Sacramento Public Library – Ella K. McClatchy

Being a historical home this library has a very different feel from the bigger library in the city. I love coming here to get work done or catch up on some reading if I need a change from being at the park (especially when it’s allergy season) or tired from being home. Apart from the ordeal of having to move my car every 2 hours due to parking. I love this place, had it not been for the inconvenience with parking I would give this library a 5 star rating.

This is a charming Victorian home, turned into a quaint and rustic library, open for all. There are a few tables scattered throughout the downstairs — ideal for studying or reading. While the upstairs has a room for studying or meetings. There is a room upstairs dedicated to only reading, which comes equipped with comfy sofas. Also, there are tables outside, perfect for reading a book under the sun!
The book selection is rather scarce. So don’t expect a plethora of journals, encyclopedias, novels, or magazines. Rather, this library is a reading sanctuary. I would recommend to bring your own book, and relax in their reading room upstairs!

This is a beautiful library. It really is. the book selection is small, but whatever, it’s still a library full of books that I could just sit and enjoy for hours, and did just that.
There are a few things to be aware of though: They have a beautiful reading nook, that you obviously have to share with others. but I really really hope that one day it can be just me, the nook, and my book!
They only have two outlets, so you might not find it easy to charge your laptop.
The floor is mostly hardwood, which means the footsteps echo, and because it’s such a small library, if you’re easily distracted, you won’t find it easy to focus in this library. But if you’re like me, and have a built in, automatic noise cancellation unit somewhere in your brain that activates every time you hold a book to your face, then please do go and enjoy this library!

Small, cozy and adorable library.
Seriously, this library is amazing.
Don’t come expecting huge rows of books, here you’ll find a Victorian home converted into a book lovers little slice of heaven.
I’m able to walk here from the office during my lunch hour. It’s great because I get a bit of exercise and books. It’s a win-​win for me. Oh and weights too since I tend to grab huge pretentious books =P
They have a small sunrooms for a bookstore, look around, great finds in there! And meeting rooms upstairs, I haven’t seen them but I can imagine them to be cozy.
Love this library!

Review for Studying at Library. I did not look at the selection of available materials.
I was so excited that this library was nearby. I was ready for a change of pace in my study routine, and I thought this would be my saving grace. Needless to say, I won’t be back here for studying.
PARKING
Parking is only 2 hour street parking. Great if you’re browsing books, terrible if you’re trying to study all day. Very inconvenient.
SEATING
There are only a few small table to sit at, plus a room of computers. Only one of the tables has a convenient outlet near it. The tables are directly next to the children’s section. At 10am (opening) on a Tuesday, it was overrun with very loud small children. I’m glad they are enjoying the public library and all it has to offer, but I was not excited to work on multiple choice questions while listening to them shriek.
INTERNET
Free wifi. However, it timed out during a multiple choice section and I lost some work. That was very obnoxious.
HOURS
10am-​5pm is really not very conducive to long study days, especially considering the lack of longer term parking.
PROS
It was really cute! I like that it is located in an older home and that it is in my neighborhood. I may return when I’m here under more pleasant circumstances (such as actually picking out a book).
I was not impressed with the atmosphere here. It was cold and the seating was uncomfortable. Others enjoyed the upstairs. When I was here, it was not open to the public. I will keep searching for better study spots.

A very quaint and wonderful gem. This library is a unique place to visit but not the most ideal place to study because the place is quite small. Thankfully not many know about this library :) Full sunlight and huge windows. There’s a small small back yard with picnic table for kids. Go up the stairs and you are faced with a beautiful stained glass window above a seat bench. I am a fan of this place and it’s a ‘must visit’ if you’re in the neighborhood. Parking wasn’t an issue for me. Great place to take kids.

Fantastic location… Quiet Comfortable Makes me enjoy doing my HomeWork

Great small library branch for a change of pace. Super-​helpful staff, always an interesting assortment of library patrons (I’m the one with the wacky hair.) This time I got lucky and got to go back into the old kitchen area for checkout since the front desk was occupied. I paid my BIG fine, (really, it got to $ 11!) in order to be able to check out more books… I figure it’s a weird way to provide a little extra financial support for the institution. Sorry if you were the one who had to wait for me to return the book!

This is my all time favorite library. A great old converted house near where I live, helpful staff, quiet and cozy. I usually order my books and movies on line so am not all that concerned with the selection. But last time I went I discovered the «Lucky Day» shelf, bonus points for that. The Lucky Day shelf has books that usually have a waiting list but if it is your lucky day they are available right on the spot. Picked up two of these on my last visit.
For the dissatisfied customer below that wasn’t allowed to bring her dog in, but really, do you need a sign to figure that out?

Libraries are great! Anddd I am all for more of these residential libraries opening.
However, there are some things people should know before coming here.
1. 2 hour parking around the library. Even though the librarian told me they usually don’t check, this may not be the best place to study.
2. pretty much only 2 wall outlets in the library open to charge your computer.
3. It can get pretty loud, since this library is really small.

The public library is a wonderful resource and I love spending time at the McClatchy library. It’s pretty close to my house, has ample bike parking out front, and a quite, cozy interior. The staff are nice, and you can request books for pick up at this location. It’s nice to not have to traipse around town trying to find things. And then settle down for an afternoon in a beautiful old house in such a quaint part of town.

This is my favorite of the local libraries. Located in a quaint house donated by the McClatchy family, it does not house a large selection; but since I request my books online and then go pick them up, this is not an issue for me.
The staff is always friendly and now after coming here for a while greet me by name and ask after my gidgets when they are not with me. Nice touch!

I LUV this place! Ella McClatchy donated her house to be used as a children’s/teen’s library, and it still caters to kids and families. The selection is a little small right now, but the staff members say that they are trying to cater more to kids, and took out more of the adult themed books. You can still order books from other libraries to be picked up here though. There are several weekly activities, and great monthly events that are family based. They even have tours of the upstairs which is being renovated. For anyone interested in history and/​or architecture, this is a must see. The staff is always friendly, and super patient with helping kids (and adults) out. We come here a few times a month. It really is a little gem.

.5 miles from my house, a nice walk through midtown’s tree lined streets. Great wi-​fi and open on Saturdays :-). I love the fact that it’s in an old house. Great new home away from home-​office!

You’re in Midtown and you’re in an old house.
You don’t have any sign saying no dogs allowed. I assumed in midtown the atmosphere was different and if I had a tiny 7 pound chihuahua in my arms and all I had were 2 books on hold to pick up within a 4 foot radius that would be alright. But no, mr. guy had to be adamant about the non-​posted rules of the building. Sure I understand it’s a public building with rules and regulations to adhere to, it is a library after all. So it is reasonable to assume you’d follow the rules of posting rules and regulations.
I don’t think I’ll even continue to enjoy the convenience of a library I can walk to (for pick-​ups only) if I can’t do it with my tiny dog (who has anxiety issues and if I had to tie him outside he would have screamed. which I considered doing to prove a point but no I wouldn’t put my dog through that)
Also the selection is terrible and this was my first opinion the first time I went there which is why I only use it for a pick-​up book hub.
I’m not even greeted every time I go there, the desk is RIGHT in front of the door, a smile would be nice.

Guess what I’m doin’ tomorrow morning? Yep. Checkin’ out Preschool Story time again. The year 4 old monster LOVES IT. I sit through the whole thing, and pretend I’m in kindergarten all over again. Its a great place to come in to and have like… 5 kids books READ to you! There’s a beanbag chair, stuffed animals and everything! I may just drag my blanket over sometime (we live very nearby) I’m diggin’ the mix of parents (martini moms/​rockers/​soccers) and Ms Cathy is super cool with involving the wee ones. Most days there is a theme, and a pretty neat activity to go along. Parents can either participate, or stroll for books. I recommend highly!

Siiting down by the window… just looking out. at the rain…
This song always comes to mind while I sit here, and alas! look out at the rain.
Such a small and cozy space this is, but perfect for it’s hidden spot in midtown’s Poverty Ridge. I just want to sit here all day in the winter, with my hot cocoa (laced with Malibu) and reading some fun children’s books. Why not? They have a great selection, and it’s fun to be a kid again when the time is right.
I am lucky to live across the street, so I can checkout DVDs everyday. Central Library has nothin on this…

This is one of only a few library branches open on Saturdays.
I want to visit this library every day just for the ambiance.
Beautiful location, nice staff.
It’s a pretty small branch compared to some of the others but it’s just so kitschy & cute, how can you not love it. Oh, and they had the book i couldn’t find in 3 other branches.

I LOVE this place, and could shoot a spit-​wad from my pad at the little old lady that, at first, seemed, well… like an old mean Librarian!
She did turn out to be a nice, helpful Librarian. Which of course, then, makes me the dumb schmuck who couldn’t figure out the newfangled Library-​card procurement system.
Anyway, I’ve admired this place while jogging by for a few years now, and for some reason the old place just never seemed open. So, once I stared jogging up hill and through allies, I noticed their CUTE little patio area, and thought «it cant’ be that austere, what, with a cute little mural painted along the patio wall?
Long story short. NICE, cozy library, cute patio, nice little «sale» section of doo-​dads, mags, YARN (yes yarn at 10 cent per little ball), and whatnot. And a nice HOLD section for those savvy enough to do so. :)

McClatchy is in an old house in a midtown neighborhood. Very cool. And, that’s probably my favorite part– it’s in an old house in a neighborhood.
It’s small with a nice staff and it looks like they get quite a bit of traffic through it. There’s also an outdoor area out back too.
It’s cute.