Hercules Library

Very nice library close to home, I would recommend adults who want peace n quiet to come early before 2:30pm after that it’s too noisy n the Internet slows way down. I have started going to Pinole just to get the much faster wifi.

Love it here! It’s a great space for the kids to do homework, do research on the computer, and just chill out after school. All of the librarians are helpful, but Ms. Marty is our fave. She is very attentive and patient with the kids in the children’s library. The kids feel so welcomed when she is there. She always has a fun project for them to get involved in if they wish. We try to make it to the library at least once a week and I’m so happy we have such a great resource in the community.

I like the library because it provides a place for me to work and concentrate but can someone please control the noise at this place? It’s a library and yet it fells like we’re sitting in either a kindergarten recess ground or a coffee shop. The lady came up to check out books at the counter was so loud and the receptionist (if I can call them that) encouraged it by being loud as well. In addition, I’m sitting there and the receptionist were the ones that make the most noise aside from kids. It’s quite frustrating if you’re not the type to work in a loud environment. It’s called a library, which means volume control, so please speak like so.

This library is so nice that it actually makes you want to study instead of dreading it. The place is especially nice during the morning/​day with the natural lighting from all the big windows. The AC is on blast which is good to keep people up and study but always bring a jacket or something cause it can get freezing.
They have a kids side and an adult side. Adult side having couches and sofa chairs as well as the desks and group rooms. And they have plenty of computers on each side.
Heads up for the computers: you get a time limit of 2 hours. If mouse not moved for 5 minutes it will automatically kick you off your timed log in leaving anything unsaved gone. Lesson learned for me the hard way.
They have a sign in sheet for the group rooms but no one is actually monitoring that a previous group is leaving on time for the next group who signed up to have their turn.
On week days in the late afternoon, the middle school/​high school kids get out of school. And when they come it can get very loud. Library voice doesn’t even exist and again, no one that works there is monitoring it.
On Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday’s they’re open until 9pm. At 8:40 they usually start announcing that they’ll be closing in 20 minutes. Then at 8:50 they remind you again and tell you to start saving your work. Anyone who studies knows that every minute counts especially when in the zone. Even tho they close in 10 mins, they just turn off the big lights on you. Which could frustrate the people who needed that little time.

Great kids area with functional computers. Nice employees. They have an evening story time for this of us who work, which I really appreciated. Lots of natural light. No food or drink. Lots of parking.

The outside and inside of the premises is just beautiful. Furniture is new and comfortable, I went in on a Saturday and it was the perfect ambience for studying on the weekend, quiet even with a significant amount of traffic in and out.

This is a great library to study in if you like tall ceilings, space and no crowds. Reserve a room with the amicable librarians, or just select a table. It has a good children’s section and a wide range of books for teens and adults too. Just love the place!

This is such a beautiful and modern library! Before this library was built, I went to the Pinole Public Library, which is a bit more «old school» as far as style and design are concerned. The Hercules library, however, is modern, spacious, and chic. There’s plenty of space to sit down and read or study, including a central garden area. There are also study rooms to rent out as well. My favorite part, though, is the reading corner with the fire place. It’s perfect for those chilly, autumn and winter days.
The library also allows you to place items on hold online, and the pick up area is right up front. What’s really nice is that they have self-​checkout stations as well. And, if you’re in a rush to drop off books, CDs, and DVDs, there are drop off slots outside. These are really convenient for the days that the library is closed.
In addition, the library hosts events for people of all ages, and the one I’m REALLY looking forward to is their big book sale! They also post flyers and pamphlets for events in the community.
Even though I stay in Pinole most of the time with my fiancé and his mom, all three of us prefer to come to the Hercules library. Keep it up!

Great impovements have been made as the City of Hercules continues to attempts ro find its way to recovery from several bad decisions. Allison is awesome in her management of the facility.

Before this opened the only library in close proximity to my neighborhood was in Pinole Valley. Pinole library has been the same since it opened and when I started going there in the late 90s it was extremely outdated.
When Hercules got their very own library I was happy for my city but I knew I was unable to appreciate it because by that time I was already out of state and out of that reading mode since school ended back in 1999.
I finally got my chance to check it out when I moved back home 2010. It is HUGE! Very well lit with natural light, nice high ceilings, very clean and organized, plethora of books and plentiful dvds and even music cds to rent out. I swear the kids today are spoiled by today’s technology, it’s easier for them to look up books, they are able to surf the web for info for their work, didn’t have that option in my day!
Love how they have a beautiful courtyard, study room, homework room, and last but not least: no old book smell.
I love this library!

Love this library. Great staff that are very helpful and great selection of books and other materials. Large number of computers to use as well. Plenty of room to stretch out and get into a good book.

I love this place. It’s modern, updated, beautiful, quiet, and a welcoming place for learning. I often read in the small outdoor area in the center of the building and I love checking out DVDs of old and new movies! I’ve always found what I’m looking for here and if not, the friendly, knowledgable staff has helped me out.
I’m a proud member for sure!

One of my favorite libraries!!! Been here only a handful of times but each time was decent. They have a decent collection of books — not the best but better than most libraries that I have seen. You are able to check out your own books without having someone doing them for you.
The DVD and cd collection is great although some are in rough shape. The kids area is nice too. Everything about this place is modern and clean looking. They also have small tutoring room which you have to sign up in advance for which is sort of annoying. They also have a teen section with computers in them. There is plenty of seating — wifi here sucks tho.
When the fireplace is turned on it makes it even cozier. The bathrooms are super modern and always clean. They also have a small shop where you can buy used and new book at great prices!
Only down fall is the parking situation here! It’s so tiny and cramped and everyone seems to part somewhat crazy because its so small! Aside from that I believe they also have tutoring sessions and mother goose reading sessions. There are flyers and such to pick up for more information on that.
They also have like an outside area which never seems to be open for I don’t know what resin and it’s really quiet and peaceful looking which is always nice to sit by.

This is the nicest library in the area by far! Beautiful architecture, comfortable seating, private rooms and an outdoor inner terrarium area. I’ve studied here with friends numerous times and they always have enough space for us and are very accommodating of our… animated…discussions LOL. Wish they opened earlier though and more frequently like Pinole library.

This 21,500 sq. ft. library won numerous architectural awards when it opened in 2006. No doubt about it – it’s the nicest building in Hercules. I haven’t counted them, but there seems to be adequate computers and outlets. There is a nice courtyard in the center and there is also a fireplace. The librarians are pleasant. I like the interaction of checking books out at the desk. But for the people who don’t, there is a self-​checkout computer. Although the parking lot is small, I always have found a parking place.
An article on the «Pinole Patch» said the library holds a collection on 62,400+ items when it opened. I really wonder there this collection might be. There are a lot of empty stacks. There is an inter-​library program so it is possible to get almost any book I might want to read. However, I miss seeing books and magazines in the library.

It’s indeed a gorgeous library with high ceiling and a lot of tall windows to let in natural lights– all the make easier and better for studying.
The location of the library sits high on top of the Sycamore, a magnificent building structure with such a modern feel. I mean, its really nice but its a library it doesn’t really matter. Should have spent more money on the books, the internet and the resources instead of the building as long as it’s safe and in compliance with the law.
It’s only one floor but they’re managed to make it where there’s amply space for computer use and in the center of the library. Though it seems that there aren’t enough tables set out for studying and group projects. The chairs and tables are fairly new without marks and round so enough for groups and all the tables get natural light floating in. There’s a teen room with it’s own computer and books. There’s also a gorgeous sky garden that the library surronds which is beautiful-​though seems to be a waste of space. It has no tables outside or chairs. But the inside around the sky garden are single seated chairs for readers and rows of books.
The bummer is that there’s only three study rooms and each group can only have it for a total of one hour. Room A is the biggest where as B and C are a wall table enough room for three people– not good for those who don’t like to be touched by others.
Otherwise, there’s free wifi, bathrooms, computers and printers and helpful librarians. Even a very cool animated books section. Great place for kids to be during the summer and quiet enough for adults to do work and a gorgeous very over Hercules. They also opened exactly on the dot.

Love studying here!
Quiet, comfy, pretty.

Granted, the Hercules Public Library is structurally beautiful and eye catching. Interiorally it is breath taking and awe inspiring. Truly a wonderous and magnificent sight to behold. Peaceful and SERENE. A most tranquil and relaxing place to come and study.
BUT THEIR COMPUTERS ARE SO DAMN SLOW!
They’re like frickin Dinosaurs!
I swear to GOD! I have never been a a computer so slow, that it took nealy a full hour to watch a 5 minute video on youtube. Never ever before in the history of time have web pages, (even most common like YAHOO OR MSNBC), loaded in so SLOW.
Please Hercules, get a better internet system for your computer.

It’s a small town, so of course the selection of books are limited. but oh ho! there IS an answer! You CAN request books from other libraries, duh. With that said, you can go online at
and get your books there and they will be waiting for you at whatever library you want them to be.
This library is nice, it’s recently built and everything is clean, and it doesn’t have that dirty/​dusty smell/​look to it like the pinole library does. The lighting is superb so studying here is nice and they have a fireplace too in the corner. It can get loud at times when the kids come after school.

Borrowing library books and dvds has never been this easy! I just go to
to find the books/​dvds I need then wait for the automated phone call that will advise me when they are available for pickup. I do not have problems with book selection because I am not limited to Hercules’ selection. The website accesses titles from all Contra Costa libraries. I can also renew my books online so it saves me the hassle of having to go back to the library. The self checkout is conveniently located near the entrance and is so easy to use. I can usually pick up my books and check out in under a minute… no exaggeration!