Cedar Park Public Library

I can’t give a public library less than five stars because generally any defects are the fault of a lack of funding. At any rate, Cedar Park has a great library. There’s a huge children’s section that’s separate from the rest of the library (which is nice for all concerned) and they have lots of kids’ books. There’s even a separate restroom in the kids’ section, which is very helpful.
I haven’t had a chance to peruse the adult section that much, but so far was underwhelmed – the only Kerouac they had was the obvious one, and I didn’t see any Henry Miller. Also, most of their Sci Fi is recent. Classics and near-​classics (Silver Age? What do we call that?) are sparse. But again, I haven’t had much time to look, so that may not be a fair complaint (and while my tastes are admittedly a bit obscure, my computer searches of the collection often come up dry). No Poldark??? How do I explain THAT to my wife?
Lots of fun programs for kids are available as well, and dress up days, and other cool events. The librarians are all very helpful, and they have lots of computers for public use.
Kinda wish they didn’t have iPads in the kids’ section, because mine always head straight for those. Ugh! Still, that’s great for kids who don’t have access to them (or like ours, access to ones without shattered screens!)
Bottom line: support your local library!

We visit this library when we happen to be in the area, usually to browse through the friends of the library selection. Today’s was kinda skimpy but we’ve been here when they had a lot.

It is a very nice library, the kid selections is amazing. I love also the DVD’s and music CD’s although I stopped borrowing CD’s because 9 on 10 times they are not good and get ejected due to scratches. Lot of kids activities, and some good adult activity too. The only thing they could improve is the employees behavior. Only one or two people are friendly and smiling, the others are kind of grouchy and not very friendly. I had one employee standing mute in front of me for a minute instead of letting me know I had to take the books out of the basket (I am not from this country and did not know). I always smile and say hello but some of them wont even return the hello back to you. They give me the impression they are bored of their jobs.

Best public library in Austin. Even if you have to drive on Toll roads and pay for a membership if you don’t live in Cedar Park. Miss Jane, in the kid section is one reason we come back constantly.
We come one to two times a week. bathrooms in the kid section. Nice Librarians who are not mean to kids. Clean toys, and the BEST STORY TIMES.
I have been driving WAY out of my way to take my kids here.

Looking for study spots in North Austin/​Cedar Park. Key needs: atmosphere (quiet or coffeeshop murmur and minimal muzack/​children), free wifi, power plugs/​outlets, decent availability of comfortable workspace. This review is biased entirely to those criteria.
Positive marks:
–Free Wifi– not slow (able to Unilocal and do work), but had a few minutes of absolute outage.
–Power plugs– reasonable quantity, not ample, and not near every table space. Average to slightly above for a library built just before the everyone-​uses-​a-​laptop-​all-​the-​time era.
–Workspace– Here on a Wednesday afternoon– not wanting for space, necessarily. A few tables in various parts of the building, a couple of carrels, and several public computer workstations. Not using the public workstations so can’t comment, but there are plenty. There is enough window real estate that, if catering to the spend-​a-​few-​hours-​working crowd, they’d do well to add table space that takes advantage of it. Seating fine– neither exceptionally good or bad.
Negative marks:
–Atmosphere– generally library-​esque quiet, but a few too many breaks for me. In spite of the «quiet zone» signs, the last couple hours have been interrupted by quite a few shouting/​screaming/​squealing children not sequestered in the closed-​off children’s space and also full-​volume live and phone conversations/​rings. What happened to the days of mean librarians giving stern looks and shushes?!
Anyhow, hope this info helps someone!

Solid 4-​stars which could be 5 if they can get a better and wider selection of current books. The library is relatively small, but sufficient. There is never a crowd, surprised? The librarians are very nice and approachable.
The kid’s space is roomy and friendly. There are activity tables, computers, and learning centers to keep the little ones occupied. My son loves biographies and they have a huge selection of biographies for children. In addition, there are a variety of activities for the kids throughout the week.
Get out of the heat and go check out a book or two at your local library.

Cedar Park Library tries, but doesn’t live up to my expectations. Compared to Round Rock Library, they are outclassed.
As a listener of audiobooks, I was amazed they only had 1 DeMille and 1 Flynn audio on CD (whereas RR has 5 or 6 of each).
RR automatically sends you email reminders when something is a few days from the due date, whereas CP makes you sign up for a 3^rd party (LibraryElf) to do that.
CP’s online catalog search capability is very non-​intuitive compared to RR’s.
They’re OK in a crunch, but not good odds on finding what you’re looking for.

Before I go to my library
for my weekly novel fix
I search their online catalog
to look at their best picks
and see what is available
or on their waiting list.
When I find I like something
I can put it on hold;
it is like pre-​perusing
so I don’t walk in cold.
I love my little library
like many others do
the parking lot is brimming
there’s still a space or two
not that it makes a difference
I go there on my bike
how is that for convenience
and what’s there not to like?
Have you read some Ann Patchett?
Her latest one is «Run».
One of my favorite authors
hits another homerun.
Have you read any Harry Crews?
His stuff is wicked fun
I just read «Celebration»
and off I laughed my bun.
Have you read any Angie Cruz?
«Let It Rain Coffee» is one
that is beautifully written,
heartbreaking in the end.
And then there’s Junot Diaz
whose language is just wild
in his «The Brief and Wondrous
Life of Oscar Wao».
No, they don’t have every novel
that I may want to read
but between them and Half-​Price Books
they have almost all I need.

I visit the Cedar Park Library at least once a week. Everything is so convenient. You can self-​checkout your materials, and the system will send you an email with the details of what you checked out and the due date. You can also renew online, check availability of items and put items on hold. They have a good children’s section and a decent movie/​cd area. And they have audio-​books too! The animé section is surprisingly good. I guess this is due to the local animé club which meets at the library. There are plenty of computers for browsing, and free wi-​fi. The parking lot is big and it is never crowded. The library is one of the reasons I love living in Cedar Park!

so … there are movies here? clearly I have not been to the library in a REALLY long time … they have RF-​ID tags? where the hell am I the Twilight zone? Am I on candid camera? Texas actually puts money into their libraries?
So … Books, yes they have them … even for my off reading taste, though I have now moved more towards audio books … which they have Janet Evanovich (I’m not a chick no … just like her books)
Movies … ANIME!!! their animé section rivals most stores (Best Buy, Hastings … etc.) but what is really impressive is that it rivals MINE? Complete series of Bleach (slick!) … Dragon Ball Z (not a fan, but OK) Akira, etc … SWEET! Too bad they don’t have Martian Successor Nadesico… Normal movies … 2001!!! star wars ewok adventures (both of them) Never Ending Story (all three?) The Wind in the Willows, Black Beauty (it doesn’t suck as bad as I remember) Snow Falling on Cedars … OK so they also have movies that suck, RE: Zorro …
I’m in «shock and awe» … oh yeah, and the people who work here … they actually care if you find what you want? Pinch me … OUCH! yep it was a real experience, I have Hope Floats, Hitch, and Goonies in my car to prove it…

Public libraries have changed a lot since I last checked out a book in the 90s. The recently renovated location in Cedar Park (1431 and 183) is completely self-​service. You can self-​checkout using your library card or key fob, put a hold on books online, renew checked out materials via the internet (unless someone has placed a hold on the item) and when you do return books (or A/​V materials), your account is instantly credited because the book return slot has some kind of magic sensor that recognizes the book. The limits for checking out books have changed too. 30 items at a time!
⁷⁄₀₄ update: Still great place to get books and cd’s, but the cd’s can only be checked out for only 7 days (you can renew them online if no one has put a hold on them) – if not, there’s a hefty fine for being late.

I’ve found this library to have a pretty good selection of books, considering its size. The staff are helpful and courteous.