Issaquah Library

This library may not be the biggest but it has everything a library should have. Of course you’ll have random people at the PUBLIC library and it’s something that should be available to people from all walks of life. This library also has a great children’s section.

Right in the center of town, clean, spacious, modern, helpful staff, good public wifi, study rooms, good book selection. Could use more seats and less noise; its fine otherwise.

I have always enjoyed coming to the Issaquah Library– but it really has been great since I’ve had a child. They have Infant story time on Wednesdays, but they also have toddler ones and they grow! It’s great– We’ve been going since my daughter was about 2 months old, now she’s one of the older kiddos crawling around! And I love Miss Ann! She is one of the librarians and so so sweet :)
The only thing I don’t like is that there are many drug users that hang out here and make kind of a scene (IE: a baby was crying and they YELLED, «Shut that baby up!!»), it makes coming here a little tense sometimes. People will be out in front of the library just smoking cigarettes and tweaking– not the library’s fault, but… still unpleasant.

There are never any places to sit and read here. This library seems to be a hangout for vagrants and many of them sleep in the library. Not to be unkind, but it just isn’t a welcoming atmosphere.

Great library and great library staff. I walked in and a man immediately asked me how he could help me. He said he would help me get a library card, but that if I had a moment and would like to learn about the online services the library offered he’d like to show them to me.
Wow! This is a great library. The 3^rd time I went there I decided I’d sit down and read for a while. I found a spot (which is not easy because it is a busy place, which is actually very good to see). The problem was these two old ladies talking up a storm at full-​volume. I repeatedly gave them looks of disgust and tried to telepathically tell them to shush up, but things got worse when one of them received a cell phone call and the other decided to break-​out her cell phone and make a call! Now, instead of taking turns talking loudly in a library the two of these old ladies are simultaneously yapping away.
I dreamed that maybe I should become a new-​aged library superhero righting the wrongs of rude old ladies in libraries everywhere. But much like Walter Mitty I merely got up and left without so much as a word.
It’s not the library’s fault. It’s a great place.

There are mostly good and some bad things about this location — I definitely am a fan of the physical location and the technology available. I adore the online system and how easy it is to hold and check out an item. The return system is great once you get a hang of it —
What I don’t like is the rudeness of the patrons, which is somewhat out of the control of the library. I would love to come and read at the library, but too often someone is playing a video on their iPad and it is too loud, or kids are running around yelling. I say somewhat because there is the old stereotype of the librarian shushing everyone that is available… I haven’t met anyone on the staff at the library that is endearing or willingly helpful in any way.
So while it is a fantastic resource for information that I will be using for hopefully a long time to come, I will be reading my books at home.

Cool place to have quiet study time. And use computer and Internet… Great public e wifi. No login required

Decent sized, fairly quiet, and a nice selection. Super, super kid friendly, which is great for parents but for a teenage student like me… not so great.

This is such a beautiful library. It’s very pleasantly decorated, organized, clean and welcoming. My daughter has a big reading goal this year so we’ve spent more time than usual in the library and it makes me very happy this one is so close to home. The staff here are extremely helpful and there is always someone available to answer questions. I’m just so impressed with this location. Yesterday we stopped in for the book sale, which was fantastic! Everything was labeled clearly, many staff on site to help and lots of great books to choose from. We filled up a grocery bag with books!

CDs, children’s books, books on origami, WWII, sushi rolling, or beer brewing. No matter what you’re looking for, if they don’t have it in stock, they’ll order it for you.
I love the library!

This library is great because…
— It’s quiet enough to study. (Boyfriend’s a tutor.)
— They have fast enough wifi.
— They have plenty of places to sit. (I don’t mind sitting on the floor, but plenty of people like chairs and desks…)
— The location is GREAT. If I’m done with work or need a break, I can walk over to Front Street Market or a wide variety of shops and restaurants. There’s even a yoga studio near-​by!
— Bathrooms are always clean and everything seems to work. This usually isn’t a problem with KCLS/​libraries, but… it’s still a great thing.
Anything else?
Nope, not really. Great branch!

I lived in Issaquah for 2 ½ years while my wife went to school in Bellevue and having grown up in California I was shocked at great a library really can be.
Don’t get me wrong, the libraries in Northern California where I grew up and lived until the mid ‘00s are nice enough — but the King County library system and the Issaquah library in particular are top of the line. For the entire time I lived in Issaquah, I can only think of a handful of books I was not able to request or find via the King County system which helped pass the time while my wife went to school and studied towards her degree. Upon moving back to California in 2006, I long for the selection this library has.
Many have mentioned the free WiFi and this did come in handy on more than one occasion where there were power outages and/​or other internet service interruptions at my home. Parking was never really an issue due to the attached lot /​structure and nearby street parking. Even on busy weekend afternoon we rarely had trouble finding somewhere to park.
Also, I should mention the building itself is very modern compared to some of the libraries here in NorCal that look like they were built back when we had our first actor/​Governor.

This is a nice local library. I’ve stopped here for internet access and reading magazines that I don’t subscribe to. There is a nice sized children section (I’ll have to admit, I’ve really only looked at kid’s books at this library).
On Sundays, the library doesn’t open until 1 pm — later than I expected. And I got there 20 minutes early. By the time that 1pm rolled around, there was a line of people out front waiting for the doors to open. It must be a popular place.
My trip today was as a courier — charged to pick up some books that were reserved. I was impressed, they there up on a shelf with my kid’s name.
Another nice thing about this library is it’s proximity to the Issaquah Brewhouse, right across the street. Check out a book and then go get a pint!

This is a fairly small library with a large Children’s section. The building is just a few years old and bright even on a cloudy day due to huge windows and a gloriously high ceiling. The staff is warm and friendly and likely to give you a hug if you’ll let them.
Highlights:
* Thursday evening Story Time (they do voices!)
* free WiFi
* large audiobook collection
P. S. Great part time job for High Schoolers.