Los Angeles Public Library – Palms-Rancho Park Branch

This is a fantastic neighborhood library with lots of programs and resources available for the community. They have wonderful classes and reading groups for children of all ages, as well as some adult classes.
Their hours are convenient and they have their own parking lot.

I come here often to study on the weekends and some weekdays when I have the day off. There is plenty of parking so no need to worry about that. The only reason I’m giving this place four stars is because they have weird hours and are not open very late or early. Also, it can get a little loud as it’s not a huge library so when there are many people the noise level definitely goes up! It can also get chilly in here if you plan to stay for a while, so I suggest to definitely bring a jacket!
Overall, I really like this library and it is so conveniently close to my home. Definitely a great place to get some reading or studying done!

A convenient location and their audiobook selection is on fleek (sp? ((am I even using this expression correctly?)) but it’s dirty and the parking lot is impossible to get out of due to it being right along a freeway entrance.
Employees have been very helpful and friendly. I agree with most reviews that the noise level is badness.

Sigh. I love the library. Since I was a wee child, going to the library gave me the type of elation that puppies and ice cream give me.
I finally feel like I have the time to read again so we went to this branch. It isn’t bad. They have a great hot of the press section that you can get new books but have to bring them back in a week, no renewals, no holds, etc. They also have a DVD section. The staff was nice. They have a nice big parking lot attached to a park.
I have no complaints except that it is a little small. Variety of books seemed good though and the LA public library has a great online catalog and ability to hold books easily which is nice.

I was APPALLED by the noise level upon coming here for the first time. There NEEDS to be some measures taken to cut down the noise level. I came here because I was in the area and I was looking for a quiet place to read. Instead, I had to endure roudy, unruly children PLUS several ladies having a loud conversation just like they were in the park or a noisy restaurant!
In fact, many of the librarians and other staffers themselves, are very noisy. They don’t take care to speak softly and frequently lack discretion during information requests. I will never go to this library again.
WOULD NOT RECOMMEND AT ALL.

Not a library that invites you to linger, but a solid neighborhood library nonetheless. I always find something good to read. I haven’t had any trouble with noise as other people mention, but I mostly go on weekends or weekday evenings just before closing so I maybe only sit and read for 10 minutes or so after selecting my books. It is all one room, so it is never silent, but it is hardly loud.

Parents beware of taking your children here!!! Sexually exploitive magazines (gay life) and books promoting immoral lifestyles will bombard you as you walk in. It’s really a children’s library and to have these books on the center display is inappropriate given the pedagogical atmosphere.

I live in Palms and I normally drive (or bus) out to Santa Monica for its Main Library, which is pretty awesome. But sometimes I just want to sit and read or write, and not drive that far, so I decided to visit the Rancho Park-​Palms branch library on Overland, right there near the 10 freeway off-​ramp. I went around 4pm on a Tuesday.
I agree with others who have stated that it is small. I wouldn’t say it’s tiny, though. The floor is about the size of a basketball court. It just feels small because of all the stuff crammed into it — the books, furniture, and people. It does attract a lot of people. There are about 5 or 6 wooden tables (each with 4 un-​cushoned chairs) for patrons to sit and read, but finding a spot is not a given. Some of the tables had signs on them saying reserved for tutoring.
Plenty of kids were frolicking around in the kids area up until 5:30 or so (probably had to go home and get ready for dinner). The overall noise level was pretty high for a library. There was constant chatter at the circulation and information desks, and from the kids when they were around. I sort of got used to it. You can also just wear earbuds or plugs.
The book selections are limited, so if you’re doing heavy research this is definitely not the library for you. I did notice a decent little section with TV shows and movies on DVD.
This library is not an inspiring or impressive space, but it’s well lit, acceptably clean, and the book shelves – the few that there are – are well organized. It’s fine if you just want to pop in and grab something to read or find a movie, without being too picky about it.
PS: I heard one of the assistants talking about an «upstairs.» It made me wonder if there was more to see. I’ll have to investigate next time.

This review is based on my desire to read and work in peace, in a quiet environment.
If you need an adult environment where it’s quiet to work, this place is not for you.
It feels more like a day care or roudy kids’ playground. The kids/​play area (yes there is such a thing INSIDE the main library) attracts a lot of local toddlers and kids brought here by moms. I love kids and I don’t have a problem with them being playful, but this place inside the library is just too much for me to handle. Some moms chat really loudly, and let their kids scream, run around everywhere and bugging people who are trying to get work done here. The librarians/​staff do not intervene and let them be loud.
When the place is not overrun by disruptive kids, it’s actually really nice, clean, comfortable for people who use the library to do work/​read. There are power outlets under most tables, and the wifi speed is decent.
Notes for the hours:
morning: place noisy with toddlers screaming
Afternoon: The place attract a lot of school kids after school. They tend to be pretty loud too.
Night: That’s when this place gets quiet and nice. But it closes really early at 8pm, so it isn’t that helpful.
I just can’t get over the noisiness and some users’ lack of respect for the others, so I won’t come here unless I’m desparate and can’t find something better.

I love libraries and books, and have made many visits and donations to the Palms-​Rancho Park Library. But the people working here are consistently rude and unfriendly. Don’t they realize without us in-​person patrons their jobs may succumb to online readers? Here’s a thought: Try smiling and a «thank you» every once in a while.

this place turns into a zoo after 3pm. all the school kids come here to «play» not study… very loud, and kids running around like a day care here… there should be a noise policy here, and please enforce it!!!

I love our local library here in Palms. It’s small, and they don’t have a lot of tables to grab a seat, but it’s a lovely place to spend a few hour on a weekday afternoon. They have a decent selection of books in solid condition and a great collection of dvds to rent. They also have a nice children’s section! If you have kids there is the added bonus of letting them blow of energy at the rec center playground directly across the lot. They will love that after having to be on their best behavior in the library :) Love this place.

Small, but serviceable. I grew up in DTLA and went to the Central Library branch as a I grew up and there is no better LAPL branch! Now that I’m over on the Westside, I go to the Palsm branch because I can walk to it.
It’s focus is more on children since it is attached to a park/​playground/​recreation center but I just come here to pick up my holds. There’s a parking lot which I’ve never had trouble finding a spot.
Exiting the lot can be a pain during busy traffic (especially when you’re trying to turn left)

Yeah! I just got my first library card in about 24 years. Somehow the smell of the library takes me back to that time when I was a regular purveyer of my local branch.
The librarians were very helpul.
I’m most excited about the digital ebooks that I can download and manager from my computer. This is definitely the way to go!

I love libraries. I don’t know why it took me 2 years to drive down the street and get myself a library card, but I finally did and it feels good! (You can «pre-​register» online and just bring your ID w/​proof of address in person — it expedites the process)
This location is pretty small, but thanks to the Internet, you can request books from other branches and pick them up wherever is convenient to you.
There’s also a cool «Hot off the Press» (or something like that…) section with newer books that have shorter rental times (7 days) — picked up «Gone Girl» and finished it in 2 days. Not a problem, ha.
There’s a good amount of parking though it can sometimes fill up when there are events at the Rec center across the way.
My interactions with the staff are hit-​or-​miss… some seem a little stressed/​bored while others are friendly. Can’t blame them, tough to work for the city during budget cuts and craziness like that!
No self-​check-​out which is too bad, but I haven’t had any problems waiting in line for the librarians to handle it.
The hours are a little wonky — so just check the website before showing up.
Will definitely be back!

Not a very large library and their travel section is definitely lacking.

Nice neighborhood branch.
Parking lot can get a bit full (park right next to it).
Helps to make sure they have what you want (website) before going.

I love libraries. So even though there are better libraries and worse libraries, they deserve 5 stars simply for existing. Go to the library!
Ok, so this location could definitely be better. I mainly use it to pickup books I ordered online from other LA libraries. The selection here is ok, but not great. The people working here range from very friendly and helpful, to infuriatingly slow and bad at reading (ironically).
I guess the exciting world of libraries isn’t attracting as many people as it used to…

There are good things and bad things about this library. If this was anything but a library, it would get two stars. But it is a library — a building full of books — right there it is a five star establishment.
Now, the details. A lot of moms come here with young children. There is much screaming and crying. But, there are books that you can take home with you for free. Also, the Internet on the oodles of computers that are there for your free use, is stone age slow. But there are books. And, some would say, even better there is free WiFi that is surprisingly speedy. The selection of books, audio books, Cd’s, and DVDs to choose from is rather limited, but the hold system is very efficient, so really you can get any book you can think of. Damn I love libraries, especially ones I can walk to.

Great local branch library. They keep late evening hours and allow you to borrow DVD’s for 3 – 7 days. Really beats renting and Netflix. The head librarian is very helpful and fields comments/​complaints/​suggestions smoothly.
Go online, reserve your books and movies, have them sent to your local branch. It’s ingenious. Why buy books and DVD’s when you can borrow for free?