Dr Martin Luther King Jr Library

What such an amazing staff and library!!!
I never thought the staff would help me this much. I needed an HDMI cable for the tv in one of the study rooms and got it from the 4^th floor. Then it turned out that the TV didn’t have a power cord.
I went to the Reference center and the lady, such helpful and sweet, told me that the phone lines were down and couldn’t call the media center to ask them if they have it. However, she walked all the way down with me to look for it. She spent her time helping me with so much professionalism. Also, the security/​police officer made calls from his desk in order to help me too! And he was very nice about it too.
And then I went to the Media Center in the 2^nd floor to ask for a cord. The guy there looked everywhere for it and didn’t find it. Also, he went to another room to look for it. I literally asked them all not to worry about it and just forget it, and they insisted that I needed it because it is my right and I deserve to have it to study with my group! And then I went to the room and I saw the guy form the Media center installing the cord! He went all the way from the 2^nd floor to the 8^th floor just to help me!
I never expected this from the staff, I even thought myself that it was too much of a kind act.
Wow, just wow! A++++ for everyone.

Great place to study for Sjsu students the place is available for students till 1Am «remember to bring your ID’s. The security guards will ask for it down stairs. Wifi is strong a league of legends certified. This is my favorite place to nap, play games and studies. The silence of the library is from top to bottom. The highest floor is the most quietest. Don’t forget to find the secret book door on the first floor you can push the book case and hide behind it. Good place to hide from your enemies!

Perfect in about every way. Great facilities, wonderful access to both SJ public library resources and SJSU resources. Love that they have a café and self-​check out. I just with they were open later on weekends and earlier on Sundays.

My wife and I go to this library and we love it. The staff is usually very friendly and knowledgeable. Other than the homeless people who cause a scene, being around children, college students, and other adults proves to be a very good place to study or go to read a nice book.

I like this library but there’s a stupid escalator that constantly running and making the wheezing sound. Whoever designed this library did not take this into consideration. There are already elevators, why do you need escalator? Why do you want to make a library looks and feels like a shopping mall? Waste of electricity! Unethical!

I’m a little up in the air on this one.
We dropped in to pick up some financial books and the sheer size of the space was shocking to me. The signage isn’t great — you almost have to go section by section in the Non-​Fiction area to pick out your genre. Ours was fairly easy to find, so that was a plus, but I wasn’t really sold on the quantity over quality the King Library was selling. Or the space itself.
I also noticed quite a few shoeless students hanging out near the stacks, two that came with a not so great very strong smell. I’d hope they have security of some kind, but they must not crack down on that sort of thing. They do however refuse to validate if you park in the garage next door. So that’s something!
Honestly I can order my books online and have them delivered to Willow Glen which has A) No smell issues, B) an easy to drive up to and fantastically mechanized return drop box and is C) just a warm, comfortable, and welcoming space, which King isn’t.
All in all a good space if you come here specifically for the selection and it’s the closest Library to you. But if you’re closer to another, do yourself a favor and take a moment online (
) to order their some of King’s collection to be delivered to the Library you like best. It’ll save you time, and smell.

Good place to study. Wifi gets super slow in busy hours though. Go to the 6^th and above floors if you want to be in the quiet. First floors are full of bums, but the place is safe.

Never thought I’d actually spend time STUDYING at the library. I usually just like to be alone at my apartment or at home in peace and quiet because I feel like I get a lot of things done that way. But over the year, I’ve found myself paying several visits here to do my homework/​finish my papers.
This library is actually really nice and is conveniently located on the SJSU campus. It’s located on the corner right across the street from Flames and Powerbowl. It’s open to the public til about 9 or 10pm and open to SJSU students til 1am (you’ll need to show your ID). It has eight floors and floor 6, 7, and 8 are considered the silent/​quiet floors. I think they just made a change recently and now allow food or drink on those floors. I noticed that the signs weren’t there in the elevator today. They have a café downstairs so if you need to grab a cup of coffee or something to eat, there’s that.
Although the library is open to the public and allows a lot of homeless people downtown inside, there are security guards roaming around to make sure you feel safe. I haven’t personally looked through the books here that much but I have found it very useful when I need to do research. The librarians are very helpful!
They have study rooms you can reserve online for at max an hour. But if you have multiple library cards, you can technically reserve it for more than that. That’s what people usually do during finals! And they do have extended hours during dead week/​finals week for SJSU students only… even open 24 hours, I think.
They have laptops/​computers you can rent out. And they have a print station available. There are elevators to take you up because the escalators stop at the 4^th floor! On the quiet floors, there’s a number you can call/​text to report anyone who’s disturbing your study sesh.haha.

Ah the library. This is like a second or third home for me. I remember those late nights at the library. I love how they stay open until 1am on weekdays for SJSU students (just be sure to bring your SJSU id cause the security people go around checking). This place was the perfect escape whenever I had to leave my dorm or apartment to do my homework or study for midterms and finals. I loved studying on the 7^th and 8^th floor, occasionally the 6^th floor too :) I always try to sit near the windows since there’s a great view aka my distraction! Haha: D The library is quite clean, and it’s usually cold — I swear the AC is always on or something :(Sometimes there’s a few homeless people sitting or sleeping around, but they don’t really bother me. Overall, the library is awesome :) I’ll miss this place when I graduate! Maybe I’ll update this review later cause I’m pretty sure there’s a lot more to say about this library since I was here for 4 years!

This is probably the closest public library to where I live and I’ve always wanted to get a library card so I decided today was the day.
Went inside to inquire to get a library card and told me I had to go to the computers nearby to fill out an application which took about 3 – 4 minutes. I wrote down the confirmation number and showed them proof of residency by showing my driver’s license and issued me a card.
The library was kind of small compared to the ones I’ve been to back in Illinois. There were limited selections, the music was old, the movies were outdated, and most of the books were checked out.
It’s convenient for students who attend San Jose State University since it’s connected to the library. What’s also convenient is that there’s also restaurants connected in the front.

Nice view and quiet area on the 6^th-​8^th floor.
The 5^th floor has nice tables.
The fourth floor is where you can reserve a laptop for two hours.
A place to be if you want an A on your next exam :)

Huge 4 level library, coffee bar on the first floor, SJSU adjacent to this bldg makes it convenient for studying.:)

You gotta admit, this is one fancy building to call a library. 8 floors, and it’s public and university owned.
After hours for students are extended til 1am, and opened 24 hours to students during finals week. At times it got frustrating if the wifi was down on the 6^th floor, or if there were a bunch of homeless people leeching off the building (it is public after all).
While i was a student here, I would have spent more time here, but it’s so far away from where the dorms, and later my apartment was located. It is however, conveniently located on the edge of campus nearby some local restaurants. Unlike most libraries, this one does allow food and talking on floors 1 – 4.

Good place to study if you can avoid all the distractions…
For me, I never really liked coming here to study while I student because I would bump into a lot of people and it was game over. Another reason why I didn’t like to frequent the library was that it crowded with people that were looking for a place of refuge. I don’t mean to sound like there’s something wrong with that since it is a public library and it’s open to the public. However, most of those people are just there to sleep and take up space… It also kinda reeks so if you want some privacy and get away from the stench, I would suggest booking a study room.
The internet/​wifi has been a hit or miss through out the years, but the last time I visited, I did a speed test and it was maxed out so that was good. I didn’t really come here as a student as much as others would. I used to just find empty classrooms on campus and studied there in isolation. However, if you like the library vibe, this is a nice place to study.

An excellent library with plenty of free space and computers to rent. The 1^st floor has a children’s book center which is great for little ones. The library offers a variety of accommodations, making it great for study, research, printing, and sightseeing. With a total of nine floors, there is plenty of space for you to do your work. The extra space is great since the MLK Library serves as both a public library, and as the San Jose State University library.
The children’s room offers a safe and inspiring area for the little ones. With a large selection of books and activities, you and your child can spend hours here.
Each floor offers different varieties of books and services:
Lower level offers computers, periodicals, and various government text.
1^st floor offers the children’s room, Friends bookstore, the circulation desk, welcome desk, Morgridge literacy center, computers/​printing, and the «On Fourth Café.»
2^nd floor offers the Jennifer & Philip Dinapoli gallery, computers/​printing, the adaptive technology center.
3^rd floor offers the teen center, and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Civil rights collection.
4^th floor is has the educational resource center, where laptops and iPads are available for rental. This floor is being transformed into an SJSU student center.
5^th floor offers a variety of cultural heritage centers, collections, and art exhibits.
6^th floor offers listening rooms and research collections (A-​HN).
7^th floor, the SILENT floor, prohibits conversation and offers research collections (HQ-​PZ).
8^th floor offers the grand reading room and research collections (Q-​Z).

I love this library. 8 floors of pure amazingness equipped with beautiful views and plenty of seating. There are so many hidden gems in this library as well that you should try to discover. Like the fake book shelf that opens, the butterfly details on the stair-​well walls, the different looking sink in one of the bathrooms, etc.
It’s open to the public but not for the same amount of time that SJSU students get to occupy it. I wish I used it more when I was still in school, but it was always on the opposite side of campus in regards to where I lived. During finals week, they extend the hours for SJSU students only and hand out snacks (which is so cute that they do that).
It’s easy to reserve rooms online when you have a library ID, and their study rooms are convenient meeting places for group projects, study groups, and interviews.
They also have a café connected to it on the street side, so if you get hungry, there you go!
One thing I really miss about going to this library is the elevators. My personal favorite part because all but one are windowed. So as you’re riding it up or down, you can see outside. I would always focus on one spot and pretend I was on a ride of sorts, like drop zone LOL.

Probably the best feature san jose state university has to offer. This is a complete library with a modern look and pretty clean environment. The library is divided into quiet and group study floors and if you’re trying to stuff done, this is the place to hit up. Small group study rooms makes it even better because you can reserve it, so you can have your own private space for discussions! I never really personally borrowed books here but from i see, they have a large selections of books. Also, there are computers to use if you need internet or just for word processing. Printing stations are also provided for a small fee. The hours are pretty decent, till 9pm for the public and till 1am for sjsu students. I sometimes wish they open 24 hours though, in which they do for finals week. Parking is limited as it is downtown, so i advise parking on the streets after 6pm so theres is no meter fees needed or just park in the school garage. Also the location is perfect for when you need a snackin for your study break because its so close to so many different restaurants. OR if you’re tired with all the work load, you stroll over across the street for the flames happy hour. Overall, a well secured and lovely library. Martin Luther King would have been proud.

As a student of San Jose State University, I really enjoy this library. While other schools have enough classes for students to graduate on time, great football teams and/​or world-​renowned academics, we have a pretty good library. It is really a special library. I have never rented a book from here but then again, I am not a dinosaur and I am fully aware of the internet.
The 8 floors is especially helpful in that the higher one goes up, there are less homeless people and drug dealers! The first floor is essentially a smelly aftermath of homeless engaging with the drug dealers and gang members. The eighth floor is full of students that are working hard to success in the field of academia.
So why don’t I give this library 5 stars? A few things, some of which aren’t entirely the library’s fault. The first is the homeless people. While there are probably a select few that wish to better themselves, get off the streets for a while, and explore books instead of heroine, it gets a little gross. During Finals Week, the library has drastically expanded hours in which the library is open to only SJSU students. I enjoy those after-​hours times. I can study in the peace of a secure environment without having to watch a homeless person dry their socks in the restroom’s blow dryer (actually happened).
The second complaint is that the wifi is, at times, shotty. I use SJSU’s wifi so maybe that’s their fault. I shouldn’t expect my tuition money to go towards having a fantastic wifi connection or anything though.
My third complaint is the cleanliness of the restrooms. I know the homeless and drug dealers are probably the biggest culprits, but the restrooms are borderline disgusting. I definitely do not feel comfortable going boom boom in the restrooms so I’m purely a «one (pee) and done» kind of a guy at the restroom.

As a SJSU student, I come here so often to study. I never thought I would be writing a review for a library either. First off, it’s located in Downtown SJ for those that don’t go to SJSU. Parking can be difficult since there’s so little street parking and it’s paid by the meter. But this library is probably one of my favorite libraries not because I go to school here, but how enormous it is! There are eight floors suited for different needs and different genres of books, CD, audio, and etc.
I really like this library because of the quiet floors. As a student, I hate studying in loud areas when I am alone. The 7^th and 8^th do wonders in terms of the quietness you need. For group projects and more talking, I recommend going to either the 2^nd or 4^th floor. Other than that, each floor is great as long as you find a comfortable spot!
What sucks most (at least to me) is that this is a public library so you do get a lot of different people. I really wished we had our own school library because it’d just be nicer for the students. I am not trying to offend anyone, but there are so many homeless people because this is a Downtown area. I get really uncomfortable when they’re around me and this is also another reason I tend to go to the higher floors because they usually stay within the lobby, 1^st and 2^nd floors. Well, that was my rant.
But overall, this is a great place to study and get all the research, books, and whatever else you need! It does get pack considering how many people (mostly students) are in SJSU and the Downtown area. So be warned! Also, I don’t know why the escalator is always broken from the lobby to the second floor. Strange. But nonetheless, I will be here, studying, like a good student.

Huge 8-​floor library encased in glass and housed in downtown San Jose just steps from the university.
It’s a massive collection of any type of book that you could imagine!
To help navigate the library, grab a directory at the information desk and ask the librarian for assistance.
Can’t find what you need here? They’ll request that it be sent to them just for you.
If you really need to get research done, this is the library for you.

Wow!.. Why are people giving this place such good reviews? Because it’s nice (externally) to look at?
This place has horrid wifi (there have actually been news articles published about how bad it is) which makes being a student stuck on campus all day a pain, outdated computers, and do people just overlook the fact that the homeless population LIVING in the library is overwhelmingly noticeable? I understand that it’s a PUBLIC library but, come on, people are there for higher education; we shouldn’t have people using the bathroom sinks to bathe and desk stalls for a place to sleep. How uncomfortable would you be if you saw someone half naked in the bathroom «showering» or snoring away at a desk while you’re trying to study? Don’t tell me this never happens because I have seen it first hand.
There really needs to be more police that patrol the inside. Every time I see campus police in there they are doing little more than chatting it up with one another. Ya, I feel good about being safe on campus (anyone who is or WAS a student knows how many muggings/​attempted sexual assaults/​thefts/​etc happen here. I’m not saying it’s all the homeless people who do this but I don’t feel comfortable in broad daylight walking the perimeter of this campus because of how many mentally questionable people there are). As I write this there are 11 homeless people on ONE side of the building waiting to get in. Are they all waiting to go inside to use the library as a home?.. no but some (if not most) will. It devalues the campus by seeing the library used like this.
It would be nice to have a secured area where only students can go (top few floors perhaps?). You would need a student ID to access those areas. My girlfriend attended UCSD and I visited many other UC campuses during my hunt for a school to transfer to and NEVER saw a problem with the homeless. I dislike the practices of SJSU greatly as they seem to not give much of a damn for people who pay WAY TOO MUCH to be here.
Side note: There are two homeless people currently yelling at each other (as I write this) and swearing almost every other word. It’s disgusting witnessing this being someone who is here for education. If they simply posted competent guards at the door this would not have to happen!

This library is massive and gorgeous! 8 floors?! My favorite go to place to study especially for SJSU students, the after hours are a plus!
I like how there’s different designated floors. The quiet/​silent floors are the 6^th, 7^th, 8^th floors. The wifi does always seem suck though lol I love that you can see beautiful views of San Jose on every floor while you study.
There’s a little café on the first floor as well to get some coffee and some snacks!

Ambiance:
If you are in the need of solace and need to get some work done this is the place. In the heart of DTSJ this place is great to be away from the hustle and bustle. It’s basically your standard library but bigger and and a bit of everythimg.
Overall:
4 stars. If y’all been to Cerritos library, you’re jaw would drop as it provides innovation. No disrespect to the MLKJ library but this place is great but doesn’t have that historic Harry Potter feel or that innovative art that inspires you to ponder for deeper thought or complete that project whatever you may be working on.
Advice:
You can only access the wi-​fi if you are a San Jose public library member.