Sacramento Public Library – South Natomas

South Natomas Library (SNL) just realized it has a cool acroynym for its name.
SNL has a very clean and updated atmosphere. The kids section is amazing. They have a table with about 4 computer for older kids, a few ipads for the middle aged kids to play some learning games, and 2 computers for kids to play some adventure and learning games with headphones for quite listening. The book section for children is pretty good. My children actually enjoy going here, there is a good amount if things to keep you and the lil ones occupied for a while. And if you have some babys in tow with you in the kids section there is a big open rug with some baby toys so you can sit or lay with the babies and let them enjoy some fun too. Plenty of seating for adults and kid chairs too.
The adult section i haven’t really ventured to cause of my kids, but i have seen around 8+ computers on their side with headphones also. And a much bigger selection of books.
SNL does have a room when you first walk in to the right which has multiple use room, they hold sometimes toddler reading days, and older kids reading story times, i have been to the sales days when you fill a paper bag with books, which was really good, got a ton of books for cheapness. There is a lot going on here definitely worth checking out, you have the south natomas community center next door, fort natomas outside, rose garden too. Plenty of things to do here in one day. They do have a clean public restroom. Which is a major plus!
So if your bored at home and want to surf the net or just chill out and read something «come on down to SNL». Not like you were busy anyways ;)

This library is small and the staff is very helpful. I love the proximity to the community center and there is always a place to park. Their internet is stable and fast too. Woohoo!

I adore this library, I frequent this place on a weekly basis. It has tons of books, the library is well maintained, the librarians are SUPER welcoming, and everything is technology-​led (which is pretty impersonal but I’m old-​fashioned that way) so you can check out embarrassing books without blushing ;) You place your stack of books on a table in front of a computer and it scans every single one of them, amazing huh? Your kids will love to help!
I’m a typical Austen aficionado since I sigh dreamily every time I pass their rose garden, it’s gorgeous I’m telling ya. They have a huge field which contains several parks for your children while you turn the pages. You are able to check out dozens of books, CDs, DVDs, and Audiobooks at once! You can also renew your books thrice online which means you can read without being rushed. I went online and ordered a dozen books from all over Sacramento, in about a week, they were all sent to the library of my choice (this one obviously since I live nearby). You can also add their facebook page and read their updates on your newsfeed.
If you don’t have a printer, you can easily reserve a computer on their website and you can show up without waiting to use a computer for an hour while you print out documents. It’s about 15 cents per page. They also have a calender so you can participate in classes and even movie nights for your children. Ah the list is endless, this place is an amazing community tool and it would be a shame if you didn’t try it out =)
(Free wifi)

Libraries have come a long way. You sign up for a card online and you check out books using a magnetic sensor or something. It scans several books at a time then you punch in a pin #. Crazy!!! The librarians were very helpful. There’s homework help programs that rock. Everyday there’s Internet help LIVE from 1300 – 2300 and they help with all subjects. They also have a in person help thing on Thursdays. There are book clubs and story times. I love it. Right now the kids area is closed for remodeling************ there’s a playground outside to get kids energy out before or after the library and there’s a rose garden to stop and smell at. The riff-​raff spoken of in other reviews is not present when I visit and I’m all for educating thugs and saggers anyway. I like this place

Being a huge dork, I have both worked in and visited a number of libraries in a number of cities and this has to be the best public library I have had the pleasure of experiencing. The «Sacramento Room» is definitely a must see. Local history abounds in this classily styled section. Upon entering, the incredibly kind staff greets you, tells you about the collections and layout of the room, and is more than willing to help you find anything. With plenty of shelf space, ample seating, tables and staff this has to be one of the most efficient, clean public libraries on the planet. Wish I had found it sooner.

Pros: Huge selection of books, dvds, massive childrens section
kids section where only the parent and child can be, so no weirdos,
TONS of wifi. Over seven channels to choose from, so theres no SLOW LAG because everyone and their momma is bogging down the system.
Super cheap books for sale.
Cons: Ghetto kids/​adults who DON’T KNOW HOW TO BE QUIET IN A LIBRARY!
Even the librarians are loud talkers!
When I was being raised, the librarians were like army drill instructors, quick to SHUSH you faster than a speeding bullet. I guess times have changed? Either way, my child is being taught the old school way like me.
STFU in the library folks.
Now go read a book or something…

I grew up in a library. Seriously.
Let me explain:
My parents both worked and needed someone to look after my sister and I for about two hours a day before one of them would be able to pick us up.
This is where my Auntie Evelyn the librarian comes in. She was our local librarian and since my parents trusted her, they would drop us off at the library in between their shifts. Ever since then I’ve loved walking up and down the aisles, searching for yet another book to throw onto my never-​ending stack of must-​reads … loved the story times where volunteers would read aloud to the kids … and ultimately loved just getting lost in a story in a cozy little chair (or even just sitting on the floor in between stacks of books if all the chairs were taken up).
I would seek refuge in the library during my last year of college (had I done this right from the start of college, I may have graduated sooner!) … it was the place where I wrote my papers, read and read and read for my psych courses and sometimes just sat and listened to music (on the good ol’ ipod of course).
So when we moved to South Natomas, I was so excited to see that there was a library at walking distance from our apartment. I walked there during my pregnancy last year and almost always picked out way too many books for me to handle carrying home.
With my «nesting» instinct at full speed, I made sure to check out the children’s section at the library. I loved that the children’s room was equipped with listening stations and computers on small tables. After checking their website (which is awesome btw), I found that there is a toddler story telling hour. I hope to check this out once the holidays are over.
If you can’t find a book there, there is a service online that allows you to have your book dropped off at this library. I use this service quite frequently and have never been disappointed. I just pick a few books online and a day or two later, they’re waiting for me. There is also a few self-​service kiosks that come in handy when the check-​out line is too long or for when you’re embarrassed that you’re borrowing that trashy novel that you swore you would never pick up. :)
The library sits next to the Natomas community center as well as an awesome park (very baby friendly, handy for when your daughter decides to babble at the top of her lungs in the library). It will be a sad day when we move and are no longer a stone’s throw away from this place. Here’s hoping that the next library will be just as great as this one.

This is actually a nice library. It’s a decent size and well marked so I found things pretty easily.
Adjacent to the library is the Community Center as well as a park behind it. I was also impressed by the parking spaces. They’re not set too close together or not too compact.

A wonderful branch! The staff is so helpful, and the free computers are such a help when you need to get online and your computer is having a bad hair day. There are great events too ~ check them out at
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I’m a fan of libraries generally, but the Sacramento system of libraries and the South Natomas branch (my local branch) really hit this one out of the ball park. Sacramento’s libraries allow patrons to request DVDs and VHSs in addition to books and other regularly seen library materials. To be honest, until I came to Sacramento I’d never seen a library so well-​patroned and full. This branch was busy at all hours of the day, any time I happened to drop by.
The few times I stopped by and they were closed, there were still a few people walking around it, waiting for it to open. They have a lot of space and plenty of computer terminals, but even then, they tend to have a waiting list to use internet-​based computers. This is also a really fantastic branch to get work done as it’s generally really quiet, despite the large crowd.
Staff is friendly and always happy to see returning patrons. Also pretty awesome is that they have a self-​checkout area. You don’t have to wait around for the lines to the counter to disolve. Check your books out yourself!
Another nice feature is that it’s right next doore to the local community center.

For a public library that is not Central, it has an impressive selection of books and services. The tape/​DVD/​audio section is especially impressive and much greater than my more local McKinley. There are also a lot of classes and such that happen here and the staff is very friendly and helpful.