Oceanside Public Library

Pros:
–Beautiful
–Always available desks, usually have no problem finding a power jack either.
–Pretty good wifi. never tried streaming video or anything, but just for basic research it does the trick.
–Great hours– open till 6 or 7 on weekdays, depending on the day.
Cons:
–lots of homeless people. before you settle on a study spot, give the air one good sniff to make sure you’re in an okay spot.

I love libraries. I love the Mission branch. I just wish they had a better phone answering system. It is SO frustrating.

I’m surprised at how strict the librarians when trying to get a library card! They throughly check your ID to make sure its an Oceanside address, so beware newcomers!
The Oceanside Public Library isn’t very lively. It’s actually a very sad place for being located in Downtown Oceanside and in the Civic Center. I came here on a Tuesday evening and there were sooooo many homeless. Not sure if I’ll return, but if I do hit up another library in Oceanside, I’ll definitely be hitting up the one off hwy 78.

If there were 3 things that I would change about this library it would be
1) open on Sunday
2) replace the computers, and
3) update and expand restrooms.
Otherwise, this library has plenty of great qualities from selection to staff to the design of the building.

Such a pretty library… good selection and a lot of computers. Everyone is nice and helpful. I enjoy going there even if I don’t stay very long.

Beautifully kept modern building, wifi works well throughout. Good selection, helpfull staff, automated easy checkout system.

I really like this library. The staff is helpful and friendly. They are really quick with holds. Super easy self check out too. I don’t give a 5 star because the surronding area always has several homeless people. I know they have to go somewhere but when it’s groups of men, I feel worried as a single lady with a young kid in tow. That said, I’ve never been harassed and the security guards are friendly and watchful. What are you gonna do, it’s oceanside, after all.

They did have one of the books I needed from the required reading list. They were also was very helpful in giving me information on the Carlsbad public library system and their ebook system. The staff was friendly and helpful.

Still checking it out but I have to say their selection is pretty good and they don’t charge for electronics which is good for my family and I. Definitely worth stopping by again for a looksee.

Love this place. The little bookstore inside here is awesome, plus the librarians do a good job of setting up really neat events for us. I got a chance to meet some of the bros from NPR thanks to the Oceanside Library.
Shouts out to the Book-​Return item policy. Probably my favorite part of the library.
xoxo *hearts*

I like the location of this library. As for the selection of books, not so great. Whenever I go I feel like I’ve read every book there! The mission branch is much better in my opinion.

Good local library. They have a nice solid fiction section, including selections from some of my favorite authors. Good basic library services — computers for when my computer broke but I needed some internet, a nice searchable online reservation system, printers, copiers, — and a particularly nice and helpful reference desk.
It’s easier to pay taxes when it goes for something this nice and useful. Just beef up that SF section a little and I’m all set. :)

pretty awesome for a library. Its kept super clean and has a nice computer section if u need to jump online while u are there. Also lots of places to do homework if u are needing a place to wrk.

Libraries are awesome and this one is especially nice.
But Holy Shit Nuts what is up with all the Homeless people in here!!!
I came in here to do some LSAT studying during my winter break and was amazed at the book selection and ample study space.
However, I went to the bathroom and there was definitely a dude taking a nap in the handicap stall right next to me.
In the study rooms there were homeless guys talking pretty loudly right next to me.
And then there was another homeless dude that demanded to bring his bike inside because it was stolen 3 times before when he left it outside.
But honestly, I dont care and have nothing against homeless folks. For the most part if you dont bother them, they wont bother you.

They have books, computers, nice librarians, but what I come here for is the study nooks on the second floor that over look the entire library — pretty sweet. Each nook has its own electrical socket and the WiFi is free + super fast. I am always so much more productive when I come here. Yea, there are some wierd homeless people that wonder around but what else can you expect from an oceanside public library.

You name it they have it, and a big plus is the childrens Librarian, She is so sweet and such a help! I love the fountain as does my daughter, so we usually go to the library and the walk to the beach. P. s. they always have updated calanders and free Family magazines, a great magazine for parents!

was driving around looking for a café with free wifi when we came across the public library…
beautiful, brightly lit interior mostly by natural lighting, friendly staff and the best part was you don’t even have to sign up for a guest pass to use their free wifi.
just pick one of their many comfy seatings and log on as long as you have your own netbook or computer source
plenty of parking

Amazing friendly staff and about 20 computers for Internet. Beautiful remodeling. Ask for Xana she’s the lead Librarian for the Adult programs. I’ve been to the Vista library and the La Costa library, supriseingly my boyfriend and I both agree that the Oceanside library is the best.
Ps they even have a self serve coffee bar with coffee tea and hot chocolate.

Last week, I went to the library to do some homework, while my boyfriend went to work. I like the location of the library because I am a fan of the beach. I notice that parking may be limited because they only have street parking. I went to the library an hour after it was opened and I was able to find parking just fine. They do have a parking garage, but it is only available after 5 PM. I like the hours of operation, unlike the library hours in Chula Vista. I noticed that they do not offer ample tables and chairs in the second floor. Overall, this library is just okay.

I’m surprised that the Civic Library isn’t listed on Unilocal yet — yay for my «first to review»! I used to volunteer here back in high school for the children’s department (and now my sister volunteers here), so this place is a very familiar place for me.
This library is right next door to the Oceanside City Hall & the Oceanside Museum of Art (just to list some other major landmarks here). It could be considered to be a «pretty» part of downtown Oceanside. It’s also within walking distance to the Oceanside Pier!
There is a beautiful water fountain right outside the library with palm trees & other structures that are perfect for picture-​taking on a sunny day. There is a parking structure right behind/​next to the library & there’s street parking, so parking is almost never an issue.
As for the library itself, it’s composed of 2 floors — 1^st floor is children’s w/​computer lab/​periodicals/​new releases & 2^nd floor is adult/​young adult/​references/​computer lab. The selection is fairly large, although probably not as good as the Dove Library in Carlsbad… but definitely enough for the general public.
The main library also shares their «stock» of books with other branches in the city of Oceanside, so if you ever find that your book is at another location, you can request to have them deliver the book over here for you to pick-​up at a selected time (very convenient!).
They now have 2 self check-​out stations so you no longer have to wait in line (they only have 2 check-​out counters). The library also holds MANY community events open to the public — for both children & adults alike. There’s an annual summer reading program that attracts many kids & young adults & I think it’s the best educational event they put on every year.
They’ve also added MANY more computer stations (compared to years ago) so you can always see a lot of people at the library on a weekend using computers. They also have printing/​copying services available. There are plenty of seating areas for those that like to read inside the library — the 2^nd floor has tables/​chairs lined up on the edge of the building & most have outlets (for laptops/​chargers). =)
The only reason why I gave this place a 3 stars instead of 4 is because of the location. Because it’s in downtown, adults are advised to not leave their children alone here at any time, especially in the afternoon/​evening. You get a lot of different crowds here, and once you step outside the block where the library sits, it’s a completely different world.