I haven't been here in years but some of my friends who live in tempe wanted me to show them how to get the Culture Pass. We went in and wow its so nice and upgraded in here. They have a coffee shop, classrooms, PC areas, puzzle tables, fax copy print area, etc. Very nice staff member got my friends set up with library cards and their first set of free tickets to a museum using the Culture Pass. They are a cooling center. They have elevators and wide aisles that are wheelchair friendly. I didn't realize I can get a Tempe Library Card even though I'm not a Tempe resident. I will be getting my card soon so I can use their seed Library.... if they have one. I'm excited to go back and explore a little bit. The Mesa branch also has a print out of the monthly events calender but this one is on line only. My friends are almost 80 and prefer a print version. I go to the Mesa Dobson Branch Library and I wish they would upgrade that one as the smell of wet carpet hits you from the first moment you walk in. read more

Tempe Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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I love libraries and this is no exception. This library is especially unique and worth visiting, due to the friendly staff and the coffee shop. That's right, this is a library where you can get a coffee, snacks, and sit down working on homework, telework, or just read. The location is also convenient and has covered parking. Great library and worth visiting. read more

This isn't the library I remember from my years in high school. They have a great bookstore for used books to keep. They have an electronic check in and out system, that might have been there for years, but I haven't been in for years, so new to me. They have a café where you can buy a small munchie and drink and read quietly. There's a teen center A kids center Activities for the summer for all ages The whole place is so clean and organized I loved it. I will be back more often, after I finish this book for sure. read more

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Tempe has such a great library program! The library itself is very nice - large, clean, and lots of books! I like all the "featured" book areas -- staff picks, new fiction and non-fiction, and various genres. They're a great way to find a new read. You can also get magazines on the Libby app. There are lots of kid areas especially downstairs, and rooms for activities, and they put on a lot of community activities. Right now they also have a summer reading program with prizes, even for adults! The Farm Express mobile market is there every other Tuesday 1:30-3:30 and they also have passes to local attractions. Checking out and returning books is really easy and there's plenty of shaded parking. And the people at the help desk are really nice! read more

Tempe Public Library - Won a fun prize in the summer reading challenge! - Libraries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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Loved this place as a kid. It's changed a lot but they got a lot of manga so I approve

This is a great library. I recently starting going to the library even though I've lived in Arizona for about 5 years now. The library location in Tempe is so much better than the downtown chandler library. The selection here is way bigger, and it's more teenager friendly. My son was able to get some good books he was interested in reading. In the downtown chandler location he couldn't find one book that peaked his interest. I got way more books than I expected. That's a good thing! I need to get back into reading. The employees here are so much more friendly, helpful and knowledgeable than the Chandler library. So safe to say I won't be back to the Chandler library. This library I will be a regular at even though it pretty far from em. read more

Tempe Public Library - I been wanting to read this book for forever!! - Libraries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

My whole family loves the library. I spent a lot of my childhood at my hometown library and I am so grateful that Tempe Public Library provides so much value for our community and put on so many amazing things for our kids. We love the summer reading program and totally tempe Tuesday's! read more

I agree with other reviews that this library is not "quiet." The entire entry floor is utilized by the city of Tempe as a homeless shelter but they twist language and call the shelter "hope office" or "cooling center" to avoid scaring people away. The only natural light is in the right side but you'll be surrounded by offensively loud and stinky vagrants coming in and out from their meth smoke breaks. Then they talk loudly behind you about "robbing people" and the latest "gift card scam." The library is NOT family friendly... they seem to keep homeless out of the kids basement area but they lurk around the lower level windows peering in at the children sometimes. Again, I have no clue why Tempe doesn't have a proper shelter for the homeless and instead place them where students and children and elderly taxpayers sit to study & read. Thank god there are cops stationed inside, the homeless can get very aggressive & follow you to your car or worse... Baffling! read more

I've been coming to this library pretty much since I was 3 or 4 in the early 70's. So many wonderful childhood memories. I miss the smell of card catalogs so much. I'm so grateful for its existence, but I have to say please don't ever use the printing services if you value your time, money and sanity. It just doesn't work. I've been without a printer for awhile and if it's a matter if just needing to print a 3 pg doc, I will save myself a longer drive to the Mesa career center. I thought the first 2 times were a fluke---the formatting messed up to the point that the document was unusable and just a time consuming pain to print one item and the troubleshooting involved. I gave it 2 more tries before I realized it was the definition of insanity. For .20 a b/w page, forget it. Tempe Library, please maybe work on this or stop charging so much for a resource that doesn't work. I will say that they employees are always very kind and as helpful as they can be, but they are being set up to fail because the system is just broken. I should add that I was attempting to print simple b/w pages, all was fine on the print preview, etc... and when it actually printed, it was a mess. Every time. I can't be the only person this has happened to. This is a non resource. I'd post photos, but the docs contain too much personal info read more

Are the days of "quiet" in library's gone? People here are SO loud! Don't employees here care? They certainly do NOT lead by example either. read more

Even though I live in (south) Scottsdale I come to Tempe Public Library more than any other library in the Phoenix area. 1) I take my mom here every few weeks because they have a large selection of large print books...more than Scottsdale (Civic Center) 2) It actually makes things more convenient that they don't have multiple branches. Whatever materials they have are all at one location. 3) From what I can tell it seems to be less busy/popular than other libraries in the Phoenix area and if you're trying to reserve materials you'll get them quicker here. Library is clean and pretty well organized. Parking is easy as well. I wish they were open maybe an hour later, but it's fine. read more

I love the services Tempe Public Library provides. I use the audiobooks available through Libby daily. There's a great selection and they've added a "notify me" tag so I can find out when new releases are added. The downstairs area for kids is great. I love that they color code the books so my kids can pick books they can read without getting frustrated. There are also several play areas and kid appropriate computer games. Over the summer my kids participated in the Maricopa County Reads program. My older kid was so in to getting prizes that she read so many books, she improved her reading proficiency over the summer. She earned tickets to see the Phoenix Mercury--it was awesome how proud she was. The librarians were so kind, patient, and encouraging. Really just above and beyond! My one issue is that when I first moved here 12 years ago, I routinely worked in the Tempe Public library. I just can't concentrate on the main floor anymore. People are loud. The last time I was in an agitated mentally ill man followed me from area to area every time I moved to get away from him. I appreciate that this isn't the library's fault. Tempe isn't doing enough to help the unhoused in the face of skyrocketing housing prices. The library feels too militarized now--the security guards at the entrance, the near constant police presence. There aren't easy solutions here and I know the library staff is doing everything they can. read more

We were here for a meetup in a conference room. Library has plenty of parking that's well lit and accessible. Security/information is front and center when you walk in and is knowledgeable on where things are. Conference room was easy to find, had many outlets for electronics and was private. Restrooms were clean. read more

I went to the Tempe Public Library recently. I like that they offer so many great programs and activities. I love that they offer books, music, and videos. This is also a nice place to go during the hot summer months. They have many computers for people to use and a few group study rooms. The larger rooms that are used for meeting are available for a small fee. It's interesting that they have a little cafe on the first floor. There were signs outside promoting their special of the day - which was lemonade. The library cards need to be renewed on a yearly basis. I'm also surprised that non-food places are listed on Yelp. I always thought of Yelp as only a restaurants review site. But, I see that it is an all-inclusive site for many different venues. read more

Tempe Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

A visit to the Tempe Public Library always makes for a fun time! I love visiting to check out books, and the librarians are always super friendly and helpful when I am looking for a particular resource. Their used book inside is always exciting to visit as well, you can't beat the prices. Thank you to everyone at the Tempe Public Library for making every experience a good one! read more

Beginning June 3rd, we can bring in bottles of water as part of the summer hydration drive. For every bottle I bring, that's a $1 off my fines! Bringing a case of water to help my community and remove my $4 fine is a win-win. Thanks, Liam, for the information. Come on Tempe, let's do our part to make this a safer summer. read more

Tempe Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

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This is a family friendly library that offers a variety of free monthly activities in addition to granting access to books, movies and a digital library. Free math and reading tutoring for kinder-3rd grade, storytime, book clubs, game clubs and citizenship classes are a few that are offered to residents of Tempe. Want to volunteer in a quiet place? Book circulation and repair, shelving assistants and computer aide are positions that volunteers are able to apply for. To me, the lighting is not as pleasant in comparison to other public libraries but in its defence, it is an older building. Ample free parking is available and if you choose to take public transit, there is a bus stop right in front! read more

I love the cafe/coffee shop inside the library. I usually got some things to drink from there before I started to study. The tables for study in the back of the library is nice because I could see outside view. This library offers study rooms. I booked it online ahead of time. When I got in, I can just walk straight to my reserved room. When it is closing to the end of my study room reservation, I got the text reminder. This is very convenient. I just stopped by the book shop in front of the library and found some cool old books. I love this library and enjoy every visit. read more

The Tempe public library is great. I enjoy visiting and using their free WiFi. Additionally, I am able to use their computers too. They have a great collection of books, music, and videos. It is a nice place with chairs and couches and tables to sit at. They also have good programming. The cafe is interesting. When it was first put in I was surprised. Now, it is a regular staple of the library. Also, they sometimes have specials that are advertised on a chalkboard outside the front doors. It's interesting how many different things they have there. There's the culture passes and the seeds. * read more

today's date (2/4/2020) I walked in with my large luggage bag paid for 2 cookies, I open my bag exposing clothes and my files nothing out of the ordinary, and pull out peanut butter and eat both together in the designated eating area. I put my trash into the garbage bin. clean after me no trace of me NO MESS. I walk toward the computer department, talked to the department host about getting the wifi (passcode and username) go to the front desk to ask questions about ACTION CULTURE PASS. nothing out of the ordinary little did I know I was being watched. I go to the restroom where outside there is a sign nowhere does it say you can't the restroom down to get anything i need. I wait patiently for the largest stall my luggage is huge and I need the space no one is behind me. I go in and A woman enters elderly keeps looking down below seems to be just looking to for feet to see if any stalls are open, so i believed I change into shorts after this I lay my luggage down I am to use the restroom and like to use my feminine wipes after using toilet paper. from there I then start going to the restroom; excuse my french but I had to go 1/& 2 As I am finishing up #2 a man voices seciruty I tell him i am using the rest rooom he says we need to clean up He tells me agian 5 mins later and keeps going every 3-4 mins. I guess he felt if he keeps coming in I would feel uncomfortable I did. But dropping a LOAD ON MY PANTS SO HE CAN CLEAN WAS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN I NEEDED TO WIPE. I say hey I'm going # 2 I am almost done. HE was sent into the women's restroom by his superiors all women on the floor. ( why couldn't they come in) I am not done I finish up and finally wash my hands then walk to the front desk agent & ask are homeless not allowed to use the restroom? she says no I ask where does it say that she walks to me the bathroom to show me the sign below it says not washing we can not use the restroom....pee or go number two. She giggles then feel embarrassed for her words and the sign don't match then quickly blurts out "the resource room is upstairs" like it was a witty comeback and redeemed her. the male security is still standing by the door I ask so then why was I kicked out He said " there was blood on the floor" I tell them I didn't see any blood also shocked because he admits to going in the restroom where i was undress sitting on the toilet and looking under the stall I am embarrassed and upset now I GUESS HOMELESS DON'T GET PRIVACY WE HAVE TO EARN THAT. lIKE 2ND CLASS CITIZENS BUT WEW WERE BORN HERE. I don't smell and have fresh clean clothes in my bag just washed them not loud or dirty no reason for me to be targeted How do they know I'm homeless the bag? i did not they then quickly try to change their stance agian " well someone reported that someone was camped out in the restroom". ( the lady looking under stalls comes to my mind. Once again they are tripping over their words and horribly covering the fact that someone or someones just assumed me to be a dirty hobo here to take a shower and reported an assumption. but had to come clean ( when in fact I came to apply for jobs and work on my project ( ABUNDANCE SHIRE CHECK OUT ON FB ) & see if the cafe was still hiring..... while the day passes The best way to become unhomeless is to get a job! She then quickly ask " would you like to speak to the manager". I say yes I tell the situation on a man being sent into the restroom she says will work on that no apologies just that and now I am writing this review You may want to ask before using the restroom if you have bags or one big one let them know what you are going to the restroom for seem HOMELESS ARE FEARED TO DIRTY UP THE RESTROOM HERE. Just to put them as ease speak to them but also ask questions so you understand right being taken away or if it is actually their rules and policy always read the signs Because even the staff don't. You matter and all and all the location is quiet and clean. read more

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Needed a new card. Process easy and short. The gentleman was helpful and friendly. Covered parking and welcoming staff inside.

I'll start off by saying I am reading book number 23 for the year! Reading was one of my new year's resolutions for 2018 and I could only accomplish this goal with the help of my local library. Why? Books are expensive people! Like I'm sure many libraries have, I check out my books electronically and download them to my Kindle. This service not only helps us to be more sustainable, it is super convenient and saves me lots of money. As I get older my eyes get worse too. I don't like to read with my glasses on. Tempe Public library offers large type books, new and older books too. Very convenient. My son has been laid up recently. Instead of him using up our internet allowance to binge watch, we went to the library where he checked out DVDs. The have a HUGE selection of older and new releases you can find near the front entrance. The information desk is very helpful too. Don't be afraid to ask them anything. They are there for you! I think the most amazing thing is the the checkout and return process. Just scan you library card while your items are on the counter of the kiosk. BAM! Just like that, your books are scanned, show up on the screen and you can print a receipt detailing items and shows when due. Returning books is just as easy. Drive up, insert your items and POW, they are checked back in. Grab your receipt and you're off. As an undergrad, I utilized the study rooms downstairs too for group study. Really convenient and kept us on task without venturing to the ASU Tempe campus. I love this library. read more

A library is a place for quietness This is something I really can't find anywhere, including Tempe Public Library. Hence, there is one star off. I think silence needs to be enforced better. I absolutely devote to complete silence unless you're asking for help with the librarian or needs to speak for a couple sentences. Pros? They have the cafe, the reserved study rooms. The lower level is quieter but still, some kids were talking in the QUIET ZONE. Please be quiet so intelligent people like me can study. Cons? The study rooms are only reserved for max of 2 hours. I usually spend like 8 hours in the library. However, within 15 minutes past your reservation, you can reserve again. They only allow a maximum of 4 reservations per 14 days but their reservation website allows people to reserve as many as they want as long as you make one reservation at a time. Even if someone fails to show up, with the 15 minute late policy, I think having an unlimited reservation is good. read more

Great library. Super spacious and they have a quiet room that is usually not full. Anytime I go there are tons of people on computers and everyone is very quiet and respectful. The check out process is fast and rarely messes up. Had to subtract a star because one time, after returning about 10 books in the drive through, they charged me for one of the books because they said they did not receive it. The worker tried to help but made it somewhat difficult. It was not until they noticed the book had been returned that they were able to take the charge off. read more

Tempe Public Library - Outside - Libraries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

What a great library! We stopped here to kill time before an appointment and so glad we did. The children's section is HUGE! I just wish we lived closer so we could have checked items out and visit often. read more

Tempe Public Library - The puppet theater was a hit with my 5 - Libraries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Blessed to have the services and location of the Tempe public library. The staff is knowledgeable, kind and accommodating.

I love this place my one complaint is the hours Monday-Wednesday 9am-8pm Thursday-Saturday 9am-5pm. 98.7% of the staff are super helpful and nice. At one time the youth library was the largest in the country. They have tons of events for all ages. Every Wednesday the have "Game On" a staff supervised event for 12-18 yr olds to play video games and socialize with other kids. The event calendar is chock full every day, but Sunday. Over 100 public computers available, 8 Study rooms available. The Friends Bookstore and Connections Café are inside the library as well. Electric car charging stations & City recycling drop off site. You can also pick up a Culture Pass act1az.org/culture-pass To make a long story short. This place is great. read more

Tempe Public Library - 24hr book drop - Libraries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

So far so good. I just got my library card last week and spent a little time walking around. The inside is very clean and well organized. My main reason for the 5 stars is that with your card you have access to a huge ebook library that you can download to your kindle for free!! The library pays for its members to be able to rent books from amazon for free. This is going to save me so much money. read more

The Tempe Library is the "gold standard" for public libraries. The building is new, the selection if books is great. Customer service and self-checkout is very good. Also they have a great cafe. We enjoy getting a latte and a snack while looking for books...nice! Also the online library is very easy to use and the new digital book library is very nice. You reserve a digital book, get an email that it is available, download it and voila, you are reading! read more

Tempe Public Library - A cafe break! - Libraries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

Giving it 4 stars because the people in there are extremely loud. Crying babies, men yelling on the phone, and lots of talking. Otherwise, super clean and a ton of space to work or study! read more

Honestly, I found this library when I was left in a lurch after graduating and realizing how dependent I was on ASU's massive libraries. Though not nearly as big as Hayden, the Tempe Public Library has a pretty decent selection of books, and I really love how they keep their collection up to date with displays of new additions near the entrance of the library. Also, I love that they have an online library which allows you to borrow ebooks and audiobooks online - makes it real convenient for hermits like me. A couple of pet peeves which prevents me from giving this place a better rating: - They're sticklers for not letting you use your driver's license as your library card if you left your library card at home. If that happens, you either have to pay for a replacement card or come back when you have your card with you. Basically, if you don't stash your library card in your wallet (cause there are already five million other cards in there, like mine) don't make any unplanned stops at the library, or you're gonna have a bad time. - While you can borrow the physical book out for 3 weeks, you can only borrow an ebook for 2 weeks. I feel like I've been cheated here... read more

Always a great place to study, read, and relax. It's an awesome community amenity that everyone can enjoy. So grateful for my public library! read more

I can't afford to go to school, so I like to study here sometimes. However; it is being filled with homeless people who talk loud and eat food very loudly which is very unpleasant for someone trying to study and or read. It also has a bug problem and I think it's absolutely appalling that people are so lazy and addict to their phones that they can't even clean. I wouldn't recommend anyone to go here because of the situation it contains. ( I wear a white bucket hat everyday, if you have any questions or concerns you can contact me verbally in the library like a human being) read more

Tempe Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Tempe, Arizona

It's a lovely physical facility with a very large selection of books. I'm enjoying physical books, plus ebooks (wow, download from amazon.com and use Kindle to read), audiobooks, etc. available through their e-sharing library. The checkout/return process is thoroughly modern, as is the way you can put a hold request on a book and be notified via email or by text that the book is available and waiting for you to pick up. Bathroom (men's) is generally clean, given the fact that a lot of street people come here. Security does frequent walk-throughs around the premises, so the street sharks don't get an opportunity to be disruptive or use the Library as a crash pad (i.e., sleep place) for the day. It's generally been very quiet when I've visited. There are many interesting activities scheduled, including coloring for grownups. I like the artwork displayed on the walls. I've not yet tried the coffee bar, but it always smells alluring and the prices are decent. The Library is easily accessible by Valley Metro route 72 or a Tempe shuttle bus if you take public transit. I'm withholding two stars for the slower-than-molasses WiFi. I thought Mesa Public Library was the worst in the area, with download/upload speeds around 1Mbps [speedtest.net]. At Tempe Public Library, I just got a download speed that struggled to top out at 3 Mbps and upload speed of 0.5 Mbps [speedtest.net]. Simple web pages on news sites take 3-4 minutes to load completely or they time out, embedded videos are mostly unplayable, and you can forget using Spotify or TIDAL. Spotify reports it's offline (due to abnormally low bandwidth), and the same goes for TIDAL. The lack of serviceable WiFi is a big deal to me, since I have to use it for non-frivolous reasons that require decent bandwidth. No, it's not my computer. Up your broadband game, TPL! For decent WiFi coverage in a publicly-accessible library in Phoenix, you'll have to stick with Phoenix Public Library locations (10 Mbps up/down or sometimes, much better) or ASU libraries (guests capped at 10 Mbps up/down but rock solid). read more

I visited the Tempe Public Library for exam proctoring services, so I can't speak to anything other than that. Getting a library card was quick and painless, the employees were all nice, and the proctoring conditions were good: fairly quiet (for a library), off in a corner of the library, and fairly decent computers (for a library). What wasn't so good was the caliber of the proctor -- my school's testing authority makes it very easy to understand and get exam materials, and no amount of online video tutorials and personal hand-holding by the proctoring authority staff could make 1 + 1 = 2. I've had proctors across the country and NEVER had to deal with that side of it -- it's that easy, you can pick it up on your own. Even my new proctor (I HAD to get a replacement) had absolutely no trouble...worked like a charm. So, no problem with the library but don't do exam proctoring here. read more

The children's section is huge and my little spent hours playing and reading. Definitely a place for a rainy outing

As someone from Tucson that goes to the Pima Public Library, I was really impressed with this library. They have a cafe that you absolutely need to go to (I wish all libraries realized that you can indeed have a cafe in the library!). Lots of events being held there. And let's talk about the screaming deals you can get at their Friends of the Libraries store right in front, or the one back by the cafe. I ended up taking handfuls of books home for $7. And $5 was just for the special tote that I purchased. Seriously, amazing place. read more

Yay for covered parking! I like that this library also has a cafe that serves coffee and snacks. If you need a quite space, reserve a study room because there are always inconsiderate people who think the library is the best place to chat and make phone calls. read more

What's not to love about Tempe Public Library? It's not huge, but they have a book store inside and it's so cheap. You can grab a hard-cover book that's in PRISTINE shape for, literally, 50 cents. How fucking awesome is that? Really, really fucking awesome! Their selection of movies is always really great. From this place, I have rented some amazing stuff: The 7th Seal, The Thin Blue Line, Overlord. I saw A Taste of Cherry here, which sucked, but I shall not fault the library because the movie SOUNDED really amazing, but it ended up being a long-ass movie about a guy driving around. Talking. read more

Kudos to the Tempe Library staff for being so amazing during the loooonnngggg early voting procedure, which took up their entire first floor on Friday, when I went. So, ok, waiting in line for vote for 8 hours sucks. However, at least I was able to do it at this library, which I had never before visited. The place is filled with comfy chairs and great new books! I was able to actually skim through an entire newly-released nonfiction book I've been eyeing at the bookstore while I waited to vote. Not only that, but the "connections cafe" serves up coffee drinks, sandwiches, soup and snacks. They stayed open late for the voters, which was nice. And it was explained to me that it's a nonprofit cafe, which the money going to help fund children's literacy projects. Awesome, again! Finally, the librarians were so nice about hundreds of loud, impatient voters camping out. Not once were we told to "shush" and one of them even passed out Halloween candy for us! Some of them had to stay really late (I left at 10:30 p.m. and they were still there). Overall, I just think it's cool the library hosted the polling. It was much better to be there than to be stuck at the Mesa city center, standing in line in the heat with nothing to read. If I lived in Tempe, I'd definitely get myself a library card and come back to this place time and time again. read more