to Commanche Park. We are currently sitting outside on the back covered patio, using free wifi and working (booo). Our dog Gus is also sitting on a chair enjoying the scenery :) +new-ish (approx 5 years old) +friendly staff +free wifi +covered patio (with outlets available) +adjacent to walking trails at Commanche Great for a lazy Sunday afternoon!

    Melinda F.

    Really beautiful library. I come here about once a week (more if I can) and absolutely love it. This is truly a great family library. There is a playground on one side of the parking lot for the kiddos and an awesome hiking trail that is connected to Comanche Park. The views from the ginormous windows overlook the park and landscaping. Really exquisite usage of local plants and flowers. The back patio area is serene and perfect for getting lost in a book. I had to deduct one star because this is a rather small library so there is not a huge selection of books.

    Books 12 & 13 in the Wheel of Time series!!
    Krista L.

    I love libraries! This one is nice enough, quiet enough, & so far they have most of the books that I'm looking for (not the lesbian ones I was looking for but popular mainstream books are available. Staff are friendly and helpful usually. Lots of comfy chairs with electrical outlets for charging your electronics.

    Garden Area. Very nice.

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    2 months ago

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    3 years ago

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    11 months ago

    Very well stocked, courteous staff and the quietness one needs to destress and enjoy life.

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    3 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    3 years ago

    Beautiful library, connects to Comanche Lookout Park. Good indoor and outdoor spaces. A bit noisy inside. Can be distracting.

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    7 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    2 years ago

    i've never felt unsafe and the librarians have always been such nice people. one of my favorite places in the world.

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    8 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    Ask the Community - Julia Yates Semmes Library

    Review Highlights - Julia Yates Semmes Library

    The library itself has a nice outdoor area and is well-situated with a playground for older & younger children.

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    San Antonio Central Library - Terrace reading area

    San Antonio Central Library

    3.7(62 reviews)
    12.4 miDowntown

    The San Antonio Central Library is such an iconic staple to the San Antonio community and I think…read moreeveryone should visit this amazing library at least once a year! This amazing library is located in the heart of downtown and was built by renowned Mexican architect, Ricardo Legorreta. The building is absolutely stunning and has actually been featured in Hollywood movies. If you love art as much as I do you'll be happy to hear that they have a Chihuly inside the library, as well as other pieces of art by very popular artists. The San Antonio Central Library is so much more than a local library. Within the building, you can find other nonprofits that help support small businesses in our community, as well as numerous events they host almost daily. One of my favorite parts about the SA Central Library is their second-hand bookstore located in the basement. You can find some true gems in there, and all the money raised from sales goes back to the library. If you have children I highly recommend exploring their kids' section. My kid loves to play in that area and the staff there is always amazing! Last but not least, the library has its own parking lot and you can get up to three hours of free parking when visiting. You just have to validate your ticket at one of the kiosks located by the entrance.

    I ended up at the San Antonio Central Library kind of randomly... I just needed a restroom and…read morefigured I'd stop in. I got there right when they opened and there were a lot of unhoused people outside, which caught me a little off guard at first. But once I got inside, it felt like a completely different space. What I didn't expect was the art. They have a gallery area with rotating exhibits, and the pieces they had up when I went were actually really nice. It didn't feel like a typical library moment at all. I also wandered upstairs and there's this big blown glass sculpture that's hard to miss. Super pretty and kind of unexpected. I didn't check out any books or anything, so I can't speak to that side of it, but if you're nearby, it's worth popping in just to walk around for a bit.

    Photos
    San Antonio Central Library - Yay! New library card

    Yay! New library card

    San Antonio Central Library - Monthly art display

    Monthly art display

    San Antonio Central Library

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    Parman Library At Stone Oak - Story time group

    Parman Library At Stone Oak

    4.4(39 reviews)
    9.4 miStone Oak

    I like it! Very kept clean and organized. Everything looks in its nice place. There was clearly a…read morelot of time put into keeping everything organized. They have a lot of cool things here I don't typically see in other libraries. They have desks to work, normal, and some with foot pedals which I thought was really neat! It's connected also to a lovely trail. Very nice. I like it here! They even have a cool kids area and room for a puppet show! Is that cool or what!?!? Super great. They have lots of little cool features and I'd recommend it.

    Traveling these days looks a lot different with a toddler in tow. We were in SA to visit family for…read morea week and wanted to keep up our general routine and visited this library twice for story times. Their schedule is online and while they don't have as many story time events as I would like, they are quite popular and well done. Arrive a few minutes early to get a ticket for entry. The library itself is clean and welcoming with kids art and games around. The child area has small seating and dedicated computers for appropriate games. I like that the board books are in an elevated bin to easily sort through. Staff at the checkout/info desk were kind and helpful, too. Bonus points for having a playground a few steps away too. I also got my mom signed up for a library card for the first time in decades and it was a quick and easy process.

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    Parman Library At Stone Oak
    Parman Library At Stone Oak - Story time ticket

    Story time ticket

    Parman Library At Stone Oak

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    Julia Yates Semmes Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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