Pflugerville Community Library

I can’t believe I went so long without a library card. Did you know they have a section with cookbooks? And if you’re a resident of Pflugerville, they’ll let you take these wonderful books home with you — without charging you?!? I know, I know. This is how all libraries work. I’m just still in such awe. I honestly pull out my credit card every time I go to check out books, because it just seems like I should have to pay them.
I went in to this library about 6 weeks ago to start an account so my little sister could borrow some books to read to her 2^nd grade classroom. The gentleman that set up my account went on and on about all of the library’s features and benefits. There were so many! There are digital books you can check out at home (which is what I plan on doing after I finish this review), a 3-​D printer (not really sure why, but hey, sounds cool!), a teen-​only section, a huge kid’s section with plenty of areas to sit down and read, DVDs, books on tape, tons of classes, free meeting spaces for non-​profits … and that’s just the things I can remember off the top of my head.
Everyone has been super nice and friendly to me. I did happen to overhear one clerk talking to an elderly lady that was checking out a book on Jimmy Carter say «Did you hear he’s sick. He’s about to die. I guess it’s a good time to read this book.» and that seemed off, but in more of a lacking some social graces way than in a trying to be mean way. Minus that incident, everyone has been nothing but helpful and encouraging. There is always an abundance of staff that has seemed eager and ready to help.
The building itself is gorgeous and has a ton of seating areas, including a courtyard.
Word to the wise, the entrance is on Pfluger. On our first trip, the sister and I parked in the lot near the Pecan Street Station — and walked for a while to find the front door.

The good: Nice, clean, great kids section, teen section looks inviting,
The reason for two stars: I often decide not to come here because the staff are quite uptight. I felt this was the case before they renovated, when I went once and was totally turned off. Two years later, I decided to give it another shot since it had been redone.
On my first visit one of the women behind the desk asked a dad and daughter who were checking out whether the father had «power of attorney» proof so that he could renew books for his wife. The man’s response: «For my library card?» Which was definitely appropriate, I thought.
Fast forward a few weeks, I came back to make some copies there and do some work. The first thing I do is get the CDs that I forgot to get last time. I did the self check, and didn’t realize they hold the CDs behind the desk. The librarian gets the CDs, then checks to make sure that each of the four CDs are checked out and I’m not stealing them. Okay, better safe than sorry, I guess, but still a little uncomfortable.
As my copies are printing I ask a different the librarian at the desk if I can borrow the stapler so I can staple as the copies come out. She says I have to use it at the desk so it won’t get lost. Okay. Trust issues, perhaps? I’m 33, and I work full time. I’m not stealing CDs and I’m not going to abscond with or lose the stapler, but, okay, no problem. So I wait for my copies to print, then take them (6 documents, over 100 pages) to staple at the desk, as asked. I pull up a chair (the desk is set very low, I later find out why) and start dividing and stapling off to the side. As I’m doing this the conversation between the two librarians is about how the people at the library mess up the order of the DVDs. The man brags about how he went over to «a girl» and told her «You have to stop that right now.» This is exactly what I listen to. I’m sure it’s annoying for people to mess up the order of DVDs and that people are generally less than perfect with these things, but still, let’s try to be nice, right? This IS a library.
I’ve now been seated for about one minute, am stapling, and a woman comes out from the back, on her way out the door, and says, «Are you going to be there longer? That’s our table for handicapped patrons.» Ah. But, that’s where I was told to staple.
I won’t go on, but this is pretty much status quo for that library. The staff are not welcoming and each time I go I think, maybe the last time was just a fluke. It never is.
So, I recommend the Round Rock library, or Wells Branch, which are both far more pleasant. I will probably come back to Pflugerville library since it’s near my house, and you can eat there, which is a nice exception, but, I’ll only go to study. Otherwise, I’ll go to a friendlier library.

Beautiful, modern library with tons of room and lots of parking. It’s off a side street behind Pecan Street Station, so I never would have known it was there if not for Google maps. If you have a Pflugerville address, the library card is free, but they do charge for a library card if you live outside Pflugerville.
Awesomeness:
1. Huge, spacious layout.
2. Free wi-​fi, as well as some computers you can use.
3. Great young adults section! (I refuse to read my age)
4. Lots of places to sit comfortably and read.
5. You can check out books at computer kiosks that just scan your book & library card, so you don’t have to go stand in line at the desk.
6. Drop off box outside to check your books back in.
7. Can browse book catalog & place books on hold online from home.
8. Part of the Central Texas Digital Library group on Overdrive — basically a massive ebooks account shared by lots of smaller Texas libraries, so you have more to choose from if you want ebooks you can read on Kindle, Bluefire, or just PDF on your computer at home.
9. Lots and lots of programs and events from movies to crafts to whatever else — for adults and kids!
10. Super-​helpful and friendly staff. I hadn’t been in a library since the early ‘90s, and they walked me through everything, showed me step-​by-​step how to use the Overdrive account, and told me all about the different programs they host.

Nice, clean, new library. The children’s book section is full of new books to enjoy. It’s spacious. It’s quiet and provides great resources and activities for learning. The fact that there is a 3D printer and craft supplies is an added bonus. Thanks!

I often «library hop». The Pf location is nice because there is plenty of room for anyone to sit. A great place for studying or doing homework and has an excellent video selection. The staff are uptight, which is not unusual for libraries in general.

We had come to this library a few years ago and it’s children’s programs just didn’t seem that great so we had been going to the Round Rock Library (which we had to pay for since we are not RR residents). We just tried out the PF Library again and it looks as though they have renovated. It’s very nice inside and has a great kids area. We are participating in he summer reading program and a few other summer programs. The best part? They don’t charge you late fees… unless you are like 90 days overdue.

Libraries have a soft spot in my heart as it is, but this one is really special.
Here are some of my favorite aspects, in no particular order:
1) Free, fast wi-​fi (great place to work, with lots of comfy chairs, tables, etc.)
2) Gorgeous outdoor space with a beautiful fountain
3) Cool brand spankin’ new areas for teens, tweens and young kiddos
4) A 3-​D printer! I haven’t tried this yet, but it’s on my to-​do list!
5) A staff that actually listens to your suggestions and is willing to help you out. I’m a new author (Budget Travel for the Genius, 2015), and the adult services staff has been so generous and gracious in supporting me in helping to get the word out about my book. Big thank you to Bette McDowell!
6) Programming that is actually really cool and interesting! From robots to dinosaurs to how to make your own bath products and dog collars, it all seems so cool. Plus, they don’t skimp on providing the supplies to do these projects.

I bring my kiddos all the the time we actually have our own library built in our home… But here there is interaction with staff, easter hunts castle building and even 3-​d printer introductions and they don’t get mad at me when I bring in my books late

Wow! Why haven’t I checked them out before? Wonderfully modern library. Today was my first visit and we went for story time. Found out they have activities almost daily for kiddos in the summer. Walked around afterwards and was very impressed. Children’s area is very nice and has children’s tables all around. Bonus: family bathroom in the children’s area. Very high tech throughout! They have a «tech bar» to hook your electronics up to. Tables that have built in electrical outlets but the cool part is they are ‘built in’ meaning they are flush with the table or you can push down and they rise up from the table. Saw a really cool hang out spot for Teenagers.