I am reviewing the VITA service at this location. Online reservation was user friendly. The email confirmation contains all the important information especially what to bring with me which made the tax preparation process went very smoothly. Love the location at the Sun Valley Public Library, easy parking and visible direction where to find VITA. Jill at the front desk is very friendly. Once she knows it is my first time coming to VITA, she gives detail explanation how the process is going to be and all the forms I need to fill out. She even comes by the table and make sure everything is ok. Sona P. is my tax preparer. She is very efficient and professional! Melissa is the supervisor who does the final step my tax return. She is very organized. Super happy that I found VITA! They filed my tax return in less than 30 minutes. Thank you for the excellent service. All your staffs are amazing! I will see you next year. read more

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Very friendly staff . Great programs and very quiet branch! Always have computers available and kid friendly.

I come to study here all the time. There's always space with outlets when I go. There's parking. And 25 pages of free printing which I use for work sometimes. The crowd here is not too unruly which I appreciate a lot. They also have community resources and decorations for the holidays. read more

It blows my mind that people act astonished or even impressed when I mention my love for libraries (and that I volunteer at them), reading, and book stores. A library seems to be such a foreign concept to people, nowadays. Such a shame. Well, believe it or not you tech-obsessed folks: SOME of us still prefer physical books and reading as a hobby, form of education, and experience. For these reasons, I make it a mission to go to as many branches of the Los Angeles Public Library system as possible. I have driven past the Sun Valley Branch quite a number of times and was finally able to venture inside. The Sun Valley Branch is located on Vineland Ave in the community of Sun Valley. Where, you ask? Don't worry, that is sort of a typical reaction as people don't tend to venture out to the deep East Valley (heading north toward La Tuna Canyon and Sylmar) unless you have a reason to be there. I'll make it easier for you: it's actually located relatively near to the Burbank airport. Ah! I knew that would help you! This library branch opens to a medium-sized parking lot with available electric car chargers (this is becoming a common offering at LA libraries) that is is surprisingly cleaner than one would expect for the area (it isn't the best of neighborhoods, honestly) with few lingering homeless individuals (the North Hollywood branch, which is within a few miles, might as well be a homeless shelter). Be careful with the lot because it has a one-way enter and exit and it can be confusing. Upon entering the doors of the Sun Valley Branch, one is met with high ceilings, tons of natural light, and a relatively modern and clean esthetic. The Sun Valley Branch is in much better shape and appearances than many other branches which again is surprising due to its location of a lower-income area. The layout is a more narrow than it is long so basically a thin rectangle with a magazine area, DVDs, computers, reading/study tables, main adult book shelves, and children's shelves. You will notice at the Sun Valley Branch that the main draw here is the numerous tables. This place does NOT lack for seating, tables, or study areas. In fact, that is the majority of this library. Great for a place to get work done but the proportion of this to the actual books is much too high. Let me explain: the genres of books are well-represented but the amount of books offered in each genre/category/interest is limited. There simply aren't that many books here, in that respect. Furthermore, the shelves are labeled per call number but most other libraries have designations to help out patrons such as 'History', 'Art', 'Biography', etc. You won't find that, here. Are you seeking pure silence? You won't find that here either. During my visit, there were groups having loud conversations, two people playing a board game and reacting in raised volumes, etc. The librarians on staff never quieted these disruptions. Basically, the Sun Valley Branch forgot the idea that libraries mean books and silence. The perk, at least, of the LAPL is that they are great with interlibrary and intralibrary loans. I didn't go into the bathrooms so I can't couch for those but they are locked and you need a key. Basically, the Sun Valley Branch is a solid neighborhood library if you live in the area that is easy on the eyes and clean enough. It also provides ample table space to get work done but don't expect to get your work done in a quiet environment. And in terms of books? You will probably have to request a loan and get it delivered here. Don't get me wrong, this branch is much better than many others I have been to in LA but it isn't the creme de la creme. The Sun Valley Branch is best for those living in the area but is certainly not worth a drive in LA to check out (no pun intended). read more

I'm a volunteer at this branch and it's such a hidden gem. Yes, it's small and not as well-funded as some others, but the staff as so friendly and caring. You can go online and request a book if they don't have it there and it will be delivered to the branch for you to pick up, so don't worry about lack of selection. My favorite part is the kids and young adult programs. They work so hard on providing really cool content and hands on projects. Check the branch schedule online or at the circulation desk. And there are at least 4 opportunities every week for kids to be read to or to practice reading with a volunteer like me. One of those days, Tuesdays, they can even hang out with and read to friendly dogs! All kinds of people come in, including some homeless folks sometimes, like any library in Los Angeles. But everyone is quiet and respectful. If you want absolute silence, make sure you sit in the designated area at opposite end from the kids section. Sometimes we do get a little talkative in the kids area when we're reading our books out loud. :) read more

I come to this library a lot, here's what to expect. POSITIVE Features: *Staff is nice and friendly *Free parking (electric car charging docs too) *kid friendly *Free easy to access WiFi *Plenty of tables and chairs with electrical plugs accessibility underneath *good lighting *Overall pretty quiet, since there are kids playing in the area sometimes you can hear them laughing or playing but nothing out of the ordinary. Way better than a Starbucks in my opinion *Computer access *Printer access (25 cents per page) NEGATIVE Features: *Not a huge library so it's more selective with books *Bathrooms have no mirrors and are pretty beat up *You need a key to use the restroom And for a full transparency review: *There are a couple of homeless people who hang out there but they don't bother anyone and I've never seen any of them be rude or disrespectful. read more

Its cool you get to use the internet without a library card for at least 15 minutes at a time. And To set things straight about the hours: They're NOT open until 2am, They close at 8pm. read more

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2014 I hear that a small but dedicated group has formed as a FRIENDS OF SUN VALLEY LIBRARY. I also hear that what is needed is some donations SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS BRANCH because, you know, this is not STUDIO CITY where people are living in houses worth half a million dollars, this is SUN VALLEY, where a lot of people are just making their rent. Employees should not feel they have to use some of their income to buy things that are needed for seasonal decorations or programs. So if you're reading this, drop off a few bucks next time you're in, or maybe, if you're heading over to say, the Sun Valley Rec Center or Park for a ball game or Native American dance, make stopping here to donate a PLAN! (And they can always use the donations of books, magazines, DVD's, and the like to sell too!) ***** This library gets 4 stars because of the efforts of the staff who have been challenged here for some time. Sun Valley supports something like 17 schools and without a Children's Librarian (theirs retired a couple years ago and hasn't been replaced), and this dedicated staff of librarians and desk clerks work long and hard to have wonderful programs like the CHILDRENS SUMMER READING PROGRAM (there are prizes), programs that include MAGIC SHOWS for the kids, and a KNITTING CLUB. THEY DO THIS WITHOUT AN ACTIVE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY GROUP, but used books and tapes are for sale during the evenings the knitting club meets. I wish people in the community respected this library much more. This library has sadly been the scene of some destructive damage, from the smashing of computers to people defacing the bathrooms and taking off with the keys on purpose time and time and time again, which gets very expensive to repair. The building is light and bright and is eco-friendly, but there is a problem in the design because the flag poles are an attractive roost for birds right over the outdoor bench which seems to get filthy and poop covered a lot. All LAPL libraries allow card holders to order in books from other branches. So if a book you want to read is not on the shelf here, you can order it to be sent over. All patrons with cards can use library computers for up to 2 hours a day. At this branch after 3 PM it is pretty difficult to get a computer that you have not pre-reserved and it will be full of kids. read more

I remember when I was a kid and saw this newly redesigned library again for the first time. I thought it was beautiful. Immediately, though, I realized that what they gained in aesthetics, they lost in actual quality. First, the parking dwindled exponentially. It's horrendous to say the least. It's a very tight lot with about 15 spots in total. So if you decide to drive, take the smallest car possible. Secondly, the building itself seemed to have shrunk. I remember this library having a vast array of books. After the remodel, it seemed like they threw away most of the books. To make this library a better place, especially for the adolescents in the area, it should be remodeled again. This time, with more room for more books. Because really, who still uses VHS tapes? Overall, it is just okay. It isn't outrageously terrible but it isn't quite good either. There is a much better selection of books at the Sherman Oaks branch. read more

What a flipping joke... tax preps joke sign in what for cause they aren't gonna follow in order.. I'm number 1 on list and get told they are taking someone else screw that crap why have a form? Don't even want to five it one start so disorganized letting people sit around after they open up at 10 just sitting their for 40 minutes c'mon get your crap together. read more

May be looking for a new library to take my 4 yr old to! All it takes is 1 or 2 people to ruin your experience here! ! I started bringing my 4 yr old here about 6 wks ago, and I have been coming in almost weekly to barrow books, and once came to the story time. Well I decided to keep some of the books for a while and didn't realize when I brought them in that they were late. Not a big deal! ! An older lady with short blonde hair (no name tag) was checking the books in and told me with an attitude that they were late. I told her I was new to this didn't realize they were and would pay the late fees, and asked how much? She rolled her eyes took a deep breath and continued to scan the books... I didn't say anything and paid my late fees and walked over to the librarian that was sitting at the desk in the middle of the library and asked her if the lady at the front desk was a librarian or if she just did the check ins and outs... She too was not very friendly, but I told her what happen and with a disgusted look on her face, she said she was not a librarian and she just does the checkouts. I told her that I just felt that she had bad customer service and was very rude, her comment to me was well at least the late fees were paid and I'll talk to my boss about it... Her demeter told me different, and I told her don't worry about it, and walked away... read more

Gresham hdhdhdh hehdhd hdhdhdh hdhdhdh hdhdhdh dhdhshdbhdhdh hdhdhdh Jorge helped me find all book I need it. Thank goodness

I remember coming to this library a lot when I was younger. I recently decided to return and pick up reading again. It felt so nostalgic to see this place again. Everything still looks the same, looks like you still need floppy disks to save data though. O_o. VHS tapes are still available for check out which kinda sucks cuz no one uses those anymore. Aside from that, they have a great selection of books: self help books, study aids, history, art, biographies and so on. This is still a very friendly atmosphere and it seems that the same gals from years ago still work here, which is nice to be able to see a familiar face. The staff is always glad to help in what ever you need and computers are available to everyone with a library card. There are also 15min computers for those who need to do something really quick. Other computers I believe are either 30min or an hour. read more

Though I'm not the type to spend hours and hours at the library, I've been somewhat of a regular since I moved to the area. The staff is friendly and didn't mind me charging my phone and reading a good book when I was younger and had to wait for my parents to come home. Now that I'm older I find myself coming here to grab a book or two that is needed for a college course. Requesting for certain books to be sent to this branch is a breeze as well. Overall, this place is great. read more

I really like this library I used to go to the one in north Hollywood off of Tujunga but that was so packed all the time with homeless people that would hog the bathroom for hours and the staff there wouldn't do anything about it when my little kids have to use the bathroom so I would always have to leave. This location is very nice and clean and all the staff have always been nice and polite. One of the women (I wish I got her name) really went out of her way and helped my son when he asked her where the dinosaur books are. She showed him where they are and even stayed with him to help him pick out the right books she was so sweet. They never seem to packed I never have to wait in line to check a dvd out and they always have computers available. I also love how they changed the rules and you can now rent the dvds for four days and renew them before we couldn't renew them! So all in all this is my favorite library!! read more

The librarian that sits in the middle of the library is only interested in surfing the net and not being bothered. I drove all the way out from Sherman Oaks and even looked up my own call number to get the book I came for because I am independent that way. Meanwhile, I had picked up that book along with some other books I found of interest. I went to the first table that happened to be within eyesight of the Librarian and asked her if I could leave the books at the table without them being picked up. I should have just gone for it I don't know why I just assumed that this woman was going to be decent. She wasn't. She is probably some menopausal bookwork with mousy brown hair that has never had to help anyone at this branch. It was the middle of the day and there was one man sitting at another table. A verrry slow day(probably always is). She was not even willing to assure me that the books would be there in front of her dumb mug for a couple minutes. Then she proceeds to patronize a poor Latino man because who was only looking for the front door. One star because I never will go back. I felt very embarassed like I was asking her for her firstborn. read more