Alameda Free Library

I grew up going to the West End branch of the Alameda Free Library and still have fond memories of playing the summer ready games for prizes as a kid! However, this main branch is next level!

I still remember when this branch of the library was built and opened back in middle school ~ wow, already almost 20 yrs ago... and yet it still looks super new and well kept. This is definitely the best library I've ever been to (and I've been to a lot, including in SD and NY)! There is just so much space and so many tables and outlets for people to work. The amount of natural lighting coming in is top tier. And I'll never forget the hours I spent bar prepping there... rip.

And of course, theres a great selection of books both in person and online through the Libby app (for all my kindle girlies)!

This East End (main library) branch has lots of light and study tables. I mentioned this in my West End branch review, but I do love that the two larger Alameda libraries decided to invest in tables with overhead light - I understand the Bay Farm branch may have some space challenges. These overhead lights really help, especially those of us who still use ancient technology (aka pen & paper).

I also appreciate their later hours during the weekday - very helpful for those of us who plan on working on (hopefully other) things after a "typical" workday!

Very quiet - painfully so. Magazines, newspapers, little fireplace seating upstairs, cafe, tons of bathrooms - but looked so dated and small compared to downtown Hayward library where I am more likely to go.

As you walk in its horribly quiet - I can hear the sounds of the floor creaking below my feet with every step I take. Its this hollow pounding sound. It felt like 'Cutting Corners Construction' built it. Its that sound I can't stand when I'm in a budget hotel or maybe visiting somebody in a cheaply built apartment complex. You can hear neighbors in the hallway walking past the front door.

Because its so quiet there is no escaping these sounds. People turning the page on a magazine and pounding from walking is all you hear. I suppose wearing earphones is a good move but probably a better move is to go elsewhere to read or study.

My friend Jeff loves libraries. He went all into it last time I saw him. Maybe you are one of those people. I could see how retired people might like the slow pace and calm - students are forced into this lifestyle with no choice.... but if you are free to go where you like I think there might be better options.

The small cafe looked like it might be enjoyable. From a far distance I didn't see anything that would entice me to walk in closer. Better signs or displays might be needed.

The ceilings on the first floor along with the tall book shelves with tight walkways made the place feel overstuffed. I felt the ceiling on top of me. Maybe it was just all the feelings of school life coming back to me... but I didn't like the feeling at all. Bad JuJu.

I then took the stairs to the second floor. They were underwhelming - no pizazz as in the Hayward downtown library. Strictly utilitarian. The second floor did feel however a little better. I'm used to living on the second floor and I think I like not being on street level. There is something about looking down on everyone out the windows. I found a magazine rack and read a little of the new model 3. Tesla passing off cost savings as innovations.

The table I sat down on was this heavy old wooden desk. It looked like you would need to call a bunch of friends to have a chance of moving it. Scratched in writing from what were likely bored youth were in the table top. "Ashley + Papa" another said "call me" with a number below. Probably the phone number of an X where there was a nasty break up.

I didn't stay long but probably won't come back. Just too stuffy and maybe bad feng shui.

Open all 7 days a week, quiet place to study or relax. Has activities for the community, just pick up a flyer of what events are going on. I was just passing through. Nice neighborhood library. I was a microfilm machine upstairs on a table and some old school card catalogs still being used. I don't see those anyone in the bigger cities. This library is two levels and has study rooms. In the. First level that had a small
Cafe with limited hours which is nice if people get hungry.

One of my favorite libraries! Great work space, cafe area, and selection of books. They even have a seed library where you can take fruit and vegetable seeds to grow in your garden.

Needed to print a document yesterday and went to this library. Very spacious, everything looks well kept and the staff there were very helpful. They provided me with a guest pass for the computer that allows you to be on it for 30 mins. I had to print 1 page which cost 15 cents.

3-26-22

Quality/Quantity - Excellent.
This place still looks new; the team here has done a GREAT job maintaining the place.
The architect did a GREAT job designing and building this place. There is a lot of natural light.
Honor system for buying discounted books, see picture.

Atmosphere -
Safe - across the street from the Alameda police station.
Computer lab.
Dewey's Friends Cafe - I have never seen this cafe open... Very limited hours, M-F noon to 4pm. Foods must be consumed outside the library; they have an outdoor patio.
Clean bathrooms.
Updated tables and chairs with extra electrical plugs.
"Old school" - MicroFilm system, brings back memories of when I was in college
Quiet rooms, study rooms, meeting rooms, homework center, etc.
Small parking lots with 2 hour parking, street parking might be easier and safer.

Service -
Self or full service check out
Self service computer to find books, DVD, and many more in the library, see picture.

Patron services - free homebound services (deliveries), obituary and local history requests, meeting & study rooms, computer labs, battery recycling, exam proctoring, etc.

Special checkouts - seeds library, gardening equipment, backpacks, go-pro cameras, jigsaw puzzles, board games, etc.

Community resources - senior, homeless, lawyers/legal, mental health, immigration, tax, DMV, transit, voting, etc.
Adult literacy - free program to help adults improve their reading and writing skills.
Children's services - activities for children 0-13.
Teen Services - activities for individuals aged 13-18.
Discover & Go - free or low cost museum passes, science centers, zoos, theaters, and other cultural destinations, etc.

Just too many services, please check their website.

Price - Free.
Minimum cost to print or copy, see pictures.

Owner Suggestion - Thanks for all you do! Our tax dollars at work.

Who doesn't like libraries?

Love the friends of the library bookstore. They have a nice small selection of books and most titles are contemporary.

The ladies who helped me look for books were really lovely. They were really eager to help and it was nice to chat with them.

Would like to stop by and browse when I'm back in the area!

Nice quiet, clean and organized library. Beautiful architecture. A decent collection.

Pros -
Decent library

Cons -
Staff too loud for a library
Guests too loud for a library
Staff fails to quiet loud/noisy guests

One star because this library fails to preserve, in my opinion, it's greatest characteristic - a quiet place.

Also in my opinion, a five star library would have a strictly enforced zero tolerance policy on noise pollution. One can dream.