August 2025 - the Redding library is CLOSED for remodeling until "Fall" - maybe October maybe not. Don't make any plans that involve going there for the time being. There is one room open with some books but no chairs or tables and that's it. I suppose they have their reasons but closing for so long when it's regularly over 100 degrees and not having any place for someone to sit in a cool, quiet place and read is just so negligent. read more

Good customer service. They are the best. When you need help they help you right away. Rachel was the most helpful to me and very patient. Great employee. I could not have gotten the crucial letter off to my state representatives in the required time. Thanh you Rachel. You need a raise because of your knowledge and your kind assistance. read more

What a charmer! Impressed with my first visit to the Redding Library. Gorgeous and inviting! Took my sister here to get her first library card in many years. Showed her how to use the Libby App to check out electronic and audio books. They are also accessible via Hoopla. The children's section is delightful! Many stacks of books, different corners with kids in mind. Love the chalk tables. The rest of the library feels like new as it is so well cared for. Tables are located in different spots so one can find a place that feels just right. The artwork on the walls and the statues throughout just make it feel more alive than just books. Oh, and there is an elevator to the second floor if you need it. The man in bookshop where one can find a nice variety of titles was a good conversationalist as we talked about books and even some opera (that's my jam!) Picked up seven book for $8. I always like to see where we can pick up more books and help a library. read more

See all

My wife will never go back to the library in Redding again. First you have to work your way around the homeless outside the front doors. Second the smell is deplorable on the second floor due to those who don't shower. It's a shame to have such a great library in our city but its marred read more

Even though it's a library it's obvious that the staff care about customer service. We were greeted and offered the play area outside. That was awesome because my girls had been asking to go outside. It's like they can read your mind. We are from San Diego and we were very impressed with the quality of the children's area! They also gave my daughter a little prize for cleaning up. She was so excited about that and it was her birthday too! read more

See all

Nice little place to get away and surround yourself with some knowledge. I must say (3) midterms later, my head is pounding! Bathrooms are clean, WiFi is showing strong, but wasn't the best signal and it smells nice inside. Great hours of operation for the weekend and plenty of parking. Visit your local library sometime, it might inspire your mind. read more

Redding Library - Ahh man, full-time units suck - Libraries Near Me - Redding, California

Excellent welcoming staff I hadnt been there since 2015 but a lady working the floor set me up at computer to get card had to bring in other documents to get finished all staff were top notch also alot of old problems have been dealt with Ive had to go tcob in the past cuz cops werent but hate vigilante mode it can get ugly beautiful library it has now surpassed my once fave Steinbeck library in Salinas ca.if thats even still open read more

My kids enjoy coming to this Redding library rather than the 2 others that are closest to us. Here where we live in cottonwood and also shasta county library that's in Anderson. They enjoy the kid area and the items to play with and build with. They also enjoy taking part in the summer reading programs/challenges to win prizes. It motivates them to keep reading even while on summer vacation. Even tho I've read a lot of negative reviews about the homeless people that live in the area and are most of the time up at the front entrance. Once your inside it's very safe and a very welcoming and inviting atmosphere. Not only books to check out. But they also have audio books and dvds available as well for checking out. Highly recommended. Especially for those with children. read more

Nicole signed us up for cards and I was able to get books on Math Proofs. Thank you Nicole for helping us and being proactive to tell us about other resources as well. Hope to see you soon Nicole! read more

What's not to like about the library? It's well-maintained and well-moderated. The kids section is fun and the upstairs area is quiet.

Very nice library... However I was very disappointed when I went here on 30 June 2021... It appeared I was in a homeless shelter... I can't believe how many homeless people they let in here. when I went to the bathroom two different occasions they were literally bathing in the sink.. I asked to talk to library Director and they don't give a damn. read more

So nice and friendly! I walked in and was like WOW...so clean, so big, so many books!! This library is huge! Lots of computers for public use. Plenty of tables throughout to study at. Bathrooms, water fountains with really refreshing COLD water! Lots of really great local info on community information board. Pamphlets & free local newspapers. Lady at info dest directed me to the donation center. It's also the library book store. There I met 2 really sweet ladies with a wealth of info! Great cheap books! Anyway, I let them know I had a ton of book donations, she had me drive around back of library to drop off. My mom and I went through her book shelves and book cases so I had 6 full boxes for donation. Super easy to donate. The library takes what they can use then the rest get sorted for cheap resale in "book store" or thrown away meaning recycled. They do offer a donation receipt if you'll need one. I actually came back the next day, Sunday to donate 7more boxes! Moms retiring and moving so she did great parting with her beloved books. *side note* many, many homeless throughout the parking lot and under shade trees wandering around. Please lock your car doors. read more

Redding Library - Synergy 2009 sculpture in front of library - Libraries Near Me - Redding, California

Good it a nice relaxing place to sit and cool down..... Only thing is there's a lot of homeless people that sit outside and some in the library.... read more

Went to take my daughter to the library and there was a gate around the front doors that was closed. Wasn't sure if it was unlocked or not but didn't want to risk going to check with my daughter and all the homeless laying and sitting around the entire building. It's sad that people can't feel comfortable going into the library anymore. read more

Great place,everyone who works here is very nice and very friendly and extremely helpful, I have been coming here now for about three months and have been very impressed. read more

It's great that they got this built before the economic collapse and the return to power of the "government-should-exist-only-to-fix-potholes" crowd in local politics. The old library was embarrassing. The new library is pimped from the entrance to the rooftop. I'll admit to being a guy with a habit of buying a new hardback at Barnes & Noble when I need a new book, and then adding the book to my bookshelves when I'm done with it. But I'm coming around to the idea that collecting books is inherently dumb. Nobody is going to read most of those books ever again. I'm in my office right now, and I can see reference books that haven't been cracked since college 20+ years ago. Books should trade hands until they're tattered and faded. I'm furnishing my new office, and I love the conference chairs in the new library. I was online (the library has fast WiFi), so I turned over one of the chairs and found the make & model, then looked it up. $600 per chair! That's how plush this place is. Now, before you furrow your brow and complain that $600 per chair is an outrageous example of the taxpayers getting sodomized by irresponsible government spendthrifts, consider that Americans vacation in Europe because the Europeans appreciate -- and are willing to spend money on -- the commons. The amazing architecture, infrastructure, and other cultural treasures -- it's all there because Europeans don't have our "every man for himself" attitude about such things. And their centuries-old philosophy that publicly shared space should rock pays special dividends during hard times. read more

Redding Library - Libraries Near Me - Redding, California

We were in Redding for a vacation to the surrounding wilderness, but as the temperatures zoomed past 100 degrees, we went looking for a cool place to relax. This library seemed to be just the place. We were here on a weekend afternoon, but it wasn't very busy at all. The library has a spacious and airy feel. A bonus discovery was the Hawaiian shave ice place in the library building itself, which made this an even more enjoyable trip. Unfortunately, we felt a little uncomfortable at this library. There were some people hanging out in front of the library who would occasionally get into arguments with each other. We could hear a woman around the corner and out of sight screaming at the top of her lungs. When I went into the bathroom with my son in the entryway, there were two men that were using the restroom to wash up completely. Even inside the library, a security guard made frequent rounds through the children's area. I realize that he was trying to make sure that things were right, but it was sad to think that this was necessary in an otherwise very nice place. While you're at the library, stop by the nice veterans' memorial across the parking lot. It's partially obscured by trees and parked cars, but is a fitting tribute to our military. read more

Excellent customer service from the librarians. Nice layout of upstairs window seating. Good internet computer access and wifi. However, not very usable seating due to the city's vagrancy problem. As mentioned in other reviews here, unfortunately this library suffers as the main library in San Francisco does, in that difficult middle area of public service where good intentions meet an onslaught of homeless guests. Now, the library SHOULD serve the indigent. But if the city doesn't provide a shower and laundry service for the homeless, the library's seating starts to smell very strongly like, well, unwashed bodies and clothing, rendering it unusable by those with washed clothing. Simple as that: this problem limits the usability of the library for research, reading, and study. read more

Quiet. Multiple Restrooms. They have an excellent selection of resources and materials. Really a great library. My only annoyance.... the chairs at all the tables are sooo uncomfortable. literally squeezed my thighs to death. I know I know ur skinny and slim and athletic so this won't affect you... And yes I do blame my hips and thighs, not the library. I'm just sayin... OUCH ! read more

It is supposedly open on Wednesdays until 8 PM, but when I went there, it was closed and the fence was locked.

So I've been living almost for my entire adult life in library deserts. Bleak no-man lands of bookless terror. I've been in SO many towns where the library is the first thing to get shut down during the annual county budget fights (Susanville, Cave Junction, Grants Pass, John Day, Hayfork, to name a few). Heaven forbid that we should have a book to read when there is nothing else to do except learn how to brew hooch or cook meth. Sick bastards (read 'County Commissioners'). I'd like to point out that even towns like Dawson City in the Yukon, where the population is maybe 800 for 9 months of the year have marvelous libraries. Of course, I understand that indoor activities are pretty important up there..... Now that I've got some extra time on my hands (my better half has officially retired) and we can take leisurely trips to Redding in the middle of the week, I got my first Shasta Library Card last week. OMG! They have books!! Rows and rows of BOOKS!! Two stories (ha ha) of BOOKS!!! I almost start twitching and drooling when I walk into the building. HAPPY DANCE! Last week we had a couple of hours to kill in between a hike up in Lassen (Bumpass Hell) and seeing Pam Tillis and Lorrie Morgan at the Cascade (fer Yew, Buzz - John Hiatt in Nov, Bela Fleck & Chick in Jan.). Grits and Glamour. Nice shoes. So we decided to hang out at the library. And the chairs...the chairs....ahhh. My ass is still happy about that visit. There are grand large windows (facing north - good design choice for Redding) that let in tons of light. There's fast wifi, and huge computer section, digitized check out, and even a cafeteria with Hawaiian shaved ice. Oh, yeah, and very nicely air conditioned, of course. This is better than when I walked into a Goodwill once in Portland, and discovered that they had a cafeteria and were serving hot dogs in the back. Used toys and a cheap lunch. Hours of fun for the kiddies! Shasta, I love you for the job you've done making your library so fine. Now I don't have to move to Alaska for the winter. read more

I just relocated to Redding temporarily after a stint in Los Angeles. In a city where everything costs a fortune, I found refuge in my local libraries. Upon my return to the North state I needed some books not only to pass the time, but to also brush up on knowledge that will be pertinent to my near future so I turned to the library. Embarrassingly enough it had been YEARS since I was a card holding member of the Shasta County Library. In fact, I was still operating under the assumption that the library was downtown. With the new address in hand I headed to the library. What a huge surprise! The place is ginormous, hi-tech, and swanky! They even show free "Art House Films" there monthly. Toto, we're not in Redding anymore! A couple of things though: The book selection isn't the greatest (a lot of their books are really old and seem somewhat outdated) and ask for help with the self check-out machines, I tried to navigate one of those myself for the first time entirely unsuccessfully! read more

A gorgeous, monster of a library! It seems they spared no expense when constructing this bad mama jama ("she's built, she's stacked...") Two stories of everything this book-lover could ever want. They have EVERYTHING. Even their audio-book and DVD sections are vast (multiple aisles). They are up-to-date and big on technology here. When you walk in the doors, there is even a little LCD screen that shows you the "behind-the-scenes" of what happens when you place your books in the return slot. The kiddos (MYSELF INCLUDED) can watch the books go down a conveyer belt, etc. Many computers for all your technological and internet needs. My only qualm about this establishment: This place is a TOTAL weirdo magnet, especially in the summertime when they are pumping out all that "free" air conditioning. Aside from the annual Shasta County Fair, I have never seen so many questionable people in one place. Such an amazing building with excellent services, but it looks like it's a rescue mission in there. read more

Most kind and helpful Staff that are friendly And always ready to help And if they don't have the book you want It will be ordered from another place Always Clean and well kept someone is always cleaning Quiet respectful patrons And lots of computers that are always working !! Thank You so much for being there for us. read more

A very pleasant experience! The new Redding Library location is very well placed. When you first walk in, it is a little overwhelming. Your first thought, Awesome! There is an upstairs and a down stairs. The isles are big. The rows of books are endless. There is just so much to to do in this place. They have plenty of seating (comfortable). They have pc kiosks to help you find an item. I have always found what I am looking for. If you need help finding an item, there is always a clerk to help. They will show you exactly where your item is located. The parking is great too. You will always find a parking spot! The hours are great too. There are plenty of computers to complete research on. 10/10 read more

Most of the floor outlets are broken but you can't sit next to the wall outlets. Makes sense. read more

Redding Library - This table has been nasty like this for literally an entire year. They just keep moving it around. - Libraries Near Me - Redding, California

The library is way nicer now that they moved to a new location. The only part I don't like is that there are always shady people wandering the parking lot and the surrounding area. It would be nice if they had a security guard patrolling to make sure your car doesn't broken into. read more

The library is great and we enjoy Storytime but I couldn't give it more than 3 stars due to the transient/crazy people that hang out there. They yell at themselves and each other, smoke and hang out in the bathrooms. I had a woman corner me in the bathroom while I was washing my hands and a guy came in yelling at someone... Very sad that they can't fix this problem and make it safe and clean read more

Huge library!! Awesome! I'm from a small town so I was impressed but walking thru all the homeless on the way in is too scary to go alone. I'm not prejudice but they start working me for money and it can turn a person around. My daughter is special needs and she gets excited when we go to the children section. I just want to keep her safe in the process. Is there anything that can make it safer? read more

Huge library and have lots of great books and helpful librarians to help you. If you can't find the book your liking for they will be glad to help you find it or ever order it:) read more

I love this library, but I hate the location. The old location was within walking distance of several schools, which is a much better place for kids after school than hanging out at Subway or Jack in the box. At the current location there is too much of a transient community in the library to make it safe for unsupervised children. On top of that, I have friends that refuse to go there alone because they do not feel safe with the transient community hanging out in front. I do love the friends of the library store. I love to own books that I thoroughly enjoy, and the prices in the friends of the library are great, and the books are in great condition. The friends of the library book store sadly only takes cash, no debit or credit. This really is a great building, it just seems like a bit of a waste in the location that it is in. read more

I am a huge fan of books. I was shaking and crying when I signed my first library card as a tot. Until my mid-teens, I felt much more comfortable with books than people -- then I discovered boys. For the next several years my reading was pretty much reduced to books read to impress intellectuals and/or professors, followed by reproducing with one, leading to many tired days and nights and years reading books about and to children. Recently, due to the kids growing up and my desire to avoid Barnes and Noble, I decided to try our new and much improved Redding library. It is really quite nice and conveniently located next to the weekly Farmer's Market. Now my bed stand is littered with books. An especially cool thing about this library are the paperback uncorrected proofs. These hot off the press, not yet released books, are checked out on the honor system, meaning you just walk out the door with them, no due date, no late fees. Check it out -- I mean check them out. read more