Tulare County Library

Love this library. My daughter got her first library card in pre-​school (she’s 8 now); we’ve been going to to the library ever since. The children’s area is awesome and big, with computers for the kiddos. There are events throughout the year too. The children’s librarians are awesome and compliment my daughter for being such a good child in the library:) My daughter LOVES to learn and read.
Literacy is important, and here’s where you could continue to learn:)

I was looking for a quiet place to study, and for the most part, this library provides that space. There is free wifi, though it does not allow you to stream music and you’d have to ask for the username and password as they change daily. I found quiet areas with tables towards the Young Adult and Biographies sections, but electric plugs are limited for laptops.
Perhaps the most annoying factor about this library is that a bunch of riff-​raffs hang out towards the back of the library in the Computer Books section. They pretty much just talk all the time and listen to music out loud, even when security has requested them not to do so several times. I’m not sure why after the third or fourth request to quiet down, security just doesn’t kick them out for disturbing others, but whatever … I’ll just stay away from that area. It’s too bad since there are study desks in that area with electric plugs.
The children’s area has been remodeled since the last time I was here (which was 15 years ago). It looks fantastic, though it does not contain a large volume of books. The library overall is sparse in books, which makes me a little sad. The librarians here are very friendly.

This library is pretty cool. They have free WiFi but you need to ask for the password and username. It was pretty busy for a Tuesday, I really don’t think I’ve ever seen a public library that crowded. I stayed on the first floor and it was a bit noisy for a library, people were talking, cell phones ringing and babies crying. I don’t know if they have a quiet floor or something of the sort but thst would be nice.

Am i the only one who thinks it’s weird that this «library» barely has any books?! Dont go here if you are looking for a particular book, they most likely won’t have it. I went looking for some summer beach reads, but they only had a few books by the well known author i was looking for, and they were hardcover and HUGE (large print only). The books are ridiculously outdated, i couldn’t find any recent books. I asked the check out rep if they accept donations (i was seriously going to hold a book drive) and she told me that they accept them and sell them! well, that’s why they don’t have any books. so disappointing.

My review is MAINLY based on the Children’s area and activities. —– They have TODDLER TIME, STORY TIME, MOVIE DAY and since the remodeling the children’s AREA is fantastic. Our daughter loves it and already tries to sit and read books, she’s only 16 months old.
The Staff is super friendly with the children my only issue is the amount of riff-​raff, bums… unsavory characters that seem to make the VISALIA Library there home! THIS ALONE discourages me from bring my family.

This library deserves 5 stars for its children’s section. Some people look down their noses at a lot of things in the Valley, thinking that most things are second-​rate compared to what you would find in the bigger cities, but anyone with young children who is trying to foster in their children a desire to read and to love books can truly appreciate this library. Recently remodeled in 2008, the children’s section is quite large by most standards and has a layout that is somewhat of a three-​leaf clover. The space is open and inviting with the walls throughout painted in a very relaxing shade of green. There are many tables and chairs throughout and several computers with educational computer games for kids to play. One section has rows of shelves of picture books for pre-​readers and early readers. This section also has an area with big pillows where parents can read to their children and on certain days they have story-​time, etc. Another section has books for independent readers, paperbacks, etc. My daughters love this section because it definitely has the biggest selection of children’s books compared to the libraries in Hanford and Lemoore. My kids could easily spend several hours in this beautiful children’s library wing without me even once hearing, «I’m bored.» That is absolutely priceless. .. And since there is no price of admission and the books are simply borrowed and then returned, the experience in this library is priceless on several levels. As they say, «Check it out!»

They’re currently undergoing some construction so the place looks practically empty. I’m a bit of a library nut and have a card for 5 other counties and undoubtedly a few late fees somewhere. The first time I walked into this one, I started pouting :Where are the books?!: But that aside, they’ve maintained their youth and children’s section through this whole revamping and have a vast collection of new books along with suggested reading lists and suggested reading guides if you like a certain writer — who else they think you’d like.
The magazine section is awesome too. I sat there for a few hours reading «Writer’s Digest.» Great mag.