Livermore Public Library

This is by far the best library I have ever been to in the east bay. It has an incredible layout, large interior, and incredibly fast internet service to get work done.
The food is good, albeit expensive. Although, I still believe that this is the ideal library.

This place is large, clean, well maintained, and has a wide selection.
The building itself is very attractive and well designed. Lots of natural light and high ceilings. I like the stone work and the exposed beams. The furniture is laid out nicely, so there’s plenty of places to sit and have privacy. The chairs are also REALLY comfy!
I love the book signings and films! I met Andy Weir (the author of The Martian) here and it was very exciting. I also got to see a screening of The Uninvited last fall, which was spooky and fun.
The exhibitions in the hallway from local artists are one of my favorite features. They have a mix of paintings, small sculptures, and photography, most of which are for sale and depict the local scenery. They had a particularly charming exhibition last year of children’s artwork.
There is a shop inside where you can purchase used books and CD’s for a very reduced price. I’ve gotten a lot of beautiful coffee table books from here for far less than I would’ve paid at another store.
The only thing keeping this from being 5 stars is the VERY grumpy older woman at the front desk. She’s in her 60’s, has grey hair, and is shorter. She’s very unpleasant and wasn’t very nice to my younger sister when I was helping her sign up for a library card. To get a card, my 11-​year-​old sister had to provide ID, a piece of addressed mail, and my parents had to come in person and show ID as well and sign off. The woman was very rude to my sister and makes her feel very uncomfortable and my sister specifically will linger and wait for a different employee to come to the front desk before asking for help because that one employee is so aggressive towards her. I had the same employee be rude to my other sister and I for the same reason several years ago. I feel as though this woman specifically discourages children from visiting the library, based on all my interactions with her, and should be working in a position that doesn’t involve her interacting with patrons, especially the younger ones.

Beautiful library with great artwork, architecture, and natural light. The library also has a coffee shop, the great thing about the shop is how it is separated from the library. This prevents you from hearing or smelling the noise from it inside the building unlike other libraries I have been to. The building has a nice amount of seating area and quiet areas for study. The outside of the building is nice with cute artwork and a field with grape tress in it with a nice walking area. One of my favorite things about this library is the large children’s area, it actually feels like it was designed with form, function, and children in mind.

Love the public library. I actually worked on it many years ago. It is always cool inside. A great escape on one of those 108 degree days. I appreciate the computer access. We do not own a printer, so I come to the library whenever I need to print out documents or just my weekly Safeway shopping list. Staff is always helpful and knowledgeable. Especially the folks in the computer area. I’m a bit of a novice and whenever I have trouble downloading something they are always eager to assist. Nice little coffee house located here too…

This has to be the noisiest library I have ever experienced! The staff even talks too loud in the lobby area. It’s a very nice place to do your studying though. Even the food at the café is good for those long study sessions. Make your way to the back areas for peace and quiet. Oh, and if you wear headphones to keep out the noise, please keep them turned down for the rest of us who don’t!

Wonderful library to go to. Lots of room to sit or use your computer. Nice quiet reading room. If they don’t have something they find it at another library for you.

This library is gorgeous. There’s beautiful stone walls and walkways. There’s a café inside the library, so I was able to stay in the library and use my laptop when I had phone call with my graduate adviser. It’s very quiet so it’s perfect for studying. The children’s area is located far from the quiet study area, so you hardly hear them running and talking; you only hear them when they’re leaving the library. I didn’t browse or read any books/​digital media because I came strictly for studying. The other library patrons are also very considerate. There are a lot of tables with outlets and lighting. There’s a lot of cozy chairs with outlets too! It’s very clean and well lit. I definitely recommend coming here if you need a quiet, bright, clean place to study.

This library looks nice and has nice things. I just wish the type of people who came here were a little more disciplined.

I love this Library! To be fair, I love most libraries. But this one is pretty and on a walking trail, so I can get there from my house without driving! They also have a little café, although, I haven’t tried it. And my library card has wine grapes on it! (They are practically located in the Livermore vineyards.)
The staff seems friendly, and they have a good selection. I also like that they use Overdrive (download the app and login with your library card for FREE eBooks and audiobooks for your phone, iPad, Kindle, etc.) If you don’t use this library, you’re missing out.
Their app is also convenient for renewing items and checking availability.

What is better than a building full of books? A building full of FREE BOOKS!
Our Livermore Public Library Civic Center branch is, in a word, resplendent. The architecture and layout are really beautiful and if you wander to the back you can see what a green city Livermore is and see a huge solar array which is attached to the Civic Center.
There are so many helpful librarians and techs at the library as well as a great selection of books in person AND via ebook OverDrive. I use this service SO much and thanks to my Livermore Library card I have access to thousands of ebook titles which are delivered directly to my Kindle.
Also of note is the Friends of the Livermore Library bookstore which is located inside the library’s main entrance (hang a louie). There you can find a plethora of already read books for purchase at an incredible value. Each month the Friends also have a giant book sale. We love to donate our books, DVDS, music knowing that others will find new life and love.
The Livermore Library also hosts a variety of wonderful programs, authors and special events. Our family was excited to attend Andy Weir’s appearance. If you haven’t read The Martian yet, DO! It’s a fantastic book with a humble genesis.
Finally, the Livermore Library is a place where my heart resides because our doodle Darwin and I are a Paws to Read team. Each week during the school year (check with the library for dates/​times) children sign up and can read to different dogs. If you find a curly brown love bug that is Darwin and he especially loves books about dogs, but he’s happy to hear all sorts of stories. I love that the Livermore Library has this program that fosters a love of reading and builds confidence in young readers. Reading, in my humble opinion, is the foundation of all learning and understanding.
Do yourself a favor and visit the Livermore Public Library today!
A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.
Henry Ward Beecher

This library is pretty amazing. Beautiful on inside and out. Helpful friendly staff. Nice café.
I’ve only come here so far for the baby storytime for prewalkers on Friday mornings. The storyteller is really good and my daughter very much enjoys the stories, songs and interactions with other babies.
The only con I have is that my baby has ended up with a runny nose/​sick 2 if not 3 times now and im fairly certain it’s from playing with the toys that are brought out. So. I could be wrong but i really feel like the rattles are not being sanitized (after the 20−30mins of storytime they bring out toys for the babies to play with which is great but not if they’re not clean).

As far as a library goes this one is pretty good… but I feel they really missed the mark in the children’s section. They have ample books to read, 3 kid friendly computers, puzzles and lots of places to snuggle up and read a book… but I feel it needs a little more… maybe a train table… or magnet table… puppets.. Some cozy oversized chairs and some blocks.

I took my son there excited to see what all the buzz was about this Toddler story time… sadly it was not all it was cracked up to be. As far as the logistics go for story time it was fine… A few songs… A couple books… Some puppets, but I felt the instructor seemed over whelmed with the 12 kids crowding her… pulling at the book pages and talking very loudly. Now I understand that kids are noisy and like to be front and center to get in on all the action.. but when that takes away from all the other kids sitting a listening who can’t see the book or hear the instructor… it becomes a problem. The instructor should have politely asked the kids to sit, or ask the parents… who were chatting away in the back to have their children sit or move back.
This has not detoured me from going again… hopefully we will stay the entire time… I ended up leaving early because a child ran by stepped on my son’s fingers. .then ran by again and pulled his hair.. No biggie kids will be kids but I hope the next time will be more enjoyable experience

How come this place doesn’t have its own section?! Well, it does now!!!
When it comes to used books this is probably the best kept secret in Livermore. The books are really cheap — $ 1 for hard cover and oversized paperbacks, 50-​cents for mass-​market paperbacks. The CDs are $ 1. VHS tapes and DVDs are also $ 1, I believe, unless otherwise marked. New releases are often priced $ 3 or more, which is a rip but thankfully those are few and far in between. Livermore’s library has the best selection of any FoL I’ve been too and the ladies who run the register do a wonderful job. Let’s thank our volunteers.
What’s even more amazing is that all those books on the shelves? Donations. Livermore’s FoL is nonprofit and the money goes to the upkeep of the beautiful library, whose praises I believe I’ve already sung in another review. (Seriously, have you been to the library yet? Go. Go now.)
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL! NOPE! IT GETS BETTER!
On the first Sunday of every month, the Friends of the Livermore Library Bookstore has a huge clear-​out sale at the old library, which is just down the road — it’s that large ominous stone building with the creepy modern art sculptures in front of it.
At this sale, there are two (sometimes three) tables of free books, and hard cover books are fifty cents and paper back books are — wait for it – twenty-​five cents. They also have a table of children’s books at the very end with all sorts of treasures and classics. I always smile when I see parents bringing their kids here. It’s such a cheap and easy way to foster a love of reading.
Disclaimer: I used to be a FoL volunteer. But I’m not biased at all. Nope.

Whenever I walk into the Livermore Public Library, I feel happy knowing that at least some of my hard-​earned tax dollars are being spent wisely. The library is spacious, clean and well-​organized, with plenty of comfortable seating, computer terminals, and private rooms for group study or meetings.
If you have little ones, you MUST go to this library. The kids section alone is as big as some other libraries! Besides books and DVDs for all ages, they have computer terminals and listening stations, a toddler area (complete with benches and tables and sofas and stuffed toys!), and a special room for painting and other activities. There’s even a separate kids bathroom in here!
As summer is just winding down, I must mention the library’s summer reading program. They track up to 35 books your kids read and they can come in to claim prizes and do activities (like face painting) after every 5^th book read. Both my girls took part this summer and loved this program.
Other things I love about the library are the excellent wifi, polite and efficient service, regularly updated art on the walls, concerts and other events, outdoor seating areas to enjoy a cuppa from the adjoining café, and beautiful grounds if one wants to take a break and stretch ones legs.
I can go on and on — there are a few things I’m missing for sure. Go check out the Livermore Public Library — and feel pride in being a part of our community!

I was so happy after we got this new, amazing library!
Growing up, I remember going to the older, smaller one, and just having the time of my life with my siblings, but nowadays we can enjoy the nostalgia next door with out new-​and-​improved modern library!
I love how big it is; there are so many books that my inner-​nerd is squealing with delight. I come here about every week or so to frequent the bookstore, too! You can donate your old, unused books here so that they can re-​sell them. All the profits benefit your local library. Win-​win situation!
They also have a very nice café where you can order a coffee, italian soda, or a sandwich while you kick back and study/​read. I’m so glad Livermore put in the effort to provide it’s public with such a great place to hang out and read. I can easily say we have the coolest library in the tri-​valley!

Awesome Library.
I like to read the reviews on books then I put them on hold online. They will pull the book from the shelves at any of the Livermore libraries and bring it to the library of your choosing. I can pick them up and check them out under 5 minutes. (This is so convenient when you have little ones and don’t have the time to wander around the library)
My two year old hid one of the books we checked out and I wasn’t able to find it. They graciously let me renew the book several times to give me time to find the book. When I finally went in to pay for the book the librarian recommended I order the book brand new from Amazon. It cost me $ 4 instead of the $ 25 for the library to replace the book.
Check out Ebooks through the library online from home.
Love this library!

As a kid growing up in Livermore I went through the summer reading program three years in a row. It surely helped me develop my reading skills.
Now they’re in a bigger, better, newer facility.

I was in downtown Livermore and decided to check out the local library. As to be expected it is just gorgeous, both inside and out. The outside area has a lot of spaces to sit, (tables and chairs, benches.) It feels like a good quiet place to come and be with friends, without the rush of a downtown area. To get to the parking lot you have to go through a small roundabout which was really no problem at all. A pretty good sized parking lot so you shouldn’t have any problems finding a spot.
The first thought that came to my mind when I walked inside was that it looked like a nice ski resort. A big wide open area with beautiful wooden architecture. A long desk to the right serving as the check out/​help desk. To the right is a bounty of chairs and tables. The books are arranged in such a clean way. Everything where it should be. The shelves aren’t crowding each other. The books I did manage to look at were all in perfect shape too, so you know they care about the quality of the books they receive.
I picked up a book then made my way to the help desk so I could get a library card. Since this is a city library, I had to get a library card specifically for the city of LIvermore which was no problem. Tracy was the woman helping me and she was great. Quiet like the rest of the staff, but it is a library I’m sure that’s appreciated. She asked me what kind of card I wanted and at first I was a little confused because I’ve never been asked that question before. But then she explained that I can choose the design on the card, based off of four beautiful designs. I wasn’t able to actually get the card then and there, but was still able to check out a book, and my new card is in the mail.
This the library for book lovers.

I’m a big fan of this library. So much so that I tried to get a job here, but they didn’t even call me in for an interview. *cries* I am still trying to get over the trauma, but I’ll be okay. I love that I can go online and request books be put on hold for me especially when they’re located at one of the other libraries further away from. I also love that I can put in requests for book purchases.

LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!!! Clean, comfortable, padded chairs, and just downright beautiful!!! During my study breaks I’ll take a walk outside and lay on the grass to de-​stress … It’s like heaven out there! Very family friendly and just a nice town in general. Plenty of tables and chairs outside to eat a snack … Bathrooms are amazingly clean, the staff and locals are friendly. Regarding noise, if you find a personal table in the corner behind the stacks, plus some ear plugs/​phones (not needed but I like complete silence)… you’re golden. Another plus. Stays open late and Free and plentiful parking with no time limit restrictions! I wish they would open up the new café/​cafeteria already!