Brookfield Branch Library

I love going to libraries. when i come to this area, i thought i checked this library out. the asian male staff is really helpful and give lots of information regarding what the oakland library is doing. The library is indeed small and not as big as san leandro;s library but it is ok. they have good amount of DVDs.
The branch Manager is another story.
on one ocassion, I saw with my own eye the Branch manager talking and yelling really loud to another librarian. shouting that she doesnt want to know the details that she just wanted to know how to operate the printer or copy machine.
I mean. really in front of the children? i think the subordinate didnt say anything because he didnt want to escalate the problem. he tried to tell her 3 more time and she kept yelling.
I also have problem where a DVD is checked out under my name that i dont recognize. and i called the library. i gave them a benefit of a doubt that maybe i did borrow it. so i went home and check the title on wiki and i would not have borrow it as i am just watching limited movies with my exam coming.
She has the audacity to say, «oh we waived your fines 7 – 8 times. its a fact» WTF lady, first of i do paid my fine and try to not accumulate any more fine. why would you bring that up — my gut feeling tells me that this is the same lady who yell in the library —
so i asked for her supervisor;s name Ms. Lopez and give her a call.
I made a mistake that i didnt say anything when she yells like crazy woman. she is very unprofessional and can not keep the task at hand. i wonder how she becomes a manager to begin with. years of service? i felt the guy shouldve become the manager there.
I always had a pleasant experience at other libraries– but this lady is something else.
im not coming back there

This library is small but I love it! I take my son here often. I recently volunteered to help children with reading and really enjoyed the children. The library is very small and there are not many tables. Sometimes, the school age children come in and are loud but I’ve found if I whisper to them that this is a library, and they should be quiet, they are respectful enough to quiet down. The children are rarely in the library with parents, so as a mother myself, I don’t mind teaching children manners in a loving way.
The librarians Cynthia and Alfred are EXCELLENT!
Cynthia was very thorough when she set me up with my 1^st library card here about a year ago. She walked me through all the benefits the card had to offer and patiently answered all of my questions. She is always very sweet and eager to help when I ask for assitance.
Alfred is enthusiastic about helping children to learn. He set me up to tutor young hispanic children, in need of english and reading help. He is Chinese American but spoke Spanish and English fluently. He acted as a liason between myself and spanish speaking parents so their children could get the help they needed for free!
Alfred also helped me to find medical journals online so that I could do some personal research and he often calls or emails me when there are special activities going on at the library.
I am so happy with this small library. Initially, I thought it was too tiny, but its nice to walk in and feel like «CHEERS» (everybody knows your name).
If you need to study, go in the daytime when kids are at school or I’d suggest the library on 81^st. Its larger and has more space. This one is small and lots of children come. But I LOVE IT!

I’m a librarian, and a new librarian at Oakland Public Library, but I’ve been working at a different branch.
Last week, I realized that my new favorite show, Sherlock, a BBC production, is available on DVD and available at the library. I was so excited! I checked Oakland’s online catalog, and Brookfield had both Season 1 and 2. I called at quarter to 5 to check to make sure they had season 1. The woman who answered the phone said that she’d make sure they had it. She quickly returned to the phone and said she’d set season 1 and 2 on the hold shelf for me. «Oh no,» I say, «I can just do season 1.» She kindly said, «I’ll keep both here for you.» Ok, great. I zoom over there after work, and collected the dvds. While I waited in line, I observed the librarian helping a couple — she was professional and kind. The library assistant at the desk helping the kids in front of me was patient and worked well with them. The other library assistant who saw me and came over to help was efficient and friendly.
I’ve always seen staff be very helpful, checking to make sure I’m finding everything I need, and professional. As a new librarian, these welcoming gestures and extra effort are very impressive.
While it’s not in the fanciest of neighborhoods, it’s great that it has parking on both sides of the library.
I was even more delighted that the staff insisted I take both season 1 and 2 when I got home and discovered that Season 1 only has 3 episodes. Thank you! I’ve been telling all of my friends about this experience and they were all impressed by the friendly help that I got.

The staff at this library are super helpful and nice. The books are always, always, always in order, and if you have trouble finding one of them because it’s on display they will help you find it. They have dug books out of their storage for me before. The other comments talk about this place not being quiet but I have never been in the library when it wasn’t quieter and more pleasant than any university library I’ve been in (which has been many). Such a great addition to the community.
While the stacks aren’t extensive, OPL does requests from all branches (check online) AND Link+ which can reserve books throughout the state of California. Beware of overdue fines but it really broadens your selection if you’re good at getting things back on time.
If you are interested in a sterile environment that has no personality maybe this isn’t your library. If you are looking for a community invested environment that is workable and pleasant, this is your spot.

Not So Spectacular Library But Great Workshops For Kids.
I took my boys here for a Lego Workshop. We had an awesome time! They learned to build an electronic Lego car and enjoyed socializing with other kids. We didn’t venture off to the other parts of the library since we came specifically for the workshop. Overall the library is very small. The bathrooms are located in the lobby and be sure to get the key because it remains locked.

The Brookfield Branch.
Well, it’s ok.
The place is a large rectangle of a room inside a larger building.
There is plenty of parking in a lot, or on the street right in front.
The computers for public use are along one wall, i think there are just 6 or so of them.
It’s always too loud here. I want to encourage kids to come to the library, but if you want to chat on your cell, or with one another,
go outside!
I don’t come here too much anymore, for this reason. If I want to pick up a book and leave, ok, this branch has lots of what I’m looking for– lots on gardening, for instance.
The staff are always friendly!
However, I do wish the place was quiet, so I could just brouse some magazines in the place before I’m on my way out again.
oh, as it is deep in east oakland, so there’s a guard stationed at the door, always. yikes, i’m not in kansas anymore! (well, actually, i’m originally from nebraska, but you get the point!)