Live Oak Library is my go-to library when I want to study or get work done outside of home. There's…read morea small private parking lot in the back of the library. The look and feel of the library is very modern and clean. Inside is quiet - I barely heard anyone make sounds. I came on a Friday afternoon and most tables were occupied by folks studying or working. I prefer working on the tables facing the windows, as it's spacious and has easy access to charging outlets. There's also a few meeting rooms. The book selection is vast for both the adult and kids section. Lastly, I can tell the staff here is diligent. I saw the librarians organized books and folks in the front desks doing book check-outs. Overall, this is a fantastic library and I'll definitely be back.

Very clean, modern, and small library. They have their own small parking lot in the back. The…read moretables and furniture all look clean and new. There's a small sectioned off children's center for kids to explore and read. And a separate area for adults that need to study or work. There are plenty of computers and study tables to get work done. I think the biggest table I saw was a table of 4, in case anyone wants to come here with a study group. The AC is nice and it's a great place to relax with a book or get some work done.

This is a pretty small and rundown public library but it does hold some of the most popular books…read more The hours are a bit weird especially closing pretty early or being closed on most weekdays. Super friendly staff though and it was quiet when I was there. Books were organized and was easy to find the book that we were looking for. Also had to renew our library card and they easily took care of that. Books are rented for 3 weeks and apparently there is no late fees anymore though they ask you to please return the books. I will definitely come back here to check out more books!

An excellent small town library. Very clean and well lit . However I wish there would be proper…read morefunding in the city so that the students studying there could also be able to experience more enrichment and study group activities. Last I checked there were amazing periodicals and literature for youthful readers. Love the sturdy brick design of the building and I enjoy the calm and simple atmosphere.

They offer a lot free programs for adults and kids! Check their calendar on their website for…read moreupcoming events. They also offer different seeds monthly. The bookstore offers variety of books that are affordable. I've found some used condition books for kids. There are two different areas for parking, 2 hours and 4 hours. Parking hours are enforced.

I've been coming to Arcadia Public Library for many years and have always had good experiences, but…read moreI was very disappointed by what happened tonight. I politely asked a male staff member at the front desk for help with the printing system. He was impatient and seemed very unwilling to help. After I paid twice and nothing printed, I asked him for help again. He reluctantly came over and treated me as if I simply didn't know how to use the machine. Even if someone doesn't know how to use the system, it's still normal to ask for help. I don't expect special treatment, but people who politely ask for help deserve basic patience and respect. I hope the library will provide better customer-service training so that other community members don't have a similar experience.

The library has board games, friendly employees, and quiet study room. They seem very involved with…read morethe community and have cool events.

Went there for the first time on Saturday. Interesting, the 2 ladies in the front desk couldn't…read moreanswer all questions, but nice library regardless!

This is the worst library to study at. Don't waste your time going here. I would give zero stars if…read moreI could. It's hot. There are few outlets. There are few places to sit. The staff are condescending. It's loud from children talking and dogs barking. I've gone to this library twice now and was not happy with either visit. Although the space looks like it has a lot of tables, there are very few with outlets to plug a laptop into. The first time I came, I was able to find only one available table with an outlet because I came shortly after they opened. That time and this time, the library was extremely loud. There were so many children running around and screaming. This time, there was even a dog barking and running around too. I just went to the library again today and was not able to find a single available table to sit at. The only empty seats were where the computers were. Only a couple of the computers were being used, which left 6 empty spots. I didn't really want to sit there since I already had my own laptop, but it was the only open table. I shifted the keyboard to the side and made do with the small space. Since there were plenty of computers still available next to me, I didn't think it would be a problem to sit there. Boy was I wrong. A woman with glasses approached me maybe 15 minutes after I sat down and told me that those spots were meant for people who were going to use their computers. When I told her that there were no more tables and that there were plenty of available seats still next to me, she condescendingly told me that I'm the one to ever argue with her because everyone else usually just moves. I told her that I would move if someone needed the computer. She again said I had to move then walked away without another word. Since there were no other available spots to sit at, I had to leave the library. This woman was not just condescending to me by the way. Right when I first sat down, the same woman was speaking to a man by the printers. The way she was speaking to him was equally condescending. I didn't want to listen in on their conversation, but her tone was really mean and obnoxious as she told him he was wrong about something. She was speaking to him in a way that felt like she was absolutely looking down on him. I hope upper management has a word with her about her customer service skills because they are terrible. My last note is about the temperature of the library. It's really hot outside, so I thought it would be nice to study where there's an A/C. Although it was slightly cooler than outside, it was still pretty warm in there. It did not feel that much more comfortable than studying outside. I don't think it was warm just because there were a lot of people because it was equally warm the first time I went too(right when they opened).

This is small quaint library that is located in Rosemead. It's part of the Los Angeles County, so…read moreit uses the same library card under this umbrella. [This is not to be mistaken with Los Angeles (city) Public Library.] There is plenty of parking that can be accessed from Muscatel Ave. There are a lot of charging stations for electric vehicles. There is a QR code to scan to pay PowerFlex. The book drop boxes are also in the parking lot. This library is closed Sundays and Mondays. Overall the library is very clean, not cluttered. I think this is because they don't overcrowd the library with too many shelves. There are bathrooms, water fountains with a refill station, and a conference room in the lobby. Beside the kids section, there is the teen section, some computers, and tables scattered around. There is separate area called the Asian Pacific Resource Center. There are more books, prints, and audio resources.

How do I compare apples to oranges? The other two libraries that are my favorites are South…read morePasadena and Crowell library in San Marino. Each of those two include outdoor spaces. This library is centrally located for San Gabriel and surrounding areas. Yes, you are welcome if you live south of the tracks and if you are ESL. They say they are a safe place for people seeking safety. The library staff is helpful to place orders for books DVDs and audio books. I think the LA county system even loans things like sewing machines. Using the library website you can draw from the many small county libraries. I have always gotten a parking space and I do use the handicap door opener. When I visit it is invitingly cool and quiet. I haven't checked out the restroom yet.

I stopped by on a Saturday and couldn't find any parking spaces in their lot, so I found a parking…read morespace in the street. This library was packed inside which I was very surprised to see. I am glad locals are using the libraries even when some were using it just to stay cool from the hot weather outside.

super small yet super cute library ~ lov the parks around i remember going to the farmers market…read moreearly mornings around the streets here. i put a book on hold and after 24 hours, it was ready to pick up!

Nice library. Remodeled over a year ago so things are nice and new inside. Study rooms are…read moreavailable for public use. Just have to make a reservation. They have various kids and adult programs. Check website for schedule. Location is clean for most part and Staff is friendly. However some unhoused individuals have been known to come in to use the facilities. There is a park right in front of library as well with a small playground for when kids just need to play. The park is a good size. There is a parking lot which can fill up. However there usually is plenty of street parking if the lot is full.

This library has been my go to for 2 years. Compared to many other libraries this place is optimal…read morefor seating & space. The library has outdoor seating , indoor study area with large tables, main seating tables by the bookcases , & ledge seating by the windows. Most tables are equipped with charger outlets. The library is well managed with staff who are doing headcount & open to questions or concerns. I haven't tried their actual checkout process for books as I only come to study. Parking can be tricky at times since the library is next to an elementary school. The golden hour is coming before 2pm or after 8am to avoid the car lines of parents or difficulty with parking. I personally enjoy the artwork that is displayed in the hallway which changes every so often as it's made by the community. Overall, a nice spot to study as you have different seating options & quiet environment.

Those managing the library came across as surprisingly unprofessional during my visit. One…read moreinteraction in particular with a blonde staff member left me uncomfortable. After I handed her my library card, I kept my hand extended to receive it back. She initially appeared to be returning it directly to me, but then paused and placed it on the counter instead, requiring me to pick it up myself. I understand that this may seem like a small incident, but the deliberate nature of the gesture made the interaction feel unnecessarily dismissive. I cannot speak to her intentions, but combined with the overall lack of professionalism I experienced, it left a negative impression of the library staff

The Matilija lending library is a local bookstore, lending library and store all in one. It's just…read moreoff of Valley Blvd. with the cutest storefront! The owners are the sweetest people and are so involved in the community. Their books range from YA to how-to books on Mahjong. I bought some cute stickers, postcards, and artwork from local vendors. They even had my favorite Mahjong book! The prices are so incredibly reasonable. They were even having a sale the day I stopped in.

Small lending library with a micro seed bank!. Geeat place in the area to checkout small hometown…read morevibes good place to find artist prints and exceptionally friendly people. Prices are reasonable and discounted for reading items local maps reading materials and paper goods .

THIS IS NOT A QUIET LIBRARY…read more I've been holding off on writing this for a long time because I genuinely couldn't believe how consistently frustrating the experience has been. I come here often and stay for hours at a time to study. I'm not popping in briefly. I'm here working, focusing, and trying to use the space the way a library is traditionally meant to be used. I understand this is a public space funded by taxpayers and open to everyone. I respect that. But libraries also have rules for a reason, and here they are rarely enforced. That's the real issue. The open concept design might look modern, but it completely eliminates any sense of quiet. You can hear every front desk interaction across the floor. Phone calls, loud conversations, audio playing from devices, and people speaking at full volume are constant. Some librarians genuinely try to maintain order and I truly appreciate them. But others make no effort at all. Over time you start to recognize who will step in and who won't. I've had to get up and specifically find the staff members who will address disruptions. I should not have to do that. There is no dedicated quiet section. None. That alone is shocking. If you are looking for a peaceful study environment, this is not it. It feels more like a social space than a library. Food policies are inconsistently handled. I originally thought eating was allowed because everyone does it here, only to later learn at another county branch that food is not permitted. The rules technically apply here too, they're just not enforced. The same goes for phone use and strong odors, both of which are clearly addressed in library policies but frequently ignored in practice. The men's restroom also has a persistent odor issue. What makes this even more disappointing is that I've visited the Diamond Bar branch, which operates under the same county system, and the difference is night and day. The rules are upheld consistently and respectfully there. It's calm. You can study for hours without constant interruptions. That experience makes it clear that the issue here is not the public, but the lack of consistent enforcement and management. To be fair, there are positives. There are plenty of tables and outlets. The children's section is well designed and engaging. They offer programs for kids and adults, including community classes. The book sales are fantastic and affordable. And again, some librarians are helpful and professional. But the core function of a library should be to provide a space where people can read, study, and focus. When you cannot go more than 20 to 30 minutes without loud disruptions, that is a management problem. I'm not expecting perfection. Public spaces will never be silent. But basic rule enforcement is not too much to ask. If you want a quiet place to work, I strongly recommend going to the Diamond Bar location instead. The difference is immediate. It's disappointing that the library in my own city could be so much better with relatively simple changes. Consistency would fix most of this.

The library has been renovated since it was closed around 2020, didn't know it had opened back up…read more The carpets are new, paint, bookshelves and staff are new and friendly as well.