El Sereno Branch Library

It pains me to write such a bad review about a public library as I believe so deeply in their role to empower communities.
I spend a lot of time in coffee shops and public libraries, and I’ve spent many long hours at this particular branch. Through my time here, I’ve witnessed several troubling encounters between the library staff and the clients. It’s especially concerning to me because the neighborhood is predominantly people of color while the library staff has a higher percentage of white people.
I witnessed a male librarian speaking condescendingly to youth of color multiple times. Perhaps the library should hold ongoing workshops for their staff on racial awareness because, as an outsider, it looks REALLY bad when staff members treat their clients, who are mostly people of color, poorly.
— — –UPDATE — –
After I posted this review, the librarian (who I referenced above) set up a Unilocal account and sent me a nasty, private message and called me a liar.
Way to be professional!
Not only should the library hold racial awareness workshops, they should also hold workshops on professionalism as well. Sending private, scathing messages to your clients is not acceptable behavior. This librarian does not represent LAPL well.

Want somewhere where it’s tranquil? Come down to your local library! There’s air conditioning that definitely hits the spot on a hot day.
Drop the phone and stop using the computer. Read a book or two. Let your mind expand with knowledge not garbage. Escape to a world of fantasy and excitement!
Also I havent forgotten about the helpful and friendly librarians.

You’re browsing online and see the perfect book available at the downtown Los Angeles Public Library, but you don’t want to brave the parking or the hassle of driving into the city. Not to worry: have it shipped to your local El Sereno Branch Library and pick it up at your leisure.
This is a very solid branch, basically a slimmed down version of the downtown location, minus the headaches. They have a fun children’s section, a smallish collection, computers, desks for studying, even audiobooks and DVDs. They also feature some books in the Chinese and Spanish languages, which is great as it caters to the surrounding communities.
The librarians are helpful, friendly, and efficient, which is a big plus. Lastly, this location hosts unique events, such as an art class for children, cultural celebrations, digital literacy, and more.
In sum, El Sereno Branch Library is a convenient location which serves as your gateway to the larger LAPL system.

Tiny branch, great for studying.
I go to libraries to study because A) I go to coffee shops to make friends and relieve constipation and (B) because it should never cost you anything to sit down and learn.
El Sereno, lacking in books, makes up for it by being vewy, vewy qwuiet.
And that’s all I really ask for.
On a side note, El Sereno has surprisingly attentive parents. Unlike the negligent parents in So. Pas. libraries, I actually saw parents hush their kids when they Unilocaled (ahem) loudly in the library. Simple stuff. Thank you El Sereno – show those uppity bourgeois Pasadenos how to raise kids!

I love this place. Easy parking, long checkouts, and free fun. so awesome.

This library is relatively new (opened for less than ~5 years) and has a parking lot so that you don’t have to worry about parking on busy Huntington Drive. Though the collection of books is a lot smaller than most libraries I have been to, the circulation desk and the librarian is always friendly and helpful (a lady at the circulation desk complimented my purse once and I was even approached by the librarian to see if I needed help!). This library is more geared towards educating the youth since I often hear tutors teaching elementary to high school students here. Though I wouldn’t consider this place as a quiet place to study because of the noise, you can easily get wi-​fi here!