I rarely use the Oakridge branch of the VPL (Vancouver Public Library) as it's not near where I…read morelive or work, and I'm not in the area much in the first place. However, the odd time that I'm in the area and also need to return a book, such as today, I'm happy that it's there. (It's great having library branches all over Vancouver, yet there isn't one near where I live!)
The Oakridge branch is small, and I assume old, from its appearance, but it has everything that a library needs: WiFi, computers, power outlets, tables and chairs, bathrooms, and of course books and movies to borrow. While it may not have as much of a selection as the Central Library branch, it has a decent collection if you're just popping in to see what they have (I always find something worth borrowing), and you can order items from other branches anyway.
Because it's smaller, it's less crowded than the Central Library, and it's actually easier to find a desk, power outlet, or computer to use, even though they have so few, due to the library's size. And it's quieter too.
Despite being a small library, the Oakridge branch has decent hours and is open seven days a week (some smaller branches are closed one or two days a week), and is open until 9pm on Fridays, later than the Central branch, which closes at 6pm on Fridays (which has caused me many inconveniences, especially when I was a student).
Two other things I like about the Oakridge branch over the Central branch is they don't have those stupid book return machines that are slow and make a two second task into a five minute ordeal, and I have never been verbally or sexually harassed by creeps, or gaslighted security guards (in fact, they don't have security guards here, standing around doing fuck all when you need help, and then accusing YOU of being the problem when you tell a creep to leave you alone.)
A great little library that has everything you need, where you can hang out without being harassed.
[Yelp collections: Libraries and Bookstores]
