Tempe Library

Nice customer services, nice ELS teachers. Lots of events and lots of books and DVD. You can stay all day with free wifi and quite reading environment. Thanks

I always enjoy the fact that libraries are fairly progressive places, so I was pleased to find this haven here in Arizona after leaving the Berkeley area. They have designated their front walkway as a Free Speech Area, where Women in Black passed out anti-​war flyers. The staff is courteous, they have a decent graphic novel and dvd collection, and they have a «rent-​a-​book» policy where you can pay a small charge to check out popular books. They do have free wi-​fi, but it is fairly clunky (you have to open up a internet proxy for your browser), and they do have website blockers in place, so one can’t access secure websites, and blocked my livejournal account because they thought I was going to look at boobs.

I love my library, just don’t tell them I don’t actually live in Tempe anymore and that I actually live in Scottsdale. I have been going to this library for years and I have yet to step foot into the Civic Center library in Scottsdale that is closer to my house because I am honestly a bit afraid. Am I going to be hassled at the door because I am not wearing proper shoes? Does the reference section contain books only informing readers of the best plastic surgeons, mixed drinks and make up application tips? I know my Tempe library and it accepts me for who I am.
I visit the book sale area every weekend for the best book deals around. You can get paperbacks for 50 cents, magazines for a quarter and hardbacks for $ 1.00. I find old and new treasures here all the time. After perusing the book sale area I visit the Connections Café which serves up all of your coffee, tea and snack needs right in the comfort of the library.
The staff here is friendly and helpful and the layout is easy to navigate. I am off to see if there is a review of the Scottsdale Civic Center Library to maybe calm my fears…