Frances Howard Goldwyn-Hollywood Regional Library

for such a beautiful building by a star architect, an amazing array of books, music, and especially Children’s Programs, you would think that Security would do their job and keep this building free of debris and homeless encampments under control and patrol the outside of the library at least once a day. It’s horrible that our children are exposed to this environment. I think security is just a bit too lazy and just gave up. Not good.

It is a weird building! No directional signs anywhere and so much wasted space they have to heat and cool (what is the point of the entry floor with no books?). There are lots of crazy homeless people outside and inside. Unlike the downtown library where security keeps behavior in check, no one bothers to do anything about inappropriate behavior here. I don’t think anyone actually uses it as a library as every book I pulled off the shelf to browse had a thick layer of dust on top. We left rather quickly after a homeless guy laid down in an aisle and a crazy lady started screaming in the bathroom. I love libraries, but please just shut down and bulldoze this depressing building.

Meh– I’ve experienced better at the same library. I don’t know where the 200-​lb, Aviator shade wearing security guard went, but they need to get him back. Since he left, noise level has increased (including incessant ranting and loud snoring), and the overall feel of the library has decreased.
Based on my last review– I think it’s apparent that I have patience for the population of the library, but it’s not a place for you to plug into an outlet and doze off. Yesterday, I watched as library employees were dealing with the riff-​raff while the security guard hung out by the stairs.
The one security guard gets it. The other security guard doesn’t. Either train this one better or bring back Shades!

Hollywood locations are homeless shelters.
I returned both books I checked out and one was «LOST» under their system for which I was charged $ 38. They apparently never found the book but the branch manager was nice enough to believe me and reimburse me.
Nice staff though.

Great collection of fun and interesting movie memorabilia and books about the film industry. Great location off Hollywood Blvd.

It was okay… I probably won’t be back though. Here’s why:
It was loud.
Multiple people talking on the phone.
Library was pretty dingy.
If you’re in the area, you might as well go to the WeHo library instead. It’s a better (and newer) facility with multiple study areas and actually feels like a legitimate library… The Hollywood Library felt more like a homeless shelter.

Last time I went homeless people were smoking crack outside the library doors during business hours. Great staff though!

The staff at the library as well as the Librarians bend over backwards to be
helpful I can’t say enough positive things about people I feel are better than
’family’ if you know what I mean. I have been using this branch for years, and, other than the Los Feliz branch, ably overseen by Pearl Y and her staff, I just think
this library goes back to the olden days when libraries were magical places, at least for me (My first club was «we Never ask we look it up_​). The central library
is VERY OVERWORKED, hence I try to return my books at this branch and
today someone named Kevin, checked to make sure I had returned a
book which the system said I had not! The only drawback to this
branch are the number of homeless who hang out outside and inside.
The staff and the security guards maintain a watchful eye, but it is too
bad that our society has generated this problem-​and Hollywood is
where they congregate. Other than being asked if i ‘had any mescaline’ the other day, I’ve never had any real problem myself (my response was «No, not in years…»).
It gives me a good sense of ‘place’ that I can order books thru the system
and the computer, pick them up at Hollywood and feel as if I’m coming
to visit a friend. And thank goodness they are now open again on
Sunday! I missed them. Why bother to purchase books when you
can download or pick them up and enjoy them and then return them,
without cluttering up your life. But this is just myopionion an the bookstores
have a place in our lives as well.

This place has so much potential! Excellent location, beautiful contemporary architecture, ample security, and a very homely feel. It could be so much more, but of course has fallen victim to the abuse that just about every other building off Hollywood Blvd has endured.
Right now I’m sitting in the grand front window overlooking Ivar. This place looks like an institute for something that could offer more than just public education. If this place ever closes down, its obviously going to turn into a very lavish night club. There’s a HUGE open deck on the 2^nd floor that was mostly likely used for something more extravagant in the past. This place is BEGGING for attention.
If the pop-​up people or KCRW ever find this place, it would finally get the TLC it so desperately needs.
Unlike the west side of LA, libraries don’t get much time in the entertainment spotlight, which I think is a wasted opportunity.
Yes this place is has it’s fair share of homeless/​weirdos. But to those who complain about this place, remember it could be worse — the Will & Ariel Durant library is right down the street. At least this library has enough charm to lure in a wider variety than just the people who use this place as a crash pad til they can pass out in a box on Hollywood Blvd.

Lots of homeless, but everyone is pretty quiet.

Truly dreadful in their lack of ability to control homeless/​mentally ill clientele… and a security guard is only occasionally in place. If you go to use their computers… use alcohol wipe/​hand sanitizer asap! The Durant branch further west on Sunset Blvd. is even worse… try not to breath if you go there!

Loud bums.

a pointless library, and frankly i dont know much about it, why, because it is in the most awkward place surrounded by expensive meters that are all full. i drove around like ten times and could not find anywhere to park so i left. why put a library in a place with no parking

Hmm. There’s something creepy and off-​putting about this place, but I can’t put my finger on exactly what it is. No, it’s not just the clientele, who tend toward the insane and/​or homeless… it’s just an unfriendly vibe overall. I can’t imagine actually hanging out here for any amount of time. I run in to pick up my holds and get out as quickly as possible… and that’s enough for me, thanks. Too bad the Los Feliz branch isn’t closer to where I live– I like that one a lot better.

no parking lot as it is ‘being renovated’. 10 cents for four minutes on the meters in front. a potentially costly visit.
i blew in to check out the dvd selection which was pretty good, and even had stuff i’ve never heard of.
dvds located in room immediately to the right of the check out desk, but whose ceiling is distressingly low. this i suppose to create the dramatic effect of the central atrium, and high ceilinged reading rooms upstairs. [see photos] it is however claustrophobic.
weirdo quotient medium high, but this library is flanked by hollywood and sunset boulevards, so whatareyougonnado?
three stars until the parking appears.

Free books. Just about any book you want for free. You can order titles from other branches on the ‘net, and get an email notification when they’re in. Renew them up to three times, if no one is waiting for the book.
This library also has a large collection of DVDs and VHS tapes. (Don’t trash that VCR yet.) … two day rental for free.
I’ve never tried to use their internet, but it appears that there are a lot of terminals and they are popular.
The parking stinks. They used to have validated parking down the block, now that’s gone (for most of 2010 I believe) and you’re left with very expensive metered parking. So I bring a couple coins, feed the very hungry meters, pick up what I’ve ordered, and go.

They have an awesome collection of DVDs here, tons of Criterion, indie, foreign films, stuff you’ve probably never heard of but want to rent. They have a bunch of tables upstairs where you can plug in your laptop (plugs on the floor) and chill in the nice cold A/​C and get some work or studying done.
Oh yeah, it’s a library, so they have a nice selection of books too. And they are open on Sunday.
Don’t pay to rent your movies from Blockbuster, ²⁰⁄₂₀ DVD, or Netflix, when you can reserve any DVD and have it sent to any LAPD library of your choice.

Not to take away from the prior review – which is classic:
I wanted to go to a library within reasonable walking distance from my apt. in Beachwood, and found this place on the LAPL site. I was surprised there was a library on Ivar, in the middle of a touristy, somewhat gentrified, yet still seedy part of Hollywood. Even from working at a library in the Midwest, I know that they are havens for the homeless, so I was expecting to see a handful. Outside, there were two perched out on the sidewalk out front (one of them was the wheelchair lady with the dog). Inside, there were too many to count. I don’t actually mind the homeless so much as the obviously off-​kilter patrons waiting impatiently, in my personal space, in the check-​out line. As for the library itself: for the size (which isn’t that big), they have a pretty limited selection. The layout is odd and uninviting, and the overall dinge is a turn-​off in itself.
Despite all this, I did check out three books that I will be returning to the Los Feliz Branch, which at least looks much better on the outside.