Dana Branch Library

This library is cool I brought my niece for the baby workshop on Wed at 2pm and Thursday for Toddler at 10am and it was really cool. Dana was really cool connects well with kids and gets everyone into the spirit of just being a child and learning while having fun. Also, after workshop the librarian and workers were very friendly which is a plus and help me find books I wanted. I kinda felt good being at the Library. But yeah this library is cool in my book.

The only issue I have with this library is the noise level and librarians being a part of the problem… Otherwise they would get a 5-​Star rating from me.

This is my community library. My husband and I moved to the Los Cerritos/​Virginia Country Club area three years ago when we bought our home. Admittedly, the first time I stepped foot into the library was for storytime. My kids love books and really enjoy getting to go. However, I’ve stopped going to this library for storytime because of their changing rules and unwelcoming practices.
I will say that the children’s librarian puts on a good storytime. However, for someone who is dealing with very young children and running a public community program, she is extremely uptight. First there was the storytime for only the first 20 families that arrive, then it was by sign up only. I believe she’s eased up on those now, however if you’re not there early, expect to be greeted with locked doors and a sign that says «don’t knock and make sure you come 10 – 15 minutes early next week.»
Quite frankly this is ridiculous. It’s appalling to me as a mother and a resident of the community that I can’t partake in one of it’s offerings because the librarian (who clearly does not have children of her own) thinks that it would be easy for me to haul my two kids out the door to be early for her storytime.
Excuse me if I have to deal with two different nap schedules (the last time we were locked out of storytime was because my infant slept in an extra 20 minutes), that there’s never any parking in the tiny lot in the back and I always find myself parking blocks away trying to tow along two children to make it in time. One time I was able to make it into the lot, but was still late to storytime because I had to wait for the gentleman in the spot I wanted to park in to finish urinating in the bushes.
Not to mention that it takes me a good 20+ plus minutes on a good day to get my children out the door (getting shoes on, grabbing last minute things, locking up, getting them into their car seats, etc.). So can you imagine how disappointing it is to spend 30+ minutes trying to get to storytime (drive time, parking, getting kids out and getting to the library) to be greeted by a locked door because we are 5 minutes late? Trust me, it’s not like I’m not trying my very best.
In our three years living here I’ve grown really fond of the community. However, it’s just disappointing that I find myself driving all the way to Signal Hill for their library because their librarians completely get that they’re serving children and the community. Dana’s children’s librarian needs to understand that and ease up on her uptight rules and her exclusionary restrictions.

I love the staff in this library their alway so welcoming and is there to help no matter what the need might be… Me Woo-​Woo loves this place…

this place is a meat locker. as in freezing cold.
the librarians here are LOUD.
Why say i cannot be on my cell when you are screaming at each other?
pot. kettle.

Unfortunately the noise factor hasn’t really improved. They have announced a Teen Café on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and it is amazingly loud. Just imagine a roomful of 40 teenagers making as much noise as they want. Unbelievable. If you can avoid the teenagers this is a place you can get free wifi and browse a decent collection of books, movies, and CDs.

Absolutely my favorite library in Long Beach. The building is old, but its age gives it a quaint feeling rather than run-​down feeling. Nice outdoor patio area with patio furniture and enclosed lounge other than the open table areas. Free wi-​fi, homework help, tutoring and family computer room makes this library the go-​to spot for kiddos. My kids enjoy it after school, and I feel good that they’re in an environment that fosters learning.

I have been going to this library for four years now and it is one of those local neighborhood hang-​outs that has good public service. They know what they’re doing and Ms. Jennifer, the city librarian is just wonderful. She is always ready to extend a helping hand. Her staff are equally knowledgeable and cordial. Great spot for kids and for grad students like me if I need any academic reading material. Reading is a wonderful thing!!!

Smaller than the library we usually go to but nice and perfect for young kids

Small library with a small parking lot.
I was looking for somewhere that was quiet and warm (with no distracting dogs) to do some studying, but there were no tables available in the afternoon. It’s pretty small and I could tell there were quite a few people there who probably spend a good part of the day there, as it provides warm shelter for those who may not have homes.
The outside smelled like it may haven been used as a restroom. Yuck.
But it’s still a library and as part of the LB library system, I have to give it at least 3 stars for providing a good service!

I do love this library — the librarians are all so nice and helpful. It’s nice and quiet and very relaxing. It’s also VERY small! Compared to the other libraries that I have been to in LB, this has definitely got to be one of the smallest that they have. If you need a certain book, you are probably gonna have to special order it or go to a different library. But, one of the things that I like about it is the intimacy. When you go into a small library every week, you get to know the people that work there and the other moms who are there every week, too!
I initially started coming to this library because they had a baby /​toddler playtime on Fridays before the library opened. It’s was so nice to have a place to bring my little one where she could play with lots of other kids her age (but, still where I was right around the corner from home).
The children’s library is in a great location with lots of stuffed animals and puzzles, games, and CDs. The books are organized so the kids can easily get to them on their own (even little kids) and it’s very cozy while being inviting for the babies. My daughter still looks forward to going here once a week — she loves it.
When I have the time, we go in and hunker down for ½ an hour or so while we look through or look for books or movies or (sometimes!) just to talk.
They also have a few (6?) computers for Internet access, a copy machine, a magazine room, and a little patio — — all in this nice tiny library.
(:

Given its small size and the terrible lack of funding that all libraries suffer from, I would say this library is more than adequate and well worth the trip. They seem to have a good selection of books and media, as well as free wi-​fi, which I was shocked to find out that half the libraries in LB do not offer. The restrooms are clean and quiet. It may not have the selection found downtown, but its small size makes it very manageable, which is definitely not true for downtown. It is a great neighborhood library, and whatever they do not have they can get from the other branches with a simple request.

Convenient to the Bixby Knolls and Signal Hill residents. Book selection may not be the greatest but at least you can pick books from other libraries (assuming you reserved the book). It is true that it could get kind of loud especially after school and during the summer. Nonetheless, a decent place for free Wi-​fi, air-​condition, and knowledge.

I don’t see how anyone can give a library less than 5 stars. This is a public service, come on people it’s free! This is a small branch of the fairly LARGE Long Beach Public Library system, it’s quaint, it’s convenient, and again it’s free.
I was in here the other day with my kids signing them up for the summer reading program, there was actually a party going on at the library with games and all. My kids had a fantastic time playing games and winning prizes. We plan on coming here often over the summer.
If you need more resources, go downtown to the main library, come on really, Long Beach isn’t that big.

I’ve been coming here for years and I love it. The librarians are very helpful, you need only ask.

This used to be my fave library because it’s right across where I used to work. I remember spending my lunch breaks here reading random books and mangas. I like the variety of mangas that they have here. I also like the newspaper reading room so I guess one star for that. However, what I really don’t like about this place is how loud it can get when the teens get out from school.

This is a small branch of the LB Library system, but it’s close to home so I walk up often to pick up my holds. I like libraries, but what I like best is the on-​line library system… especially for CD’s. It usually goes like this for me. I hear a song I like but don’t want to download the whole CD on iTunes. I log onto the LBPLC website, search for the CD, wait a few days, receive an email that it’s at my local branch for pickup, walk in the door to the holds shelf, find my name and my cd’s (occasionally books), walk to the counter pay my 25 cent fee per CD to check out the items, and walk out the door. It’s usually about a 2 minute process. My iTunes library is becoming quite eclectic so thank you LBPLC!!!