Absolutely terrible first & last experience here. Had some car trouble in Texarkana and had several hours to kill while waiting for the repairs. Thought I'd cuddle up w a book in the back corner out of the way, not bothering anyone. Ya know, what a library is for. A literal security lady w a bad attitude for no reason comes up on me like "wow, you can't just be here like this..." Excuse me? Isn't this was a library is for ?? What's w the attitude ? She tells me I have to sit in one of their hard, flat arthritis causing chairs if I wanna read a book there. Up in front where everyone can see you. And that no drinks are allowed and 'it says so on the door.' Ok... this was my first time there. I didn read all the signage, my mistake, and my drinks has screw on caps. I was just trying to stay hydrated while I killed time waiting for my car. Considering that all the people inside looked homeless, it was shocking that they'd bother someone like me who's clearly put together, well dressed, well spoken & educated. She was absolutely rude for no reason. And the fact that not a single employee came to kindly make me aware of their rules and instead called security like I was being doing anything wrong. I WAS LITERALLY READING A BOOK IN THE CORNER SILENTLY. Extremely unwelcoming environment, smelly restroom, rude employees, and many vagrants hanging around. If you've never visited don't waste your time Hopefully this sh*t hole gets shut down. read more

Convenient location. Nice employees. Great collection of books. Internet access and can make copies. You do a lot more than read books.

I've been coming here since I was a child! Great resources for your kids or if you would like to check out a book. Obtaining a library card is not difficult. You may also utilize their computers for school projects and the like. read more

This library makes it where you have to be 17 and need id to use their computers. You have to make a reservation?!? I called ahead of time and they said nothing about what you need to do so. Security lady is VERY rude and not helpful at all. BATHROOM IS DISGUSTING. Looks to not be cleaned in a year. No doors on bathroom. read more

Texarkana Public Library - Nasty bathroom.. - Libraries Near Me - Texarkana, Texas

I've been visiting the public library in Texarkana since I was a little girl. Today I take my daughter almost weekly. We always leave with a big bagful of books from the children's section and a few for me. The selection is not the best compared to larger libraries I've been to in other cities, but for a small town it really isn't bad. The children's selection may not have EVERYTHING you're looking for but they have quite a bit to choose from! My daughter never leaves empty-handed. Neither do I. Sometimes you just have to appreciate things for what they are, faults and all. As for the homeless community, we have never had any issues during our visits. Homeless people are people, too, are they not? I am grateful that people in need have a place to go where they can use computers and read books. Isn't education the key to getting yourself into a better position? With that in mind, the library is the PERFECT place. Not to mention that homeless people can be found at pretty much any centrally-located library wherever you go, since a library is, after all, a public resource. We go to the park across the street at nearly every visit, too. As far as I'm concerned, Kidtopia is one of the best, most underrated parks in town. The new skatepark is fantastic. The fire department across the street is always welcoming when my kids have wanted to stop in for a peek at the fire engines. Texarkana has a beautiful downtown that is just seeing a long overdue revival, and the library is a wonderful supplement to that. The public library would definitely benefit from more support from the community. They are certainly doing their best with what they have and host many events. But leaving an ugly review on Yelp certainly won't change anything. read more

We are so grateful to have access to the public library here in Texarkana, both in person and online! And what a treat to be able to download audio books from the digital library right to our phones. The staff at the library has been very helpful- Kudos to all!!! read more

I worked at the library for about a year, while hurricane Katrina was actively pushing people up north. Yes, Randy Sam's homeless shelter is just across the street. I've actually stayed at Randy Sam's Outreach. Most of the people who are there, are underemployed, disabled and can't afford to live alone, or just down on their luck. I interviewed at least a hundred people during Katrina aftermath. I only had one bad experience with one person my whole year working there. He wasn't even homeless, but he told one of our librarians to "shut the eff up", when she shushed him, because he was being loud and obviously on some kind of drugs. I didn't give it a second thought... I pursued him to where he stood and told him under no uncertain terms that he needed to leave. He came back in a week or two later and was respectful of the rules of the library upon his return. Randy Sam's Outreach does drug tests and daily breathalyzer tests. It's not the best neighborhood and I wouldn't leave my car unlocked there, but I don't leave it unlocked at the Ashdown Public Library. I only leave my doors unlocked at home and that's because I live very far away from anyone else who I don't personally know. Even those people are kept at bay. I'm not paranoid, I'm careful. Sleeping in the library is against the rules. Don't let them few unkempt people keep you from reading new books or using the library for whatever purposes needed. They underwent a renovation after I left the library. I haven't been there since my last day of work, but I saw the plans in place for the library, and they were good. I plan on making a trip there the 16th of this month for the Texarkana Beekeepers Association meeting. Don't let one rotten apple spoil the whole basket. read more