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A.K. Smiley Public Library
Category: Public Services & Government Libraries Libraries [Edit]
125 W Vine StRedlands, CA 92373
(909) 798-7565
- Wi-Fi:
- Free
17 reviews for A.K. Smiley Public Library
17 reviews in English
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Review from Michele G.
WOODLAND HLS, CA
12/26/2011 1 photo
I drove from LA to this library to do genealogical research on my great-grandfather who died in Redlands, after working as a miner in the San Bernardino Mountains. I had hoped that I would find information I was looking for, but ,wow, I was surprisingly delighted by the Spanish style architecture and decor. It was built around the time my great-grandfather lived in the area. So the trip to Redlands, with its old time Americana feel, and the library's beautiful historic design, helped me imagine the town when my great-grandfather was there.
Best of all, the VERY helpful library historian pulled my great-grandfather's death records. From her astute eye, she then gleaned enough information to lead me to so much more about my family I had never known. I, and my family, are so grateful for her help. -
Review from cat c.
Pasadena, CA
1/21/2012
An architecturally and historically spectacular library. They have a limited collection, but still fine. The location is central, along side other equally beautiful and historic buildings. As always, the reference librarians are great, but circulation always seems to be plagued by the usual drones without smiles.
Go, hang out, enjoy. But avoid that creepy guy Richard who goes there to perform sketchy internet searches. -
Review from Ushma A.
Redlands, CA
5/6/2012
I love this library. I've been going here since I was little, and it still doesn't seem to disappoint me. They have tons of books, and it can get a little tricky finding what you need since it IS huge. The librarians there are nice but they tend to be moody during the morning. All in all, I give this place 5 stars!
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Review from Jake D.
Redlands, CA
4/19/2012
This is the library I go to all the time.I absolutely love this place.The decor is beautiful.The wifi is free.The people are nice and all the books are free.Only issue I have is the graphic novel selection is skimpy compared to ther library's
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Review from Denise L.
Los Angeles, CA
9/30/2011 3 Check-ins Here
I love this place! It's a beautiful brick building with cute gardens & solarium where you can sit & read. The best thing is it's super quiet making it the perfect spot to go hide out & study, & well just hide out. It's got an awesome clock that chimes the hours, plenty of seating, and lots of little places to explore. The people are nice, but may lack some spelling skills that can erroneously give you a no book on record info. Just do your own search if in doubt.
There have been some city budget cuts that impacted the hours, but it's still pretty convenient & open on Sundays. Parking can be a pain, ranging from 2-3 hrs limit, and an almost nonexistent lot. They share street parking with some cute businesses housed in Victorian houses as well as the police. The plus side is the parking lot across from it is open to library patrons. They also have 15 min spots in front if you're in a hurry & don't plan to linger.
This library has a strong tie to the community. A lot of people donate their books and they do have very active Friends of the Library members. I enjoy the silent auctions they hold, so far I haven't won anything, but they have some amazing collections. All of the money goes towards fundraising for the library which is a huge help.
I still need to check out the heritage room & their Lincoln memorial...expect an update. -
Review from Carlos G.
Redlands, CA
10/8/2011 1 Check-in Here
This library is in a really cool old building. My girls and I like to hanging out here and reading books or looking at the magazines.
The kids section is cute and comfy for the kids and during the summer it is especially nice because the AC is always blasting freezing cold air here. They occasionally have fun days scheduled for families, kids, etc. I feel very lucky to have this place as my hometown library. -
Review from Fusionjazz ..
Redlands, CA
8/24/2011
The library has nice aesthetics, ambiance, very well kept, blends well with what Redlands is all about.
When I asked about what library card they accept, they have their own (kinda like Rancho Cucamonga has their own). BUT, if you're from outside of the Redlands area it costs $30. There was also a "changed fees" list on the counter but I didn't bother reading it. I then asked, do we have to pay to use your WiFi? Well, at least that is free. Then again their WiFi speed is slower than a snail or dial up connection. I tried to do a free http://Speedtest.com but it dragged for so long it didn't give a reading.
Their desks areas have ample plugs for your computer, iPhone charger and whatever else, but the WiFi is just way too, too slow. The 3G on my iPhone was faster outside. I had to leave after a couple of hours. I couldn't get much internet work done.
But definitely a great place to actually enjoy the benefits of a true library. Like read, write, research, or anything but the WiFi. There was a little distracting noise by the computer area. Kids, people banging, typing, talking. So avoid that section if you want peace and quiet. -
Review from C. Michelle A.
Highland, CA
4/10/2011 1 Check-in Here
As far as libraries go, this is a pretty awesome library. It's huge! There's miles and miles of books, places to sit down and study, go on the internet, whatever. It has a really beautiful interior, too.
I don't have a library card here yet, but I'm definitely going to. This is one of the prettier libraries I've seen in the Inland Empire area. -
Review from Zahra M.
Highland, CA
1/4/2011
Smiley Library, where have you been all my life? Oh... yeah... you're right, you've been right in front of my face. Smiley Library, is like that guy who's been right in front of you and yet you cannot seem to see how great he is. Yup, Smiley, you're that guy!
I cannot believe that as long as I've intermittently lived in the area, I have yet to visit this library... well that is until today! I mean, I graduated from high school right across the street and my best friend used to work at the mall next door. Tsk, tsk, Zahra!
Well, now I find myself in its spacious corridors- as I need a place to tackle this damn California Bar.
The library is historically beautiful, I can feel Redland's history all around me. Like the previous reviewer mentioned, the book shelves are built into the walls; this building was without a doubt intended to be a library! Smiley reminds me of the New York Public Library in the Sex and The City Movie, where Carrie was supposed to marry Mr. Big. This would be a magical place to get married.
Only downside, it's a bit noisy and it's extremely cold inside; But pop in earplugs and/or headphones and a sweatshirt and you should be good to go. -
Review from Michelle M.
Los Angeles, CA
Upon first glance of the library's entrance, it's a gorgeous-looking historic library. Visually, this place is a true beauty-- lovely architecture and pretty landscaping-- takes you back in to history. Walking into the library, I'm not sure if it was the arctic chill or beautiful interior that took my breath away. After a quick tour of the library, including the reading room with wicker chairs and built-in book shelves, finding a place to sit and plug in my laptop was a little difficult. There are plenty of tables and chairs but individuals like to hog up a table designed for four. The only drawback of this library is the freezing cold conditions. I thought people were exaggerating about how cold it gets but I learned firsthand after two hours. Despite bring a light jacket, I was frozen after a few hours. Next time, I'm going to bring a throw blanket.
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Review from Emily C.
Inland Empire
1/13/2010
If you've read any of my other library reviews, you may have noticed that Southern California libraries are a bit confusing to me. I'm from the San Jose area, and I'd always been happy with the Bay Area city and county systems. Then I moved down here and I started noticing weird little things, and unkempt buildings, and outdated collections, and it just hurts my poor little librarian heart.
Then, I went to Redlands. And pardon me, but: holy shit! Not only is it huge, it actually houses one of the best public library collections I've seen. I mean, they actually build the buildings to house the books, not just to look impressive from the outside (are you listening, Highland county branch?) The building is an original piece of California history, and it's been added-to gradually over the years. So by the time you've walked through the whole thing, you've been in a building that is both over 100 years old and recently updated.
I even paid the $25 non-Redlands-resident fee because, while I can send for any book in the county system and pick it up at the branch down the street, said branch has literally three books in the "new" section and doesn't appear to be updating their regular fiction. And now that I think about it, those two are very likely related... But my point is, sometimes I want to go see what's there and pick up something that looks interesting, but Highland County branch is no good for that (and if you know Highland, you're not surprised by that.) But I am very happy to support a city that loves their library like Redlands does.
Don't forget to visit (I was going to say "check out," har har) the little garden out back.Listed in: Inlander Inland Empire, Libraries
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Review from maureen a.
Redlands, CA
10/6/2011
I echo everything anyone else has said about the beauty of this library. It is a jewel inside and out. I love walking inside and enjoying the gorgeous architecture; the polished wood; the stained glass. The book collection is ok. (Having just returned from three years in No. Cal. using the San Francisco library system, I can't concur with those who say Smiley is "huge" but it's nice enough.) HOWEVER, it is ironic that the library is named after founders named "Smiley" because it is very hard to get a smile out of any staff member there. My general experience of the employees is that they are extremely chilly (maybe because it's cold inside the building, as many other have mentioned?) The circulation desk personnel are all business, and believe me, I smile at them, say hello, offer friendly comments. All my efforts are for naught.
The other day I asked the woman at the circulation desk how to join Friends of the Library and was told in no uncertain terms that she had no idea but I should go downstairs to the Friends bookstore. I did so and could not restrain my frustration. I said it seemed to me the circulation desk folks should be able to tell people how to become a library Friend, and remarked on how unfriendly the library personnel tended to be - always - and for years. The volunteer at Friends said someone else had made the very same comment to her recently about unfriendly library personnel.
Then I happened to mention this experience to my mother-in-law, who is a retired librarian, and she told me that she stopped using Smiley entirely because of "how they treated her."
I have no idea what's wrong with the morale in this place, but the employees' apparent unhappiness certainly is taken out on the patrons.
I am getting myself a Los Angeles County library card and plan to order books from that system when possible. It will be worth the trek to Claremont if their librarians are friendlier.
By the way, as an aside, if you are looking for friendly assistance at a library, the young circulation desk clerks at Mentone branch of San Bernardino County system are delightful. -
Review from Sonja L.
Irvine, CA
11/28/2008 5 photos
One of the most beautiful public libraries I've ever been to. This is one of the reasons we can be proud of Redlands.
Best reading room! Grab a magazine and sit down in a wicker chair under the natural sunlight. Very soon you'll feel like you should be ordering a sweet tea. :)Listed in: Free, free, free!, Redlands
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Review from Alexandra B.
San Diego, CA
3/9/2007
This library is simply great. And you don't have to pay the rather expensive membership fee to enjoy some of its perks!
If you're in the Redlands area, and find yourself with nowhere to go - go check this place out. It has a beautiful little garden just outside of the children's section. You can sit, relax, may be even read!
If you're a philanthropy-conscious person: sign up to read to kids. When I was in high school, I spent a couple of hours simply reading children's stories at the library. It keeps your oratory skills brushed up *and* gives you a warm and fuzzy feeling for doing something for the community.
Also, if you're a book-lover like me, do keep in mind that the library has a small bookshop. You can find plenty of bargain books there. But most importantly, that bookshop has a "paper bag sale" every first Monday of the month. You go, pay $4 (only $3 if you're a library member), they will give you a paper bag, and you will be able to get as many books from the store as you can fit into the bag! While the selection is limited, I have walked out of that sale carrying a full paper bag every time I visit. They have some classical literature, plays, poetry, contemporary fiction... Even foreign language books! Very neat!
I consider this place a great find and a wonderful resource. Check it out! -
Review from James S.
San Jose, CA
8/9/2008
Wow... I've never seen a California library as well funded, in good condition, or as good looking as the AK Smiley Library... of course, it's not a California Public Library--it's a city library.
One of the better libraries I've been to with less out-of-date books, a huge variety of books, and really helpful staff. All libraries should be like this one.
The only places I've found that are better are huge libraries like the New York City Library or Universities. -
Review from Mark N.
Redlands, CA
6/10/2009
On a hot day this place will chill you to the bone, especially if you stand on one of the AC vents. Do books need to be that cold?
This place is like home, right down to the quietly creaking floors and gobs of books.
Whippersnappers, check out the cave downstairs with 'teen' books. I don't know if the book selection down there is any good (there's a lot of them at least) but it's sufficiently basement-ish for most shoegazing nerds and too-cool-for-schoolies. -
Review from Justin K.
Redlands, CA
9/16/2010 2 Check-ins Here
Beautiful library. Sitting chairs squeek a lot due to the 1900 craftmanship. Crazy! Beautiful stained glass windows adorn the building in most beautiful colors. High rise ceilings give it flair. Glad to hold a library card here.
