Alameda Free Library - Alameda, California

Lei Navasca

The Alameda Free Library is a great spot for book lovers, offering a peaceful environment to browse and study. Compared to the West End Library, this location has the added benefit of a parking lot, although it can sometimes be a challenge as a few people tend to take advantage of it without visiting the library. The library is spacious, with two stories filled with books, study rooms, and computers for public use.

The staff here is always friendly and helpful, making my visits even more pleasant. There's also a little café in the back offering pastries and simple drinks, perfect for a quick snack during a break. I really enjoy wandering through the aisles to discover new books. The book drop-off, pickup, and checkout process is straightforward and efficient.

Requesting books on their website is easy as long as you have a library card. If the book you're looking for isn't in their catalog, they offer an interlibrary loan program that lets you borrow from a wide variety of libraries across California, which is a fantastic resource.

The library hours are decent, though I do wish they opened a bit earlier. Overall, it's a wonderful place to spend time, and I always leave with something new to read.

Ericka Hobson-Griffin

Went for their after hours event, Black Resonance. Very good show on June 29 with James Spooner, creator of the Afro Punk documentary. My daughter's band performed, Chimera. We traveled from Los Angeles for the gig and it was well worth it! Nice and clean with friendly staff. Well lit; felt safe. Wonderful show!

Chandra

Treat people the way you want to be treated......with respect.

I was reading and I lost track of the time. Suddenly, I am startled by the sound of a loud voice giving the order,"Time to go." I looked up and realized, it's not another patron. . It's someone who actually works at the library. What he really wanted to say was, Get Out!. It's pretty much the same thing. It made me really mad! I was enjoying this book! Plus he was loud so I felt singled out and embarrassed Total momentary mood killer. And a bit of a downer. Thanks a lot. I was already having a bad day and trying make it better by doing something positive.

I didn't hear him tell anyone else around me: Time to go. ....?, Is excuse me or some other form of verbal etiquette too much to say? Does it really take that long to address someone with courtesy? Please go get yourself some manners. They are actually free to anyone who wants to use them. They really do make interactions more pleasant. Perhaps he felt like I was ignoring him by just sitting there pretending to read? Or maybe he just didn't care and wanted to go home. Either way, being rude helps no one. And it certainly doesn't encourage a cooperative reaction.

Thank goodness one of us has impeccable manners ?

And what if I'd reacted with rudeness and aggression? That's how you literally instigate unnecessary conflicts by being thoughtless and inconsiderate in approaching someone in any setting.

I wanted to say something to him but, I didn't think he'd care. So, I decided this was a safer way to express my disdain for his lack of professional etiquette . I'm at the library on a Saturday because I love to read , it's peaceful and it's a very positive inspirational environment. Usually anyway......

This is a public library Mr whoever you are, not your own personal space. I don't expect to be confronted with disrespectful behavior from any staff here. . I'm not rude, so why be rude to me?

Then I see him holding the door open. So obviously I opened my own door. It's just the principle of being ejected from the library by someone who thinks I'm not worth being polite to. No thanks Rudeness. I'll open my own door

Manners are still relevant, expected and appreciated at any library from those who work there. ?

FD

A wonderful, clean, well-lighted place. Plenty of nooks and chairs in which to sit and have a good read. Nice staff. I personally really enjoy getting a cup of coffee at the Friends Cafe downstairs.

Herbert Yu

Rich collection of books, CD, DVD etc. Quiet, nice and clean environment. Love it. With books in other languages, make it turely international and global friendly library.

Vienna •̀ᴗ•́و

Five stars because I love libraries and Im a regular here because I love it as a lovely and convenient resource!!! 🙂 The only problem is there is a significant amount of noisy conversations here for a library. The amount of librarians who don't whisper at Alameda Free Library makes me sad. Like they talk over eachother and everything. The atmosphere is great outside of this. I come here to study and read. We all know that people have a hard time focusing nowadays due to social media brain rot, so the whole whisper in the library thing should be more respected in my opinion. I guess times have changed. Maybe I'm being entitled, but I did just see a man walk out because it was too loud which prompted me to write this.

Ilgass Q

I recently visited the Alameda Free Library, hoping to enjoy a peaceful and productive time with my books and studies. Unfortunately, my experience was far from what I had anticipated.

One of the primary issues I encountered was the incessant chatter among the staff. It seemed as though they were engaged in nonstop conversations with each other and with patrons, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of a bustling coffee shop rather than a library. This constant noise made it extremely difficult for those who came to the library to work and study in a quiet environment.

To add to the disruption, some library-goers had little regard for maintaining a serene atmosphere. I observed individuals listening to loud music, even from their earphones, which only added to the overall noise level. This disregard for the need for silence, which is often the primary reason people visit libraries, was disappointing.

I had previously voiced my concerns about the noise issue, hoping for some improvement during my subsequent visit. However, it was disheartening to find that nothing had changed. In particular, the lady with blue hair upstairs seemed to be a major source of the noise problem. Despite being informed in writing that she had been warned, it appeared that she continued to disrupt the tranquility of the library.

Regrettably, I must caution others to consider alternatives when looking for a quiet and focused study environment. The Alameda Free Library, with its ongoing noise issues, falls short of providing the conducive atmosphere that one expects from a library. To put it plainly, even a hotel lobby tends to be quieter in comparison.

In conclusion, my recent experiences at the Alameda Free Library have left me disappointed and frustrated. I hope that in the future, the library staff will take the necessary steps to address these noise concerns and ensure that the library can once again become a place where people can truly immerse themselves in the world of books and knowledge.

Michel D

Very nice, modern library with great selection of books, magazines and newspapers (international ones too) and great staff but... not quiet. Lots of people talking on their phones, others doing Zoom calls and homeless people taking naps on the arm chairs. I actually use my headphones for white noise when I visit. If not for that, it's a five-star library all the way.