Clearwater Public Library System – East Library

I am a big fan of libraries, but not this one. The corruption seems to start at the top. They are unhelpful, have bad attitudes and some strange idea about how people should act. I was in there once and the one of the male librarians named Tim was on the phone with the police saying that a lady was causing a disturbance and she was not allowed to be there. Seems reasonable, except the library was totally peaceful and calm — except for Tim. I looked around and did not see anyone acting up. He then told the police she was on the computers. I looked at the computers and understood what was happening. There was a lady at the computers wearing a burqa (head covering that Muslim women wear.) She was minding her own business and the only trouble she was causing was being a different religion. She was behaving in a very respectful manner. Okay maybe I was mistaken and there was a prior history between these two people. So later I am in there and a guy leaves his computer to go print something. In the Clearwater library if you leave a computer you are supposed to hide your screen so no one else takes it. After he leaves the computer, an elderly man who I assume was homeless, sits down to use the abandoned computer. The elderly man was verbally attacked by the guy who left his computer. It was pretty vicious. Then Tim began being disrespectful to this man. When I tried to show the man how to lock his screen to hold his computer so no one could take it while he was printing, he got mad at me and so did Tim. When I spoke to the libraries director, I saw why they have such a bad attitude at this branch. It starts at the top. In addition the library is unclean and some of the staff unkempt especially the aforementioned Tim. You guys need to do better with our cities tax dollars.

I have been to several libraries and this has to be my least favorite. Unfortunately, i am moving soon, so my main/​closest library won’t be Dunedin Library anymore, but instead this will be my closest library from now on. Bollocks!
Why didn’t i love this branch? It seems outdated and there are actual ‘bums’ inside. (They keep to themselves so i don’t see any real danger or problem. But… Just to be safe, if you are going to the bathroom, take your electronics/​purse with you).
Also, i tried doing some serious studying here but couldn’t since there are no private study rooms or separate quiet study area. In the ‘Reading area’, there are several table for 4 available… unfortunately you don’t choose who sits near you or how inconsiderate they will be. There were two young girls who were talking loud, watching videos (without headphones) on their cellphones, laughing… and burping… right behind me ! Hey… this isn’t a playground ! I can understand if you are discussing homework quietly but not this. If you aren’t going to be quiet in the reading area… go elsewhere !
Since this library will be close to my new place of residence, i might end up frequenting it more than i’d like… but i will complain of the noise from now on and hope the librarians do something about it. If this can get fixed, this would be a 3 star rating because not all of this library is bad. It also offers some amenities for the community and i see lots of citizens using the computers sufficiently quiet on the computer area.

Convenient location for those of us in the area as well as Clearwater High, SPC and students from other near by schools. Study areas provided along outside walls away from activity of patrons. They offer programs and exhibits. I have always found the staff to be helpful.

One of the older libraries in the Pinellas Library system. A smaller one that does offer the amenities of the larger ones such as conference rooms and computers.
Will stop here with the kids on occasion after school to study before their extracurricular activities. It’s a little challenging to study here on occasion especially after the kiddie krakens are unleashed from the school next door. At that time, it can get quite loud as they’re in here using the computers and running around the kids area.
The beauty of this library is that it’s a cog in the wonderful Pinellas County Library System which does a terrific job of serving the community.

Yikes! This library is scary. Old, outdated, bum central. I have gone here on a few occasions to try to do homework in peace and quiet, but I would have been better off staying home! Not sure when it became acceptable to talk loudly at the library but it seems to be common practice here. There were 2 young girls actually tossing a ball back and forth in the aisles of books next to me (and giggling while doing so), phones ringing off the hook at the librarian’s desk and even the librarians were chatting at normal volume. Can I please just ask «What the heck»??
Nothing impresses me about this library at all. Much better off going to the new spacious main library in downtown Clearwater for better technology, larger book inventory, plenty of quieter spaces to read in peace and a beautiful view of Coachman Park and the water.