Alameda Free Library

I didn’t think I would find a library that would be as good looking as the biomedical library at UCSD until I bumped into Alameda Free Library. I was looking for a programming book and they have it, but if there’s a book that’s checked in but not on the shelf, the reference department would be willing to help you out by directing you to another branch or request the book to be sent in the next day for you to pick up. The library itself looks gorgeous, and the café in the library is a huge plus. I’m very impressed!

I have been a patron of Alameda Free Library for the past ten years or so. The architecture of the building is beautiful. The high-​quality bricks are beautiful, and the sculpted stone inlays that are incorporated in the brickwork are also beautiful. On rare occasion, I borrow books, but when I do read a book, which amounts to about six books per year, I get them instead from
. On the other hand, I generally borrow three or four DVDs every week, year after year after year. It is amazing to me that there are always a couple of DVDs in the library’s branch that I had not seen before. I asked a librarian how they managed to accomplish this feat, and the explanation was that the DVDs are rotated between collections at the main branch on 1550 Oak Street and at the other branches. But why only THREE STARS?
YOU ARE REQUIRED TO PAY A FINE WHEN THE DISC IS DEFECTIVE. First, please note the following. With normal wear, it is the case that the magnetic sticker that is used to identify each DVD peels off. On two occasions, the sticker spontaneously peeled off when it was inside my DVD player, and this made it difficult to pull out the DVD. When I brought my DVD back to the library, sans the sticker, I was required to pay a fine. A year later, the same thing happened again. The DVD got stuck in my player because the sticker had spontaneously peeled off. Eventually, I got the DVD out, but the drawer on my DVD player stopped working properly. Again, the librarian told me that I needed to pay a fine.
DVDs THAT CAN MAKE A GROWN MAN BLUSH. I have also noticed that one out of twenty DVDs shows full-​frontal you-​know-​what of men or of women. Well, some folks won’t mind, and some folks might even enjoy it. Perhaps I am old-​fashioned, but I really am not interested in seeing a bushburger or a tallywhacker when I am trying to relax and enjoy a story. Also, a few of the DVDs have scenes that feature mutilation, for example, where people’s fingers are intentionally cut off by thugs. I think that the library staff should use a tad of discretion before they accept a DVD into their collection.

Probably the best library you will ever been to. The staff are really strict about noise level, but if you are in a study room or in a private room that is ok. The library has a little lounge or café where you can chill. Computers are almost everywhere for public use with an activation of library card code of course. If you need a place to study oir quiet moments for reading, this is a GREAT place to go, the environment is super quiet and chillax… I can’t stress that enough as it doesn’t get any better than that.

Such a great library! Excellent area for kids. My daughter loves coming to pick out a book. It’s always very clean and organized. The staff is helpful and polite. The upstairs is quiet with computers and lots of reference books. One of my favorite libraries to visit! Two thumbs up!

Pros: Great book selection
Costmuer serice
good selection of books
lots of friends
clean area
Cons:
slow computer
strict computer rules (no downloading, etc.).
Other thoughts:
I used to scared by a staff when i was little when we made loud noises.

Love the children’s library; it’s a great quiet place to sit with little ones and read books. The facility is really lovely and they have a great selection of picture books and little tables for the preschoolers. It’s a great place for a rainy saturday afternoon when the little ones are threatening to mutiny from boredom.

I think is library is fantastic!
They have a huge section for kids with computers and toys and tons of books where they can hang out with their parents/​guardian and feel safe. They even have a sign that implies that if you’re an adult not accompanying a child you may be asked to leave. There is a section of children’s books in various languages too. What I really liked was a section of holiday books… so there is a huge shelf of christmas books right now.
This library even has a café for snacks. It looks quite family friendly.
The staff is super nice and call me old school but the self check out is super awesome! You just pile all your things you’re checking out on a platform and it scans everyone instantly at once! And the limit to how many you can check out is nuts! 50!
My only complaint is although I appreciate the free parking, the spots are just way too small it doesn’t make sense. Although some spots are labeled as «compact» even my tiny Honda Civic won’t fit! There are some free spots along the street of Tilden. Good luck!
Besides that I think this is a great library and I was happy to have brought my little cousins. They love it here.

When it comes to libraries, this place is top notch! You can almost always get a study room for privacy and up to two hours! (Just be sure that the person in there before you knows that their time is up.) There’s plenty of room to find a spot to read, plug in, or do whatever scholarly work you’re beautiful mind is growing on. There’s a nice café toward the back, a children’s story time, upstairs and downstairs restrooms, courteous staff, nice selection of dvd’s, free wi-​fi, and oh so many books! Also upstairs, there’s a spot where anyone can help put together a two thousand piece puzzle. I think it’s around that many pieces, maybe more, but always fun to get the interlocking brain cells activated to help this community-​involved intriguing activity. The hours are kind of not right; that is, on those days when they close at 5pm. An added plus is having the self check-​out counter! Just scan your card, your books, and you’re done! Nice location; however, the parking in the back could use some improvement in terms of wider parking spaces and longer than the 2-​hour time limit. Overall, pretty awesome library!

It is amazing all that they offer for all ages. I wish their hours were open longer. Love that their location is near or house.
Safe & friendly environment. Friendly staff.

Alameda Free Library is the best! You can bring your children to story time plus if you want to study you can reserve a room and/​or find a nice place to sit and study with no interruptions.
Alameda Free Library is the place to go and learn and become informed.

I do not know what I would do without the Alameda Free Library!
I have two teen girls and when they were young we went to story time, watched movies, played with the Wii at Family Game night, and they even got a free ice cream cone after completing the wonderful Summer Reading Program. The children’s department got my kids into reading at an early age with their beginning and advanced reading clubs and continue to keep them interested with Free Comic Book Day and programs especially designed for teens. They even have an adult book club with prizes, too!
If you haven’t picked up a calendar of events yet, you’re really missing out.

They have a small parking lot for free 2 hour parking only. There are meter maids that scan or take a picture of your plate before coming back 2 hours later to issue tickets.
The library is nice and quiet place to study on the weekends. Librarian staff are nice. People in the library are respectful and there aren’t any homeless people using the library as a place to sleep.

Since I don’t have a printer hooked up to my computer at home, I needed to use a computer at the library to print a few emails.
Before I was allowed the access to the computer, I had to have a library card, which I haven’t had one in over 20 years. Applying for one was easy and it didn’t take long for the librarian to enter the necessary information onto their system.
The computers were upstair on the second level. The allotted time one can use the computer is 1 hour, unless it’s during peak hours then it’s 30 minutes. Printing documents is 15 cents for each page. (OK, three emails to be printed = 45 cents, which is much better than going to Fed-​Ex to use their computer and printer.)
It was my first time using the library’s equipment (‘puter and printer). With the help of the two very helpful and friendly employees, I was able to get what I needed done.
Thank you, Alameda Free Library for being opened Sunday afternoon.

I’m so happy I’ve found a new studying spot! As much as I enjoy Starbucks, it doesn’t quite get the grad studying done.
The library is clean, there’s plenty of desks, and free 2 hour parking in front!
I also saw that there’s a tiny café in the back, but cash only.

My current favorite spot to study.
I love studying upstairs by the big windows. Natural lighting is one of the most important aspected of studying for me and I like how there are plenty of seating. Tables are big and there are a lot of outlets available. There is a parking lot located in the back, the only thing there is a 2hr limit. Enforcers do mark your tires, so if you are here for a longer period you can either move it, or dust the chalk off.
There is no eating or drinking allowed, but water is okay. Wifi is pretty fast. When you are hungry you can take a walk down Park to grab a quick bite.

I absolutely can’t get enough of this place. I feel so productive when i come here. I also get tons of work done! There is great lighting all around, and a few study rooms w/​varying sizes if you want a more private space. My one con I have about the library is that the study rooms have a stench to them like the carpet hasn’t been cleaned for a while and a group of musty kids just left. like 4 out of the 6 or so rooms they have stink!
clean the study room carpets!
Other than that, I love this place. It’s one of the most beautiful and spacious libraries in the county, and although they have funky business hours, I try to get here as often as I can!

The Alameda Free Library on Oak is modern library that was built several years ago. There is a parking lot in back as well as plenty of street parking in the area.
Besides the check-​in/​check-​out counters, the fiction, DVDs, music CDs, children’s section and the café is located on the first floor. Non-​fiction and reference, magazines and periodicals are located on the second floor. There are sofas, chairs and tables scattered throughout the library and computer terminals are located on the second floor.
Today, we came in looking for some travel books/​DVDs for an upcoming vacation. We located two items on the electronic card catalog, but could not locate them on the racks. So we requested assistance at the front counter. She checked and determined that one item was out and helped us reserve it when it was returned. The other item was determined to be at the Bay Farm branch. So the electronic card catalog was incorrect for one item and why didn’t the catalog say the other item was at another branch?
Otherwise, it was a good experience at the library and friendly, helpful service.

I love libraries. The Alameda Free Library is clean, updated, and has lots of space (and outlets) for you to study. They always have new books, and there’s a lot in the back for you to park.
One of my favorite things about this library is that there’s a café if you go straight from the entrance to the back. You can’t bring food out to eat in the library, but you can bring books/​study materials in :)

First time here. got out of school early and found my way to the library to do some grading.
Love the spaciousness and abundance of table space and squishy leather chairs.
Didn’t bring any IDs so I can’t get a library card yet, but I still got to take full advantage of their free wifi and the space. It’s quiet, people here are all working, and the workers look jolly!
Now that it’s almost 6, I can hear the church bells chiming hymns in the distance. Faint enough to not interrupt. It’s quaint. It’s cute. I’m sold!
Will be back!
(Also, LOTS of parking!)

CHECKING OUT BOOKS WAS SOOOOOO EASY AND QUICK !
just place the books on top of the check out express table thing, and it got allll the books i had on there on the screen ! soooo coooooool and not old fashioned xD