Alhambra Civic Center Library

It’s a clean, accessible, organized, student-​friendly, old-​people friendly, wifi roaming two-​story library with a free spacious underground parking lot. Rating a public service like this with anything less than 4-​stars is beyond me. While I’ve only visited a handful of times, they rightfully earned a solid 5.
They get new books in all the time! I love access to free reads! They even sort and display featured/​new books on the main floor right when you enter the building. Thanks for that!
Wifi is reliable and quick. You just need your library card # to access it.
They have a stellar selection on travel guides. I picked up a few crisp 2015 Lonely Planet guides recently and it felt like cracking open a book from a neatly packaged Amazon order. Probably cause the rest of the world is getting their traveling tricks and tips online… you fools. haha.
This library rocks. The only thing I’d imagine to be an issue for some are the hoards of teenagers once it hits 2/3pm.it’s right next to Alhambra High… so if you want to avoid the kiddies, be sure to go early and book it before 2pm.

The people there are really nice. There is always parking when I go and seats open to sit in inside the library. The downside is screaming children at night.

While there are numerous positive aspects of this library, there are several things that needs to be improved:
Parking: There’s more than enough parking space, so why is there a 4 hour time limit?
Library patrons: Although the teenaged children are loud and routy, none of the library staff will engage them and tell them to be quiet. The staff only approach older adults.
Bathroom: In the men’s restroom, oftentimes there are individuals whom are bathing themselves using the sink. As a result, there is a very pungent odor and the sink area is a mess.
Library staff: The staff that works on the 2^nd floor are often rude and belittle you if they see UNOPENED/​UNEATEN food in your vicinity.
When assisting patrons in finding their books, the staff members are very, very LOUD! Even with my music adjusted very high, I can still hear them shouting.
Computer use: Oftentimes, there are individuals who play games on the library computers. This isn’t an internet café and the games in question use a lot of internet bandwidth.
Internet service: Thankfully the internet is free to library patrons, however, the internet speed is very inconsistent. In the morning, the internet is very fast, however, after 1pm, the speeds are so slow, it’s almost impossible to visit websites with no images or videos.
Upgrade the internet speeds and regulate the noise and this library will get a 5 star rating. Otherwise, it’s a good start.

Ok, this library is nice! in terms of the design of the building. However, it isn’t too conducive to holding a large amount of people who want to study. They often have plenty of empty study rooms, but if you are studying by yourself, then that’s not helpful. Unless I come within the first hour of the library opening, I can never find myself an individual study desk spot. I must also say, the vents are freezing in this library. I’ve moved around to a couple different areas both up and downstairs and I am still freezing– so I recommend wearing pants and bringing a sweater, especially if you plan to stay for hours.
The restrooms are nice, there are two floors. I also have to gripe about the wifi password. It’s hard to understand why they re so secretive about this. If you don’t have a library card, you will not have the wifi password unless you ask other people in the general vicinity for it. I don’t like the hassle of that. So, I will stream and stream and stream when I’m on their wifi. haha.

Be sure to get your car out of the parking garage before the gate closes. The elevator will not work during off hours.

Library is huge, clean and quiet. They even have private rooms for group discussions. Parking is easy and covered, but with 4 hour limit.

I grew up here and I watched the opening of this library, and I have to say one thing that sucks about this library is the amount of tables they have. I would say this library is considerably large, but every time that I am here, I would have to wait for an opening of a table. They should have more cubical desks like other libraries. It saves more room, and at the same time it allows there to be more desks for people to study.

I have been coming here more frequently instead of visiting tea shops to do my studying. I like how I can take a nap on here at the library after work before I start my studyings. This place is pretty clean, spacious, quiet, and parking is easy to find. They have their own parking structure where you can park for up to 4 hours. Sometimes, the internet can act up once in a while but the wifi is decent for the most part.
No eating or talking inside though.
Note: the library closes early on Thursdays-​sat (5:30pm)
Note :lately the library has been pretty loud in the evening with people yelling/​talking across the hallway in different languages and kids running around.

They have their own parking lot. 2 story library with an upstairs outside patio along the perimeter of the 2^nd story. Free wifi. lots of tables to read and study! Also this library is located close to main street which has some good restaurants!
There is also starbucks walking distance from the library.
Parking structure info. 4 hour maximum. garage closes at 930 pm mon– weds and at 530 pm on thurs-​sat so make sure your car is out by then or you may be cited!

Alhambra library has its pros and cons… but for me, the cons stack up. This library looks great from the outside and there’s plenty of free parking!
I’ve been here plenty of times for various reasons. It is fun how the library has events for children every couple of weeks. I came here with my niece for a singing event and all the children were having a blast.
On another note… on the weekdays I’ve been here, the library gets super packed. The Internet is impossible to connect to. There aren’t many outlets and the study rooms are full. I’ve interacted with several employees and each time they weren’t friendly.
Again, this library does have its pros. I’ll try to check out the library at different hours and days. and hopefully encounter friendlier employees.

This is my default public library if I need to study or print things if my home printer is misbehaving. Parking is usually plenty.
I’m glad they constructed this library. I remember when I would go to their old library to study. This is a major step up for this city and neighborhood. Plenty of places to study or read.
I like coming late evening and nights to avoid crowds from the high school.
Staff here are nice and helpful. Computers and printing stations are plentiful. Seats are kept clean and comfortable. I feel at home in this library.

Open very late at night (till 9 pm some nights). Very helpful, friendly employees. Took me to the book I was looking for. I got a library card even though I’m not a resident of Alhambra. Shhhhh this can be our secret.

The building looks pretty new but the inside was pretty confusing. It took me awhile just to find the restrooms because there were no signs indicating where they are. The worst part of this libary would have to be the librarian who I spoke to. I asked her a reference question and she told me to go and Google it myself because my question was too complex for her… That’s such a huge fail on her part and quite possibly the worst thing you can do as a librarian.

Brand new library!!! Underground parking, fast service. My kids love coming and picking out books. I was able to process my infants passport application. Make sure you make an appointment. The young lady was very helpful with our passport process. They also have a copy/​fax center for your business needs.

How could I not find out about this place earlier? Came here on a Thursday morning to study for my finals. The library is very new, bright, huge, and quiet. If you are looking for an alternative place to study, you may wanna check this out. Wifi does require a library card but it’s free and real easy to sign up for. Otherwise, there’s nothing I can complain about this place.
*There’s an underground parking for your convenience as well.

Very quite environtment… well organised and helpfull staff… this library is one of top notch in the area compared to other library places…
The library has underground parking facility and two stories of organised books and computers… they also have great outside reading gazeboo on second floor opened for outside reading…
Overall, great places and great staff

I found a new place to do my computerstuff rather forcing myself to by a drink at some Tea and Coffee place only to be able to sit there.
Alhambra Library is the perfect place for you to do your homework, because it’s quiet, it has free WiFi, a/​c, plenty of outlets for your phone and Macbook (so important these days) ;) …ohhh… and did I mention if you’re oldschool there are actually a lot of books you can use if you need to look up for sth.

This new library is bigger, brighter, and well designed with outdoor seatings! It acquired more selections in books, DVD, and larger area for studying. It is very pleasant to the eye, and usually very quiet. Do avoid to go here after 2:30pm on weekdays, as the nearby high school students would rush in after class and break the peace with conversations and gossips.
Sometimes people really ought to be more polite and considerate. Often there are elderlies who turn on the speaker on their computer unit… shhhh it is a library. Or someone would just abruptly took the seat next to me without asking or even making eye contact… Awkward!
Any how, it is still a good place to find a good read and get some studying done, with great deal of parkings underground.

I have more of a complaint with regards to the people who use the library. Maybe I am spoiled by My old university’s libraries. Where almost everyone is a student and we are courteous to one another about being quiet. I have been other libraries in Pasadena that are much more quiet, but I keep coming back in hopes it won’t be too bad since I live around there. Wrong every time. Now I know to take the extra drive to Pasadena.
Here, no one gives a shit if they are loud or not. Phones ring constantly. Sometimes multiple times from the same person. People don’t care that their headphones are blaring with their video games.
Kids are screaming.
I wish the librarians did more to regulate the noise.
Last thing that pisses me off here. There are not that many outlets to plug my laptop. Come on Alhambra. You spent this much money for a high tech library. And there aren’t outlets at every desk?!
This library is good if you want some free AC and to not do any studying.

Did you know that you can get your passport renewed at this Library? Well, your welcome! Service is fantastic, friendly, and fast. I was in and out within 20 minutes and the processing fee is only $ 25.
Somethings you don’t want to forget:
–ID card
–Old passport book
–Black pen
–Birth certificate
–Social Security
–New passport picture
–Correct Passport form