Great library. So great, not many people are there are weekends, which equates to perfect study time for peeps like me. LOVED IT over the summer when I had to study for grad exams. Great selection of cook books, popular, non-fic, and DVDs. Be kind to the staff too! They're under a lot of stress. (Former volunteer speaking here.) read more

Lots of computer stations, always has books I need and always great service! Was recently there and you can rent nooks too! read more

More like 3.5. I'm a bibliophile so the lack of books here is a minus for me. It's Ok for browsing but if you want a specific book, it may not be here. The ratio of computer equipment to books is high -- computers take up most of the space. Lot o' kids in the afternoon. There are some conference rooms near the entrance which are rented out to some Sylvan-Learning-Center like place where kids cram during the school year so I think that accounts for all the kiddies. As for the DVD collection............one of the best I've seen outside of my past LA local public library (which had the unfair advantage of movie industry folks donating DVDs) . There are DVDs of movies released within the last year, foreign films, arthouse, independents, documentaries, etc. Just don't compare it to Netflix or some other service where you are paying $! Need I say this is FREE, folks. Of course you need to know where in the lib and what time of the week to go for the DVDs -- I'm not giving that part away! Excellent parking. read more

- Always there is a parking spot - Wifi is good (http://www.speedtest.net/result/5975657838.png) - Good as a study spot read more

Location: Conveniently located near downtown, very clean, new & plenty of parking Amenities: No residency restrictions. As long as u r a State if California resident, u can get a library card here. U can also apply for a guest pass for the day. Good amount of toddler & youth activities - check out their monthly calendar. Lots of computers - make a reservation on-line if using from 3-6pm (high traffic time), otherwise u will b fine dropping-in. They will allow u to print 3 pages free every day. Super clean bathrooms. Stock: Good, not great e-book selection for iPhone or Android. read more

Wow, renovating the Millbrae Library was a good investment. Sure it was an expensive endeavor but I support solid public projects that serve the community in a positive way. This library is super clean, spacious, and has A/C! Free wi-fi too? Woohoo! I like that there are conference rooms but trying to reserve one after 2:30PM is a pain in the arse. There are a few big tables and seats and they fill up after 3:00PM or so. I like the Mandarin/Japanese material though they can expand that selection more. Final Call: I read/study too much not to visit this library when I'm in the area. Sweet place to escape the comforts of home, the barrens of work, and the seduction of distractions. read more

Very Nice, mostly quiet, but many of the patrons bring a lot of food with them. The clanging of silverware and dishes is distracting. Bringing food in clearly against the rules and there's a big sign at the entrance stating this, but the staff does nothing. Actually I've spent some time in other public libraries in SM County and it seems like this is always the case. There are a limited number of quiet study booths and users tend to "reserve" them by leaving low value personal items on the desks and then disappearing for extended periods of time. something should be done to address this unfair practice. read more

This library is nice, clean and very organized. The staff is friendly and very helpful. My kids really enjoy coming here to do homework.

5 stars for the facility -- it was completely remodeled last year. It has plenty of computers, comfy sofas, project rooms, multi-media rooms, and electronic self check out kiosks. 3 stars for the collection of books or the lack of -- I think one reason why this library is much more spacious than others is due to the lack of books. If you want to read, just go to Barnes & Nobles. read more

I used to come to the library afterschool in middle school to use the internet. The librarians were mean to us kids, but in retrospect it was sort of justified since we'd sort of storm in at around 3:10 and generally cause a ruckus. I wonder if any of those librarians recognize me now... After the remodel, the library became a lot more spacious and welcoming. In addition, the technology upgrades are really great, and will ensure that generations of middle school children will continue to come to the library afterschool, for better or for worse. read more

Spent a day here instead of at Starbucks to catch up on work on my laptop, and loved it: 1. Easy parking; 2. Lots of tables and comfy chairs; 3. Accessible plugs for your gadgets; 4. As Winnie L. noted, completely remodeled; 5. Plenty of computers if you need one; 6. Wifi if you've got your own laptop; As I went to the library to work (and not for books) I can't comment on their selection, but this is DEFINITELY a great alternative to Starbucks if you'd like a quiet, comfortable and convenient place to work/read/study/relax. read more

The Library is easily the most genius of all inventions. Stick one in Millbrae and it's even better. It has been remodeled and is probably the only thing Millbrae has remodeled to full effect. Stealing or "borrowing" music from there is a great way to get new music while saving hundreds of dollars because you know you're just going to upload it to iTunes anyway. I never use the computers but they are updated and seem to work acceptably well. The book selection is also very good and well put together. I almost forgot they have movies there too. Some good ones at that. Beats renting. I even technically have a Burlingame card because of my address but I always seem to go to this one anyway because of the easy parking. Plus it's actually closer to my house and has a better selection of music. read more

It's always loud here, whether it's 10 a.m. or 3:30 after the kids get off school. In general librarians don't tell anyone to quiet down. Book section is meh, I tend to look for art books so I'm not too reliable for fiction or anything like that. Babies and toddlers are constantly screaming, that's not a joke. They SCREAM and SHRIEK. It's close by to Walgreens and Little Ceaser's so that's a plus. Still, that doesn't really make up for screaming kids. There's a lot (and I mean A LOT) of events that happen here, so if you're not all about community (like me) then you might want to find a different library. The library itself is a pokestop and the Millbrae museum is a gym. So expect a lot of kids and teens. read more

Today we went to the Millbrae library. It is divided into several independent and free space. According to age, respectively, for children, teenagers, adults. According to the function is divided into the film and television, computer area, etc. According to the language also respectively set up Chinese, English, Korean, Japanese. Moreover, the price of the print in the library is also very reasonable. Color print at $0.40 each. Black and white print $0.10 each. read more

Millbrae Library - Time - Libraries Near Me - Millbrae, California

I love this place. Parking is easy and staffs are nice. The book sale area was really smelly though. This is by far the nicest library area. The burlingame one is nice but this one feels so much more homey and intimate. read more

There are eight people in the so-called Quiet Area which I assume is intended to be for reading. Six are sleeping. Of these, three are snoring. Most I have recognized as regular inhabitants. I frequent four of the areas libraries. From North to South they are: San Bruno, Millbrae, Burlingame (Main), and San Mateo (Main). Of the four, Millbrae is the only one that lacks virtually all resemblance to being a library. Patrons are generally loud and disrespectful of what traditionally accepted "library behavior" ought to be. In the Quiet Area you will see the same people reclining in the arm chairs with ottomans typically with their shoes off. Some will take 10-12 magazines at a time to their seat and not return them to the shelves when finished. Answering their phones and talking loudly is the norm. When it becomes too unbearable I will politely ask the violator to please quiet down. But no one else does. Not even those who look like they are also annoyed. I guess they feel outnumbered. The staff seems to have accepted that this is really not a library at all. It is more of a community shelter/ children's center/playground. Shame on Millbrae! The other three libraries are in appearance, atmosphere, and function, real libraries!! read more

The Millbrae Library used to have accessible workstations and software for disabled people but now they're gone. It only has three titles in Braille. There are no services or programs listed on the web site for blind, deaf or mobility impaired individuals. There is no disability policy. There is no TTY phone number. read more

The library itself is quite beautiful and spacious. The book selection is great. My mediocre rating has to do with the really horrible librarian we encountered as we left the library. I am a single mother and I had managed a trip to this library with my 10 year old son because the Millbrae library doesn't close until 8pm. Should be great. I can get off work, take my son to the library, pick some books and everyone is happy..... No such luck. I got to the library at 7:30pm. There was hardly anyone there. At 7:55 I went to check out the books my son had carefully selected. There was no line, but I immediately got attitude from the librarian at the desk, a large, red haired woman of some 55 plus years. She told me that while she didn't have children, many of the people working at the library had kids and wanted to leave on time to be with their families. She wanted to make sure I knew that I was an imposition on the library staff for checking out my books at the last minute. Next, I had the misfortune of not having my library card. (At my local library, they always look it up using my California ID) I gave the librarian my ID, and she grudgingly looked up my library record. Again, I received a stern warning to bring my library card next time, lots of sighs and head-shaking and definite attitude that I was a bad library patron. Next, she claimed that I had no library record. (Having checked out books the day before at my local library, I found that difficult to believe). She started questioning me about my address (as my son and I have different addresses). Then, she said that she saw son's library file and he had unpaid late fines, She vacillated between the hour, (she claimed it was already 8pm) and the late fees on my 10 year olds account , but at this point, she simply refused to check out any books to us. Despite having an ID card with my address, she found something suspicious or irritating about us, and told us to come back some other day. She would not check out our books. We left empty-handed. My ten year old son is afraid to go back to the library. It was a bad library experience. Parting comments: 1. If you are open until 8PM, then you are open until 8PM. If you actually close at 7:55PM, then maybe you should inform the public of that. 2. I've always loved librarians because they seem to genuinely care about books and people and encouraging reading, especially in the young. This woman didn't give a @#$# about a 10 year old child who had taken a great deal of time to select his books. 3. There are tons of people who want jobs right now. If this lady doesn't like working there, I think she should step aside for someone else who actually likes people and believes in customer service. 4. For some of us, balancing work and child-raising and all the complications of modern life, organizing a trip to the library with your child is no small task. It was not easy for me to get there with my child, and it would have been nice to have had a good experience. That said, Millbrae does have a beautiful library. The librarian in the children's section was quite friendly. I applaud the extended hours which (should) provide access to working families. I love libraries in general. Maybe move Red to some back room somewhere where she can shelve out-of-print books and not interact with the public....? Just a suggestion. read more

Lotsa noise from adults and kids, and people working there do nothing about loud conversations, kids who talk pretty much constantly while they're on the computers. The library is essentially one big room so noise is heard throughout the place and again, the people working there can't be bothered to deal with it. read more

Fantastic library. The children's section has a good selection and is neat and organized. My daughter loves the music class and airplane. Thank you for providing these classes!! read more

The library itself is spacious with plenty of computers and a pretty sweet music selection. Other than that this place attracts the noisiest people, not just the high school crowd but adults too. Cell phone ringing/talking, parents yelling at their noisy children and just loud conversations. Most of the staff are OK but there is one lady there that has some "tude" ESPECIALLY when SHE has to check out the books when the automatic book scanners are being used. Its funny how loud she sighs when she knows she has to get up off her chair. read more

I love discovering new libraries and this one is in a great location with plenty of parking. However, I wish they spent some money building a sound proof glass wall in front of the children's area! They're cute but very loud. Impossible to concentrate. I'd recommend only coming here when the kids are in school. read more

I think this is a great library that usually has the things I'm looking for, plus more! I actually live in San Bruno but prefer going the extra couple miles to this library instead. It's conveniently located to major stores for my errands and has a nice big parking lot. Upon entering I like their display and categorization of new books for browsing, and I like their posters for up-coming events. They have a great selection of CDs; it's like going to a record store, which hardly exist anymore! Plus they have a decent collection of used books for sale that are nicely organized. I always come out with an armful of goodies and the staff have always been very nice and helpful to me. I know there are other more superb libraries out there, but for a small town like Millbrae this one makes good sense, has a wealth of materials, and has all their basics covered for their community. read more

After going to Gellert, South San Francisco, and San Bruno I've finally found a local library that has a true quiet area! (Besides San Carlos). Subtracted a Star for the librarian that was grumpy when I asked where the bathroom was. read more

Don't get me wrong - this library is bigger and brighter than the old one. And there are plenty of computers to use which is nice as well. But I do have some complaints that keep this from getting higher than 3 stars. However the DVD selection is terrible- loaded with movies that you've never heard of. And those that you may know about you've already seen (lord of rings, star wars, etc.). Plus after 3 thousands of kitties pour in from school and it becomes a bit noisy. Finally there's no drive-up drop box for returns which is the biggest crime in my opinion. Instead they have 3 slots on the left side of the enterance that are no more than 4-5 feet apart from each other...strange.... read more

Good lighting, easily navigated, variety of seating/room choices...4 stars (I'd actually give it a 3.5 but I rounded up to 4) because it seems to be packed with local kids consistently between 3 and 6 pm. Drives me nuts, but maybe that's because I work in education and I'm not interested in running into anyone I know when I'm at the library. Multiple people have told me they have a great CD/DVD selection -- personally I've never checked it out. I'll always prefer the Burlingame library - more aesthetically pleasing, and often more quiet (can't stand how their open hours have seemed to widdle down to nothing, though) - although I'm fond of the Millbrae makeover. read more

I've been coming to the Millbrae library ever since they built the new building. This is my favorite library. I always go to the very back of the library and set up shop in one of the solo desks against the wall next to the windows. The lighting is great, it has a nice inviting open space. I love that each desk has its own electrical outlets (there's at least two I think). I've spend hours and hours here working and studying and also lots of time just catching up on some quiet me time reading and writing and such. The kids are a little annoying after school but they never come to the solo desk area in the back so I hardly notice them. read more

Haven't been back for a few years! A couple years ago, SM County waived the fee to have books "reserved". I can see it much utilized since! Recently have come to several libraries in the peninsula for author talks/cooking demos. I must say i have been pleasantly surprised. I've been to 3 library events and some of them were quite good! i guess we all should be visiting our libraries much more frequently, not just the kids! read more

Millbrae library is one of the best in the area - it has a great selection of books, cds, dvds. I especially love the children's area with plenty of space for the kids to run around to see the books, with little tables to sit and read. Easy parking and clean facilities. Not too many study rooms so they get booked up fast! read more

I've been to many libraries and this one is the best. There are so many things for people of all ages and nationalities. A slice of paradise in the peninsula ! read more

this was once the happiest place on earth. In the 70's it had a great kids library run by nice people. Im not sure how warm and friendly the new library is, i have been a few times but never stayed as long as i did as a kid but its still a good place. read more

After a 20 year hiatus from all libraries I'm happy to say we were thrilled with Millbrae's new library. Beautifully done inside and out, great selection as it is part of the county network and so far all staff have been very helpful. Found a few books I was looking for in minutes and, get this, ordered Mad Men Season I, II, and III in about 30 seconds for only $.75! What a bargain. A few days later received an e-mail tell me to swing by and pick the DVDs up. Almost caught up on the series now... Books on CD, book, mags, etc. can't beat this system..... Oh, though it is small they have a fairly large selection of PCs to work on and offer free wifi. Enjoy.... read more

This library is wonderful. The staff are nice the resource is rich. And there is even a plane for children. A good place for reading.

LOve it!!!! It is my favorite library in the county. I think what I like most about it is that it has a warm, family atmosphere--though small, not stifling or cold. They also have a great music collection, and the staff is really great about helping you find whatever else you may want. read more

Proud of the library. After it was renovated, it's one of the prettiest libraries in the region. And look at the technology for checking out books, so different from when I was a kid. Good amount of computers. Sometimes nice staff. Sometimes no tables. Good amount of books. The burlingame library does have a better collection though. read more

This is my 'home' library, and I love it. Over the years, it's goner through many transformations and facelifts, becoming roomier and more spacious, more inviting, cozy and warm. My favorite part of the library is the rear: it has sumptuous, stuffed leather chairs and ottomans, couches, I take every chance to snuggle into one of those and flip through a magazine or preview a book before checking it out. The focal point of this lounge area is the fireplace, roaring almost as if lifted straight from a Dickens novel. It's a quiet and intimate, much more accessible space, and it's unfair to compare it with the more grand and majestic libraries of San Mateo county, e.g. the Burlingame main. The Millbrae is a different concept altogether, and in some ways, I kinda prefer it: as I say, it's somehow more approachable and down to earth, everything just a few steps away, e.g. the automated checkout stations. They offer free computer time/internet, tons of free parking, not to mention that it's next door to the park and walking distance to downtown Millbrae. They have an adorable little children's area with what seems like a ton of materials. I order almost thousands of books across the county which are now free! Yay yay! No more. 75 cent charge, which used to add up :-( The reference librarians and staff are awesome--every single person I've encountered over 20 years has been unfailingly helpful and kind. My one complaint is I can never book a room in advance, it's somehow full of rigmarole with a ton of rules and regulations, so despite that it would be so much more convenient for me to hold meetings here, I end up having to drive to Burlingame, where reserving a room is easier. That said, I must be fair: I understand that the Millbrae location is much more limited in its resources, e.g. they only have one meeting room, whereas the Burlingame has several. All in all, given the finite resources of this library, they do an awesome job, and I'm so grateful I have it in my backyard :-) read more

WOW, this place is pretty nice. Very organized and clean. Plenty of parking for easy in and easy out.I've heard the one in San Mateo is even nicer!! read more

Very nice library. Super clean restrooms. The tables have a lot of outlets to charge your laptop or phone. Wifi is spotless. Even without a library card, you can get a pass and use a computer for an hour. Two thumbs up read more

Millbrae Library, hm, I've grown up in Millbrae so I'm pretty much here during my elementary-middle school years....especially after school. I would say the previous library-although old, is better than the remodelled new structure it is now. I just feel that back then, its just a bunch of kids doing their homework, studying or reading. Now, it's just a whole crowd of students there--majority on the many computers they have, playing games, myspace, facebook....etc. And what surprises me is that the librarians don't really care about you. They just seem like they want to get off work asap...I remember this young male librarian who works there...if he still works there, I hope he read this. I remember I tried to book a study room back in high school, and apparently, i was told by this young man that if the previous booking is a no show 5 minutes after their scheduled time, the next person on the waitlist gets the room. And boy, I need the room badly for this project--so I waited. FIVE MINUTES after the scheduled time- the people didn't show up, so the room is mine! I reminded him, and he was doing the paperwork so that I can have the room under my name...right then, the previous bookers showed up, which was an adult tutor and a kid. The librarian not only ignored my request and continued to give the room to the adult tutor, he didn't even bother to apologize. I've tried to explain his unfair ways...and guess what? He just ignored me and pretended I wasn't even there. Man, was I fired up. Obviously he was doing that just because I was just a kid, thinking he has more power over me... Whew. That was my rant back in the day...Just a reminder this place isn't kid/teenager friendly, so beware. read more

Below is a copy of the email I sent out to Andrea Lumanlan (circulation supervisor), as well as many news agencies. Please, if you are a same sex couple, or you have friends or just support the community, go to other libraries! I have an issue that I would like to bring to your attention regarding your staff. I'm sure that you have been informed of an incident that occurred over the last couple of days at your Millbrae location. I am not going to state the names of your staff since really I feel that this an issue you need to address with your entire staff, not just the individuals who were involved. On Tuesday evening my wife went with our daughter to check out a book that she had placed on hold earlier in the day. Apparently their library cards had expired and they needed to be issued new ones. My wife got hers without a problem, however, our daughter was told that she couldn't be issued a card because she needed to have her "mother or father" with her in order to be given a card. My wife informed the young lady that she was in fact our daughters guardian, with my daughter also stating the same. The young lady just kept repeating that she needed a "mother or father" in order to issue a card. Now this exchange went on for some time, with this young woman insisting that our daughter have a "mother or father" present, my wife and legal guardian of our daughter as well as our daughter informing this young lady that she is in fact her "mother". I was not able to be there because I was working, and I never thought in a million years that they would have problem getting a simple library card for our daughter. Never did it cross any of our minds that any kind of discrimination would occur, but that is exactly what happened. Last night, Thursday, I was able to be with them to see exactly what the problem was in getting this card. I went to the counter and asked if my daughter could get a library card, at which point an application was given to her and she and my wife filled it out. The young man was asked to leave by another staff member and the same young lady was left to deal with my wife and daughter again. I had stepped back to see how this whole thing was going to play out. After my daughter gave the application back, this same young lady asked me if I was her mother, I informed her "So is she" meaning my wife to which she replied "Her legal mother?" I informed her "Yes" and the young lady proceeded to start the process to issue the library card. Since I wanted to have some clarification to this issue I asked her, why was it that she couldn't issue our daughter a card the first time they were there on Tuesday evening. She just stated that they can only issue cards to a child if a mother or father are present. I asked her did they not have same sex couples as patrons here in Millbrae, because San Bruno and South San Francisco didn't have a problem with my wife being our daughters parent? She didn't reply and asked the young man to help us and walked away. So I posed the same question to him. I was told that it can only be a mother or father because ultimately the parents are responsible. The young lady came back out and apologized to my wife and daughter stating she didn't mean to put them in any position but that she "was just doing her job". She was visibly upset and I pointed out this was the same position she had put my wife and our daughter in having to defend the relationship. How ironic is it that my wife is legally able to seek medical attention for her, she is able to sign documents for school for her, yet she is unable to simply get a library card for her? I felt it's absurd, when you become a parent your not given a card to carry stating your a child's legal guardian and brought this to the staffs attention. This whole exchange took about 20 minutes, and eventually our daughter got her library card tonight. I was thinking about this whole issue and how this "rule" about how only the "mother or father" can obtain a library card for their child was really outdated so I went onto the San Mateo County Website to see the exact wording and I found this statement. "If you are under 18, you will need to come with a parent or guardian." Very interesting. To say I'm upset is a great understatement. I will make sure that all of the proper people are informed of this issue. My family was embarrassed and obviously discriminated against. I will make it a point to inform any other same sex couples in the Millbrae, Burlingame, San Bruno area to avoid your library for fear of the same type of treatment. I would hope that in this day and age, any and all patrons would be welcome. However, obviously, I was horribly wrong. read more