César E. Chávez Branch Library

Cesar Chavez is the unofficial community center of Fruitvale. The breadth of programs they have is amazing. Sure they have the story time and typical library programs, but they also have summer free lunch for youth, magic shows, meditation groups, a seed library, community board, legal help, and so much more.

I came here for a presentation on Education Today hosted by my instructor. My classmates and I arrived here around 6 in the evening, so the streets were really busy during that time…
I didn’t find the library pleasant at all… when we got to the floor we needed to go on, I found it to be quite messy. There were paper scraps all over the floor, books scattered all through the library, and on top of that, the bathroom was disgusting… none of the stalls in the women’s restroom had toilet paper… none of them… the toilet covers were running low too, so I told the person working at the desk that the bathroom needed a lot of attention… she said she would get on it.
When we finished the presentation, we used the bathroom again, and that shit was still the same… uhhh…I was alreeady not feeling well that evening… that nasty bathroom totally did it for me…

Truly the best of the Oakland branch libraries. They have a really substantial collection, at least half of which is children’s books. Big, beautiful, light-​filled, with a variety of spaces for quiet work or for activities.

Beautiful, expansive, modern, colorful library. They have the latest Dvds, Cds, books, magazines its a wonder for me. I can stay up with the latest in Pop Culture without breaking the bank or taking it home. The staff can be fun and playful always informed. These people actually ask if you require assistance or have a question.
WINNING!!!

This location is mainly catered to the Hispanic community, there’s a large Spanish text section. I don’t speak Spanish but the location in convenient, near the Fruitvale Bart and 1/​1R bus lines.
Even though this location has a smaller English section I never fail to find at least 2 items catered to what I am looking for.
The staff here is very friendly and helpful.
I usually stop in to use the internet here. They have fewer computers than other Libraries and it varies between days and times when computers are available, depending on the traffic of people. If you chose to bring in your laptop, beware that the wifi connection is shaky at times. Some days you’ll have an extremely strong and fast connection and other days it’s extremely slow and shaky.
Beware of the cold AC, if you’re not one to sit in the cold too long, I suggest a sweater and closed-​toed shoes. I often get cold when I stay too long. Some times I won’t even finish what I’m doing and just leave, but I’m not one for the cold.

Warm, friendly, calm, and comfortable – and the book selection isn’t half bad for a space this small.

this library has been in the fruitvale barrio since the chicano movement days in the early 70s it used to be called the latin american library but changed names in 1989 it, s now called the cesar chavez library i have so many childhood memorys at this library the adress on Unilocal is not correct this library moved in 2004 to the fruitvale village heres the new address 3301 E 12^th Street,
Suite 271
Oakland, CA 94 601

I like coming here because there is ample parking and the librarians are really nice and helpful. They always apologize profusely when the book I’m looking for has been stolen or destroyed, and when they order me a new copy they apologize again when they tell me it will take at least a year to get it.
There is a strange old man who hangs out there and reads aloud to me from the newspaper. Delightful! He also keeps me forever entertained with stories of his experiences with Werner Erhard’s EST.
I like the fact that this library is rather roomy and the isles aren’t cramped. Just don’t inhale in Fiction G-​N because someone peed on the carpet there not too long ago and it still smells. (An EST-​related incident? Hmmmm…)