County of Los Angeles Library – La Canada Flintridge Library

Haven’t been here for awhile. I read in Outlook that the library installed new doors.
I wish they used the money to update their computers! It’s STILL SLOW LIKE MOLASSES!!! I was having a fit! Come on! Why can’t they do something about the computers!!!

The customer service is uhhhh… It seems like takes forever to get the thing down when you have a phone call.

I really like this old library. It reminds me of the old days when I was a kid and how I felt empowered to check out books with my good ‘olé library card or just sit at one of the old wooden tables and pretend I was reading.
That being said, La Canada library still has that old homey feeling with the old musty book smell when you first walk in.
They don’t have many tables to work out of, but it’s enough just to get «my» job done. The library is way quieter than La Crescenta so it’s easier to work and focus.
If you don’t have your card, you won’t get wifi access.
Support your local LA County libraries!

Clean.
Outlets provided at a few tables.
Can’t comment on the staff because I never interacted with them.
Wifi: library card required. As a newcomer to California without a license this is kind of disappointing. I’m sitting in the library but you won’t let me use your wifi? What purpose does that serve.
Privacy and Quiet: It’s one huge room, so you’ll hear everything. Not good for concentrating
Parking: large parking spaces in the back.

The noisiest library I have ever been to. Even the librarians themselves are loud and don’t care. Do not come here to study!

The staff at la Canada library is not friendly. I come here on a weekly basis for more than a year now and I rarely come across anyone remotely pleasant at the check out.
I have forgotten my library card a few times and they charge you $ 3.00, which to me is ridiculous because most libraries except your license with no fee, $ 3.00???
Snobby employees!

The employees are wonderful and helpful, I personally want to thank the following ladies and gentleman… The two Wendy’s Impa, Diane, Nora, Mark and the other folks working at the library. It is a truly a welcoming place.
The library does need to upgrade in style and to extend the landscape to add some benches, tables on the outside and in the inside have a studying rooms, better wifi.
It does have a good deal of great books, my favorite are self-​help, the movies and my my son enjoys the kids area and playing with board games with his dad.
Thank you for your great service!
Best wishes,
BETANZOS FAMILY

This library misleads its members: I was told I can return my DVDs the next day before opening at 10am which I did (I dropped them in the box outside). Checking my library account on the website the day after I saw a late fee charge. I called the library. I was told I returned the DVDs at noon. What apparently happened is that the staff working on the returns processed it at this time — so the members are charged automatically.
It’s not the first time this happens unfortunately. What I really did’t like is that I was treated like I was a liar and very rudely on the phone by the person in charge while trying to handle the problem.
This probably happens every day with other members. At no time during the conversation I was told that the incident would be investigated and see who may have processed it that way. I was made wrong all along and untrustworthy.
What do I really care discussing for $ 0.60 you may say!?? The point is that I did exactly what I was told to and I was charged a late fee. This is MISLEADING and not OK! Also, the way I was treated by the person in charge was insulting and disrespectful.

I love this library. There is something for everybody and the staff is friendly and helpful. The kids librarian is very hands-​on and has always new ideas. The kids area has toys and an abundance of books. Whatever book I want, I can order from another library and they bring it in. There is just one minus. There is a lady senior librarian that has the wrong approach. Her tone of voice is inappropriate and she is rude and unfriendly. I make a wide circle around her and when I come in I always check if she is there or not. All the rest:+++++

Worst studying spot EVER.
I come here to study with high hopes that it’ll be a nice peaceful environment, and every single time, I leave disappointed. It’s not a library; it’s more like a playground.
This library is basically one gigantic room, so if there are screaming and rowdy children in the children’s section, you will hear it loud and clear. Even the adults here don’t realize this is a library because they are comfortable carrying out a long phone conversation at FULL volume, right next to students who are trying to study. RUDE.
I think this library is perfect for parents who have small children. Everyone else, steer clear!

The library is one open area divided by shelves and rows of table, not much private area for «deep thinking». But that’s not what I look for anyway. I live in the city and used to take my kids there for story time every week. My kids are pretty well-​behaved (from my standpoint! :-), and the younger librarians in the kid sections are very friendly to them. My only issue is with the more senior librarian at the desk who doesn’t like kids and she told me face to face, in front of my kids! So I can’t stand to bring my kids there because of her!
I now go to the La Cresenta library with a nicer kid section. Funny thing, it gets bad rap for being «noisy» (because of the kids? or teenager?)! Guess you can’t please everybody.
If you have kids, to go La Cresenta; if you don’t have kids, go to La Canada Library. Kinda odd as La Canada is supposed to be family-​friendly. Hence the 2-​stars.

(Checked-​in 9÷22÷12 SA @2pm): In this digital age, I feel libraries are so antiquated these days, but I still love how they bring all walks of life under one brick building for the pursuit of knowledge, a place to rest, or free air conditioning and wifi!
Growing up, I couldn’t wait for Saturdays because that meant it was time for the library (except when I had sports, lessons, or family events), and although I considered the Glendale Public Library my primary location, the La Canada Flintridge Library was closer to home and always so quaint. Because I haven’t set-​up the internet in my new place yet, my only access has been through my smartphone, work, or wherever places with free wifi. I was in the area and I really needed full access, so I slipped in here. Yes, there was free wifi, but because I didn’t have my L.A. County library card and I didn’t want to bother others if I can use theirs, I failed on my mission. But fret not, I also needed to catch up on Unilocal reviews (where I wrote this) and the heat was on, so the free air conditioning was a welcomed gift.
As I prefaced, this library is one of the smaller ones in the county and doesn’t have as many amenities like multiple computer stations and screening rooms as the larger ones (i.e. Glendale Public Library). Never the less, it still had the standard books of all genres and categories, references, magazines, a movie corner, and a large children’s area for group readings, albeit on a much smaller scale. There were ample tables with power strips so you can plug-​in your electronic devices, or for more privacy there were facing tables with blinders (didn’t happen to notice if any of them had access to an outlet). At this particular time of day, it was rather empty with a handful of students doing homework, but mostly adults who probably escaped the heat like me, and just chilling. And, the obligatory homeless person who sought shelter for the day before they closed at 5pm. I selected to sit among the laptop zombies at the cluster of tables so I was able to charge-​up.
The service appeared to be good although I didn’t need any. However, I saw the staff busy as they put books away, checked people out with their books, and generally kept the place clean and organized. I liked mixture of young and older staff. Better to relate to depending on the individual.
Parking is ample as they had their own lot. But if it were to fill up, there is street (non-​metered) parking right outside, or if you wanted to take a chance, there are other business lots in the surrounding area.
Overall, the day will come when the La Canada Flintridge Library and all libraries in general, will be a dinosaur on the neighborhood landscape… as sad and unfortunate as that may be. I feel they still serve a yeoman’s purpose, but the digital and mobile world we live in will soon take over completely (I will get off my soapbox now). The library itself was still a nice piece of the community and had much to offer… as it did for me on this day. I found very good value, and unless you happen to have a late fee or decided to purchase something from the lobby bins of books, DVDs, and video cassette tapes, there was no need to have any money on you. The atmosphere was a single-​story brick building with plenty of natural lighting and rather roomy. Not much in the way of posters or displays. And most important, there was plenty of seats and floor space to sit on. The attire is totally casual, so I was in my t-​shirt, boardshorts, and flip-​flops. And because I didn’t need any money, it didn’t matter if they took my credit card of choice… AMEX!

I find that this library is small, but offers some of what I need — DVD rentals, the latest magazines to browse, copiers and even free Wifi.
The staff here are usually courteous and polite.

There has always been a disparity between the neighboring cities of La Crescenta and La Cañada. La Cañada is more affluent and the folks here certainly know it. It is rare to find a teen without a Beemer or Lexus and authentic Louis Vuitton in tow, much like in The OC. That isn’t to say that I find all Cañadians snooty and lofty. I had friends and family who lived here and spent a fair amount of time in this town growing up. In fact, I actually miss it.
Anyway, about the library.
Given some insight into this small city, the library that it hosts is much larger and more useful than its La Crescenta sister. Yet, it is still relatively small, often crowded during the week, and lacking in research materials. I would suggest the Glendale Public Library for more study carrels and better selection of reading materials but not a bad choice if you’re in a pinch or you’re a SAHM (Stay At Home Mom) looking for a local library that hosts Story Time.