San Diego Public Library – Pacific Beach/Taylor Branch Library

it is great to have a library so close by to be able to print and check out books whenever you please. However, the location is a bit intimidating when you have to pass 3 different sets of homeless people on drugs, harassing you, just to make it to the front door. Also, bring hand sanitizer if you plan on using the computers, the homeless people reek a vile stench. Besides the homeless problem (which they probably wouldn’t have if the church across the street would stop feeding them for free) the library is convenient. Just remember the computers automatically shut down 15 minutes before closing so you are unable to print with 20 minutes of closing pretty much. I wish they would have told me that when I got there because I was only able to print 3 of my 4 project’s since I was taking my time and thought I had 15 minutes left. I was asking the front desk a bunch of questions about printing too, so you think they would have said something, instead I had to go to fedex after the trip to the library to print out the remaining documents. If they could fix the homeless issue this would be a very nice library.

If you haven’t rented a book from this library for more than 2 years, be prepared to re-​apply for a new library card. Also, if your address from your driver’s license doesn’t match your home address that you’ve entered to re-​apply for a card, bring a utility bill for proof of residence. I had to do this in order to rent more than 2 books at one time, and I showed my vehicle registration paper as proof. A nice Asian librarian lady at the front desk helped me re-​apply for my card and showed me how to check out books from the self-​checkout express machine. She also gave me a list of public libraries in San Diego that I can drop off my library books to. I didn’t know you can drop off books at other libraries (other than the library you rented the book from) so I thought that was a very helpful tip.
The library is quite small, but you still get a good variety of books. I used their online public library catalog site to search for the keywords «spices», «herbs» and «cooking techniques» since I’m doing some cooking research. It only listed 1 book (that was relevant for my research) available at the PB location. So I searched for that book on the shelves, and I found two more herbs/​spices books that are usable for my article in the same reading section. I thought it was odd the online catalog didn’t list the other 2 books I found in my search.

I like this library a lot… However I think it’s really rude that people teach English lessons SO LOUDLY in quiet areas. Go outside. No one wants to overhear you teaching someone the word «car».

We just moved to California, and from the other reviews listed, I wasn’t even planning on setting foot in here even though it is our home library. We ended up stopping in «just to get our cards,» and my kids spent an hour picking out 60+ books to last us the week. I did not notice a «homeless» scent, and the library workers were helpful and kind. We will definitely check out the other branches, but it’s great knowing there are many great book choices for my kids at our local library!

My first time here as I write this. Just now a wad of dirty clothes reeking of a dumpster, sat down next to me and told his other reeking friend that the cops just made him pour his bottle out. The other starting rummaging through a greasy brown bag for some type of eats. They don’t read, they sleep, mumble to each other, and stare out the window. One guy even just now walked around begging for change.
This has got to be the worst library experience of my life. They should just empty the building of books and officialize it as a bonafide shelter. Or maybe make it into a subway station. It is not a place to try serious reading, studying, working, or other pursuits. Here now half an hour and just have to get out of here now.

Unless you enjoy the screams and yelling of toddlers and their oblivious loud mouthed mothers, don’t bother coming to this library to study or consume media and expect any level of quiet time. The abject stupidity of having the children’s section in this open air library (as opposed to a sound proof separate section, like most libraries) is only compounded by the refusal of library staff to address the problem. This feckless library planning is about as lame brained as anything I have ever witnessed. Utter stupidity.

This library is very centrally located in Pacific Beach. The only downfall is the amount of homeless people, that hang around and inside this facility. I’m not sure what they can do to help this since it is a public library. But besides the homeless being everywhere, the library is always very clean inside. The staff is the best part, they are very very friendly and always willing to lend a hand. The guy with the crazy mustache that is always at the printing station is very sweet and always helpful to me. I study here a lot and feel safe and comfortable.

Small but well stocked library. I use it mostly to check out books and they have a very nice selection. Nice building and grounds. Friendly staff.
I only give it a two star rating because it also feels like a homeless shelter in there. Every homeless in Pacific Beach spend their days in the library. The smell is horrendous. They are noisy and sometimes bordering on aggressive. I have seen fights break out in there. Some of them are obviously drunk or on drugs. It certainly does not contribute to a comfortable atmosphere which is why I only check out books and try to spend as little time as possible in there. It would be nice to be able to hang out to read or study but the homeless make that impossible. Too bad it could be a great place.

Full of homeless people. Smells of unwashed bodies. Seen fights break out between the homeless. Other than that it’s good.

The library itself is decent. The hours are kind of shitty but it has everything you could possibly need from a library such as a wide variety of books, several work stations, children’s area, cassettes, and friendly staff. The kids that come here are loud as hell though. I was working on a paper with headphones in listening to classical music (thinking it would help me write a better paper) and I could hear all of the kids screaming… whatever. They are kids. But it’s a library and their parents didn’t seem to care much because it was happening the whole time I was there.
I don’t think this is the best study spot however, it has a lot of resources that I try to take advantage of. I know it used to be bum city but I never see them here. There is also a security guard on duty as well. Oh and parking MOST of the time.

Never noticed this place before, because I’m always north of Grand. Well, head
south on Cass and check this place out because they have a great booksale 3 days a week with a huge selection of books. I left with a huge stack of children’s books, fine art, and cultural heritage volumes.
The children’s section had a great assortment of Spanish language books, four computers with extra headphones so that my kids could listen to the same computer, a great block/​foam platform area to play and read on.
The help desk was very efficient and there were no lines. They have a great assortment of available programs including knitting circles and kids activities.
Also, the kids loved the huge courtyard area and the trees with huge dangling seed pods out front. Lots of room to run and romp.
Maybe these aren’t the characteristics you are looking for in a library, but they worked fine for us!

You’re better off studying at Starbucks. Kids yelling and screaming + the stench of bums

This location is so-​so. Small, no private study rooms, crowded. But hey, it’s a place that lets you look at and check out books for free.
Also, their used book sales are kind of cool.

I can’t believe this place has so many good reviews. It’s disgusting. I went there for the first time to get a book on tape today. As soon as i walked up i noticed the many homeless people hanging out outside and there were even more inside. The place smells terrible and every surface i touched had some sort of greasy grime on it. I was (rudely) told to fill a form out on one of the computers to get a card. The keyboard and chair were smelly and greasy and dirty just like everything else. I got out of there as fast as i could. This would never be the place i go to do any reading or school work or anything at all. It’s not a nice place in any way.

I’m rather surprised that this location gets so many good reviews. This is a horrible thing to write, but I’m going to write it: this place smells like (what I would assume) a homeless shelter! As you may know, PB is home to many street folks. This library is one of the more popular hangouts for the bums, and they smell of pungent garbage. I literally look my books and the call numbers up online. When I get to the library I find my books quickly as I can. Don’t even bother going on a hot day, as that’s when many are looking for reprieve from the heat in library’s A.C.

The library is a great place to get some reading or studying done. I especially like this library because of the following:
1) High ceilings, which give it a very open feeling.
2) Lots and lots of windows, which make it feel open and allow lots of natural sunlight in.
3) Its in PB, so you can easily walk to a coffee shop or someplace else to take a break or grab some lunch.
4) Its in PB, but off the beaten path, so it still offers peace and quiet in an area where there normally isnt any.
5) Only a few blocks to the beach, which is great for a relaxing walk, and the sunsets are beautiful, which makes for a really nice break.

This is my second time here. The first time was a bit terrible — it was a 95+ degree summer day and everyone and their mom came here for the AC. I did as well and was annoyed that I couldn’t find a seat to sit down and finish my homework that I couldn’t get done in my sweltering upstairs apartment.
Again, I am here doing homework. This time because my internet at home is malfunctioning. It’s actually quite peaceful and serene here today. Plenty of space, full of natural light, nice breeze coming from the patio.

Do you really know how great a library can be?
Books on CD (making Mammoth drives so much easier), Wi-​Fi, DVD’s and these paper things with words in them.
Oh, and there’s a self service option, so if you’re anti-​social, you don’t need to speak with anyone!
Not sure how this place could improve with the exception of a bar and 24 hour access, but that not very realistic.

Tiny library and usually busy but my favorite nonetheless because of the new building and the art gallery. I love their exhibits, always worth viewing, many talented contemporary works. I prefer to buy books at their book sales rather than have to borrow and return them. They often have good book auctions. Only thing I don’t like is that the grassy areas in front encourage homeless people to sleep there all day. I would have rather had a larger building or more parking rather than shopping carts and bags of collected junk parked in the front.

I’d give this branch higher marks if it weren’t so far away from my house. Major traffic going west on Garnet Ave. just makes it nearly impossible to get good access to the place. Traffic going east on Garnet Ave. makes it almost impossible to get out of Pacific Beach/​Mission Bay in a timely and quick manner. Be prepared to sit in traffic and a bunch of traffic lights if you come here and don’t live anywhere in Pacific Beach or Mission Bay.
Otherwise, I think it’s a great library. It’s situated next to a park so you can go out and sit and relax and read. Parking is good and generally available. Gigantic book collection, organized for easy identification of what you need, with several sections separate and out of the way of browsers to just sit down and read or study. Easily one of the largest and best DVD collections in the San Diego system. Chances are, the Pacific Beach branch is usually one of the first branches to get their hands on any new DVDs ordered from the system. The CD collection isn’t as good, but I’ve checked out a couple of discs that weren’t available anywhere else. Checkout can be tough because they usually only have two librarians checking out at a time and sometimes, one won’t check out materials unless you get their attention.