Pinole Library

Pluses:
— Open layout is nice when there’s «nobody» there. Many tables seat four people, so a patron who arrives solo can spread out.
— It’s super quiet!
Minuses:
— Dim lighting!
— Hours of operation (too few)
— If those wonderful but tightly packed work tables fill up with patrons, it surely must be a seething, squirming mass of noisy humanity.

I liked that there were a lot of open tables available but not all tables have outlets. This library is one of the older ones in the area but we ended up here because it was open earlier than Hercules. Big open space plan, conveniently located near the trader joes shopping center and the schools, lots of parking, nice staff, but just your standard library. The collection seems smaller than El Sobrante but it is quieter here. I still prefer Hercules and orinda but granted those are newer branches too.

do not recommend this library. had a terrible experience as a volunteer and will never return. the head of the volunteer program is very very inconsiderate and rude and disrespectful (Cora). she takes everything way too far. the experience I had volunteering at this library has resulted in me never returning, and I let everyone I know about my experience and to not go as well.
it’s really saddening what type of people run this library now. my mother was a member of friends of the Pinole library for awhile as well. oh well.
for any students looking for volunteer work for whatever reason needed, do not go here. volunteer at animal refugee in San Pablo or literally any other library but this one. it will be a terrible experience.

I used to come here a lot back in the days. They have a great selection of manga, one of the greatest of all the ccc libraries. I love this place. The people are kind and they have a great display case. They also have plenty of programs on the weekend and lots of help! Check online before you go to make sure they are open. They also have plenty of books a new shelf for all the new books. Very well organized.

Honestly. AVOID this library if you can. I don’t understand how people seem to forget where they are. Forget common courtesy, it’s the SENSE you lack. We’re at a library for gosh sakes, inside voices should be used. The librarians for whatever reason refuse to get out of their seats and hush these mongrels up. Hercules library here I come.

We come here for the lapsit story time. We love it. My baby is only 7 months old but she is fully engaged when we sing and do fingerplays! Very friendly staff.

The hours at this library are limited; however, the Pinole library is open on the Friday when the Hercules library is closed. When I was trying to research the history of this branch I read that the library is the only branch in the Contra Costa system that has a premier Filipino collection in both English and Tagalo. This collection contains material on culture, history, and folklore. The Pinole Historical Society has a permanent exhibit and changing exhibits on display. I enjoy these exhibits.
I like coming here because they have a table covered with staff recommended books and more selections on the end of the stacks. Displaying some books this way makes me feel that I am in a bookstore. It makes it easier to find an interesting book.

Old and run down building. City should invest more in their public libraries. The building is definitely outdated, makes me wonder about what they hold on their shelves…

This is for the Monday morning storytimes at the library. My daughter loooves Miss Cora and she always has a good time. Yesterday, they even got to meet the Fire Department! They offer great summer reading programs and it’s never too crowded.

I rarely come here these days. Why go to the library when I can get all my resources online and my schools library. I come here for the tennis courts kudos for that. So yeah, last time I was here, the staff was extremely rude. Here are the reasons.
1. It was pouring rain and it was cold outside, I was standing inside by the door for not even a minute and this rude staff came up to me and said «you can’t hang out here, either you get out or sit down.» wtf??? This guy was straight up rude. He does not talk to me like that.
2. I was sick one day and I was coughing, I took a sip of water to calm it down a bt. All of a sudden, this staff came up to me and said «you can’t drink water in here, if you want water, drink from the fountain.» again, wtf??? It’s just water, it’s not anything sugary.
In conclusion, I rather go to Starbucks.

Bleh. I rarely go to this library even though I live nearby. Very limited library hours. Not as bright lighting as Hercules or Orinda. Atmosphere is very gloomy and depressing. Lately the people are annoying (I mean the library patrons not the staff) and if u stay there for more than 30 min they bother u which is why a quick in-​n-​out is much more preferable. Avoid the Pvhs afternoon traffic or u will be stuck in that area.

It’s ok. I go here when I get tired of coffee places.

a great place to hide if you want to ditch classes at pvhs. the parking lot is small. it does get crowded after class. it is hard to get out.

I sometimes go to this library when the Hercules library is closed and it’s not too much out of my way. It’s a fairly large open spaced library. They have a hardback area and a paperback fiction area. There are several laptop stations set up against the back wall and facing the window. My latest trip to this library was during the heatwave because there is no air conditioning where I live. Parking is plentiful although a bit tight.