I'm a library hopper so this place is really a cool hidden gem. The staff were very helpful in…read moreteaching me how to save some documents onto my personal drive and the printing process was easy. I really want to extend a thank you to the nice staff here! And there is a security guard that made me feel safe. This place is as crowded as the other places I go to so I don't know why but I guess that's how it is? Nonetheless, I found it very pleasant and there's also a kid section.

This was my childood library. Sadly I had not been back since I was a kid. Came to donate new board…read moregames and books that I never used, which I hope the teens kids can enjoy! Peeked by the kids section which was so adorable. Learning computers and a small kitchen set area. Stepping back into the library made me want to visit more. I try and read one book a month. Staff was friendly. Space looked clean. A small and quaint library.

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.

after construction, it's so beautifully spaced out and organized! i lov how the fiction section is…read moreso large

Their attitude is, no nice way to put it, they treat you like you bother them. This is based on…read moremultiple incidents. One time, I asked for a Chinese speaking librarian, they told me they "don't have it" instead of offering to search for one within the LA County system or take down my number. Another time, they told me to "call back later" for a Chinese speaking staff. (Since they don't have librarian settle for a staff.) I insisted for someone to call me back about the Chinese Crown magazine. They did this time but it took a lot of back and forth. It was a simple request but it required wrestling efforts and a time consuming process. One particular occasion, I told them I preferred a librarian. They referred me to "Monterey Park." I live 30 miles away from that location. How is that helpful? Did I tell you it was the manager "Pat" who . Not sure what kind of training or qualification she has. it's unfortunate as, of all places, in LA County despite how many Chinese folks live here. I could get no help even indirect. It is tax payers money. Should we get a refund?

This library has potential but it gets super packed with kids which I don't mind of course but they…read moreall sit on their devices after school in front of all of the books. I come in with my 7 year old and it's so hard to pick out books since they all hang out in front of the books for his age group.

Pros: Nice library. There are many tables available from size of 4 seats to personal 1 seater…read moretables. There's a couple long tables too that's shared, can seat about 6 people. It's a 2 story library. Upstairs have books and a couple small tables. There's an elevator available if unable to use stairs. Cons: the only complaint I have is that the staff at the Reference Desk get chatty and talk TOO loud. The thing is the seating tables to sit and read/study are right in front of that Reference Desk, so it's very inconsiderate and disruptive for the patrons trying to have a quiet read or study. I mean it's a library! It's supposed to be quiet yet the irony of the staff.

I was in the area already and decided to check this library out and get a library card as well. I…read morelove how modern clean organized and spacious. There's a lot of seating for everyone and there was an event going on in the children's section where it looks like a Star Wars theme/ picture op with the people dressed up as Star Wars characters.

I'm giving Baldwin Park LA County Public Library one star and I feel obligated to start with a…read moreclear disclaimer: if you are looking for a quiet place to study, focus, read, or work, do not come here. This was my first time visiting and it will absolutely be my last. I arrived around 11 AM and stayed until closing close to 6 PM, hoping at some point it would calm down. It never did. The noise level was nonstop and completely unacceptable for a public library. Phones were ringing, people were answering calls out loud, full conversations were happening openly, and multiple times staff visibly noticed the noise and did nothing to address it. At one point I overheard a loud conversation about someone recently getting out of jail and trying to retrieve their belongings. I'm not judging anyone's situation, but this is a library funded by taxpayers that is supposed to maintain a peaceful environment, and today it felt more like a chaotic public hangout than a place meant for learning or productivity. What shocked me most is how little effort was made by staff to maintain any sense of order. Children were running around as if this was a playground or daycare center, not a library. Because the building is essentially one large open floor, you can see and hear the children's area, teen center, adult area, and everything in between all at once. There is zero sound control. Librarians themselves were loudly laughing and chatting with patrons, completely ignoring the basic expectation of keeping voices low. I watched a phone left charging ring multiple times without a single staff member stepping in to locate it or reduce the disruption. Nothing was addressed. Nothing was enforced. The entire experience felt like a circus. I even tried using the study rooms and you can hear everything through the walls, including loud conversations happening inside other rooms. Even with earbuds in, the noise was impossible to escape. Another major red flag was the restroom situation. You have to be buzzed in to use it, which already signals safety concerns, and once inside it was dirty and smelled unpleasant. That alone shows a lack of proper maintenance and oversight. This is not about attacking individuals, it's about the overall failure to maintain a clean, safe, and peaceful public space. For comparison, if you want to see how a library should actually be run, go to Diamond Bar Library. The difference is night and day. Quiet is enforced, rules are respected, and the environment actually supports studying and learning. Unfortunately here, I couldn't even focus long enough to appreciate what the library might offer because the disruption was constant. The negative reviews are absolutely accurate and after experiencing this myself, I fully stand by them. As a taxpayer, what I witnessed today was unacceptable, and I will be submitting a formal complaint. This level of disorder should not be the new normal for a public library.

My first time here and very impressed with alll the recent upgrades. I noticed every single table…read morehad an electrical outlet and usb charging port. The facilities were clean and the restrooms provided free hygiene products. The only con is that there parking lot seems a bit small and the compact spots were a little tight.

Overall great location. I came to study and it was extremely noisy I couldn't focus, kids were…read morerunning around. It would've been a better experience if the noise level was down

Use to go as a kid. Pretty cool place. Library pretty cool too and service is pretty niceread more

This was my first time visiting the Covina Library, and honestly, I'm conflicted because there are…read moreso many things done right here, yet one major issue overshadows the entire experience. As a Covina resident, I didn't even realize this library existed, since I usually go to West Covina, and more recently my favorite has been the Diamond Bar Library because of its overall standards and upkeep. From what I understand, this library is city owned rather than a county library, and unfortunately I think that's where the responsibility lies. The moment you walk in, the smell is overwhelming. Not subtle, not something you get used to after a few minutes, but truly unbearable. It honestly reminded me of walking into an abandoned home, which is shocking considering how lively and community focused the space actually is. I tried to push through it, hoping it would fade, but instead it gave me a headache, which was really disappointing. Layout wise, this library has so much potential. You walk in and there's a community area to the right, restrooms nearby that were clean but clearly very small and in need of updating, and a book section where you can purchase books, which is a nice touch. The librarians' main desk sits to the left, and the high ceilings immediately stand out in a good way. There's a children's section, computers in the center, and overall the space feels open. I was initially unsure where to go, but I was so grateful to find a designated reading room. That alone is a huge plus. Unlike West Covina, which can get quite loud, the librarians here do an excellent job maintaining a quiet and respectful environment. They whisper, they're attentive without being disruptive, and they clearly care about preserving the purpose of a library. There are plenty of outlets, and the reading room is thoughtfully placed so you're not constantly distracted by foot traffic or noise. What makes this even more frustrating is that this place could easily be a gem. The reading room has windows facing outside, so you still get natural light and that sense of being connected to the outdoors. There's even a patio area and a citrus tree right out front, which gives the space so much charm. The setup is fantastic, the staff is great, and the intention is there. It just desperately needs renovation. I truly believe more people would use this library if it felt more inviting. City of Covina, if you're reading this, please address the smell. Whether it's the carpet or something deeper, it needs attention. This library has so much going for it, and with some proper updates, it could easily become one of the best community spaces in the city. Unfortunately, this was my first and last time using the library. I hope the next time I visit is when it's a grand opening after renovations.

I love coming to the library any chance I get. I usually come here for some peace and quiet,…read moregetting some work done. This library in particular has a good amount of parking. The inside feels a lot bigger than what it seems, which I love! A few remarks is that not all tables have an outlet accessible and the wifi itself could be a little bit stronger. Other than that, a wonderful library to experience and support!

I called before even going to ask if they were okay with service dogs the lady had said yes the guy…read moreat the front dest wasn't welcoming at all I walked in with my dog in my hand just cause her paw had a cramp seconds before walking in, the first thing I said was If I can get help to open up my library card he proceeded to ask me if my dog was a service dog and I replied with yes then he continued to say what service did my dog perform. Ive gone to plenty of places with my dog and I am never asked what service she performs so I replied with I don't need to answer that I may have had too but his demeanor said it all to me that's why I felt the need to not answer. I proceeded to say "I can show you her ID and plus she isn't bothering you" at this point he was on his computer typing I don't know what but I got irritated and asked if we were going to be able to open up my library card he ignored me and continued typing and continued to ask me about my dog. he continued to say that he was going to open up my account but at that point he was just annoying to look at cause what was the whole point of asking me about my dog if you were going to open my card anyway ? So I left and called him an idiot on my way out he was most definitely having a bad day but he met the right one cause it's never that serious to be honest plus the library is so small ugly and low vibrational I'm glad this happened cause either way I don't think I would've been going just cause of the vibe in there everything can improve starting with new staff

The ladies in the front were so nice and helpful. They all went out of there way to answer all my…read morequestions. So helpful.

My granddaughters and their friends have been attending Story Time at South El Monte Library with…read moreMs. Sil for over a year. Our granddaughters have grown much more mentally and socially then friends kids that don't attend community events like Story Time. Ms. Sil invited us to night time events that the city put on. We would not have attended these events if we were not invited by Ms. Sil. I would enjoy spending my tax money at places like Story Time! The Library Staff have gone above and beyond! I encourage other parents to get involved!

Nice and clean place! They keep things organized and sanitized. All the librarians here are very…read morefriendly and helpful. One of the lady shows me how to use a lot of the functions that I never used before. Super helpful!

Well maintained library. Separate computer room with 2 hours of screen time. Friendly staff helped…read moreme renew my library card that had expired. Ample parking.

Came in and had some questions and the librarian at the end of the hall was very friendly and…read morehelpful. Not overly loud and have done quiet study areas to use