Yarborough Branch, Austin Public Library

The staff is wonderful. Very helpful. I had issues with my account and the staff took care of the issues in minutes. Good selection. Not a bad location either. Just has a good vibe.

I read more books than any sane person should, and when I found out that Overdrive existed, the first thing I did was check out Austin Public Library. The Yarborough branch is just down the block from where I work, so I stopped in at lunch and walked out with a library card. It was super easy, and the woman at the check-​out desk was extremely helpful.
My main reason for membership was access to the APL overdrive account, and since then I’ve checked out probably 3 – 5 e-​books each week as well as an occasional physical book at this awesome little branch. The Overdrive check-​out limit is 10 books at a time, they’ve even bought some of the additional books I’ve suggested, and overall it’s been a wonderful, hassle-​free experience. Unfortunately, my time at APL is coming to an end, though, since they’ve instituted a $ 120/​year fee for non-​residents. Once my card expires, there’s no way I can afford to renew it.
According to APL’s map, my street is the dividing line for Austin and Pflugerville, and I live on the wrong side. I work in Austin, shop in Austin, shop at the APL book store to support the library, even pay Austin utilities, but it will now cost me $ 120 a year to use any of the libraries I’m near on a daily basis. Prior to this new fee structure, membership was free for any Texas residents, and while I can understand charging something for use by those who don’t technically reside in Austin, $ 120 is a huge jump. Houston Public Library has the same size Overdrive catalog, and membership is free for all Texas residents. Likewise, the Brooklyn Public Library in New York charges just $ 50, and their catalog is twice the size of Austin’s. Luckily for me, I can get membership at both online.
As much as I love Austin and the Austin Public Library system, it’s sad that both have become unaffordable for me, and I will certainly miss dropping in at the Yarborough branch.

Fantastic library experience every time you go!
The staff pulls select children’s picture books to the top of shelves to help you find the gems. Thank you!
The staff also programs great events and movie screenings.
Nice, quiet atmosphere. Lots of patrons reading at tables or comfortable chairs.

I’m updating this review because the city budget has enabled this library to open on SUNDAYS!!!
The staff at Yarborough are just amazing. So friendly and helpful.
The programming of movie screenings here is much appreciated. What a terrific community resource.
When I talk to friends and coworkers who tell me they don’t have library cards, I just dissolve. How do you even begin to explain what they are missing out on???

This is what our central library should have looked like on a signifigantly larger scale. Bright, clean, attractive, interesting art work while people are checking out books. Comfortable furniture. Hard to believe it is still part of the APL system at all.
I took away one star because several of the parents at this particular location forget (or never learned) that you do not let your kid scream in a library. And the staff don’t correct the people either.

The Austin Public Library system is fantastic. I do have one (very major) qualm regarding this particular branch, which is the lack of a self-​checkout line. It’s a chore to line up with only one item (i.e. Season 1 of Drop Dead Diva or The Marquis de Sade’s The Crimes of Love or The Abs Diet Cookbook) and be terrified of being judged solely by that item. I’ve had to pick up additional books and DVDs I had no intention of reading just to balance, soften and obfuscate my original selections. Raise my taxes, Austin. Or pass some bond measure to fund self-​checkout lines at all libraries. Let me borrow my smutty novels and garbage-​dump TV shows without the fear of human contact.

Nice old location in central Austin, the site of the former Americana theater.
The Austin Polymer Clay Guild meets here every 2^nd Saturday in their meeting room at 2:30 in the afternoon – great group of polymer enthusiasts ranging from professional artists and authors to total newbies – no requirements for membership other than an addiction to polymer arts! Come join us – you’ll be glad you did.

Aside from awkward hours — I can understand being closed on a Sunday, I guess, but why Friday? — there’s nothing to dislike about this cute little converted theater that’s now my closest library branch. They have a surprisingly broad selection of books, the staff are friendly, and I can’t find fault with the 10am — 9pm hours on most days except the aforementioned Friday gripe. Even the kids that are always here seem to be unusually well-​behaved. Plus it’s named for one of the best Senators in Texas history. Visit here and soak in some true neighborhood library vibes.

this is the parking lot where the hazing scene from dazed and confused was shot, duh…

Nice location … recycled movie theater.
Nice little nook for kids to read/​play in.
Always calm when I’ve been there.

Libraries are a lot like people, depending on where they develop, they take on a certain personality. The Yarborough Branch of APL has a decidedly neighborhood feel. It channels the attitudes of the people in the surrounding community. There are numerous weekly activities for kids/​families, which makes it great for getting kids into books. Yet, all these activities mean the eerie quiet of the legal stacks is not present, nor are there secluded areas to study.
The upside is that there are always large, sprawling tables with power cords for laptops, and tons of great books. All of the staff are helpful, and anytime I’ve had an issue finding something or with a particular person they have been able to assist me. So, since you can beat free wifi and comfy chairs, its a great place to read, study, and hang out– as long as you aren’t looking for sensory deprivation study time.

I’ve been going to the Yarborough for many years. I’ve had nothing but the best of experiences from the selection and staff… and it keeps getting better. The people are friendly, efficient and very helpful. The library is a relaxing place to spend an hour or two. Everything is clean and organized. I suppose those are things that other libraries take for granted, but I don’t. It’s the courtesy and helpful employees that make it work for me.

Man, this library really needs some work.
A disclaimer first — I am a library sciences master’s student. The past year of my life has been devoted to attending classes, reading articles about library spaces, designing libraries, and attending professional conferences. I’ve got libraries on the brain. I also work in two libraries — one as a circulation assistant and another as a reference intern. Perhaps I’m being hyper-​critical, but that’s my job.
First, the space was clearly not made to accommodate a library, but the layout just makes it worse. Shelves are way too tall, making it hard for shorties (5’2″) like me to see the tiny signs on top of them. (Signage is poor in general.) Carts of books needing to be re-​shelved clutter up the computer area.
Customer service is poor. The last two times I’ve been there, there has been three employees behind the circ desk. Only one of them is helping patrons and the line is about 9 people long. Why can’t someone help out on another terminal? Checking out books is not hard. This past time I came to pick up books I had placed on hold. Of all the libraries I’ve been to and the ones I’ve worked for, the hold books have been behind the desk. This keeps people from walking away to read them in the library. After waiting fifteen minutes in line, I ask for the books on hold. The circ worker points to a shelf and says «They’re over there.» I’m confused, so I ask, «Do I get the books that are mine and bring them here to be checked out?» She answers yes. I go find them (not hard) and come back to wait in line again. Seriously?
This area is growing rapidly and people are going to want to come into the library. They really need to hire friendlier faces at the circulation desk. And print some bigger signs!

I love Books & Babies story time at this library! The librarian, Miss Elizabeth, is such a wonderfully sweet lady and very good with the babes. It’s not a large library but they have a nice selection and an adorable kids section.

Whenever I am in the area and I have time to waste I will go to the Yarborough Branch. I love the architecture as it is very unique to the other libraries in Austin. It looks like it used to be a bowling alley. I’m glad they didn’t tear it down. As usual all the libraries in Austin are great. If l lived in the area I would come here more often to do more work. This is a great place where I can wander around and see what books they have. There is limited space if you are going to bring your laptop and study.

I seriously feel the need to tell everyone I know about how much I love the Austin Public Library. Gone are the days of spending $ 15 on a book you read once and try to pawn off on everyone you know so you don’t feel like it was a waste. Also, gone are the days of the Dewey Decimal System and wandering through the library for 45 minutes trying to find that one book you need. NOW – simply go online, pick out your book, reserve it, get an email when it’s ready, pick it up, done. It’s honestly that simple.
I have really only taken advantage of the books, but they do also have books on tape (CDs now I guess) and movies… and it’s all FREE. Well, kind of. Anyhow, this is one place I am happy to see my tax dollars at work!
Also, I love that they cater to my laziness. If they don’t have the book that you want at your library, they will have it sent over to the library of your choice and then send you an email when it is ready to be picked up.
I am in total awe of the efficiency of the Austin Public Library. Way to be on the line with the internets Austin!

I’m a big fan of public libraries. Here’s my experience with Yarborough, though it applies to some of the other APLs I’ve visited, too.
Pros:
— Easy online account management
— Pickup of reserved books from throughout the APL system
— Plenty of parking
— Free, unlimited wifi
Cons:
— Closed on Friday and Sunday
— Librarians are hit or miss in terms of friendliness and professionalism
— Not always quiet enough to study /​focus
— Too cold inside: bring a sweatshirt for extended stays
Pro/​Con:
— large kids area :-)

I remember spending an hour each day in «Library» in catholic school way back in the day. We learned the card catalog, the dewey decimal, the ways of Nancy Drew and Shel Silverstein, we busted through the Looking Glass and spent way too much on book fairs. I was queen of the free posters for years. You know the ones I’m talking about… «Just Hangin’ Around» with the monkey in the tree. Those… abominations.
This library is a lot like that library in style — rows of bookshelves crammed full, a kids reading corner, book clubs, book it and a cheesy poster that says «Robert Earl is Keen on Libraries!» But its SO much easier to get a book out than it was in the days of yore! It takes less time to look it up on the computer, find it, and check out than it would for you to learn that half price will be giving you .02 back for that ltd edition Origin of the Species.
I called ahead to the North Village branch to see if they had Born to Run. They were all out… but found it for me at the Y branch! So after the librarian gave me directions AND told me who it was named after, I headed down. Once in, I found the book right away and checked out with my keytag (think remarkable card) and their super efficient scanning system. Then on the way out, I ran into ANOTHER book I’ve been wanted to find. So I got that one too. So currently I have five books out of the «lib» — three audiobooks and two readables.
Suffice to say, I have a sick addiction to reading. I’d almost rather do that than anything else. The Y branch is super 50s in that kitschy cool way all the great buildings in Austin are. You only have to look up to see the giant silver books «flying» like seagulls over your head to appreciate that this place is a serious resource. And they’ve got a TON of audiobooks. Why pay for them? When I left yesterday, I probably had about $ 80 worth of merch… for the cost of about 7 minutes of my time. So stop being a book hoarder, or paying for the latest Patricia Cornwell, and check out your local lib. It’s gonna save you cash and mental anguish.

How have I not reviewed one of my favorite places in this city?
Yarborough is totally awesome. It’s a comfortable library to come hang out in. It’s the closest library to my house, and I love this neighborhood. I just feel so cool riding my bike to the library and filling my little bike basket with books.
Also, the library personnel are very friendly. Even when I run in there at 8:57 PM to pick up my holds (they close at 9:00 PM most days), they are still just as friendly as if I would have come in first thing in the morning.

We are heavy users of the APL: books, DVD’s, CD’s, storytelling programs… everything! I’ve even popped in to use their computers when experiencing programs with my own or when my internet service is down.
This branch is close to home, so it’s one of our regular ones. It doesn’t always have the items we want, so we do what Michelle C. and Dennis C. do — reserve online then pick up. To do this, you have to first appear in person at any APL branch to get set up with an online pin number. Once you have that, you are good to go.