Educational Park Branch Library

Inside:
This is a really small library, not many places to sit, there’s about 2 study rooms. The staff doesn’t really say anything to people that are being loud. The selection is alright, like I said it’s kind of small. There’s a few computers around for you to use but you have to get there soon since many people use them.
Outside:
The parking lot is small, as you enter the library there are sometimes very tough looking students that can be intimidating to some people since they are all dressed in baggy pants and long white shirts or usually all black. I would advise anyone to just leave the parking lot as soon as you get there since there are people exchanging drugs and smoking weed.
Random story:
One of the workers there during my visit wasn’t really aware that there was someone sitting at the table reading and she pushed the empty chairs into the person’s leg without saying sorry or anything. I guess it was her job to push in empty chairs but I still think she should have been more considerate to the person sitting there as well.

This place isn’t open Friday, Saturday, or Sunday which really bugs me because that’s when a lot of people actually want to go to the library.
The one thing that I do like about this place is that it’s literally within the realms of independence high school and that it’s pretty new.

I don’t like how the room temperature is freezing, it’s like they don’t know how to control the AC. They also don’t know how to control the noise level, whenever I try to read or do homework, the people who go here are always loud and there isn’t anyone around to shut them up.

Pros: near Independence high school, so students can go there easily
Cons: its small and most of kids hanging out there not for studying purposes, but they rather spend time their chatting or playing cards. You’ll hardly concentrate there.
I have to praise the staff there though. They’re being so patient and yet strict enough with the kids. Because of them I’ll give it 3 star.

Dont go here. Garbage. Its seems so empty and like their isnt any books to really browse at. At least they say «have a good day» on your way out though.

So it’s not the prettiest of the San Jose Public Library branches, but the Educational Park Branch is one of the friendliest library branches in the system.
Since it is on the same property of Independence High School, there is usually a huge rush of students between 2−4pm. Despite the craziness, the staff there work well with the teens, by being stern enough so they are taken seriously, but not discouraging them from coming back. There is a really active teen advisory group there so if you or someone you know is looking for volunteer hours, it’s a great place to be.
Storytimes are small, but it gives them a more personal feeling and the parents and children are really well behaved!
There are better book collections at other branches (mainly adult non-​fiction), but their picture books, children’s non-​fiction, DVDs, and manga are pretty good. They also have wireless in the building, which helps since they have few PCs and don’t have a computer lab.
This branch is set to be closed late 2008, but the new branch will be built very close to the old location.
Please give Educational Park a chance, you’ll be pretty surprised how cool it really is…
… and so what if I’ve worked there before and loved every minute of it!?! :)