Alviso Branch Library

San Jose, United States

3.3

12 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 408-263-3626
Website:
www.sjpl.org
Address:
5050 N 1st St, San Jose, CA, 95002
Nearby public transportation stops & stations:
0.3 miBus 58
1.1 miACE shuttle stop
1.2 miSanta Clara/Great America
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Today

Today –
Local time (San Jose) 10:42 AM Friday, May 30, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

This branch has Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese language collections (print, music and video) and offers a weekly Spanish Bilingual Story Time Program.

The Alviso Branch’s Homework Center operates Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 2:30 — 5:30 and on Wednesday 1:00−5:30 (to accomodate the early dismissal day for the nearby George Mayne Elementary School).

History

Established in 1968.

The Alviso Branch Library is located in the northernmost point of San José, serving a population of 6,500 residents. This area has a large and growing ethnically diverse population; nearly 60% of which are Hispanic.

The former Alviso Branch Library was 800sf and occupied a building that was built in 1934 and then restored in 1984. The new Alviso Branch opened in September 1999 and is a substantial improvement in services, measuring 4,460sf (not including the Community Center). Features of the new building include a technology area, tutoring room, a joint-​use Community Room with the Community Center, and a local history collection that attracts students from neighboring schools and universities.

Meet the Manager

Tracey F.

Manager

With the San Jose Public Library since July 2008, Tracey has worked in public libraries since 1987. After completing her Masters in Library and Information Science at CUNY Queens College’s Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, Tracey has worked as a teen librarian, a consultant to public libraries in areas of teen services and an Adjunct Professor for CUNY Queens College’s Library (teaching Planning and Delivering Young Adult Serrvices in the Public Library) & SUNY Stony Brook (teaching Fundamentals of Library and Information Science). Now a Senior Librarian, managing both the Alviso and Berryessa Branches of the San Jose Public Library, Tracey is proud to be part of the SJPL team!

Vicinity

Browse nearby places:
40
ft
Dependable Air Duct Services
200
ft
Alviso Youth Center
5040 N 1st St
330
ft
George Mayne Elementary School
5030 N First St
330
ft
Mark Wells Golf Instruction
4701 N 1st St
620
ft
Pin High Golf Center
4701 N 1st St
960
ft
Rosita’s De Basilio Deli & Market
5168 N 1st

12 reviews of Alviso Branch Library

No registration required
Place rating: 3
San Jose, CA
Collection at this library is modest. However, you can also place a hold on a book online and pick it up here — quite convenient. They have yoga classes every friday saturday as well. Staff is helpful (with an exception of one lady I came across one day who was being so mean — don’t know if that was just me not being american or if she was simply having a bad day!). They seem to have a good sized section for kids too. Parking is easy.
Place rating: 3
San Jose, CA
This place was a mixed bag for me, on the plus side it had lots of parking and the place was quiet. All libraries should be this quiet. The book selection was fine, I found what I wanted. On the not-​so-​good side, this place had no circulation desk. There was a small counter that could have been one but there was never anyone there. There were people in the back area talking and the conversation was not library related. I had a question but figured if I had to yell for assistance (which I have NEVER done at any library) I would skip it. These people were not there to help.
Place rating: 5
Santa Cruz, CA
I stopped at the Alviso Library yesterday to apply for a San Jose library card… since north San Jose is lacking in library branches, this was the closest option. The staff was incredibly personable and had a library card in my hand within three minutes. Lovely!
The Alviso Library is small, as many reviews have mentioned… so if you’re looking for a specific book it may not be your best option. But if you’re a voracious reader (like me!) and simply on the hunt for a good book… you won’t be disappointed. Their small but well-​curated shelves have a lot to offer, and their non-​fiction section is full of a variety of cookbooks + travel books.
Although I don’t have kids, I perused their children’s section… given the small size of the library, their children’s section is quite impressive… nearly half the library! It’s really a wonderful selection of children’s literature, with many Spanish options.
Additionally, the Alviso branch had lots of information about the perks of a San Jose library card. For example, you can use your card to access thousands of e-​books and e-​audiobooks on your smartphone, tablet or laptop. Also, your library card can get you passes or discounts to tons of museums, zoos, etc in the Bay Area. Maybe I’m easily impressed, but I find that amazing.
Kudos, little Alviso branch. You’re pretty cute.
Place rating: 1
Rocklin, CA
I am writing this review for all the moms out there who look for a story time like me. I search for this place since is the closest library to our place. Is a small library enough for finding essential books but my reason to go was story time. The lady that reads the books is and Asian lady and she is not that child friendly. She sounds angry even when she reads the story. It doesn’t feel welcoming at all. I feel like she is going to snap any moment. I have been to different story times in different libraries and all the librarians are so sweet and nice with the kids. when she talks to the kids she doesn’t talk to them With love. More like a dictator and we are talking about audiences that are toddlers. I went twice and not returning. They need friendly staff that loves working with kids! And at least pretend they do enjoy working with little ones.
Place rating: 4
San Mateo, CA
I can understand why some would rate this small (very small) library a 3… but my personal experience with my son and his dad was totally fun and above average!!!
The librarians and staff were very friendly and were to quick to acknowledge us as we entered, offering help if we needed.
Due to its limited space, I’m sure the amount of literature is limited as well. Luckily I have a 2 year old who could care less. Although we were not able to sit through a whole reading, my son’s excitement to be there was made obvious by his high pitched giggles (sorry bout that!), his huge goofy grin and his look of amazement as we strolled thru the kiddie section looking for a good book to read.
The kid’s favourite section was the kids nook/​platform where he was able to play with puzzles. He also liked the kid friendly computer that was available (There are two computers available for kids — both with a colourful station and bright keypad.)
For his first time at a library (please don’t judge me for taking so long to do this with him!!) I’m pretty happy it was here at this precious library.
Also, immediately outside the library is a toddler friendly park, a huge field, and a little further off another park for older kids… great for kids to run some energy off before/​during/​and after a library visit.
Please if ever in Alviso, take the time to check it out… its quaint, simple and welcoming.
Place rating: 4
Alviso, CA
Excellent community library that serves the needs of the Alviso neighborhood. You have everything here that you’ll find at MLK, just on a smaller scale (Alviso has about 2k residents). If you can’t find what you need at the Alviso branch, and that’s possible because of its size, just order it from the main branch and have it sent here. During the school year they offer a Homework Club to the elementary students, and many of the children also come to use the approx 8 computers they have on hand. If you don’t like kids, you may want to avoid those hours. The staff are wonderful and helpful — love the place!
Place rating: 4
Berkeley, CA
Tiny library in Alviso, located across the street from a golf course. It’s hard to tell what the different sections of the library are … I sat down at a desk of computers and started using my laptop. Later I was politely informed that schoolchildren were going to come in and use those computers after class, so I moved to another section of the room.
Free WiFi! I left before the kids showed up but it’s a good place to study (when it’s not crowded) and get some work done. Also a good place to check out books and DVDs, but know they have a limited selection due to its size. But there must be some request/​hold system you can use to get materials from other locations!
Place rating: 3
San Jose, CA
It’s too small for anything but picking up and dropping off books. It’s also inconvenient that SJ Public Library does not let you request CDs from other branches.
As for it’s own very small selection, there is a pretty good Spanish language section.
The self checkout stations were old, compared to what Santa Clara County Library system has.
Place rating: 4
San Francisco, CA
Let’s get a few facts straight about this cute San Jose library branch:
1) You can walk through the library in 5 minutes
2) There IS an information desk with helpful staff, contrary to other reviews
3) If you come in around 3 PM, be prepared to hear little kids scream a lot after getting out of school
With all that said, this is a cute library with small amounts of everything you’d normally see in a library.
There are DVDs, magazines, children and adult book sections, etc.
In my opinion, the beauty of a library is finding something you weren’t intending to find upon arriving. The fact that Alviso Library is small allows you to find a cool book, sit down and read it for a few minutes, and not be inundated with a zillion other options.
This library is great for people living in north San Jose, especially near the Rivermark area. If you live around here and don’t check it out, you’re wasting a great opportunity.
Place rating: 3
Palo Alto, CA
I was shocked to see find that there was a library that was located fairly close to where we normally haunt.
Downside to this location is that it is unbelievably small! I grew up going to the MLK library next to the convention center or dropping into the main library after it was built next to City Hall but MY GOODNESS!!! this place was miniscule!
Upside is that SJ has a great library system so I request my books to be sent here so all I have to do is walk in and pick up my holds and check out.
Staff here is very friendly and helpful.
#898
Place rating: 5
Fremont, CA
Great library, quiet, organized, and clean. Even though it may be small (only like a few shelves), it would be much peaceful, organized, and much less people than a big library like the King Library in Downtown. The printers are not dirty and works fast. Plus, they usually have people at the information desk to accept your questions. The staffs there are also friendly. I would recommend this library over some large libraries. Doesn’t make a difference — you can hold them — have them sent there, or get books from other institutions using ILS or LINK+.
Great.
Place rating: 1
San Jose, CA
San Jose in the 237÷880÷101 triangle has a serious dearth of libraries (as in, NONE), so I find my books online and have them transferred to the Alviso library since that’s the nearest one.
Thankfully, I just go in, get my books off the shelf, check them out, and I’m ready to go.
But if Alviso was really my local library where I’d look for books among the shelves, it would seriously suck.
1) The library is only slightly bigger than a bookmobile. Seriously.
2) There is no library counter if you want help, and it’s unclear where you’d even stand or contact someone if you wanted it. Everyone who works there is somewhere in the bowels of the library where patrons can’t go. (Yes I know — it’s surprising that a library that’s slightly bigger than a bookmobile is that large, but it suddenly seems that way when you need help.) Once I made a grab for an employee who was trying to make a dash from the library bowels to the stacks and back. While still walking she monosyllabically answered my question and look pissed.
(Note: The Unilocal map has the library right next to Hwy 237 when it’s really by Alviso Park.)