Overall great little library! I don't often frequent libraries, although I think it's something that most people overlook. I don't come looking for a quiet space but it's full of resourceful books! I avoid "after-school times" bc it can get a bit hectic... but I also avoid the gym during after-work times. Anyway, this little one has a good selection and whatever they don't have they will get for you! The staff is exceptionally friendly and helpful. read more

Is it no longer an accepted rule that people be quiet in the library? Two male staffers today talked for a solid half-hour in as loud a fashion as they might have if at home. The library was full of people trying to read but I heard every word these guys said the entire time. And they weren't talking library stuff. Do we need to start wearing earplugs? Even little kids here are quiet. read more

My favorite part is the cauldron in the back. Be careful, though, it's hot to the touch.

This is a marvelous neighborhood Library. They recently renovated the whole place and we stopped by this weekend to see it after it being closed for quite some time. It's so nice, open, bright and airy. A huge change from before. We rode our bikes over there and decided to get a Library Card for our grandson. An exceptionally nice and helpful woman, Marie was so patient and pleasant, the experience was quite enjoyable. I prefer the convenience of electronic books on a Kindle app and so I don't actually go to the Library very much anymore. I take my books out through the Library's Overdrive app for e-books. We did take out some books for my grandson, a DVD and an Audiobook. Because it's such a nice facility, we'll definitely be going more frequently. read more

This is my local library and if you are just here to pick up books that you reserved than it's fine. The library itself is quite small and likely won't have the titles you are looking for so better to order online and have it reserved for you. Also don't try to print here its too overpriced. I would like them to be open more hours but that doesn't seem to be possible at this point. On the plus side staff are usually very friendly and helpful. read more

A nice, little, library, where I sometimes go to chill, donate items and where our HOA meets. Always clean and quiet except in the rug rat section, but that has even calmed down a bit as the surrounding neighborhood kids have grown older. One downer is still those parents who drop off their kids while they go to the park area. However, this place operates on a shoestring budget, and so I am always welcoming books, tapes, and especially books on tape or CD. The staff has always been kind and is basically for relaxing. Intense reference material is really not its forte, but that is fine with me. read more

It's a decent little library right around the corner from where I live. The study/read area is small and crammed but if you show up at non busy hours it can be fine. Make sure you don't go to this specific library between the hours of 2-5. If you arrive anywhere between those hours, be aware that it becomes ridiculously loud and packed with kids. Even with noise cancelling headphones I find it extremely hard to focus. None of the staff seem to care about the obnoxiously loud children and it becomes irritating. I showed up to study one evening and children were playing tag inside the building....It sounds like a kids playground depending on the time and day you arrive. There are much better libraries in town with bigger areas to read and study. If you're a student and your looking for a quiet environment to study/read I recommend going to another library. If you can't go to another library I suggest going between the hours of 8AM-1PM. Any hours after 1PM and it becomes crowded, noisy and crammed. read more

The women who work the attendance counter are warm and inviting. When we went to return our books, she upsold us on return for a lego family night. She even brought over the activities. This location, in my opinion, has the authentic, hometown library feel to it. While I think the construction of the downtown library is sleek, they have a decent selection of children's books and DVD's. Thank you for the continued excellent service. read more

Came here for the first time. There aren't very many tables to study and the front desk staff is LOUD. I brought sound proof headphones but everyone around me looked so annoyed at them. Plus the "quiet rooms" are closed, I am assuming to Covid. I wasn't expecting the staff at a library to be so noisy at the expense of everyone studying. read more

So they have a decent selection of books. The staff has been friendly so far. One of the problems I had was that it was so loud. Not exactly a nice atmosphere to browse books. I'm glad it is a kid-friendly library, but this was a bit too much. I even wore noise-cancelling headphones and it was still too loud. I recommend looking up a book beforehand online and then going there to pick it up. I've tried going to this library on separate occasions, all during the week during non-peak hours and it was still the same. They really need a study room/reading room. read more

I went into this branch, while unforgivably wearing a baseball cap... it was a bad hair day. I was immediately reprimanded and told that I must remove my hat. After complying and unleashing my beastly coiffure, whilst staring blankly at the Librarian for a number of seconds, she finally admitted that I was allowed to turn my hat backwards, which is how all my favorite hip-hop artists wore their hats in the mid-90s, so I'm mostly okay with this. Apparently this is some sort of new policy to make patrons easier to see on camera. Maybe they're having a slew of book robberies? What a wonderful world it would be if our youth were spending their degenerate years stealing literature. read more

We live near the Hampton Branch, so it gets a star for convenience. Another two since the staff has always been friendly and helpful. Special thanks to the kind young man, who works behind the counter, for chatting up my kids and giving them a sticker. They always get excited and ask if they'll get to see "Sticker Guy". Unfortunately, much of this branch's problem is beyond their control and can be attributed to the small size of the building. The aisles are close together and crowded. The children's section is small. I never utilize the kids programs because they are overcrowded....I would be crazy to take my 3 littles into mass chaos while flying solo, right? Overall, a great branch for picking up holds or dropping off. My kids also like to run on the path behind the library, but it is not shaded and very hot in the summer. read more

This is the library closest to my home, so I visit it semi-regularly. On the plus side, it has a lot of programs for kids. But this is also a minus if you're seeking a quiet place to browse or study. The branch is quite small, and jam-packed full of shelves and a few computer terminals. It feels cluttered, and the staff often gives me the feeling that they really wish they didn't have to deal with actual customers... although working in a tiny, over stuffed library branch full of kids is probably not conducive to relaxation. When there's a kid's program going on, the branch is jammed with young'uns and parents, and the parking lot can be difficult. I guess I have a soft spot for this library because it is a real community center in the area, but it's not someplace I go to relax and read. read more

Overwhelming! I agree with Mke D.'s comments. So many kids in the children's book section that my pretty outgoing granddaughter shied away from the area. There were a couple of books she would have been interested in, but other, older kids, were monopolizing the area and she just wanted to leave. I know she comes here often with her parents, so I didn't feel that bad. I think she already had her mind on the big cookie she was going to get at Whole Foods :-) read more

I love this library. It is as much a community center as it is a library. Definitely necessary to use holds as it isn't huge, and it isn't really a good spot for studying. But the staff is generally wonderful. Helpful, passionate, friendly. I hope they will expand it in the upcoming renovation, but keep the welcoming relaxed atmosphere. read more

It's close to home and it's got free books, CDs and DVDs.. I mean, yeah, you gotta bring them back, but still, that's pretty cool. I think that deserves three stars right there. But that's about it. Not much room to move around. The way the computer terminals are positioned, I always feel like the people sitting there feel like I'm looking over their shoulder, which I'm not, not at first, but since they think I am I might as well be, so sometimes I do because what good is guilt when you don't do anything to deserve it, you know what I mean, and I gotta say, some of these people, the things they're looking at online in public, it's not right, that's all I'm saying. read more

Unlike other reviewers I won't take stars off because of something they cannot control, i.e. size. Even if they wanted I doubt they could expand the library because of it's location. I myself would rather it stay where it is than move and expand, especially with such a great hold system. I shop for books on Austin's expansive online search, place a handful on hold, then pick them up in a few days. I actually have one on hold today. Yay!! Everyone is always friendly. There's usually a ton of kids and no empty parking spots (for you cynical angry folks, you'd probably grumble at this) but I find it refreshing. It's great to see libraries still full of people. They also recently added self check-outs which are great and really cuts down on line time and size. I live close so I know I'll be back again and again. read more

Crowded! Bunch of kids and old people nowhere to study really. Remember your elementary library? Well this should bring you back some memories. read more

THIS IS HANDS DOWN THE NOISIEST LIBRAY IN THE CITY!!!!!!!! Downtown Austin on a Saturday night has nothin' on this place!!!! Remember back in the day not so long ago when library staffers were not afraid to assert their management control and ask people to please quiet their children? Kids anywhere from 2 on up are allowed to run shrieking up and down aisles constantly while the librarians sit at their stations, blissfully unaware of the atmosphere. Meanwhile other patrons are trying to work on the computers on documents, etc. and cannot concentrate due to the intermittent shrieks and crashes and screams. Even with ear phones. Absolutely UN-Nerving. I always leave with a slight headache. This location is right around the corner from me so it's easily accessible and would be a great little branch if the library manager/head librarian would control the noise level down to a tolerable decibel. I'm not asking for whispering and no talking, just that the library not be used as an alternative to a children's playground/daycare without the parents being held accountable for control of their children. Guess they are afraid of confrontation or something but someone needs to step up and do their job!!! I know from speaking with other patrons I am not the only one who feels this way! It's our (high) city ax dollars helping to pay for this library, too, not just the ones with wild kids that help fund Austin libraries. So...if you are looking for peace, quiet, relaxation to kick back while you check out the latest reads or research or use the public computers and wi-fi....you might want to consider the busiest Starbucks in the area...Circle C. A super busy retail coffee shop allows for much more concentration than this joke of a circus library! Grrrrrrrr! read more

If it weren't for convenience, I would not visit this library. The selection is tiny (like the building itself) and always very crowded. The library seems to be understaffed, but really, it just cannot handle the sheer volume of visitors it has. The hours are decent, although it is closed on Thursdays and, I believe, Sundays. This branch could really benefit from the self check-out kiosks that Faulk has several of. read more

The Austin Public Libraries are fantastic. I follow them on social media and absolutely love their Pinterest boards. Oak Hill is my favorite branch partially because it's my home branch, but I also love it because of the beautiful grounds, friendly and helpful librarians, and ease of use. They also have a self-checkout station if you prefer that. It's definitely a smaller branch, but I put holds online and APL sends the book I want to them, where I pick it up. I'm excited about the renovations and I hope they'll take advantage of the beautiful surroundings by putting in lots of windows! read more

5 stars. If you know how to truly utilize the library hold system you can get anything you want relatively quickly. It is in fact a branch library so it's not huge but I always manage to find several books off the shelf to tide me over until my holds come in. I find all of the staff currently there pretty friendly and helpful when you ask for help. Since I currently have the crappiest computer in the world at home I and my kids come here a lot to use the computer for which there is usually not too bad of a wait. read more

Great little community library, staff is friendly and helpful. Check online for popular times if you prefer to avoid a crowd, there are days when this library is pretty busy, especially during the summer. read more