Berkeley Public Library

come here sometimes to get wifi and work done love the 2^nd floor

This is a lovely historical library that has been modernized but retained its historic charm. I love how after the remodel they kept several of the old tables, chairs, and shelves. It lends a very old style library feel in this updated building. The floor plan is open with study areas and seating on multiple floors, several tables contain power outlets. One of the neat things is that they have an old record collection, one of the few libraries left with one. The children’s are is large and spacious with computer terminals, play areas, and a storytime room.
The downside like most public libraries in a highly populated areas is there is a large number of homeless and low income individuals who tend to spend large quantities of time here.

Update: Found a bunch of what looked like pubic hair scattered among the pages of a graphic novel I checked out. Lovely.
I have fond memories of the children’s section here while growing up. After returning recently, I was disappointed with the library’s atmosphere. Going over the pros, then the cons:
* The staff, from the people at the information counter to the security guards in the front, are always friendly.
* Stop by the little bookstore on the first floor for books at really low prices.
* There are five levels, which include a magazine reading room and an art and music department.
* They can create a personalized reading list based on your book interests:
However, this library doesn’t compare to that of my hometown, which despite having only two floors is much more accommodating and clean.
* My biggest complaint is that because it’s right off Shattuck, the Central library attracts the dregs of downtown. There are many crazy, dirty people walking around dragging blankets and shouting. I’ve heard very personal phone conversations going on among the stacks.
* This library always seems to be missing the books I want.
* Be on top of your checked out books, because the late fines are higher than they should be and add up quickly, and the online account system is misleading about them.
* You can study at desks here, but there are no comfy chairs to sink down into with a good book.
* Parking is difficult (as expected in Berkeley).
My trips to this library are in and out – it’s not someplace I want to spend my time. If you love libraries and care about a good experience, you’re better off going to other branches, like the South or North branches. While other branches are smaller, they’re generally newer and cleaner, with patrons that behave with respect for others.

Large library located in the hearth of Berkeley with an appropriately large collection of books and media. However, don’t expect to find peace and quiet here. In my two hours here, I heard four phone conversations — and I mean *heard* because those people did not even bother to talk in whispers. One of the conversations was a job interview that, I’m assuming, did not go well because it abruptly ended without even a goodbye. The use of cell phones and talking loudly in this library is widely accepted that the staff don’t even bother telling library patrons to refrain from using their cell phones or talking to each other in outside voice as a courtesy to others. (These people need to go back to elementary school and learn how to speak in *inside voices*.) The computers also look like a hotbed for disease. Yuck.

I’ve been here exactly once. When I arrived on the second floor, I got to the bank of 6 or 8 computers and at literally every single one of them, there was a homeless man watching porn and masturbating. It was like some sort of synchronized performance art, they were even going at the same rhythm. I noped out of there and haven’t been back since.

First, I don’t want this update to reflect on my original review of the library as I sit here trying use the woefully inconsistent wifi signal. Unless you are able to secure a spot on the 3^rd or 5^th floors, unless clearly dissimilar to mine, your device will lag all over the place. I cant help but recall how much stronger the signal was at Sacramento Public Library. But I guess this proves that you cant have everything.

I agree with other reviewers. The shouting kids, and no rule enforcement by staff is no exaggeration. What ever happened to gently teaching kids about using their «library voices» out of respect for others? Reading here is a real challenge.

Please, please, take a note from the low reviews here. If you simply come the Berkeley Public Library to get in and get out, it’s not necessarily a bad experience. I would give this place 4 stars if I simply found the book I wanted, checked it out and ran out the door in ten minutes. If you choose to stay for more than ten minutes to read or study THIS IS NOT THE LIBRARY YOU WANT!
Their lenient policies have made it a homeless haven where in my three times here homeless men have been sleeping in the bathroom stalls. My last time here a man got irate and started yelling at everyone on the third floor, only to be stopped by the security guard 15 minutes in after he said «I be back with a gun!». The elevator had been freshly defecated in and not cleaned up. Revolting. Not exaggerating one bit, see for yourself; drive by at any point of any day and you’ll see actual homeless shopping carts parked at the bike rack. I’m all for everyone getting an equal right to read here, but that’s not what they’re here to do; no one that works here seems to care as long as they’re getting paid.
Silence is rare since the fourth floor has movies and some rides for children. Great thing if you’re a parent, bad if you’re a student or god forbid, actually trying to read because you will hear non-​stop screaming from children with minimal supervision or intervention from employees. This wouldn’t be so bad if the construction of the building didn’t have large open sections between the floors, allowing sound to travel throughout the building freely.
The selection of reference materials here isn’t shabby, but other than that, this is by far the worst library I’ve ever been to. Not because of their lack of content, mind you, but for their appallingly lackluster enforcement of noise, people looking to freeload a place to stay. The employee’s inability/​laziness to keep this place from being a zoo has cost them the patrons who actually desire/​need to use this place the way it was meant to be used. This place just doesn’t seem to care, and I hope they can change.

This review is only for the children’s section (4^th floor) of the library as this is the only part I have checked out every time I have been here. What a wonderful library though! An ENTIRE FLOOR dedicated to children’s books — amazing. They have a wide variety as well — from simple picture books to young adult chapter books and even to some nonfiction books too. I have literally spent hours on this floor alone… so I can’t even imagine how much longer I would stay checking out the other floors!
I also have to add that BPL has some pretty awesome library card designs for you to choose from. I have never seen any library do this before! It made me very happy :).
Free wifi — no need to register for a library card if you don’t want to. No password to log in to the network.

My apartment was just around the corner in October 2012. I was here all the time. Another great reason to support your local libraries.
PROS
+ Right in the heart of Downtown Berkeley. A quick walk away from BART.
+ It’s FREE if you don’t count our taxpayer dollars (some library branches, like Santa Clara County — costs $ 80/​yr)
+ If you DON’T like to read, there are plenty of DVDs, music, and audiobooks to enjoy. I used to go to the very top floor and there’d be limited edition Beethoven symphonies to listen to.
+ If you DO like to read, the collection spans multiple floors so you’ll probably find the right novel or non-​fiction book to enjoy next here. Great magazine & publication section. If something’s not available, I think they have an online reservation system.
+ The architecture at this library is classic and spacious. I felt quite comfortable sitting down to read here and browse the Internet when I could.
CONS
— None whatsoever. There are libraries out there with frickin Wii games and XBOX 360, not to mention six copies of Frozen on Bluray (*cough cough* Campbell), but this one does the trick. I go to libraries for books anyway.
A++ Wonderful library, convenient, rich with content.

Nifty and clean library. Large and aesthetically pleasing. Quiet and welcoming. Book selection is decent.
No sleeping allowed but I was thrown a tip by a dude that the 3^rd floor is a good place to lay your head down. Still got a chance to catch a small catnap while studying on the first floor.
Most importantly though, the bathrooms are clean and smell clean as well. Only one stall for the men’s one but it is spacious and is always stocked with tp and seat covers. ⁸⁄₁₀ would poop again.

One of my favorite libraries! It is also like super big! Total of 5 floors! I use to go here all the time during much hours and after school to study and do homework! Being that this library is close to Berkeley high school it’s great.
This library is huge but everything is very organized. There seems to be a lot of areas to sit and do homework. My favorite was in the grand hall which I think was on the second or third floor? It’s always super clean and kept up — even the bathrooms. All the music, art stuff and records are on the 5^th floor. The staircase to this place is also cool.
The library also had a hold section right at the entrance which is easy to find. They also have a small book store to make purchases. Love love it here. Even though its big and a lot of people come here it’s still quiet and well put together.

Called in to ask if they offered air printing through my idevice. An angelic voice by the name of Angela was there to answer every question I didn’t even know I had. She’s a true asset to this business & I can’t help thinking that if every business had such quality customer care/​service I wouldn’t mind giving my time, money, etc. dealing w/​them.
THANK YOU:) ANGELA