Las Vegas-Clark County Library System – Rainbow Library

Sometimes it can be a bit noisy. Some people can be listening to their phones out loud and the staff would not bother to ask them to turn it down. The seats at each table feel old and uncomfortable; they sink in when you sit on them. Lots of activities on the activity board and the staff is there to help you with whatever you need. Good selection of books and easy-​to-​use request system. Quick and easy checkout system and there’s even a bookstore!

We love Rainbow Library!
My kids and I came every Tuesday at 4 for Lego club (sometimes its a different event) and we also came for rock the library which is one Sunday a month. Miss Jen and the Steam staff are all very patient and amazing with the kids who attend. They occasionally post photos of the things kids have built in the children’s library and my son beams with pride when he sees his creations up there. I wish there were more programs/​classes but I am happy with what they have so far!

This is a decent library in the Northwest Valley that is convenient to my condo. I have been coming to this location for a number of years now and have found it to be a pleasant experience. The staff is always friendly and ready to assist if you have any queries.
Minus one star for the smaller collection of books and an awkward and somewhat confusing layout which usually leads to some wandering around the stacks.
Minus an additional star as I have to agree with another review referencing the fact that staff make no attempt to keep the noise level down. This is not a quiet place to read; typically people talking in normal volume and kids screaming or crying. They do however have study rooms you can reserve for two hours at a time.

So I misplaced my old library card and getting my new one was a cinch. It cost me one whole dollar! They just happened to have one of the new release books that I’ve had my eye on! This location is totally clean And extremely organized! I was impressed and I for sure will be back!

This is without a doubt the most noisy and the filthiest public library I have ever been in. If you’re trying to study or are interested in reading a book, don’t even think about it here. People talk, shout and kids run around screaming & crying like it’s a circus. Don’t people have ANY respect for others?
When in a Library you are to be «QUIET»!!!
People have NO MANNERS HERE!!!
There aren’t even any signs the say «QUIET PLEASE», and the staff here doesn’t seemingly care nor do they enforce the noise pollution here.
This definitely needs to be fixed here.
NOTE: Attached Photos… One more thing people have destroyed in this Cribrary!

Extremely rude woman working at the help desk. Couldn’t be bothered.
She actually told me «why did you let her grandparents take her to the library and not you as her parent» when we were having trouble figuring out her PIN number that was set when her grandmother took her.
Instead of trying to figure out how to have my 10 year old daughter be able to check out the book she had in her hand she just shook her head and gave me the card back.
It was explained to me by the nice lady working in children’s area the parents are to sign the kids up for billing purposes– which makes total sense but clearly my mother was assumed to be my daughters mother when she was signed up bc my mother would never claim she was. (Same last name, young looking mother)
So because they messed up, and had her grandmother on the account as the parent, I as her mother couldn’t reset the PIN.
I was told by the children’s area woman that I could open my own account and check it out for her– to which we did. (1 star for her– very helpful and solved our issue)
I would think the people who choose to work at a library would encourage a child to read and do anything in their power to let that happen. Instead this rude lady (Russian accent) decided to make this a horrible trip to the library to which now my daughter and I never want to return.
I explained to my daughter some people are problem starters and some are problem solvers. She keeps talking about the rude lady at the library.

This is an average library. It looks a little older but had the things I look for in a library. And you can have the books you need brought over when they aren’t in stock.

it is as good as other ones in las vegas

Love the baby and toddler story times I bring my infant to all child age events except arts and crafts and he loves it! Great staff!

If you need a place to study quietly, this is not it. It’s not a bad library, and I have no complaints about the staff or the premises, but it’s small so it’s almost always noisy. I tried studying here on three or four different occasions, and ended up leaving within a few minutes each time. Nobody who frequents this library has any sense of the whole «libraries are supposed to be quiet» thing, unfortunately.

This place is closest to my house, so it’s the one I go to most often, which is hardly ever.
I only give it 4 stars because it’s on the corner of Buffalo and Cheyenne, yet they call it Rainbow Library. If they change the name then I’ll give them another star.
It’s got a lot of computer stuff in there, movies, books (yech), and newspapers.
The staff is better than I would expect.
When I was a kid, the librarians were mean and always looked flustered.
Not in this place.
They have a room for young kids, nice, big roundtables in the main room, and study rooms if necessary.
I also liked the fact that it have multiple water fountains.
If I’m to be dragged to a library, then it might as well be this one.

This is not my favorite Vegas library. Personnel are limited, and service is pretty nonexistent. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, try using the computerized card catalogue. If you still can’t find it, you’re pretty much SOL.
Large kids/​teen section is appealing, adult section is large and fairly well organized. The new releases are by the self-​checkout section. A lot of people seem to reserve their books online, and several shelves by the entry way are taken up with the pickup section.
As George W’s review mentions, I’m a little baffled as to why the library looks so big on the outside but the inside is cramped together. They seem to have more than half of their space dedicated to community services and programs like tax help and tutoring– great services, but makes for a lesser experience for readers.

Being a librarian, I take a critical look at any library that I happen to visit. I’ve been using Rainbow, because it’s close to my home. After first using the library on W Sahara, this one is shocking. The building
looks substantial on the outside, yet inside its overcrowded. Additionally, whats there is poorly organized. The library is simply too small to house all that a modern, urban library needs. For example, I could not find a place for quiet study, only a table in the midst of everything else. The tutor loudly teaching next to me, made studying or reading impossible.
I suppose this is all the result of the majority of Nevada and Las Vegas residents being unwilling to adequately finance any type of educational institution.

It’s kind of dated and the organization is a bit out, but it’s still pretty neat. The people are helpful and I like getting the e-​mail notifications telling me my book that I reserved is in. Super stuff right there. Just a shame they don’t have more room. Cool that it’s right next to a park, when it gets cooler, it’ll be great to grab a few books, lunch and have a little picinic. Spiff.

We love this library, we’re loyal patrions here since my kids in elementary school. They are now 2 in college, 1 a junior in highschool, and 1 &th grade. We love coming here to study, rent books and dvds. We go to the park next door to play or just play with our 2 poodles. The staff friendly and helpful.

I really like this library. It is so big and filled with so many books! I visit all the time with my daughter. We go to the story time and movement and music events they hold. She enjoys the events and has really learned to live reading.
This library has great children’s library too. The librarians are all friendly and seem to enjoy the kiddos.
The library also holds all sorts of events for babies, kids, teens, and adults. Make sure to check the monthly calendar to see what you want to do. It is a great community place and I am happy it is so close to me.

The worst customer service in recent memory is at a library? Seriously? I am still trying to figure out what went wrong. I called ahead to check the availability of a book and was told they had a «brand new» copy. I asked what time they closed and was then asked for my name. She said she would leave it at the customer service area. Upon arrival, I was told they don’t hold books at customer service and was sent to the reference desk. After much waiting and watching employees walking around, I was told that nobody had received a call and was questioned as to whether or not I called the correct branch. This continued for awhile and multiple employees took pleasure in telling me they did not receive a call. All I wanted was the book! After about 15 minutes, an employee said she would get it for me and was told by another employee they did not have a copy. She walked into some back room and came out with a brand new copy. What a freakin’ ordeal! They were more concerned with trying to refute my phone call than getting me the book. Two stars is probably more generous than they deserve.