Beacause of this library I don't need my printer any longer. Because of this library I no longer need to patronize FedEx Office. Because of this library I don't realky need Netflix. There is so much they have to offer and I don't have to pay for! Parking is more plentiful than it looks. Go inside and seek a parking permit. Your car will be safe from towing. If you're just parking there and not using the library while it is open you may have a not so pleasant surprise coming up. And, the best part is that the librarians and technicians are wonderful people. read more

I'm here in Oakland, visiting some of the iconic locations that have stayed here for almost or over 70 years! The Lakeview Branch Library has got to be one of the smallest little fully functioning libraries I have ever seen. Tiny building hasn't been replace in all these years. It's been remolded and updated inside, even has all the modern things like the internet! Using the internet, I haven been in a library for as long as I can remember! Dewey decimal system .... I just heard of it, I have no idea how it works! You can still even get a "library card" here! My guide tells me he wasn't much of a reader, even as a child, but the big soft chairs they had were good to sit in. He tells me of this "card catalog" thing, that's where you looked up a book and then it told you where to find it. Oh God , I love Google way better! I'm glad iconic landmarks like this are still around, it takes someone past a certain age to remember all the thing here the way it used to be. read more

Lakeview Branch Library - Libraries Near Me - Oakland, California

See all

this is one of the first libraries I remember visiting as a child. I recently went back and everything seemed so much smaller! It was here that I learned about the Lucky Day library program and ever since I've ready 5 best sellers and didn't have to wait weeks on a waitlist to enjoy them. The staff is SO friendly and helpful. Thanks for the tip. read more

Great library staff. Very informed and informative. Wonderful place to visit before or after a walk around Lake Merritt.

+ The positives + A perfectly situated library - Grand Lake Theater on one side, Lake Merrit on the other - right in the Grand Lake/Lakeview area. It's much smaller than it's counterparts but it utilizes what it has to the fullest; books, CDs, DVDs, audiobooks, and magazines and newspapers for all ages are packed on every wall. However, if you're looking for privacy, this might not be the right branch. It does have a meeting room but it also has an assortment of children's toys so you'll often find yourself surrounded by toddlers. + The negatives + No public restroom, no armchairs to lounge around & only four computers for use. + The unexpected + In December, the Lakeview Branch Library was the first city-owned building bestowed with a mural by the renowned art collective, Illuminaries (http://www.illuminaries.net/). This was a community led-effort, organized by the non-profit The Oakland Turkey Trot, the annual race around Lake Merritt on Thanksgiving Day. The end result is pretty stunning and finally makes the library get noticed by passer-byes. read more

See all

I love this little library. I was just helped with getting a new library card, using the computer system, and printing off a few documents. I am so thankful for the care and grace they took in helping me, it made the experience so smooth and anxiety free. I am not sure about the book selection as it mostly seemed geared toward children but the staff is incredible. read more

Ever just fit in? Just know that you were in the right place. With the right person. Doing the right thing. Me neither. But Lakeview comes close. Half occupied by a children's corner with tiny tables and tiny chairs and big books with big letters; the adult section is skimpy but equally as darling (see neil strauss michael pollan and malcolm gladwell on a single shelf; see cooking right next to dieting ... on one shelf). If the snags of your friends, lover and neighborhood holes delight, the familiar chip the worn in smell the weight of your history; i wish you exactly this place, too. read more

How have I missed this little gem of a library for the 3 years now that I have lived in Lake Merritt? Seriously, how on my many walks down to Lakeshore Ave., past Grand Lake Theater then the farmers market, did I happen to miss this charming brick building that sits right across from the lake?... I guess because I always turned after El Embarcadero, the tiny street the library is off of. Anyway, BF and I took a stroll down Grand to Lakeshore last Friday afternoon down to the new Trader Joe's, making a stop beforehand at the Lakeview Branch for California library cards for the both of us. This particular location is perfect; small & cozy, filled with nice people including the librarians who were more than pleased to present us with new cards and a genuinely friendly welcome to the Oakland Library family. I picked up a DVD that had been back ordered on Netflix for weeks. Free! I love public libraries and you should too, this locale is particularly nice with a small but practical parking lot for you to dash in and make fast & easy returns. Support! read more

The librarians here are horrible. The way they interact with patrons is off putting and condescending. It's been this way for years though. The librarians don't seem in touch with connected to, or even care about the community they service. It's sad. read more

Bigger does not mean better. That being said, this library branch is one of the smaller libraries I have frequented. However, this doesn't really matter in regards to getting the books you want, because as long as you request the book in the libraries computer system, you can have a desired book at this location from one of the others, in a matter of one to two days. Beautiful location, practically on the lake and adjoining a little park for the kids and larger grass area for soccer or hanging out. I've walked here from my place to study and stay focused on my work. It is a great little sanctuary to get away, usually with at least one spot for me to slip into and work without distraction. read more

I love this library as much as I love the staff. Great location, especially for us who live a mile away from the library. Story hour is very popular, but, I wish they would add more days and separate kids by their age to avoid being crowded. read more

I really like the staff here. Sometimes I check out.... strange books.... and I never feel judged. They also just changed their hold system so you can go grab a book you put on hold online (so easy!) and check it out. It's a small library. Really small. So it's best to check online first to make sure they'll have what you're looking for. They have a parking lot. Free parking is a big deal dude, so that rocks. (I guess there's that giant parking lot below the freeway but what if it's raining?!?!) read more

LOVE. THIS. PLACE. While I enjoy big HUGE mega libraries when it's time for a big research project, this is my go-to for experimental books, ie stuff I might not like but I'm reading it for book club. Although their hours are somewhat limited [just like all the Oakland libraries], you can request books online and they will hold them for you. wooo-hooo! No more wandering aimlessly looking for books, only to realize they're checked out! The staff is super nice too. read more

Now, I'm definitely a fan of libraries and this one is in a great location. Close to the Grandlake/Lakeshore area, easy parking and the beautiful Lake Merritt right next to it. Free wi-fi. Only thing wrong is that the kids picture books are located in the main area of the Library, which means no reading to your kids in the main area. Sort of crummy location for kids area, if you need quite in a Library. I would definitely pick other libraries over this one for the kids.(Oakland Main, Piedmont Ave, Dimond Branch and Montclair to name some) Plus side, seems to be a great place for adults. Plenty of new picks and audio books too. Big star for the storytime! Go early because it really does bring a crowd. read more

It's a great library and I am definitely a fan. It's a great selection and I love perusing the shelves and see what I find. They have a great kid's section also, so kudos in the name of my boys. Minus one star for shushing my 2 year old for speaking in a - mind you - NORMAL voice, asking me a question about a book. I mean - come ON! read more

How can I give a public library less than 5 stars? Only if it sucked for some reason. Public libraries are the best thing in the world. This library -- the Lakeview branch of the Oakland Public Library -- is pretty small, but it has a beautiful location -- right on the edge of Lake Merritt near the colunnade (how come that word doesn't have an "M" in it?). On a nice day, they open the back door, which faces the lake, and a nice breeze comes through. This library has most of its space geared toward children, which are the main clientele. About half of the main room is children's, and then there is a big side room to the left, which contains the oversized books but also has the area for children's storytime and events. Lots of kids' books in there too. There's a big table in that room if you want to read or study in peace and there's no event going on. The main room also has tables for reading, but there will be people around you trying to look at books, movies, magazines, etc. There is a decent-sized audiobook section (decent for a library this size), a small rack filled with CDs (also decent-sized), and a couple of movie racks. These days they are starting to have more DVDs available, and there are still plenty of VHS tapes. Technically, they have computers/internet for public use for half-hour slots (sign up in advance by calling), but the computers are so slow that you might as well not even try. There is a parking lot in front for the library, but it is small and fills up quickly. The employees are mostly nice, and Ingrid is definitely the best! The only downside is no public restroom, but you can use the outdoor/park restroom that is next to the library. read more

Library is small but great. My daughter loves toddler time on Wednesdays at 10:30. Its a good time and consist of story time and songs. If your a local with a toddler, you should check it out. read more

Although the library is small, there is a great selection of children's books. The location is perfect for a picnic in the park and library visit. read more

This is a cute little library that reminds me of the one that I grew up with in the Laurel District. It is quite small and cozy which limits the quantity of books immediately available but nowadays, with the internet, it doesn't really matter what size a library is since I can easily get online and order the book I want and have it delivered to this branch for pick up. There is a small parking lot in front that usually has spaces in the evening but it is a little hard to access. All in all, I can't complain. If you ask me, I actually prefer this library to the SF Main Library in Civic Center. read more

Good place for free Wifi and to get a book. This library is in the middle a city and when you walk in there the calmNess about the place. read more

I love this library, but the librarians don't recognize some of us regulars. It is not Cheers, but a simple greeting would be nice.

Great location, friendly staff. I reserve books online and pick up here. Perfect. Always a diverse group of citizens using the facility. So Oaklandish!! read more

A frequent stop for my husband more than I to pick up books and movies. I love having a library so close to our house and being able to reserve books and pick-up or drop-off here. read more

For being a teeny-tiny branch of the Oakland Public Library, this little building has a pretty damn good selection. It doesn't matter that they don't have everything anyways - you can request online for books to be sent from other branches and held here. The lake is right out the back door! Perfect! read more

The librarians and library assistants at this library are awesome. They're so nice and helpful I feel like I'm living in a small town in some 50's era family show. This is what happened yesterday. I found one of the Sookie Stackhouse novels on their spotlight table near the librarian's station. I wasn't sure if it was there for display only if I could borrow it, so I asked. Pretty stupid question now that I think about it. But the man in the Captain Hammer shirt behind the counter was very sweet and said that I could. I wanted the second in the series and couldn't figure out which in the series it was (remember, I was especially stupid yesterday). Not only did he help me find the second book, but he put it on reserve for me. I didn't even have to ask. That's pretty great service, eh? read more

If you're looking for a new release book - the Lakeview Library shelves cannot be beat. Seems like every time there is a long waiting list on-line for holds, it's right there on the Hot Picks shelf at Lakeview. The fiction selection here is decent - but you'll probably have more luck with the larger biography and mystery sections. Given how efficient the inter-library loans are, I just have everything sent to me at Lakeview - stop by once a week (open until 8 on Mondays!) and sit out front on the lawn for a nice relaxing time. If you love to read and don't have your library card, go out and get it now. They have everything you need and it's FREE!!! read more

i'm usually a fan of the underdog. but give me the big, shiny, main library any day. this place is small. not a lot of selection. probably looking at reduced hours because of the hot mess that is the alameda county budget. smells a little like funk. the bathroom is outside. however, there are swings nearby, so that's nice. i will give you that, lakeview. read more

Cute. Small, but packing in as much as possible while still leaving enough room to make it spacious and comfortable to relax and read in. The staff is really nice and in this economy, you can't go wrong with FREE. Damn, I love libraries! read more

Great location, friendly staff. Great place to take your kid before heading to the park or the lake.

This library is small and cozy. Free parking and free wi-fii.. Staff is so friendly and helpful

This place is a cute little library smack dab near Lake Merritt. It's also by a park and a bunch of places nearby. I didn't really get to explore the "bunch of places nearby," but I'm assuming it's food places or somethin! Anyways, super small, very intimate library. I like it. I wasn't really fond of one of the workers there. She just seemed super irritated when I asked her questions? Like uh.... Can you not be so rude lol.. But I wasn't trippin, I would hate myself if I worked at a library too. I just feel like if you're going to work somewhere-- You should love it. If you don't love it, don't do it. Other than that I really like this library. I love how it's right in between the lake and also a park. Double plus! read more

This is an adorable little library by the lake. It doesn't have a huge selection, but who doesn't want to stop and check out a book as they stroll around the lake? read more

This Oakland public library branches fairly small. It feels more like a portable. I went here because I happen to be having out at the small park nearby. From the inside it is very small. When I came in here I looked for the Berenstein Bear books. I saw they had a few here. The selection of books here is fairly good for a small library. This library branch is located in a nice area of Oakland. I would come back here if I were ever in the area. read more

Though small, the Lakeview library branch has a decent selection, a very helpful staff, and a lovely lakeside location. If you're looking for something specific, though, I'd definitely recommend looking it up online and putting it on hold to pick up there. read more

Just got my library card on Tuesday. Nancy was very helpful and helped me find what I needed. The other staff I interacted with were helpful as well. It is a little on the small side, but with inter-library loan, that doesn't worry me. I'm excited to have such a conveniently-located library to use! read more

What nice staff and what a great place! They let me put on a presentation a while back. They were very helpful and accommodating.

This place has an awesomely huge DVD collection which rotates rapidly as people return them... The bathrooms are outside and are rank. In the afternoons, an odd assortment of locals, lake-dwellers, and birds make themselves a comfy place at the tables to read the newspapers and magazines. They have excellent children's programs, but occasionally awkward hours. The hours were better before the budget cuts and recession. read more

Small and petite, this branch harbors a lot of great books, and a few not so great ones. It is what I would consider an average branch... EXCEPT the staff there is really really nice, and they always have programs for children and adults. It's a great place, not the best for a splurger after a few years or so, but wonderful in all different aspects. read more

a large one room old fashioned branch,the staff are a mix of the young and older making it feel very cozy and inviting.I love the attention and kindness that occurs within the walls of this great library. read more

Nice and quiet . Nice staff willing to help. Yes, it's small and it works. No parking! Ughh.