Altadena Library

Staff here is horrible. They can’t answer questions and they keep passing the puck to someone else. I took my concern to the manager and she to just glossed over my complaint. I’ll go somewhere else.

Very impressive public library. Congratulations to the staff, board of directors and the donors on a wonderful job.
I came here to pass a couple of hours while my daughter was in Spanish class nearby. The word that comes to mind is «spacious». The central section is wide open, with plenty of tables and natural light for reading.
And talk about friendly staff! A volunteer checked in on me as I wandered the stacks for a biography. The front desk staff then checked many places throughout the library for this book (recent returns, new books section, reshelving section) as the library catalog showed it as being in house, until they found it.
This library is quite special.

They have a kids area with pretend kitchen, educational toys, and books for kids. They have good arts and crafts activities and events for kids.

Free wifi for all visitors, and you don’t need to have a library card. The library is clean with lots of natural light. It’s on the smaller side, but parking is ample and available. I am in love with the location of this library, as it is completely surrounded by trees and fresh air!

There are TONS of programs and activities for kids that are both educational and fun. I remember spending a great deal of my summers there as a kid. From what I remember, librarians are not afraid to ask children to be quiet.

This is a really nice environment where one can enjoy a nice read through the pretty updated selection of reading material. I love the foliage that surrounds the library and the library staff is very helpful. Best of all, my son loves this library and my wife gets all of her books here.

It was a pleasant surprise coming here for the first time. By far, this library has the most healing effect on me, mainly because it is surrounded by live plants both indoors and out. I could just sit here all day and contemplate life or something of the sort. The book collection was quite substantial and up-​to-​date, being that I found some books that are not available in other library hubs. The staff were friendly and accommodating and there is sufficient parking along the streets and in the back. At this very moment, I’m planning my next visit and it will be a whole-​day affair, most likely.

It can get a little noisy around the children’s play area, but guess what? Its a childrens… play…area. Deal with it. Other than that, the overall ambient noise is not bad. As libraries go its well above the average in selection and atmosphere. Not as majestic as some of the other landmark libraries, but a pleasant environment to relax and feed your brain. The kids always want to come here and find new stuff to read.

It’s small and quaint! The HAPPY HOUR is awesome! Kidding!
Bit noisy for a library, but there’s is free WIFI and I can see and get some searching done amongst the redwoods, or whatever the heck those giganticus trees looming over me are!

Pros:
The library here has a great selection of books.
I personally come here for testing handbooks and children’s novels.
They have awesome kids’ programs.
They sell old books for a decent price.
It’s quiet.
They have a dvd/​vhs/​cd section.
They have a computer area that is never too full or overbooked.
They have seating especially for teens.
The parking is great.
You can rent laptops for use.
Cons:
They started charging for DVD rentals, and the DVDs are usually bad (skip a lot or are damaged).
The seating here isn’t great if you want to plug in your laptop. The chairs are uncomfortable and seem too big for the tables.
The teen seating is usually empty but the adult areas don’t have outlets. it puts me in an awkward position where I feel bad that I’m in a «forbidden» table, but if I don’t break the rules I can’t study without my laptop.

I am in this library right now, and I want to scream «SHUT THE **** UP!» Serioulsy. This place is awful. There should be restrictions on who is allowed in. Clearly some people don’t understand why libraries exist. For real, shut up. Just close your mouths when you are in here. I tried to make it clear to some people that you need to have complete silence if you want to study but some people just don’t seem to GET IT. SHUT UP. THIS IS A LIBRARY. SERIOUSLY, JUST SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUT YOUR MOUTHS!!! NOW!!!

This is a fantastic library. I have to admit, it’s probably the smallest library I’ve been to. But, it’s such a refreshing place to study. Big windows with plenty of greenery and natural sunlight. I love the lamps in the lobby area. Awesome library.

Best place to go for a good read. respectful community, no homeless people showering in the sink. and great views of the mountains nearby.

This is a fabulous library, and several others have posted about the selection for grown ups. They also have a small play area appropriate for toddlers and other young ones who may be too small to read for more than a few minutes at a time. The kids librians have amazing patience and are very helpful.

Okay so I am a little biased; I work here but we are popular with those who know about us. And well, we have so much to offer, programs for the entire family, tech classes, book clubs and a great collection of books, DVDs, music CDs, Audio-​books, magazines and don’t forget our rental video game collection!
Besides that your community is here! Come in for a visit and take advantage of your tax dollars at work!!!

You need not go anywhere else. Ever.
books
computers
printers
videos
friday movie nights
poetry and cookies
wireless
writers workshops
And a swanky 70’s feel to boot!
A must-​do.