Burlingame Library

Wow! Can I say anything but wow?
If you can’t tell, I am absolutely blown away by this library. But I guess I shouldn’t be. Burlingame is known for having awesome stuff. But this library in particular seems so amazing it still blows me away. Walking through the front entrance, even before you get inside, it just has an oldish, mature feel to it. It’s definitely an old library, but that never means anything. As soon as you walk in, you realize that it is a very beautiful library. There are windows everywhere letting natural lighting in, and making it feel very open. It’s what you would think an ideal library would be.
There are 3 different floors which I’m sure you probably know by reading all the other reviews, and they are all pretty good. I spent most of my time on the bottom floor, which did get a little noisy at a point because they were hosting some minecraft club so a bunch of 10 yr olds were having fun. Not a big problem, but they do occasionally host things like that.
The décor and the environment that the library gives you just feels amazing. It doesn’t feel like a standard library. To me, the best way to describe this is a college library. Not just any college library though, a library that is both modern and has character to it. Honestly I’ve been inside UCSB’s library and I can honestly say that this library is better.
Honestly go out of your way to come here. To work, to read, or anything… Just come take a visit. I promise that you’ll enjoy it…

Just a beautiful building with a rather large selection of books, the library is arguably the jewel of downtown Burlingame.

I love this library. It’s beyond rare to find a library with that cozy, warm academic feel with wood desks, carpet and soft lighting. I am a writer, and often bring my computer here for a change of pace. SO wish all public libraries were like this. And Fika’s Café has great food! But there is a real problem and I’m bringing it up in the hopes that the library administrators will take it seriously. It happens all the time, and it’s happening right now as I sit at my table on the main floor. People talk loudly! And in my experience, it’s often the librarians themselves who raise their voices unnecessarily when talking with patrons. A library is supposed to be quiet, folks! And twice I’ve had a mother and child (once, three children) sit next to me to conduct tutoring or home schooling sessions. Now, I’m all for that — I was home-​schooled myself — but a library is not the place for it. I can’t understand why the librarians don’t tell these people to at least find a remote corner and keep their voices to a whisper. The inability to concentrate has already significantly reduced my visits here, and may stop them altogether. I know other patrons feel the same way. If you fix this, in my opinion you will have a perfect library!

This library is very nice. I love how they have so many cubicle areas where you can just focus on your work or study. I love the room where the newspapers are in. This room feels like a real library. The only concern is that there’s no free parking during the day. I hate having to worry about going outside to pay for parking or having to move it every two hours. So it’s a good alternative if I need to go somewhere to focus on a Sunday.

So good! This library is neat and clean. It has a very scholastic feel which most libraries do so it makes for a good study session to get in the zone. Large windows that let in an ample amount of natural light.
There are three floors, all with plenty of space to study. Some individual love seats to get cozy and into your book/​studies. Love the outside balcony area and also a little café.
If you have a study group or need more privacy you can book a study room in advance for up to 2 hours.
2 hour free parking as well as metered parking right outside of the building.

Love this library! I go out of my way to study here. I am one of those people who needs the right working environment in order to be productive.
They did this very cute thing for Valentine’s Day where they match you up with a blind book date. I definitely saw this on tumblr or Twitter but it is still very cute.

Very nice library with a lot of charm because it looks older. Warm ambiance and a great deal a character, which I like. It has a little café too. The only problem is parking. Burlingame has 2-​hour parking limits on the meters, so I have to run out every 2 hours to put more money in the slot. Also, sitting at the table with my laptop, there are not always outlets to plug in my computer. Probably the nicest library I’ve been in here in the bay area.

A great place to visit they now have a café. Chairs very comfy. Looks more like four seasons than library. Lots of books and kids area. You can check out Ebooks for your iPad even outside library — good place to study or have informal meetings.

Today’s my third visit at this library, and it’s honestly the best library I’ve been to so far. They have their own parking garage which has meters & have a two hour limit. But all meters are free starting 6pm. You can always find street parking as well in the surround streets pretty easily. The library is spacious, pretty beautiful looking. Bathrooms are decent. My favorite thing about this place is the cubicles downstairs in the NonFiction floor. I love having my own personal space all to myself versus sharing space with other people especially strangers. Hahaha.

I’m typing this review as I’m sitting in one of the cubicles at the Burlingame Library — that’s how much I enjoyed my experience here.
Now this review is primarily about the space itself as well as what’s around the library. I didnt actually come here to read, but I came here to do homework to pass the time. Compared to a lot of the other libraries I’ve been to, Burlingame is pretty sick and definitely sets the bar! Not only are there plenty of floors to keep you busy, the staff members here definitely do a good job decorating the walls, the stairs, etc.
The atmosphere is actually pretty quiet, compared to what others have said. I worked on the top floor and there was absolutely NO noise. The internet was actually pretty fast as you can see that I’m able to upload this review.
There’s plenty of parking on the street outside, so don’t fret if you are worried you won’t get a spot. I found one pretty quickly and was on my way to enjoy my time here.
Overall, great library and cool city.
Read well and prosper,
–ß

Kind of upsetting you need to find a quiet place in this library to study. Even with ear plugs in, at certain times of the day this place can get pretty loud for being a library. It may have something to do with the way it’s built because of the way it echoes, but even though, people are talking at full volume. Not to mention the people going up and down the stairs which is also louder than usual. Yeah, it’s a great place to bring your kids and meet up with your friends and have coffee or whatever, but it’s still a library.

Very fast Internet on bottom floor only. Mostly uncomfortable chairs for working at tables or desks. Not the most helpful librarians.

To be fair, I am a lover of books and therefore, I love almost every library I encounter. That said, I really love this library! It is large, well stocked, and has friendly staff. The Burlingame library also has beautiful architecture… it is a gorgeous building. It is a picturesque place to hang out and read. There are many comfy and cozy spots to study, surf the net, or to catch up on the latest novel. It is quiet and orderly but is also a fantastic place for kids and has an area reserved just for the little ones. All in all, a lovely library on the Peninsula that I love to visit when I am nearby.

They’ve redone the library and its such a pleasure to come here. I go here to check out movies in addition to the myriads of books I check out for my 5 year old and myself.
The librarians seem to enjoy their work and are ever so helpful.
Turn off the TV, come by and read a book!

Old school and in great shape. Has a European look to it. Looks as good as the day it opened. This library was actually replaced. U have to pay for parking tho.
Wireless internet is faster than most public libraries I’ve been to. And I have been to many.

5 stars library. They have complete online catalog, nice reading area and sophisticated appeal. Stuff is helpful too. I have been to other San Mateo libraries but this one and Main Millbrae are my favorite!

The actual library and I interactions with people who work there and do storyline have been good. I did want to post this for mothers/​nannys/​caregivers to give a heads up that while my stroller was parked on the hallway area during storytime someone stole my ray bans out of the backpack I use for the kids I watch. I am from SF so I didn’t think out in Burlingame someone would rip me off. I was wrong. Everyone was good about helping me look for them. No luck. Just be careful when leaving stuff unattended. There are people looking when you would least expect it.

This review is for Storytime.
I wish I could bring my daughter here for storytime but I just can’t take it anymore. The woman who does toddler storytime seems nice enough, but her singing is so god awful and off key it makes enduring that 30 minutes of torture unbearable. I’m not expecting much for someone who just sings nursery rhymes, but it’s sad that this cute neighborhood library can’t find someone who can hold a tune.

This is one of the cleaner libraries I’ve been to, but I need a different card from my SF card since they are not interconnected on the system.
Good selection of books, but I couldn’t find the Depeche Mode CD I was looking for.
Ample parking around. Wish SF had so many open spaces to park.

Beautiful library and awesome fast WiFi! However, screaming babies should not be allowed in the library. I know that I would be asked to keep my voice down or leave so the parent of that child should be spoken to as well. For almost 20mins I had to listen to a screaming child for whatever reason, it’s unacceptable.
People need to take responsibility when having a child and be mindful of others, especially in a facility where you «have» to keep your voice at a low. Other than that, the library is a great place to visit.