Willow Glen Branch Library

This was a really cute book sale, and not just because you pay a dollar per inch of books ;)
The Friends of Willow Glen Library Book Sale takes place behind the Willow Glen Public Library on a semi annual basis. It has some great positives and a couple negatives I’ll talk a little bit about.
On the positive side, a dollar per inch is a really great deal. It’s not quite a dollar a book, but for the thinner books, it really allows you to go whole hog. The ladies staffing the front were also incredibly friendly and sweet and really made the experience a fun one!
That being said a few things could have made the experience better.
I’d have really liked the books to have been in some sort of genre order. They were grouped by Fiction and Non-​Fiction in no particular order, which meant I spent more time than I wanted just trying to find the finance books I was interested in.
I’m also not thrilled the Friends of Willow Glen Library doesn’t seem to have their own website. We just happened to be at the Library today, but had we not we wouldn’t have known there was a sale, because nothing on the
website lists the book sale (very much unlike the Evergreen and Santa Teresa branches). It was really only listed on the Willow Glen city page — which I have to say I’ve been negligent in checking.
All in all I had a great experience at the book sale, but I feel it definitely needs better marketing if it’s going to bring people in!

Patient and kind staff members, always willing to go the extra mile. Wonderful selection of audio books, cds and dvds. Children’s area is bright and cheery with a number of computer terminals.

Such a cute, cozy library. My girls love this library! They also have different events there that are enjoyable for kids and adults as well.
Their hours have changed, and they are now open on Mondays from 1 – 7, Tuesdays-​Wednesday from 10 – 7, I believe. Thursday– Saturday, hours are the same.
Deducting 1 star because the parking lot is small.

The library is very charming. Too charming.
I have attempted to attend a children’s event three times now and each time, there is not enough parking and not enough room in the event room for the actual event.
I feel like if they are going to have an event at this library, they should have a sign up to limit attendees. Today was the worst. After having to park across the street due to no parking in their tiny lot and walking more than half a mile in the 98 degree heat, we were turned away at the door because there wasn’t enough space. I was behind about 4 other families and we were told others had already been told there was no room.
Terrible. As a mom, it’s a total bummer taking my kids to an event and being rejected at the door. Please figure this out before your next event.

this place is fabulous, lots of bike parking.
only gripe is why the heck its closed MONDAYS AND TUESDAYS AND SUNDAYS??? WHY

Mr. Ned conducts the best Story Time here by being very engaging and entertaining for the children while educating them at the same time. The story times at many of the other branches are boring in comparison so we always drive out of our way to come to this one!

this library has a really good manga section! the only thing that didnt make this rating a 5 is because tho they have tons of manga, they rarely have the first few books of any of the series): thats my only qualm about it.

Mr. Ned, the librarian, who does the children’s story times is a «rock star!!»
My daughter and the other children adore him and he puts his heart and soul into EVERY story time. On an aside I am a children’s librarian and educator so I’m extremely picky and have been to many story times in the bay area. The library staff is helpful and friendly and as a resident of Willow Glen I think our library is a gem! I just wish it were open more days!

This review is specifically about the Children’s Story Time. What a zoo! There must have been 50 moms and 50 kids crowded into the space, which created chaos and noise. They started late, making the kids even more impatient, and the presentation itself was mediocre at best. I’m hoping I just hit it on an off day, and that it’s usually more manageable and entertaining, but this was a huge disappointment. My daughter and I left early.

Such a cute little library — especially if you have a little one!
They have an ADORABLE kid’s area section, where it’s toys & books (duh) galore. From infants to grade school kids, it’s a super happy place! Moms with infants sit and chat with other moms (go, resource, go!) while toddlers interact with each other to make new playmates. Some moms are busy trying to read to their super mobile kids, and other moms are just enjoying this atmosphere. Love it!
Very limited study areas available. But great for moms in San Jose!

This is an inviting, intimate library with many friendly staff to assist. Anna F. is especially friendly and helpful.

This library is pretty small but it had a great kids section and a small computer lab. I prefer the MLK in downtown but it’s really hard to park there so it’s nice to reserve for pick up at this location where there’s a lot. The staff is really nice and it’s close to bills café which is one of my favorite brunch spots in the south bay. Books + brunch not a bad way to spend a lazy sunday!

We are so lucky to have such beautiful libraries in our city. This facility is really nice, beautiful children’s area, incredible staff and lots of fun free programs for families and kids. I have great memories of the baby/​toddler story time with my son and every week we trek over to get another load of story books. So thankful to have access to this, and you can return books to any SJ library branch, which is nice. You can also request anything from other branches and they’ll email you when it arrives at the Willow Glen branch under your hold.

Cute, little library. I came her to sign up for a library card so that I can utilize my ipad to check out e-​books plus introduce my little one to a library.
I’ve checked out a few books on my iPad and the process is a little confusing. Some books are available through different applications so you have to download that app.
There’s a fairly large space for kids and toddlers. There are 2 computers in the kids room that has programs to learn shapes, alphabet, animals, music, etc. Lots of books for kids and the way they display the books makes me want to read them. The only downside is that I didn’t see many board books available.
Nevertheless a great local library!

Not open anymore? I’m visiting from Seattle, WA where libraries are open 7 days a week. This stupid thing is closed? No hours posted on either the front or back of the library? Boo. One star. Oh, and it’s dirty. Look at all the newspapers piling up in back — see photo.

The parking lot is REALLY small. What could be worse? People driving the wrong direction in this small lot or driving in reverse to get into a space. Rude people use the 5 min space for more than the allotted time. Why do I bother trying to be a polite citizen?
So, I walk here. The problem with returning books when the place is closed is that you have to walk in the road to get to the box. Yes, with aforementioned clueless crazy drivers possibly running you down.
Also, the first time I went there, the librarian haughtily told me that I could not get a library card there– had to apply online for it. I ended going to the main MLK branch and got a card in minutes.
Other attempts to interact with librarians have been less than positive. So, I ignore everyone and just use self checkout. Yes, this is Silicon Valley. Why bother having human interaction?
Pros– great children’s section.
I really want to support public spaces like this. However budget cuts have left this place with really limited hours.

Books and books and books and books. Some in nooks, some on hooks others Just-​On Bieber looks.
Buy a horse learn of divorce or just take a masters course. Return it early, return it late you can even wait wait wait. Read of love read of hate, search M.L.K books on tape. Learn to skate, get a date and all about that dirty snake.
Drive the hood, walk the wood, read of little red riding hood. Fix a widget, trick a midget they moo and moo and moo and moo, they just wont make me hummus stew. Collect a zoo, learn to brew and all about that that thing called glue.
Listen here, listen there, listen anywhere ITS TRASH! ITS TRASH! ITS TRASH TRASH TRASH! Rock is trash — just listen to the Clash. I’m wrong of course, just not about that flying horse.
Click a mouse, check a box it’s fantastic Mr. Fox. Find time to live a rhyme — its a spouse, get out out the house you dirty rotten little grouse. Is he green? is he red? This is where to get ahead. Checkout Seuss, be a moose or go and read Mother Goose, learn to quack learn to sing it’s as simple as a string.
THE QUEEN! THE QUEEN! She has a moat. DING DONG DING DONG, it’s that Billy Goat. Caffeine! Caffeine! I need a boat. KING KONG KING KONG, I’ve been misquote!
See our table? Tell a fable. Flip Flop! Flip Flop! Are you able?
Flat-​top, stable mop, roller skate, cable hop. Up high, down low paint the gable, go dog go. Try, try, try to reach the rack, turn the page, jump the track, it’s Flo Jo! Flo Jo! she won’t look back. Find the card, read the bard, find the map, track a cat. IT’S — JIMMY JIMMY what a brat!
It’s not hard to get a card, it’s not far to fix a car just use that pickle in a jar.
Books on books on books on books. Some on brooks, some on crooks still ever more Just-​On Bieber looks.

Cute neighborhood library. Has everything you need without being overcrowded. I was amused there was a snack machine for the days when you’re studying or just need a snack while reading a book or surfing the net. The self checkout is great but also find it convenient that the staff is always walking around to see if you need assistance.
The children’s section has a wide variety to choose from and it was very easy to sift through books that I needed for my classroom.
The only thing that I dislike about this location is that there are only about 20 parking spaces. There is 5 minute parking to drop your books off but I think next time I come here, I’m going to have to ride my bike.

Beautiful library with a decent selection of books. They don’t have a ton, but you can order them from libraries within the system and they’ll send you a notification via email. Easy to use web page to order and search for books, and the library staff is very helpful.
Parking can be a pain during peak hours, but there is street parking as well.

Great library for some fun reading time with baby/​kid or for some adult time to read and study. I am currently studying for my CFP exam and go to the library often to study and find the library to be a nice quiet atmosphere to get work/​reading done. Also, I just had a baby a few months ago and I take her to the library often to enjoy some fun reading time. She loves the library.
This library is small but is very well used by the community. The staff are friendly and I like that I am almost always able to find parking… and when I need a break, I just walk down the street to Starbucks. :)