Oak Forest Neighborhood Library

Day 1: being naïve, I went in the library with my laptop and ask the lady at the front desk, could I Hoke up to their wifi to print?
Wait a minute, let me go back to the rude lady holding a personal conversation with another lady while the formation of a line starts, which led to the second rude young lady assisting me.
So back to rudeness #2, she said no you have to have a library card, and a print card, download your information on to a flash drive if it is inaccessible to or from your laptop, then you can print. She quickly spit all of that out, plus the fact of registering for a computer as if I was bothering her, and as if she wasn’t at work. Well I’m sure by my first question she knew and understood I was unfamiliar with the public library and any steps to retrieve or print from my computer, so for her to rush me a long as if I worked with her, and was knowledge in her libarian field made me feel some type of way. Instead I chuncked it up as her rudeness… day 1 was unsuccessful
Next day: I arrive, had downloaded everything needed to flash drive, stuck it in the computer, proceeding to print when low and behold, printer doesn’t take change, or credit cards. So the nice older lady, yells out do anyone have $ 2 bills for exchange of coins. Thank God, three people! So I proceed with what I thought was where I print, but turns out I stuck my only $ 2 in the copier machine that I was adviced was around the corner. Here I go again, exchanging coins for dollars. Finally the gentleman was considerable enough to come and assist me, with purchasing a print card and printing this 4 little pieces of paper I needed the day before and it only cost me $ 2.15…geessshh!
This place is so outdated, even the public library downtown have Wifi and printing services of 2016!

This is the closest library to where I live since the Collier library is closed for renovation. But I really have enjoyed coming to this library, its so cozy and personal. The staff is very friendly! I think I will just stay at this library.

We waited a really long time for this library to re-​open in Oak Forest. It’s beautiful and cozy (that’s code for small, right?). Anyway, I find it to be a very community oriented library that appeals to the families. There is a very large selection of books for children and there are also toys and fun places to hang out and read. As a mom, I want my little ones to behave and be quiet in the library. That’s not happening here even with my kids, so expect this library to be a little louder than usual.
The librarians here are a little reserved; I don’t find them to be friendly, but I imagine that it’s very busy at this location with it recently opening.
We do reserve our books on line and then pick them up here. It’s simpler that way. They lack a large selection of books for adults. Overall, our family is really pleased to have the Oak Forest Library open again.

Thanks to Gretchen I’m always in the loop with all the new business openings in Houston.
I was hoping to steal the FTR but this time Gretchen was smart enough to have her review posted before spilling the beans.
I love public libraries for studying. I did some of my best studying in the school library back in Austin, but ever since I’ve moved back to Houston there are only so many library options with very easy access parking.
This newly renovated library is state of the art. It’s small but has what you need. It’s in the Ross shopping center and literally right next to chase bank. It’s in a strip center parking lot so easy to find a close spot to park.
The best thing about this place is there are so many beautiful windows to let in the natural light. I love fluorescent lighting as the next guy *insert sarcasm*, but natural lighting does something special to my brain. Well why not just study outside? It is still Houston and after 15 minutes my book would be drenched in sweat.
This library also offers fast high speed wi-​fi without a password. There are an amply number of big tables with flip out power plugs (snazzy!)
I wish the city had more funding to keep public libraries open on the weekends.

Reopening today at 3:30 PM! Today would be April 21^st.
I’ve made some observations recently regarding libraries. Some were so disturbing that I came *this close* to changing my Facebook status several times.
First, libraries have free wifi and desks. At the restless stage of cabin fever, save yourself and head to the library. Second, libraries block Unilocal.Go figure. A site that promotes literacy to some degree, is stopped at the door by librarian bouncers. Read, don’t write. Third, you can have books reserved and pick these up at the library of your choosing. Fourth, this takes about a week, but could potentially save you a drive to Acres Homes. Fifth, if your book is mistakenly not pulled and reserved, the plebeian walking the stacks who picks up your book, has dibs. Sixth, the farther you venture from downtown, the more lax people become regarding the cardinal library rule.
While at Garden Oaks, typing on my computer, I was interrupted by someone who had a few questions for me. Babies ran amok. Screamed bloody murder, while parents with their deaf ears read, researched, and searched the stacks. Perhaps they had colic. Noisy guests asked hushed-​voiced librarians inane questions, before hopping into their Suburbans.
Beyond the noise factor, this is a nice library. It’s older, but has some nice wooden 60s/​70s furniture because of it. Not many free work tables, but as you can’t write reviews, there’s no need to spread out. There’s a really nice table in the children’s section. If you were ever a child, you may remember these desks. It’s a sort of easelled desk that seats eight little kittens (four on each side). Perfect for reading picture books or Madeline, Eloise, or Where the Wild Things Are.
Not a bad little neighborhood library, if not for the noisy people. Oh, and the tile-​work on the front of the building is beautiful. It wonderfully offsets the unfinished concrete floors and wood furniture inside.