Los Angeles Public Library Washington Irving Branch

That wifi sucks. I spent about an hour and end up going to starbucks. It’s like 15 mbps which looks like you’re using a hotspot from a 3G phone service. The staff was good but only wifi is big issue.

I love this library! It needs some TLC, but I’ve always had good interactions with patrons, and mostly found the books I need (I check first online and often have a book sent to them for me to pick up). The librarians have always been nice, and I’m glad to see kids inside, even if it is noisier because of it. For any complainers: join the Friends of the Library! and help make things better.

I love this library! The staff is so welcoming and so are the people that come to it. Plenty of tables with outlets close by. They have tons of programs for kids.
I swear this is like my study sanctuary! I can be help for hours. It’s also nice that Starbucks and Jack and the box are only a block away.

FREE WIFI and lots of computers friendly staff and lots of books

Why did I give a library 2 stars… well let me tell you.
I have no issues with libraries… big or small. As long as they have books, computers, dvds, etc. I really love everything about them… learning is great and essential! No matter what its about! Sure, its not the biggest location but if they have the book you want then your good to go. (with that said here comes the 2 star part)
Service was not the best… I called a couple days ago to ensure they had a book, then when I come to pick it up they tell me its misplaced. Not that big of a deal but its HOW they went about it. Eventually when we DID find it the lady at the checkout counter was just plain cranky.
Service is key ppl… if your not having a good day or hate your job… dont take it out on the rest of us who try to stay away from negativity. Just quit or something… smh

This is one of the better kept libraries in the area. Go to another library that’s around and you will see that this one is larger, more inviting, and friendlier. There are a lot of computers for internet access, there is wifi, and plenty of stuff going on that helps out the community. They have writing classes for people, and classes for toddlers and kids to read. I don’t know of other libraries in the city that are doing this much to help out the community.
Is the book collection limited, yes, but you can always request books and in a few days you will get them without going to the Central Library. The staff there really goes out of their way to help the community. This library is located in an area that has a lot of people that are poor and are not accustomed to using new technology, and the workers here really try to be knowledgeable and helpful. I say this is a gem in the local community.

This library is small compared to the other local libraries, but it is a nice library to go to if you know they carry the book you’re looking for because it is easy to get in and out quickly.
The downfall is some parents bring their very young children and don’t tend to them; leaving them to wander, cry and talk loudly.

I like this branch because it’s the most comfortable one to use the internet in. There are plenty of tables with outlets near them that are big enough that people can sit without breathing on another person.
I also like that there are less people watching porno on the public computers at this branch compared to the others I’ve been at.
In the middle of the day people tend to bring their crying babies inside and that can get kind of annoying but other than that it doesn’t get too loud.
They don’t have a very good book selection but that’s what the Central Branch is for.

With the recent budget-​cuts to LA libraries, I’m glad the community still has a place like this open most days of the week.
The book collection is pretty standard. The environment, as Laura noted, ranges from desolate during the days to fairly busy when school lets out. Sadly, not much going on in the way of readings or events.
All in all, OK if you need to get online or check out some free books for you kiddos. Not highly recommended as a quiet or pleasant spot to read or study.

I’ve once came here to check out a book and about a month later, I tried to check out a book from another library; they had placed a hold on my card explaining to me that I didn’t returned the book! Yeah right! So had to come back to this library and I explained to the librarian that I had returned the book! She let me go without any animosity; nevertheless, always request a receipt! This branch has some employees that malinger on the job as well as being inadvertent! Avoid this place!

This place is kind of janky.
I’ve been tutoring a kid here twice a week for the last month, and there always seems to be something going on inside.
There is a middle school very close by, so after school there are a lot of kids trolling around, which usually has the librarians on the defense. I’m usually here during this high-​traffic point, and it can be distracting. But, it’s not just the kids who create a scene – there are a fair share of characters ever-​present. People are usually arguing with each other over computer usage in one way or another, but once there was a guy who was listening to music on his laptop speakers while some librarians said nothing, but continued to tape «QUIET, PLEASE» signs on the walls. Hm.
The library itself is on the smaller side, but I can’t much comment on its circulation or anything like that since I’ve never checked anything out here. But as a study spot, I’d look elsewhere – at least during the late afternoon/​early evening – as it’s pretty crowded and noisy.
Parking is pretty difficult – the parking lot is small and the spaces pretty narrow. Be extremely careful not to double-​park (which is easy to do if you’re not driving a Geo), because you’re likely to be stuck with a $ 50 parking ticket for being a mere inch over the line like yours truly. Joy. If you find there’s no parking, there is generally plenty of options on neighboring streets.
To sum up: Although it’s not ideal, it’s not horrible, either. Besides, the Pacific French Bakery is right across the street, and it always smells heavenly.