Clearwater Public Library System – Countryside Library

This (approx.) one month old library replaced the branch that was located in 2741 State Rd 580. At just a short 3 minute drive away from Westfield Countryside Mall, this new location looks promising (and clean). When you first walked in, to the right you have the bathrooms, meeting room (which according to the website you can reserve ahead online), and a multi purpose room that had seating for up to like 10 – 12 people. To the left, you have the computer areas (with about 16 – 20 computers), young adult section and study rooms. There are also various nifty machines, which i am guessing are for checking out books (Not very helpful i know… but once i find out i will report back).
My favorite library in Pinellas Country so far was Safety Harbor because of the private study rooms but the planning was a bit off seeing that they were right next to the Teen area (which can get a bit rowdy at times). In this new countryside branch, you don’t encounter this because the young adult section is closed off, away from the study area and they have their own space to be – with a long bar height reading area, various computers, rows and rows of books (probably catered to that age group) and sit down areas to read.
Since i was a first timer here, i went to the front desk where they were very nice and escorted me to the study area. Usually it is 2 hours max but I then proceeded to ask her if i could renew after my 2 hours were up (since i planned being there from open to closing time studying). Since there were 4 more vacant study rooms, she just told me to keep studying and she would just let me know. They have about 6 private study rooms right (with multiple electrical plugs) next to the general computer area (Two of the study rooms are for 1 – 2 people, One of the study rooms is for 5 people, and the remaining two study rooms fit up to around 10 people) but although mostly glass separates you from them, you can hardly hear talking from outside or from other study rooms. The study room almost adjacent to mine (019) had a class of about 6 adorable children and i could not hear a thing. i kid you not.
The only downside is that within my study room (018), i could hear a low constant noise (which i am guessing is from part of the A/​C but you cannot hear it outside study room 018). Also mostly glass separates you so if you are easily distracted (as i am), you might want to face away from the general computer area.
So in general, what i love about this library is that i have not encountered any ‘bums’, the study rooms are closed off away from potential noise, and everyone is considerate by maintaining a ‘library’ noise level. This definitely looks like a library i will be visiting habitually.

Great library, nice and quiet spaces and super friendly people!

Socrates Café– 4^th Sunday, 2 – 4
Sitting around talking deep thoughts
Socrates also meets at Dunedin Libraryfirst Sat 10 – 12
Palm Harbor Library 1^st Thu 6 – 8, 3^rd Thu 1 – 3
East Branch 3^rd Sat 2 – 4
Aging Well @ Long Center 2d & 4^th Fri 2 – 4

My favorite library in the greater Tampa Bay area, hands down! It’s in a great area, right next to the mall. The librarians and all the staff are very knowledgeable and helpful no matter your taste. They’re in the process of building an entirely new structure right around the corner, sounds like it’ll be amazing.

Super friendly people working.
You can pickup your holds yourself without having to ask someone to get it for you.
Self-​checkout is the only way to checkout.
First time there I made the mistake of walking up to the gal behind the counter because it seemed rude to choose self-​checkout over talking to the person working and she told me I *had* to self-​checkout at the automated kiosk. Awesome!
One time I was having a senior moment and couldn’t find the barcode on my book, someone came over and helped me without having to ask.
The inside is a little depressing in a worn, dirty kind of way but being able to get your own holds, the self check out and the people working make this location way more enjoyable than the Safety Harbor branch.

Quality Very Good
One of the better libraries in Pinellas County. They have a great selection of everything, especially DVDs. Lines can be a little long at the automated check out but it’s okay. Also, the small area for books for sale are really cheap!

Good library and «most» of the folks working here are helpful and courteous… I realize they are used to dealing with oldsters but you «select few» don’t have to treat every person looking for a book like an idiot…

This library looks small on the outside, but I was surprised that it’s as stuffed as a burrito inside. I’ve gotten the impression that Tampa Bay libraries don’t put emphasis on books.
Instead, there’s a diarrhea selection of all books – one of the most rows of books I’ve seen in a Pinellas or Hillsborough library so far. Unfortunately, the children’s area and magazine section are rather small.
There’s less than 20 computers, but it was still the busiest area there… geez, people don’t want to read anymore? There’s also multiple rooms inside to host small meetings and other events.
The bingo-​aged staff was very nice and helpful to me. The entire library is very inviting, as evidenced by the many kids browsing around there and people studying.
PYRA SAYS: One of the better Tampa Bay libraries for hospitality and books. But since people just want to go on the computers, it’s not the best for that.