I love bookstores and Libraries, and I've been lucky that until now, I have found ones I love. But the Richardson library just doesn't make me get excited to come into it. The children's book area has plenty of books, but there's a lack of imagination and creativity. Again, I'm just not inspired to want to walk around and engage with the books. It feels too sterile. I hope that makes sense. read more

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The Richardson Public Library has been a staple in my life almost all of my life. I remember coming to here to research papers I was writing all the way back to my young school days. While the library is all the things a library should be and you would think it would be, the Richardson Public Library is SO much more... For example this past weekend they held "Eggstravaganza" which was essentially fun, games, and of course, an Easter egg hunt, for the kids. They also hold Mah Jongg lessons and host a Mah Jongg League, host computer classes, AI lessons, teach Excel, host job clinics, as well as several other events (check out my photo of the current and upcoming events calendar). These activities have been a great way for me to not only support them, but also re-connect with the community. The library is SO good in fact, last week they won the Achievement of Excellence in Libraries Award from the Texas Municipal Library Directors Association. Wgat's more is that this is their 20th year in a row of winning this honor...Congratulations Richardson Public Library and thank you to all the staff and volunteers for doing what you all do!!! read more

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The Richardson Public Library has moved into a temporary space while their permanent home building next to City Hall is renovated. The temporary location is in an industrial strip complex. The building is not particularly inviting, but it serves its purpose. There is plenty of parking next to the building entrance; although there is not a lot of shade available. The building is a long rectangular. The Children's area is to the left when you enter, and everything else is to the right. In addition to books, you can checkout videos, audiobooks, CDs, and WiFi hotspots. The Wifi hotspot devices can be checked out for a period of three weeks. If no one else has one on hold or is waiting to check one out, you can extend your checkout period for another three weeks. The device allows you to connect your laptop, tablet, and phone to the Internet for free! You can even take it with you on vacation so that you have internet. If you need a quiet place to work, the Library has several desks with outlets where you can plug in your laptop. If you need a computer, you can checkout a laptop from the self-serve kiosk. The laptops can't leave the building, but they do allow you to work wherever is most comfortable and convenient in the building. You can reserve the conference room for meetings and presentations. There may be a small charge for the reservation if you are not a local non-profit organization. The City of Richardson is small, so it only has the one library location. There aren't branches. The benefit of this, is that everything they have is in this one location. If you would rather not go to the physical location, you can download the Overdrive and Libby apps, enter your library card number, and access a large digital repository of books, movies, and music. You can even access videos on your TV this way. I was able to try a Tai Chi instructional video this way. There are a number of free apps and services that are also available through the library, like Mango for learning languages. Parents can bring their kids for weekly story time sessions, and Richardson residents can sign up to attend computer training classes. It's worth it to visit RPL and study their website to learn about the amazing services offered. Your tax dollars support this facility so make use of it. read more

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Super helpful staff with an amazing collection of books! They also offer a teen volunteer opportunity that's top notch!

It was GREAT!!! They were so nice when I told them that my b-day was in 2 weeks, it made me feel really special when they brought out a cupcake with a candle in it, and started singing happy birthday with unbelievably terrible voices... read more

This place is horrendous for studying or getting anything that involves focusing done. There are tons of little kids either running around yelling or crying. There isn't enough seating whatsoever and noticeably sick people are coming in mask-less. I've tried to come study here at least twice now and both attempt were terrible. Staff also speak loudly either on the phone or to each other. read more

Really nice staff members, and it had a great collaborative atmosphere you don't always find at libraries.

Who doesn't love a membership that offers free stuff? The free stuff being the ability to check out books online 24/7! Membership Is available to those living in varies counties surrounding Richardson. Please call before going to make sure your county is one they allow to use their services. I never expected this building to be so big. It has a basement and three other floors! I wanted to use the stairs and had to ask one of the employees there locations. Certainly not easy to find for first timers. If they are marked I missed that. I felt guilty using the elevator for one floor. That's just lazy unless your handicapped. After locating the hidden stairs I was good to go! The basement is a quite zone and contains all the microfilm and other difficult material one needs for deep research. This strict rule is enforced. Or rather clients that use this area self impose this silence to respect other clients. Must have been 20 people on this day and you could have heard a pin drop. Fascinating! The first floor, where you register for membership, has an area where family members can wait. It has soda machines and restrooms. The first floor is also were the kids section and teen reading area is located. It's set up really well. 2nd floor is non-fiction and the 3rd floor is fiction. Pretty impressive library. FYI: library cards expire after three years. I suppose people move too much and they don't want to lose books or other items. Be cool and return your books on time. 2018/58 read more

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Took my son here for story time and since we aren't "Richardson residents" they told my son he couldn't stay for story time. It's giving elitist and is incredibly rude. They told me I could come back Saturday's and I replied saying I was busy and their reply was "well people who work is their only day" I work too so that already bothered me. He's a kid...there were like 5 people there like why wouldn't you allow a kid to stay? Everyone that works here is snobby. Just go to the frisco library- they do story time for EVERYONE and it's nicer. read more

Who knew about the Christmas village in Richardson right by the library? It's a free event open in evenings only! They had character pics like paw patrol, etc, kid activities, food trucks (you have to pay), lil cute houses you can walk in and see how festive their decorated by theme, music, animals to pet, beautiful snow falling. Def a must Christmas activity. read more

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I really enjoy relaxing here over a good book! Spacious area with lots of seats. I would like to see more individual seating partially away from the main study area for people who wants to just relax and read a book instead of study. The surrounding area of the library is also very nice with a fountain and storybook sculptures throughout the park. Overall a great place to cozy up and get lost in a good book. Happy reading! read more

Denies access unless your a Richardson resident. Maybe this was because of the pandemic.

Ive been coming here to study 8 hours a day for a big exam. However I cannot bring my lunch anymore since they have put away the microwave. You can still walk to the civic center, though, which is another separate building by the library if you want to use a microwave. They are very strict about no eating except for on the first floor by the entrance. I like to use a big table to study so I can spread all my study materials out. However there are no plugs available to charge laptop/iPad unless you study at the smaller table as shown in the pic. read more

Richardson Public Library - Study table w plug - Libraries Near Me - Richardson, Texas

Awesome library. Large selection. Very organize and clean. Friendly and helpful staff. Especially the volunteers :). This is the only library I like to go to. Probably because I used to volunteer here for 2 or 3 yrs in high school. I was that girl that alphabetized all the books, and stamped the return cards. Best job ever...not really. They have an awesome display of Santa's village around Christmas time with live performances on the weekend. That was fun to volunteer too. If you want a really quite place to study, I suggest the basement. If you're a freeloader who needs free internet like Peter H., then go to the second floor. Overall, awesome library, and golden chicks is within walking distance so get you some afterwards. read more

Upon moving to Richardson 8 years ago, I rediscovered my Love of Reading since we have such a Lovely City Library so close to Home! Our Library is so Awesome & has a Super Friendly Staff. And it's Free!!! Great app to use on your phone to place holds on books, DVD's, whatever. They also have Book Babbles available for use if you are in a Book Club. A Book Babble consists of a bag of books that contain 12 books to read for large groups and you get 6 weeks for checkout time on these. We are so Lucky to have this Gem in our City. Check them out. read more

Wow! This is the coolest library I have ever been in. They have so many books, audio books, music and DVDs. The service, however, is awful. This was my first time in the Richardson Library, and I needed to get a library card. However, because I am from Dallas, I have to get a TexShare card to use this library. Once they found out I was from Dallas, they treated me like I wasn't important. I will more than likely return once I get a TexShare card... just so I can check out their audiobooks. But, I hope the second time around everyone is a little nicer. read more

Best Library with very helpful staff! Has a huge collection of books.. Their spring & fall book sales are amazing.. I got tons of books during the sale. read more

Having fun isn't hard, when you've got a library card! Awesome library, I come here all the time. Floors get progressively quieter as you work your way up. First floor is checkout, kids books, young adult books, dvds, and audio books. It's the loudest floor. Second floor is adult fiction and the public computers. This floor is quieter, but it's open onto the first floor, so some noise drifts up, and there is also a light amount of talking in the computer area. Third floor is adult nonfiction books, nonfiction dvds, and periodicals. It's the quiet floor. Basement is reference materials, but I hardly spend anytime down there so I can't speak much to that floor. They also have a water feature and a little patio area where you can sit outside. Their website is good. It's easy to search their catalog online, and you can also access your account, place holds and renew your books. Parking is good, although it can get busy. If the parking is full (a rarity, but sometimes happens on the weekends) you can also park next door at the city civic center. The library also offers all sorts of programs: books by mail for home bound patrons, computer classes, book clubs for adults and teens, story time for kids, etc. I've also found the people that work there to be very helpful. You can tell that the city values its library and puts money into it. Overall lovely library, no complaints from me! read more

Hands-down the nicest library I have ever been to - and I have library-hopped for the quietest, most professional place in the Dallas area to study. I don't live anywhere near Richardson, & this library is still worth the trek. It's a Power-Study Sanctuary. Where most other libraries have the majority of the patrons thinking it's perfectly acceptable to sit there & hold conversations at cafeteria volume (some standing at their tables for added effect), laughing, answering ringing cell phones & holding a full-on conversation without even shuffling off somewhere else to take the call (think of the laughing dude in the wind-blown phone booth from Superman II), crying babies & loud, whiney kids - and librarians who do nothing about it - Richardson Public Library's where it's at if you need a cave, and now. This is one library where my stock, "Excuse me! This isn't Yankee Stadium!" has never proven necessary. Oh - and they also have those isolation cubicles I love so much. A lot of libraries don't. For other fair-skinned ladies who avoid the sun like the plague, get thee to the basement - no windows in sight. Also, if you need Internet to supplement your studies, there is free WiFi Access & also plenty of places to plug in your laptop. read more

MUST SHOW ID and Discriminates again non-residents. Even if you you are a member and have a library card, they won't let you in.

I've come here several times just to get away from it all. Just go down stairs to the basement where it's super quite for some peaceful reading. Before you go, stop by the coffee machine; the 50 cent coffee is actually pretty good! If you're glued to the net, they have free wi-fi here. read more

This is one of my favorite libraries! Not only is their selection ginormous, the staff helpful, the atmosphere totally peaceful but they also throw lots of events throughout the year. I used to do a lot of volunteer work here when they have craft fairs for the kids, Santa's village in the winter, outdoor concerts from random high school orchestras and book readings. I don't live in Richardson anymore but totally miss this place when it was finals week. I agree with S.S. that their individual cubicle type stations are awesome especially if your like me and get easily distracted in people watching. read more

Best library I've ever been to for kids ! Huge kids area with computers, launch pads, puppy rentals and a reading room. Staff is ultra friendly and they have a huge selection of books! I feel spoiled now with this library and prefer It over all the other local libraries. Dont miss out on this one! read more

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If you want a really quiet place to study, read, or use free wifi, then you can call the third floor home. The silence up there is respected every time I come in, and it's always a productive visit. They have the little solitary cubicles that I love with power outlets spread around the third floor. When I need to focus there is no better place to be! read more

I went way too long in my life without a library card, and that's super embarrassing. However, I decided that in my quest to be furiously happy, I needed to get a library card in the town that I now call home. And, as luck may have it, Richardson's public library is pretty amazing and was more than willing to help me out. First off, the staff is as friendly and helpful as you can find. Seriously. Like amazingly positive and just wanting to help other people. Secondly, the selection of books and DVDs here is huge and constantly up to date. You may want to cancel the dvd portion of your Netflix subscription and just get a Richardson library card. Seriously. The DVDs there are that vast. And same with the books. All vast and spread out across 4 floors, including the basement. And if you need a quiet place to read or study, I can think of no better place that this library. Limit of 3 items when you open your account, and then a limit of 100 after you return all of the first 3. So, you might want to drown yourself in all media here. Live fast. Read books. Die old. read more

A great library experience. Free internet access. Free wifi, though you have to register and receive your password through email (they allow you 10min of open connection to snag that email). The network is called CORNET, as in City Of Richardson NETwork. You can check out books with your Tx DL if you forgot/lost your card. From the bottom up: Basement: group study, reference books. 1st: Kids, media (CDs, DVDs). Checkout, including self checkout. 2nd: books, public internet terminals (I'd guess 50 of them) 3rd: silent study read more

I LOVE libraries and this one is AWESOME. It's even better now that I live practically across the street from it :) It's huge and clean. The staff is very helpful and friendly. Very large selection of DVDs, from current titles to some pretty obscure ones. I enjoy foreign films and the Richardson Library has quite a collection. They offer a variety of events and classes here - check the calendar often. You might find something you'd be interested in. Also, they remodeled the children's/teen area and it looks fantastic. Two thumbs up! read more

I read recently that 90 percent of Americans think that the closing of their public library would effect their community, and I believe it. That said, only 50something percent said that they've been to their local branch in the past year, and I believe that too. Maybe that second statistic has something to do with how dang difficult Richardson Public makes it to obtain a library card. I'm a student at UTD living on campus, but the staff at this library keep giving me the runaround about my proof of residence... four times I've tried providing the correct documents and four times I've been given a different answer. Such a bummer. This library is smaller than I'm used to-- spoiled Houstonian here!-- but it gets the job done. There are plenty of comfy nooks and outlets for studying; the children's section is precious; the music selection is even pretty okay. Now, if they would just let me check out some books, we'd be doing okay. read more

Large library with lots of books and corners to read in. I often take my 2-year-old to their children's section. It's open and spacious with a large selection of books. They also have little tables and chairs the perfect size for small kids. And there is a little fish tank as well (a highlight for my daughter). On nice days, we head out back behind the library and check out the fountain. They also have a section devoted to teens. It's a great little nook with a good vibe for these young adults. read more

This is a fantastic library. PROS: Large with lots of space. Huge selection of material in every department and they are constantly updating with new items. If they don't have what you want, they will borrow it from another library in no time. Lots of events and community programs. Lots of kid events and programs. They showcase new items in all departments. Great selection of audio books, DVD's and music. They have waiting list for items currently checked out and they will call you/hold the item when it is returned. Online account management. CON: My only complaint is the late fees. They are steep and unforgiving. At 25 cents a day for books and $1.00 a day for movies, the fees add up quick if you are ever late. WISH LIST: If this library added an online suggested reading (ex. people who read this also checked out this) program and if they would create a program for electronic books (like the Kindle or Nook) like the Frisco Libraries have done, this would be the PERFECT library. read more

A great library. Pluses: - Large collection of books, CDs, DVDs that stays relevant. - Friendly and helpful staff. - Lots of work space. - Coffee bar. - Free WiFi and computers. Minuses: - WiFi can be overloaded and slow. - Chairs at most work tables are VERY uncomfortable. - Limited lounging space. read more

Stacey at the reference desk is awesome. If you need help finding anything about local history, this is where to go and how to find people to help you! read more

Pros: Big enough to get the job done internet browsing and finding media, has special events for all ages, updated checkout system, great themes/layout to each floor, tech hub and 3D printer upstairs. Cons: The sign up for the library card is seemingly unnecessarily strict, there are bigger and better libraries. read more

I love studying here. The staff are super friendly and helpful. There's study rooms that you can use for a group of 2 or more. Just ask someone to unlock it for you. Overall very clean and well maintained. There's an area on the first floor as soon as you walk in where you can eat and there's a microwave. read more

I grew up going to this library. Hell, I even worked there in the late '90s. Yeah, I know what you're thinking... "She's biased! She only gave this place five stars because she worked there!" Nope. I gave RPL five stars because no other library I've been to compares to RPL in the amount of stuff they offer. I've been to several libraries here in Austin -- a city that supposedly has more educated, more literate people than does Dallas -- yet we haven't one library that even begins to compare to RPL in terms of media quantity. Granted, I don't necessarily go to the library to get the latest and greatest best-sellers, but I'm appalled at the lack of material at most Austin libraries. Last weekend I walked to a library near my house to check out Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell. I have checked out this book at RPL a few times. Guess what? The library near my house didn't have it. GONE WITH THE WIND! Seriously. So, you see, my having worked there has nothing to do with the 5-star rating I've given RPL. Advice for ladies: Don't ever work there, at least not in the Circulation Department. The office politics are absolutely sickening, especially if a certain someone with the initials KV still works in that department. read more

Best municipal library in the metroplex. Professionally managed and staffed. Sure, the Dallas central library is bigger, but the Richardson library is friendlier and very much like a warm public living room. A recent makeover gave it some added color. A nice treat is the Saeco espresso machine in the lobby. Any drink you want for 50 cents a cup. These coffee drinks are as good as any from an expensive coffee shop. This library benefits from being the only one in this municipality. So instead of having funds spent on the duplicate overhead of multiple branches, you have a better selection of books, multimedia, periodicals, etc. read more

biggest Library I've been to....lol I don't usually read but when I want to I usually go check them out at the Richardson Library.....friendly service and HUGE selection....3 stories tall when event halls outside and many holiday events in the public area out front by the fountain they also have DVD and Tapes and CDs !!! this place is great~ for kids to adults of all ages!!! read more

I went here as a kid and now as an adult I still love it, you can tell when a community puts effort into education!

second floor free internet browsing. Nuff said.

Seriously amazing library. I feel like they should open earlier, but that's most likely having to do with staffing and the city's rules. I love this place! read more