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Menlo Park Library
Rating Details »
- Hours:
Mon. 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Tue. 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Wed. 10:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.
Thu-Fri. 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sat. 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
16 reviews for Menlo Park Library
Menlo Park is a pretty good library as far as material is concerned. Whenever I look for something on the Peninsula Library System, chances are a copy can be found at MP be it CD, audio book, DVD, fiction, and so on.
Location wise, the library is conveniently located near MP downtown, on the corner of Menlo Ave. and Alma. From my house, I usually take the Willow exit and drive until I reach Alma, hang a right, and there I am. The parking lot is huge, with a well-thought out 1 hour section for those visiting for a short time, and a 4 hour section for those here for an extended read.
I have also found its free books section to be a great resource. Not only have a found many a good book from the free books section, I have found it a great place to drop off good books in my collection that I do not want to send to the recycling bin. If you have textbooks from college for example that are just gathering dust, consider dropping them off here. Who knows...maybe someone may be enlightened by your generosity.
This library is okay. It only has one floor and a huge open space. I guess I dont like how there are not many nooks and crannies you can go into and study in.
You can hear the occasional train sounds passing through.
4 hour parking limit in the lot.
The selection is so much larger than the tiny libraries in SF that I'm used to and it's quite a bit larger than the downtown Redwood City library. I haven't seen so many VHS tapes in ages and they have a really good CD selection. I couldn't believe it when I walked by and saw Diamanda Galas on display. They had THREE of her CDs. I'm impressed. The CD selection at the Redwood City location sucks. And they have the best collection of knitting books, they even carry Twinkle's Big City Knits and Celebrity Scarves.
It's not new but it has a comfortable, spacious, open feeling. It's bright inside with ample natural light. The wallpaper, the fireplace and the wallpaper make you feel like you're in an older, slightly grandmotherly lodge. The padded chairs are comfortable. Padding makes a difference. Most of the windows have views of the trees in the park area that the library is located in. And I've seen black squirrels out there.
They have tons of computers with Internet access, though most were occupied. There's a book shop and bathrooms. They even have free books and magazines. The free wi-fi signal was good and strong. It was also very quiet except for the occasional crying baby (why bring a baby to the library?). They have their own parking lot where you can park for free for four hours. It's open 7 days a week.
People thought this was:
- Useful (14)
- Funny (7)
- Cool (13)
Needed a place to study so headed here since I knew I'd be able to actually get some studying done. Well, it turns out that I didn't find this library to be a conducive environment for studying...no matter where you sit, even if it's at your own private desk, all the way in the back, away from the open area.
Voices carry over and it can get really annoying. There should be private rooms people can reserve if they are meeting up with a tutor or with Project Read. I understand that you need to read out loud or practice your Spanish speaking skills, but it's distracting if people are trying to understand concepts.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
1 Previous Review: Show all »
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7/9/2008
In the good-ole library now, taking advantage of the AC, free wi-fi, convenient location and… Read more »
[This library would get 4.5 stars, but I have my reasons why I only give it 3.]
I love coming here. There is a huge selection of items that I enjoy checking out. I never leave empty handed, and my iTunes has been crammed with up-to-date music. I've read new books without having to shell out $26 to read it. I've cut down my NetFlix queue, due to the great selection of DVDs they have. And, I love that they have a self-checkout station (which is sometimes faulty).
Why only the 3 stars?? Let me tell you:
But, things have changed since I was a child. I loved coming here as a kid, especially when they had organized events for kids. And, they still have an organized reading time. But, this means that there is a huge line of strollers occupying a major part of the unoccupied ground space.
Another thing that bothers me (and this may make me sound insensitive) is the homeless man that has made the lawn outside the library his turf. While I don't remember him ever being there when I was a child, I do remember him being there when I was in high school, working as a lifeguard. He'd make lewd comments about me and my coworkers as we walked by. He'd try to get us to stop and talk, claiming he remembered us as kids. And, a few years ago, he actually managed to stop me and proceed to attempt to hug me. Everyone I worked with, including myself reported him to the police, and refused to utilise the library until he was removed. The police then explained there was nothing they could do about it, because he's homeless. [Isn't sexual harrassment arrestable in any case?]
Now, when he actually comes into the library, he tries to talk to me, which doesn't happen. And, what kind of gets on my nerves as the amount of homeless people sprawled out on the couches or in the chairs, fast asleep and snoring. Or the people with no understanding of what's right, yelling curse words at anyone who walks by them or allows their line of vision to cross theirs. This is a library, not a shelter. I should feel safe and comfortable when I go, not like I'm going to be harrassed by being a taxpaying library customer. I feel that I have more of a right to be there, as some of my taxes (no matter how much or little) goes towards the City of Menlo Park. Some of my taxes goes toward funding for rehabilitation for the homeless. The homeless don't pay taxes. They aren't paying for this library to be there. They should utilise what is rightfully available to them, not make taxpaying patrons feel unwelcome.
But, we're all humans, and the uncomfort that I feel isn't going to stop me from going. I will do what I always do: keep my head up and my eyes straight ahead, and I'll be left alone.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
- Funny (1)
- Cool (1)
the other reviewer is incorrect, you don't have to pay $1 to rent a dvd.
i did also get charged $1 for forgetting my library card.
the best thing about this library are the holds - you can select from a huge variety of books, cds and dvds from all of SF and the peninsula. you do have to pay something for the holds (i think it's 75 cents each) but it's a lot cheaper than buying the item yourself, and better for the environment.
"In life, there is a time to accumulate and a time to divest." At my age, I don't buy very many books any more. First, my storage space is 110% full.
Hence the local library. When you see the Menlo Park LIbrary, it is hard to believe that Menlo Park is a dinky little town of 28,000. Fixed boundaries and a height limit have kept it at this population for the past 50 years. But the library, and in fact the whole civic center looks like it should be in a city of 100,000. It's elegant! I began using the Menlo Park library when it was much, much smaller -- beginning in the 1950s I worked at Stanford Research Institute (SRI) which is a weak stone's throw from the library.
And, like all of the San Mateo County libraries, ours is interconnected with a fine computer search system. I can order any book from home and get an email when it is available for me to pick up. The cost is $.75 -- not bad.
They are very happy to order new books if I happen to hear about them before their reference staff.
The staff is very pleasant, well trained, and well read. I really enjoy hanging out there -- I hope they don't start charging me rent!
The audio CD collection is extensive and well cataloged. They also have a good selection of books-on-tape and -on-disc.
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
The MP library actually has a pretty nice (although limited) selection of books and DVDs. I personally use it for times when I develop a random interest in something, but don't want to spend money on a book about it just because the interest is really just for fun. For example, yesterday I finally decided to pursue an interest in tarot reading which had been eating away at me for months. I always wanted to be the girl who could tell other people's fortunes...you know, palm read, horoscope, moon phase analysis types of things...so yesterday I had some free time and decided to head over to the library to see what they had on the topic. The library is pretty small so stuff is easy to find, and the small astrology/horoscope/tarot/feng shui section had just the basic books I needed. I actually saw the small selection as a benefit; it was compact enough so that I had picked out my books and was in and out in five minutes. If you've ever had to look for books in the Main Stacks in Doe library at Cal, you can understand why a tiny local library might be a welcome change for me :) I left with "Tarot for Dummies", "Tarot Plain and Simple" and "Astrology for Dummies"...the last one is just for kicks, I guess if I'm going to be a gypsy I might as well learn my astrology too :) I'm so excited!! Ask me to do a reading, I need to practice on people!
They also have a nice selection of DVDs, mostly old movies like with John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Marilyn Monroe, Elizabeth Taylor...they have some newer movies too but not a whole lot of new releases. I think I'll stick with my Blockbuster Movie Pass...my mom LOVES the MP library DVDs though, she checks out 7 every week!
They do have free wi-fi, which is great, and ample work space, so if you're trying to study at home and people are driving you crazy, here is a good place to come where you can get a lot of work done :)
People thought this was:
- Useful (5)
- Funny (3)
- Cool (4)
Wow, amazing library: lots of state-of-the-art computers, a huge collection of books, CDs, and DVDs. There are some benefits to living in a community of property-tax-paying-internet-millionaires. The library's recent acquisitions take up 4 shelves! It's conveniently located right downtown so you can park on Alma street (free 2 hour parking), walk to Borrone's and get a latte, check out the cutie adolescent skater boys in the skate park, and end the whole shebang with a visit to the library.
HOWEVER, I cannot give this library five stars because you actually have to pay a buck to rent the DVDs. What???! Ben Franklin would be incensed, as I am. I may as well keep my annoying Netflix subscription. I thought the whole point of libraries is for people to have FREE access to books and such. Oh well. So I just get books here. The children's section is huge and the librarian is quite helpful. They have a kid's storytime here as well, but I've never been able to get my kids ready in time for it, and anyway, the one time I took my babies to storytime at a different library the librarian gave me a look because my twins were screaming during her rendition of "Itsy Bitsy Spider." I have never been prouder. I hate that song too.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
I'm gonna share my secret study spot with you, but if I come and you're there, you have to get up and study somewhere else. So ya go past the magazines and VHS tapes that take up entirely too much shelf space considering that nobody uses VHS these days and on the left there is an aisle of isolation desks against window walls. There is a door nearby if you have to take a call on your cell phone but don't want to pack up all of your stuff, it's quiet because it adjoins a row of books that nobody wants to read (I would tell you what they are, but I don't want to read them so I don't know), and there are power outlets so you can connect your laptop. They have free wi-fi too.
Magazine selection good and extensive, DVD collection decent, they tend to get popular new books (NY Times bestsellers and what not) fairly quick, and the librarians are helpful and polite. I study here way too much and find it quiet and well-lit. Now if you don't mind [ahem], you're in my seat.
People thought this was:
- Useful (1)
I like this library. I am in it right now, using ur wiresless connectionz, writin ur reviewz! LOLzorz.
Um, sorry about that. I got a little carried away there.
Anyodd, this is a decent library. It's convenient in terms of location (at least for me :P) and is fairly large. There are a number of little nooks and crannies to lose yourself in, but a lot of them don't have plugs, so if you're a lap top user like myself you're a little limited in that regard. Otherwise, there are lots of tables to spread your stuff onto.
Fairly large building. It aint the NY Public, but it's OK for Menlo Park. A little outdated in terms of architecture, but I'm not gonna knock it for that. Function over form here.
This library is also open 7 days a week with good hours: always a plus for dorks like me.
People thought this was:
- Cool (1)
I used to walk here when I wasn't working for books, resources, and for the surrounding area(nice park and stuff).
Sure.. they do charge a buck for some rentals, but I think of it more along the lines of a library or a city service that is conscious of the costs, and is taking measures to try and provide a lasting service. I would expect this library to continue to offer great services for years and years to come.
I love libraries because I read so much that it would be hard for me to afford to buy all the books I read. The Menlo Park branch also has a little bookseller (and I mean TINY) area that sells books for only a couple of dollars. I often browse their selection before I check out books ad often am successful at finding something at a good price.
People thought this was:
- Useful (2)
- Cool (1)
i think its great!
it has a large verity of electronic media (DVDs and video's)
a lot of computers for the use of people and for searching for materials.
they have self check-out for DVDs and the line for takeouts is short and quite. i like this library and feel i will be helped if needed.
toilets can be cleaned more often though...
This library is conveniently located, but the building and furnishings could use an update. The children's area is especially crowded and chaotic on mornings with story time. Story time takes place in the spacious basement. Depending on the reader, story time sometimes gets out of control with children running everywhere. There is no charge for videos, but dvd rentals cost $1 per week.
the only reason why i go here is because it's close to my work & i come during lunch just to relax. decent selection of books and great amount of spaces to lose yourself in a good book. nearby, there is also an outdoor small pond where you can see ducks at too.
however, the thing that bugs me about this place is that they charge you $1.00 if you forget your library card. how outrageous is that? I mean GEESH, AS IF Menlo Park needs the money?