Mark Twain Neighborhood Library

To the librarian that works here, or maybe she doesn’t by now (I wouldn’t know, because I don’t ever see her again.) This is an old story, years ago when this library was across the street from this one before it was upgraded to this big one. I remember I used to love going to the library up until this one day it was raining really hard and my parents forgot to pick me up. Back then not every 10 year old had a phone, and I asked the librarian here if I could use the library’s phone to phone my parents. She was annoyed that I asked, and sternly told me no I can’t use the phone, and kind of shooshed me away. I waited so long the library ended up closing and I had to wait outside in the rain for my mom. After that I stopped going to this library. Was it really that troublesome for a 10 year old to make a 15 second phone call?

It wasn’t until the third time I came here that I was actually able to find a seat. It’s so crowded, and the children’s section is only available to children or parents (understandable). Everyone is pretty respectful, except you get that occasional smelly, unhygienic, loud miscreant. who sits at your table and moves all your stuff around. That’s got to be the most annoying thing.
Anyway, like most public libraries, you will need a card/​membership. The Wi-​Fi connection is good but it is annoying when you have to sign back in every fifteen minutes or so.
It is really clean though, and the staff even come around to wipe down the tables. (This does make me wonder why, like are people really that messy here? Do they eat in the library or something?) It has a very updated décor, and there’s even a little reading nook in the corner that looks comfy. The bathrooms are clean and much nicer than most public places, which is surprising. Security guard walks around and bothers people for no reason (stops and sifts through their books without knowing that they are personal books or the library’s).
If you do not come within five to ten minutes of them opening their doors, you will not find a table (at least not one with an outlet) or you will have to share with like 3 other people.

We experienced a program set up for «children» today: the Big Red Dog and other dog-​related activities. I knew that it was probably aimed for older kids, but I brought my fifteen-​month old because we spend a good deal of time reading, and he knew Go, Dog, Go! The program itself was pretty boring, and the librarian seemed pissed that younger kids (mine included) were wandering around making noise (because I guess that little kids are not allowed to do that!??) I didn’t really understand exactly why the program was happening.…dogs? Celebrating dogs? Interactive reading activities involved having the children read the story from large notecard-​like sheets that the librarian had children hold. Also, they sang the song «BINGO» about the farmer and the dog, but didn’t seem to get to the end of the song (???).
After about a half an hour in, several parents and I had had our fill and left. I write this negative review not to rank on the library, but to hopefully help taxpayers understand where their money goes. When I returned because I had forgotten my son’s coat, I was rudely eyeballed by the librarian, and then a security guard appeared at the door. Apparently our money pays for security guards at the library rather than child-​appropriate early literacy programs.
Oh, PS: I am an early literacy and language arts specialist and have been a teacher for eleven years. I won’t bring my child back to programs here. Before they get pissed at little kids wandering around, maybe they should check and see exactly how literacy and early engagement should be taught.

This is my neighborhood library so I go there pretty often. It’s on the corner of Anaheim and Gundry Ave. There’s a medium sized parking lot that’s I’ve never seen filled and bike racks available.
The library is divided into a few sections: When you walk in there’s the media section including language material, cds, vhs, dvd’s, audiobooks and the new books. That’s near the checkout desk with the employee’s have never been anything but kind and helpful to me. The librarians area is in the middle of the library with the large children section to the right and all other books to the left. They also have study rooms that are usually available during kid’s school hours but get booked up after 3 pm or weekends.
Now as for material within this library… I’d say they have a great graphic novels, manga, comic section, young adult and an ok children’s and magazine section.
I usually wandering through the section or pick up the books I ordered from other libraries.
Two things to note: If you do get a library card (which I suggest) give your e-​mail too. The e-​mail reminder’s to return your books are a life-​saver. Also if you order a book from another library and fail to pick it up quickly… they charge you $ 1. Long Beach Public Libraries charge for everything… even VHS. Sigh… but I’m sure they take the money only because they need the money. It keeps me on my toes. :)

Ok, this review cannot wait. I am posting live from the Mark Twain Library. A lot of people in previous reviews said that the library can get loud. It hasn’t been too bad thus far. It’s probably because it’s Friday and raining outside, not too many are traversing through the area. Free wifi is great! I tested the speed it was running 16 Mbps up and 4 Mbps down. Although some websites take a while to load. Go figure.
So here’s the thing. I just went to into a bathroom and I saw a man (I presume to be homeless) getting high on heroine. It was rather disturbing. Other than that, it’s been a good place so far.

Great Library! plenty of tables for laptops, has free Wi-​Fi with Library card and to get a library card its FREE :) good speed on the internet. It a little noises staff were slamming books sometimes and kids running around which made it a little hard to concentrate on my film treatment but i put headphones in and i was all alone. :) They have a security officer by the door and he patrols around the library which makes me feel safe. The architecture of the building is beautiful very bright with a lot of windows.
i recommend this Library for all!

has wifi. lots of homeless people stink up the place.

The library has been nicely remodeled. It stands out in the neighborhood. As expected from a public library during the summer time a good portion are young students. The library has a small collection but remember one can request books from other libraries and pick it up at whichever library he or she chooses. The restrooms are also pretty nice.
Not an ideal place to study but there is a good amount of computers for public use and pretty comfy couches for private reading. Well private if you also understand what you’re reading despite the noise.

Haven’t gone since before they remodled it … I went for the toddler time. I was amazed it looks really good now! Def. worth taking your kids there moms. They had a seperate room for homework help… restroom has diaper changer… its all so neat, clean, and new!

I love this library. I think its the newest in the Long Beach system, and everyone is very helpful and friendly. My only complaint is that can be loud.

Okay. The only con for any library in long beach is missing the pickup dates for books. They charge you a dollar for every book thats not picked up. I had five on hold and had to pay up five bucks. I’m fine with that. They have a little computer lab where you can do your homework, that’s a plus as well as a manga rack and study rooms. I can go here every day to play and not get bored. This library is close to alot of shops. So if you get tired from studying, a few blocks of walking can get you church chicken or some chinese fast food or even liquor store food. The library has storybook time and homework help!!! :)

This used to be my favorite library in Long Beach.
It’s easy to find and there’s lots of parking.
There are also group study rooms so that’s a real plus.
The layout is not of a typical library and it’s always a little too noisy for me because of the younger patrons running around or shouting at each other. But then again, that’s better than them being on the streets and doing something else that’s not as educational.

Sometimes, it takes something you don’t want to do that helps you discover what a wonderful place the library is.
We had to do a paper for school. The next thing you know, here we were already here gathering what we need. We talked to Ms. Susan Taylor, the adult librarian of the place. Now, before you say anything, there are two sides of this library: the books for kids and the ones for people like us, well, mostly like us. I understand some of us have not really matured.
Ms Taylor explained how this library houses the single largest concentration of books in the Cambodian language/​Khmer outside of Cambodia. She actually went to Cambodia to shop for the books. She actually beamed with pride at this great accomplishment. She was also very very helpful and friendly when she helped us. We also noted that with all the staff that worked here. I have no complaints about this place. This place is just plain great.
I would’ve given this place 5 stars but alas, it’s kind small than the libraries I’ve been to in the OC. Make no mistake, I like the Mark Twain a lot better just from the attention and assistance we got.
So, people of Long Beach, are you listening? You folks are very very very lucky to have such a nice clean and well maintained library for when you need it and also very lucky that the people who run it like what they do. I’m very jealous as I love libraries from the day I started to read. I would come here just to hang had I lived closer.

I still remember the day I was driving down Anaheim St. and I saw the sign announcing a library was going to be built. I couldn’t believe there was going to be a brand new library just down the street from my apartment!
I think I spent more time at the library as a kid than any other place. My mum would take me every few days and I’d check out as many books as I could carry in my arms. I read every single Boxcar Children, Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High book. Oh, and all of Judy Blume’s books. Because who didn’t love «Are You There God, It’s Me Margaret,» right?
But I digress.
I love the Mark Twain library. It doesn’t have the largest book selection around but it’s enough to keep me occupied. Sure, I’ve probably read their entire sports section but I can always get books transferred from other libraries.
I go every few weeks to get new books when my return date comes up. If you need to keep a book longer, you can always get the date extended online.