Arabian Library

Beautiful architecture, reminiscent of the slot canyons. The location is very easy to access and except for when school is being let out, parking is relatively easy. The collection is waaay biased for kids. However, there are plenty of computers for public use, tables and comfortable chairs to use. The environment is very pleasant.

I would give this library more stars but I can’t because it’s filled with noisy children/​adolescents at all times that were not taught that a library is a place to be quiet. The staff does nothing to eradicate the commotion (neither do the parents) so don’t go there if you intend to study, or have the audacity to expect to peruse the shelves in peace. There is a grade school adjacent to the library so after school ends, they all seem to head to the library. Not a huge inventory of books, but I appreciate that I can request books from other branches and they transport them here; very convenient. Short on comfortable seating/​seating is somewhat limited. And they start turning the lights on and off and get aggressive when it’s close to closing time. They want everyone out and the doors locked at 7:59pm. People act like it’s an architectural marvel but not really my style. There are a couple of very helpful ladies that work there and it’s close to home (a couple positive notes)!

PROS: beautiful architectural space, staff is friendly and helpful, courtyards are pleasant
CONS: not a quiet space (there were many kids and loud adults when I visited. I kept changing locations attempting to find peace so I could work but eventually had to leave the library), dirty (there was trash scattered throughout the library), the back of the library is very dark and cave-​like, outlets are not an easy find

The secret is out. I am a serious bookworm and I love to visit a good bookstore or library. I recently discovered Arabian Library and I think I’m in love! It’s a beautiful library situated in the McDowell mountains and it’s stocked full of books, movies and magazines! Now that I’m a member, I will have the opportunity to enjoy special events such as book signings and children’s reading hours and they also lend out the cultural passes so you can visit other museums in the area for free! In addition to loaning books, they also have a used book store where you can buy or donate books. I am looking forward to becoming a regular at the Arabian Library.

It’s a pretty library, clean, friendly staff and it doesn’t smell like piss in a way that 98% of the libraries that I visited in my lifetime do.
Why three stars? The books selection is horrible! I went to the women’s studies section and there were books on topics such as «how to make a guy like you» and «tricks to a younger you».
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!
An ageist book in the feminist section? Only in North Scottsdale.
Oh and there is always that one creepy dude that is using the computer to look up women on
. I guess judging by the ring on his finger he is afraid that his wife would find out if he uses the computer at home.
North Scottsdale, I’m losing my patients with you.
#wherethesmartpeopleat

One of the more ugly libraries I’ve seen in my life but the staff are very helpful.
Located next to a school, there’s tons of kids who are often told to «quiet down» by an elderly man who I couldn’t tell whether he worked at the library or not.
The staff seem to be invested in the movie section but I didn’t check out any films, so I don’t know how good the selection is.
Printer costs about .25 a page. HAVE quarters, the library won’t break change.
If you don’t need to park right next to it, there’s ample parking.

Finally visited this library a few months ago. I love it! Staff was exceptionally nice and accommodating as I was there for a class assignment. Beautiful desert architecture, quiet, quite a few people doing work, and volunteers promoting the summer reading program. I appreciate how some libraries still have reference desks (ahem, Mustang) and I would come back and check it out some more. I would first need to get a Scottsdale library card though.

There is literally no better place in the world than the Arabian Library. No kidding, I’d rather spend a day here than a week in Disneyland. I don’t go to libraries for books but mostly just for getting work done, and no place does that better than here. The ambience is just amazing. The architecture of the building is flawless and the lighting makes it easy to focus. The high ceilings and the lighting adds a dimension that is extremely comforting. There are tons of places to do work. There are different tables and chairs so choose whatever suits you. The furniture is high quality and incredibly comfortable and includes wooden tables, couches, and leather chairs with foot rests. They have speedy wifi and computers are free to everyone to use (I am not a resident of Scottsdale nor do I have a card here). Even the bathrooms here are nice. The interior design is gorgeous (yes, even in the bathrooms). They have both outdoor and indoor seating which is very accommodating. The staff here is fantastic. They also have great sections for kids and teens and they have a little food area and shop which fit in nicely. Another one of my favorite things here is how quiet it is all the time. The patrons are very respectful and it is always quiet. I haven’t taken a good look at them, but the book section is a little limited because of the size of the library, however they do have a huge selection of books and movies.
This is a gorgeous institution and great for anyone who struggles to get work done at home. Come here and I swear you WILL get work done.

Very cool looking building. Glad to call it my local library!

If your looking for a nice quite place to study or just read,
DONT GO HERE!
This library prides itself on being North Scottsdale’s after school daycare.
So noisey with kids running around the inside and outside, using it as a playground. Yes running, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had kids bolt out of nowhere nearly running into me or somebody else. Every kid talks on their cell phone as they lap around the inside of the whole building.
One time it was so loud I couldn’t even think to myself so I packed my things and went to study behind closed doors, I was quickly escourted out and told to never go into one of the rooms ever again.
I’m sorry, but you do realize I pay taxes right?

Recently moving to Scottsdale, I was excited to be able to use the Scottsdale libraries. Lucky for me, this library is right across the street from where I live. On my way home from work I can swing by or I could walk (if the weather permits). So far, I love this library. There is always plenty of parking, the hours of operation are convenient for me, and the layout/​design is great. I love the way it looks outside and the inside is super convenient and well laid out. When I first signed up for my library card, the librarian on duty was gracious enough to give me a tour of the facility and help me figure out where everything is located. That was super nice and helpful. I especially love that I can request books online and hold for pickup at my convenience. I have done this a few times now and I can either pick them up via a drive thru or inside the library. It’s fantastic!

It’s a nice library. Very unique in the architecture. They have security gates at the entrance which I thought was kind ridiculous but given the day and age we live in probably not a bad idea. It’s a little far away from everything. Cross streets are McDowell Ranch and Raintree. Staff is nice and friendly and courteous.

This is my first visit to this library since they built it about five years ago. I find it to be very beautiful and complimentary to the natural Arizona landscape.
The staff here are very friendly and helpful, they easily requested a book for me from another library and it was delivered two days later, just as they said.
What I found frustrating is the limited amount of books. The space is quite large and intricately designed, but the adult fiction area is extremely small. I thought there was another area somewhere, but no, thats it. The childrens area, however, is cute and welcoming.
I will continue to use this library because I live so close, but if I have more time in the day I will go to the larger Civic Center Library.

Went for a quick visit yesterday and found the library to be less beautiful and less tranquil than when I visited it w/​family a few months ago. This time it was full of noisy children, both outdoors and in… I mentioned this observation to a librarian after waiting for her to finish discussing w/​another librarian how a group of unruly children must be addressed (they’d been warned twice already), and she told me that the best times to visit is in the mornings and evenings. Basically, if you want peace and quiet and a lot of productivity, then avoid this library from 220p (when nearby middle school lets out) and 5−6p (when the children are picked up by their parents/​caregivers).
There are study rooms that are first come, first serve (free to use), plus meeting rooms that are available (for a «nominal» fee). You may either sign up at the help desk, or access the registration form online. There is also an area at the back that is strictly no talking, no cell phone usage. It was a very nice change of pace from the rest of the library.
There is a vending machine that dispenses snacks and coffee, or so I’m told by another librarian (there was also a posted sign of «SNACKS» pointing somewhere), but I didn’t find it during our very quick walk around the facility.
I wish there were better signage outside directing people on how to exit to the main roads. It’s easy to get lost in the twists and turns exiting out, since the area is right next to a school, a preserve and an aquatic center (!!), and their parking lots.

I’m glad this is my neighborhood library. It’s a very unique building from an architectural standpoint. It’s not large but has a nice selection of newspapers and magazines to read.

Beautiful building, tranquil atmosphere… its almost an escape from reality to visit this library!
Throw in a good book and it doesn’t get any better.
I love this place… most new books are readily available. Free WIFI, great AC… they even have passes for free admission to museums in town! And its all free!
Go grab a good book and tell them that Steve sent ya!

A truly impressive facility. I came in for two books not knowing this location (I normally go to Appaloosa). The staff was very helpful and I found what I wanted very quickly — I was there 10 minutes, tops.
I would highly recommend this Library to anyone interested & I’ll be coming back very soon for my next batch.

Been working here, as I needed a place that was conducive to focusing, while awaiting my house wifi set-​up. Everything seems great. Friendly staff, free wifi, quiet (take that Starbucks!) and generally comfortable.
Only 4 stars, as I’ve been told by one of the staff members that it’s not as mellow once 3−4pm rolls around. That’s cool, though. Definitely a good place to work during the day, if the need arises.

Free books, free movies, free mags, free wifi, comfy chairs with foot stools, self checkout, drive thru pick up and drop off, coffee, very separate children’s area… ahhh…true love.
First off, the building is gorgeous with a zen-​like front outdoor sitting area complete with the sound of running water. It’s open and airy, and just a relaxing place to be. The set up is great — children have their own area with plenty to look at and explore, while adults have their own place to study or enjoy a book in some peace and quiet. Definitely my favorite Scottsdale library, and yes, I’ve been to them all.
Note: You may want to avoid after school from around 3:30 — 6:00pm…those kiddies from across the street can get noisy, giggly, and sometimes obnoxious.

I’ve never wanted to move in (literally) to a public facility before. D@$! this place is full of blings! It was suppose to cost $ 10MM to build.
Finally, a place where I can go to sit on a Herman Miller Aeron chair for hours without menacing looks from pesky sales people. Free wifi, coffee bar and yeah, lots of shinny new books.