County of Los Angeles Public Library – Carson Library

Do yourself a favor and DO NOT attempt to study here. No one here (including employees) respects the fact that libraries are suppose to be quiet (phones ringing, people talking on their phones, no whispering). Additionally, this place is like an elementary school, loud obnoxious children everywhere. What a waste of my time coming here! First and last time

This week marked the first time I spent two evenings in this library. I have passed this place so many times and never thought to visit. The quantity of items is respectable. My mom and I came to read books that we had already checked out from another branch. There was a sign of the times at this location: it was quite loud. The volume didn’t rise just because the kids came, either. We arrived in the early afternoon. People were yakking away in outdoor voices. Even with all that, I’ll be back next week.

I was happy to see the inside of a public library after all these years. This library is high ceilings, large reading areas, and a huge reference section, where public documents are kept for a minimum of 45 days comment period. Whenever there is an EIR, new development, or other major change within the City, a Public Notice appears in the newspaper and routes citizens to the public library. This is an especially nice library that services a variety of nationalities and must be able to communicate in several different languages to service the public. It was nice that they have a free parking lot, as the street was undergoing some major repairs in front. Because I went right when it opened, there were no crowds of children or teenagers. I am sure this is a popular place to study and meet friends after school, as there are a couple of schools adjacent to the library. For a County Library, this is very cool!

Great place to come and study or finish some homework. The librarians are very nice and the keep the place very clean and organized.

It’s quite small. They don’t have much sections and its not as quiet as a library should be but it’s clean and kept organized.

This library has always been in Carson for me growing up. It’s an okay library if you’re looking for a place to study at but it really is nothing too special. It’s just a mediocre library that doesn’t match up to other libraries in the L.A. area. It is small and doesn’t have a large selection of books. There is a teen section which houses animes and mangas which is pretty cool. I really wish that they built this library and other libraries to be more than what they are now.
I use this library for quick internet access and that’s nice. Computers are quick.
I’d rather not really go to this library all too much to be honest.

You know I’ve never really been the type of guy to go to libraries let alone apply for a library card haha but today I decided to go down to the Carson library, living pretty close by and having really bad internet problems at home I said to my self o heck why not I could be doing online work stuff at the linear making money rather than waisting time at home trying to get the internet to work lol. Anyways got here didn’t expect much from my local Carson library and sure enough it’s not fancy but at the same time it’s not bad it beats going to Starbucks I think haha. Kinda slow internet so doesn’t help to much for doing online data entry and other online work stuff but hey it’s better than having no working internet. Most everyone seems very nice and helpful and the feeling you get hole ending here is a very casual relaxed type of thing like I said not exactly fancy so gym shorts and a shirt is fine won’t make you feel weird or out of place haha. I will definitely be back but next time I wanna do some work stuff on my laptop I will probably try another library or maybe a café or something…

Have been going to this library since I was a kid! They have great staff most of the time and are very helpful and friendly. Sometimes they don’t have the book I need because it’s at another branch, but it’s quick and easy to have it transfered over here. Love the online services!

Place is wonderful to go to. Had to do some research and studying, and there was not much noise. Librarian’s where so friendly and very attentive in what a person may need help on! I would definitely come back to this place!
Reasons for the 5 stars are:
1. Clean inside and out
2. Very attentive in what you may need or have questions about
3. Level of noise is very well maintained.
4. Helpful and not so long to check out books.
5. Easy to locate books, DVD, magazines, and other things.

THEY HAVE INDIVIDUAL STUDY ROOMS!!!
Back in the good olé days libraries use to be so quiet and ideal for studying. I am studying the most boring material (work related) and need little to no noise distractions for this crap to sink in. I visited the MLK Library in Carson first … too noisy for what I needed this Saturday morning. It’s a small quaint place but one of the staffers’ voices was too loud and irritating to me.
Decided to try this location in the afternoon. Walked in and a lot was going on … children playing, a book sale, etc. Walked around looking for a quiet space … hopefully in a lil corner or something. All taken. My last option was to trek out to LMU for their private study rooms. Something told me to ask one of the staffers if they had private study rooms before I hopped on the 405 North. And much to my surprise and delight … they had two. Lil cramped — enough for one person to stretch out. Studied for about 4 hours. Staff was extremely nice as well!

Ah, the Carson library. I remember going here as a child to play around with the computers and read various children’s novels.
So I utilized this literary cove as a place of study. I gotta say that it isn’t the best places to study. A large majority of a study tables are located right in the center of the library. Thus, if there are groups of elementary kids and high schoolers present collaborating on group projects, it’s going to get relatively noisy.
The book selection isn’t as varied as it is in other places. For whatever reason, they didn’t have Hunger Games or Game of Thrones at all. Do libraries just not carry the popular novels but only the esoteric ones?
There was one occasion where I was studying all by my lonesome and some dullard had the gall to to curse at me for no reason. Judging by his dowdy accoutrement, I surmised that he was some hapless bum with mental problems who happened to be using the library as a resting zone.

I have been coming here since grade school. Recently I’ve been bringing my toddler for storytime and other events. They even have a section full of educational toys for kids. A couple of weeks ago a wildlife company brought animals, and even let us touch a boa constrictor.

I’ve recently started the habit of reading books instead of watching TV or playing games on my phone. I’m not a fan of buying books because I only read the books once. I also don’t like reading my books digitally. I love the smell of library books and literally touching the books and turning the pages myself.
When I was in college, I tried studying here because I was too lazy to drive to Cal State LB. I knew that this library wasn’t an old fashioned library where people kept quiet and respected other people’s space if they needed it, but I decided to try it anyway. Big mistake. People spoke freely and didn’t even bother whispering. The staff made no attempt to silence them. There weren’t any ‘secret’ hideaways or a designated ‘quiet area’ to study or read quietly because everything is out in the open. This is a one story library, by the way. Needless to say, I gave up and drove to Cal State LB.
I’ve learned my lesson and my strategy now is to just borrow books and read quietly at home. I mostly do all my book reservations online. More often than not, this library doesn’t have the book I want in their shelves, so I reserve it. And more often that not, this library doesn’t have the book I want at all and takes a couple of days to transfer from another library.
This library used to be open everyday (Monday-​Saturday), but due to budget cuts (I assume), they’ve lessened their hours from Tuesday-​Thursday (10am-​8pm) and Saturday (8am-​6pm).
The staff are friendly and more than willing to help. They have designated computers and hours for internet use. You just have to sign up at the front desk for a certain time to use the computers with internet. I’ve seen people printing, but I’m not sure if that’s free or not. They’ve also got a copy machine and last time I made a copy, it was only 10 cents, but that was 5+ years ago.

Its big and has a wide selection of books. I drive 20 mins. to get here. When I order a book, I have it shipped here. They are very well organized and finding a book is very easy.
The only thing is, the hours and are very weird. I think this librbary is only open 4 days a week. Make sure you check online what day and time they’re open.

This is a medium sized library, or the building is medium sized. But the library is huge!!! That is because you’ll have access to the on-​line catalog via
. Just jump on-​line, search for the book you want, ask it to be delivered to the branch of your choice and you’ll get a email when the book arrives at that branch. You’ll need a libary card and a pin — provided when you get your library card.
A whole new world.. .. .. wow! Look at all those books! Oh heart be still.

I came here as a child and imagined that it was bigger than anything in the world. A decade and a half later, I return to find it is not that big, but still just as magical.
There is always a wonderful atmosphere — quiet, friendly staff, lots of kids and lots of people. It’s everything a library should be.
Overall, as far as public libraries go, this is definitely my library of choice. It’s as ideal as you’ll ever get.

Having recently become a study nerd, I am now always looking for good places to get some peace and quiet, and get some work done.
The library at my school, while super new, modern, cool, and humongous, is sadly infiltrated with moronic people that don’t seem to have any consideration that there are others who want peace and quiet. The staff does nothing about this either, so it’s just how it is… DUMB!!!
So anyways, I figure any Starbucks or Borders type places are kind of a bust since they are always crowded, plus I feel bad going there and not actually buying anything. Most people don’t seem to have that guilt, but I surely do!
Then I realized that I forgot about those things called public libraries! =D
I have seen this one on Carson St. many times, but never bothered to check it out. So finally I have, and it was actually pretty cool. First off, I was amazed how busy it was. Stupid me thought the internet had made libraries obsolete… apparently not the case!
So it’s pretty busy but not overcrowded. Free wireless access and pretty generous tables and workspace. Only gripe I have is the super hard wood chairs that kill your behind and leg circulation after about 10 minutes. I guess those are the only kind that will stand up against repeated use, but geeeeeeeezzzzzz can the wood be any harder???
The staff was pretty friendly and helpful, and set me up with a new la county library card so I can nerdily go check out even more libraries! =)
Pretty good hours, of course not open on Sundays, but I guess you can’t have it all.
I’ll definitely be back to this one!

Not the best library I’ve been to but I’ve been going here since I was 8 years old. Its convenient since I live in Carson.
— Staff. I have never come across anyone who was rude. If you ask for help you’ll usually get it.
— Days. Used to be open everyday but since budget cuts started kicking in they are now closed Sundays, Mondays, and Fridays. Stupid Carson City Council. Stop focusing on «black holes»
and pay more attention to this.
— Selection. Small but you could usually request a book and they’ll put it on hold for you. They’ll have it transferred from another library if it’s not in their collection.

Sorry to be the first one to bag on this place. The wireless reception is pitiful. Setting up is a total nightmare. After FINALLY getting logged on, it is SLOOOOOW. Leaving in defeat, I saw in the parking lot, some dude drinking beer in a bag inside his pinto hatchback with the driver door open.
Call me a snob if you must, but now I’m here at the Torrance Library a few miles away; and it took me «two minutes» within walking in the door to get on Unilocal and start typing this!!!

When you have as much time as I do on my hands, I usually come here to get some books, DVD’s and read some magazines, they even have CD’s, old video’s and of course computers connected to the internet. This place is one of the best things that you can do it for little cash.
This library is pretty huge with a good selection, like Geneva W. said before me the best sellers are a little hard to come by but their website is a good way to ensure you get a hold of any book or DVD you want, and they will email or call when it is avaliable. You can also renew books online too!
I have had no problems at this place, it does get crowded in the afternoons, so definitely try and come either in the morning when it opens or late (after 6pm) if you don’t want to be bothered by the young ones and free wifi, what more can you ask? This place will keep you busy for hours! Support your local Library!