Fountain Valley Library

I’ve been coming here for two years. At the beginning the staff and employees at the bookstore were very rude. But now they know us they are nice. They should be nice from the start. It’s a small library with convenient parking. Everything seems old and outdated computers, books, kids puzzles… They have a kids area but it needs to be enclosed so the staff don’t have to shussh your kids for just talking. The best part of the library is probably storytime on Wednesday with Ms. Jen.

This library is definitely showing it’s wear and tear as time goes. That being said, the staff do what they can to keep the place tidy and clean.
Parking is ample, depending on when you go — I went late Tuesday evening and found the place relatively quiet — with more than a few empty desks/​study booths available.
There is plenty of books, a good stock of current magazines and periodicals — which is always a plus considering the digital age we live in.
The only major downside I’ve found here is the internet is drastically slow. It took me nearly 20 seconds to fully load up a 1.2MB pdf file — and when my curiosity led me to run a speedtest, the flash component failed — giving me an early indication of how bad the speed was… I think if I remember correctly, the Down/​Up speeds were both around 443kbps. Of course, that may be fast for some other people… perhaps those that are still on say… 56kbps dialup at home. I know a recent speedtest on my home connection was Down/​Up 83MB/​23MBps. There are also limited outlets available.

I grew up with this library as a child. It used to be across the parking lot where the day care center is now. It has more space now. The staff is friendly and helpful. The library partnered with a group that gave free tax preparation for low-​income/​seniors/​disabled which I have used more than once. The tax help used to be done at the library and now it is done at the Senior Center on Bushard and Talbert. You have to call and make an appointment.
It is quiet and relaxing inside this little library. There is good lighting and the furniture is comfortable.
One downside is that the computers and technology are ancient. The computer’s internet is so slow and unreliable. Another is that there aren’t many DVDS and the one I wanted had a long waiting list. I signed up for the waiting list and was notified 7 weeks later.
The bookstore is a lot of fun to peruse. The volunteers do a great job making a seasonal corner with cute things. There is a good selection of books, I used to buy Spanish Children’s books for 25 cents and give them to my students as prizes. There is a holiday boutique and spring boutique. I like the holiday boutique in December a lot because it is very festive with fresh baked goods and extra holiday items. Everything is relatively cheap like 50 cents for a greeting card, or book.
Outside there is a historical home from the 19^th century. You can get a feel for the past. There is a pretty garden behind the library and a large lawn so it feels peaceful when you go outside.

I love the Orange County Library system with 33 branches to borrow from. They are convenient and easy to find. It pays to know where a library is to return a book, book on CD or a DVD, buy a book from the Friends of the Library Bookstore, use a computer, use Wi-​Fi, or even use the bathroom.
I have been to many of the libraries in Orange County and this one has been on my list to visit for a long time; yesterday I got to visit the Friends of the Library Bookstore and bought a book. I love the neighborhood and the volunteers at the store were really nice.

This small, but intimate library is nested in «A Nice Place to Live» where adults and children alike can borrow hard copy books, audio books, and dvd’s. Though the facility is dated, it’s well maintained and quiet for bookworms to study. This library is also a part of the Orange County Public Library system, where patrons can use one card at any of the 30 libraries in the OC — so check it out!

I went to get a library card. The staff was very rude and seemed like they didn’t want to be there at all. The whole place smelled like diapers. I’ve been looking for a new place to study, but I don’t think this is the place. Also, the internet speed is horrendous.

Very small and ghetto library. Usually have very weird people using the computers. Often old men on dating sites. If you ask anyone for help, they look at you like you’re weird. Today their system was down and you couldn’t get online. Thought this be faster than going to school, but epic fail. The employees do need to smile more often. Life can’t be that tough when you’re a senior.

Internet here is super slow. No internet at all toward the back. This library has alot of older asian folks coming here. I’m Asian myself, but seriously, Many of them don’t have basic manners and staff does nothing to maintain library standards.
spitting gunk loudly right front of you… nasty (hint: there is a restroom)
talking on phone with loud speakers on.
listening to internet shows without using an earphone.
people snoring loudly IN the library. seriously, go home and sleep. Not a motel!
Pro’s: This is the closest and only library in FV. It offers free rental on dvd’s. (mostly older movies)

I love this library but Everytime I go there, I hear phone ringings sometimes and people surprisingly are talking so loud in the library and what ticks me off is that the workers does nothing about it ! Also if you bring your kids please keep them down, I worked on my homework here a few times and there’s kids playing, love the library lot but not the people

I use to frequent this library back in the days and I recently came back to check out the place. It is a small library but it is a decent sized place.
Book covers are cleaned when they are returned and there quite a selection of manga for kids to read. Magazines are in the back for easy reading and there’s a garden area for the people who like to be alone. Before, I was surprised they had a foreign section which is great for people who want to read Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Spanish, etc. Place can get really busy during the weekends but during the weekday it’s an okay place to get studying done. Five entertainment dvd rentals for a week! Niceeee. Plus they always have some nice reading incentives for the kids and teens. They have a good selection of new books better than the Santa Ana Library. Staffers are pretty helpful and are willing to answer questions.
Con about this library is their computers. I remember coming here when they got new computers and that was like 7 years ago? They’re still there which is great but they aren’t at all fast and they’re kinda of grimy. There’s still some pervs who watch some questionable stuff there. Eww…
15 cents to print. Back then they use to let you print 3 – 5 pages free and the rest were charged 15 cents. The library isn’t getting as much funding as it use to.
Support your local library!

This was the first time in years since I’ve been here. I needed somewhere quiet with free wifi so I stopped by.
I entered through the bookstore. The bookstore has a great selection of used books for $.50 or $ 1.00!
I walked into the library. There were quite a few people there. Found a table and sat down. There was an outlet conveniently located under the table for my laptop.
Wifi was ok. It worked on and off. There were kids running around the aisles and people don’t really use inside voices here, but if you bring earbuds you should be fine.
They turn on and off the lights to warn you they’re closing 15 prior to closing.
It’s no Huntington Beach library, but it’s the cute little library I remember when I used to come here as a kid.

This library is small but it is very quaint. On a weekday there seem to be several open study stations; however, not all of them had outlets and compared to other libraries their workstations were pretty small. I ended up using a full round 5 chair table for myself because I had so many books and other items that I needed when studying. Because it was not busy I was able to take the table to myself, but there are only 4 or so of them, so I could see space being an issue when there is more traffic in there. the biggest downside was the wifi. It was free but it kept kicking me off and then it did not work at all for a good 90 minutes or so. I imagine that when this library is busier, the wifi connection gets worse. Over all the experience was satisfying — I got most of my studying done despite the wifi issues. Generally I prefer the HB library but will plan to come here again on Mondays since that library isn’t open until 1pm.

Not a big fan of this library because its small, the lighting is bad, can be really loud, and the free wifi is spotty. There aren’t many outlets in every location either. There’s a tiny room with two desks that can comfortably seat 2 people each. I prefer studying in this room because the lighting is best, but its a popular room that’s hardly available. If you need to get a study session in, go the distance and just study at HB library.
Extra Notes:
–One restroom for male and female – clean
–parking can be crowded
–librarians are helpful

Great place! It could be a little noisy at times but their librarians are really helpful. Just remember to bring an mp3 player and headphones and you’ll be fine.

Cool place. Quiet.

Of the seven OC libraries I have visited, this one has the most calming atmosphere. With its small concrete garden, large fountain, adjacent mini park, sky lights, and library store stocked with plants, there is a calm yet busy vibe.
There is a good collection focused on classics and nonfiction. Numerous magazines and computers.
The only downside: be very careful of parking regulations (there are small signs along the road bordering the library). Because of its proximity to a police station, the parking rules are vigilantly observed, although the signs unfortunately are not prominent. One time I was there, I saw five — yes, five — cars get ticketed.

I love my local library, I come for their book sale where I can walk away with a handful of books for only a couple dollars. This is also a very peaceful place to come and study since it is always so quiet.

Very quiet, friendly staff… computers available to look up books you are looking for, and they are pretty easy to find once you get the location number.

The quality of reviews on this library is very good. I found myself agreeing and remembering certain aspects of this library while reading the reviews. The pictures shown in the «Are these photos helpful section?» are good, too.
I think it’s a nice library. The outdoor area is attractive. The bookstore has yielded some finds at very reasonable prices. Lots of people study at this library, it’s quiet enough.
The comments about the staff in other reviews are pretty interesting. For some of the comments, I think I know exactly who they’re talking about. Let me go back and see if I UFC’ed those reviews.

OK, i only come here because it’s across the street from my house.
i try to avoid this library as much as possible. when i’m desperate for a certain book/​isolating myself to study, i cringe to come here. the service is usually terrible. the workers/​volunteers look miserable. (i volunteered here several times, and felt just as miserable) ah, i remember when i was a kid, everyone would graffiti hate remarks about «the old fat lady» and «the old fat lady is behind you!» all over the study tables. she was mean and she picked on everyone.
…good thing i never see her anymore. if she were still there, i’d like to give the library 0 stars :/​there’s only one particular worker i admire, and that is a new old (less fat, but plasantly plump) lady with glasses. she’s kind, helpful, and perky.
their stupid restriction of food/​bev INCLUDING water ticks me off all the time. what pisses me off the most though — is their RIDICULOUS classical horror/​hate theme song they blare out 15 – 20 minutes before they close to kick people out. wtf, seriously. i’m studying for finals, you bastards. now i forgot what i just read…