San Ramon Library

I love our local library, there is a a kids corner with puzzles, dont care for the kids computer though because i go to the library to get away from electronics. Staff is friendly but limited parking. I love books!

I love libraries… I love hanging out in libraries. Love reading… Love not to pay for books… But this library… I’m sorry… Rude librarians… With hella attitude… Sorry library. 1 star

Super rude!!! Come on you work in a library and wanna have the worst attitude towards kids and adults! so disappointed ive even used this library! I would give zero stars due to how terrible they can be!

The front desk staff are fairly rude
Not enough desks for the amount of patrons on weekends
Very few electrical outlets available

This is a nice resource for the community, especially the students. Kids can study here and also volunteer as a public service — also a learning experience. They have lots of interesting materials, although not a very large facility.

You can have books sent from other locations easily and for free, they have DVDs and CDs, and they have fun story times and such for kids! It seems old and not as fancy as some libraries, but it functions well!

Good

I stopped by to drop off books for donation. I must have left about $ 500 worth of books, many new, that I just got tired of toting around each time I moved and never got around to reading. I didn’t get much love. I asked for a receipt and the lady at the desk seemed completely annoyed by my request. The library seemed clean and quiet, so I’ll see if I like it better after a second visit.

I’ve been going to Contra Costa County libraries since I was tiny and am so proud that some of my tax dollars still go to such a worthy cause
I started out with storytime, summer reading programs & tiny chapter books but now go to the library for books on CD. Whenever I have a long drive, this is my go-​to place because why should I spend $ 30+ on a set of CDs that I’ll only listen to once? I know that you can also do some e-​books through the library system, but I’m one of those that read a good book over and over, so I don’t like to borrow.
This library is not as «nice and new» as Lafayette or Danville, but it is clean, has super nice librarians and lots of parking (although sometimes it’s a bit of a trek as Buffalo Wild Wings is their neighbor). It also has decent hours so I can come at my convenience when needed. For a great library, that has lots of stock offered to all Contra Costa residents FOR FREE, with super nice people, Yay! I’m a fan.
Unilocal 100 Challenge: ⁷⁴⁄₁₀₀

This is what I would call our «home library». It’s closest to our house, and if we have time or if I reserve books from Contra Costa libraries, I have them sent here.
Overall it’s a decent library, but it’s dated and small. I would love if they had a small play area like the Pleasanton Library has (with a train table, kitchen, etc). We have stopped by for story time, and my son enjoys it. The computers are okay, but other libraries offer many more computers for young ones to use.

This may sound a bit bizarre but I almost have more library cards than credit cards. Don’t ask me how I got so many library cards but it’s something that is great value to me and I have one in almost every county in the Bay Area.
I frequent the San Ramon Library often. It is a very small location, but I only go there to pick up books that I reserve through my Contra Costa County Library online account. If you haven’t ever tried it, it’s very convenient. Just go on the website and reserve your books/​dvd and chose the library location you wish to pick up the materials. The CCC library branches are connected so they can get the materials from wherever it’s available and you don’t have to wait too long for your materials. Even if there is a que for the book that you reserve, there are many copies in the system so that also shortens the waiting period. Very efficient and great circulation system! Once the book arrives, you will get an email or phone call (depending on your preference) telling you that it will be held for you for a week. Pick up your reserved items and use electronic self check-​out. Simple! You don’t even have to go look in the stacks yourself. They also have digital downloads that you can reserve through the online account as well.
The librarians at the SRL are very courteous and helpful. Once it was a holiday weekend and I had dropped off my books in the over-​flowing book drop outside. Somehow, one of my books did not get checked in and was claimed as overdue. When I explained the story (no pun intended) to the librarian, she waived it and didn’t charge me any penalty.
I never actually stay at SRL to read but there are always young children and students studying in this generally quiet library. It is inviting and has a neighborhood vibe. Good thing about this location is that they were not affected by any county furlough schedule. It is even open on Sundays!

Drove by here this morning and saw a father with his 2 little kids carrying book bags going to the library. The littlest of the children had a book backpack that was almost as big as the little girl — who must have been only 2 years old. It was so cute. And the father was taking pictures of the kids — I think it must have been the little one’s first visit to the library. I would have taken a picture myself, but I was driving.
That is what libraries are all about — getting kids interested in reading and learning. And that is what this little library does best.
Yes it is small, Dublin and Pleasanton are bigger — and Livermore has the nicest in the Tri-​Valley area. And yes, the selection of books isn’t the best. But they have nice programs for the kids, a decent children’s area, and they are in the regional network — so if there is something they don’t have and it is in another library in the region, they can get it.

This library is nerd-​friendly. They have animé, they have manga, and they have an extensive collection of Kurt Russell DVDs.
Oh, and they have books too.

Small and simple; in fact, you wouldn’t think this place was a library if it wasn’t for the sign. This place is average in comparison to its neighboring cities, but the library staff is very nice and helpful, and the collection of reading materials is extensive as any library out there. There are no private rooms around, and the study cubes are so narrow and small, I felt like I was rubbing elbows with my neighbors. Plus, there doesn’t seem to be enough to go around. I can only imagine how crowded this library is during finals. Also, a lot of the lights are not working because it was «deemed unsafe for children.» It’s safe to say that I had a difficult time finding a perfect study cube. This place might be older than and not as high tech as others, but it’s still a good place to go. You can’t beat a library that’s in the middle of a shopping center, surrounded by places to eat.

** 4.5 stars **
First I’ll preface this review by saying that I love books. I love to read. I love to learn. Story of my life. Suffice it to say, I like me my libraries.
The San Ramon library does not disappoint! I love coming to this place. Let’s count the ways, shall we?
PERIODICALS — extensive collection from cooking to investments to hobbies to animals to lifestyle, you can pretty much find it here. There’s also a huge section of past issues, at least 3 or 4 years back.
MUSIC — definitely the biggest collection of jazz music I’ve seen. There’s an old school jukebox that you can choose music from, but also a section varying classical to pop music. I’ve definitely had some random finds here.
MOVIES — the selection isn’t that great here. They’ve integrated the videocassettes with the DVDs, which goes to show that their collection isn’t quite that extensive to separate the two. But it’s okay, you can always request it on-​line (more on that later…)
BOOKS — hello? The foundation of a library, right?! I’ve found that this library stays pretty much up-​to-​date with the latest and greatest of books. The New Releases section is always a good place to start. It runs the gamut from mystery to non-​fiction. They always try to get the latest editions of series (e.g. Fodors travel series). And the stacks are always neat and clean (which seems like a tiny point, but it’s SO not.)
ON-​LINE — the San Ramon library is part of the Contra Costa County library system, and its website is such a great source. Access
to check your account, reserve books, on-​line tutoring and so much more! They even boast — wait for it… — a MySpace profile. I kid you not. Check them out at:
, and add them as a friend!
«But if you love this library SO much, why hold out on that last star?!» Okay, I held out on the last ½ star because I’ve found that sometimes the selection isn’t that great. And with 20+ libraries in the whole system, there’s just no excuse. Also, I think that it could use some more studying areas and open space. But these are just minor gripes.
This library always keeps me coming back for more. :)