Parman Library At Stone Oak

Monday, March 7, 2016 @ 1p — 2p Prof. Fabiana from Gracie Barra San Antonio (Brazilian Jiu-​jitsu) will be hosting a FREE Women’s Basic self-​defense class. She is my 7yo son’s jiu-​jitsu professor and she is fantastic with kids/​babies. It’s truly an honor working with her. Just love her. I have also made a review for their business as well.
I love coming here every week to pick up a pile of books for my son. He enjoys going through the rows and rows of books picking the ones he likes to take home and read for school. We also use the OverDrive app daily too, but it’s nice to have real books too once in awhile.
The library itself is very pretty. It’s very open and has all glass walls and lets a lot of natural light in, but it doesn’t get hot, so no worries there. They do have a couple of private rooms up at the front, but they do go quick. Free WiFi!
There is also a cute playground out in the parking lot for the kids. The free wifi doesn’t reach the playground unfortunately =(There are several obstacle courses/​exercise stations around the playground. The entrance to Panther Springs Park is way in back of the library parking lot. You can enter the park trails from back there that lead to Wilderness Oak Elementary.

I have tried to study here. You have to get here right when they open or you won’t get a good seat. People will claim a whole 8-​person table for themselves, spreading there stuff out all over. There is a quiet room but it’s too sunny and it’s always crowded. That means you’re stuck out in the main area. The main area is for everyone, including kids and babies. It would be nice to have separate areas as it seems like many parents just let their kids yell without reprimanding them or taking them outside.
The patrons are loud, many on the phone. But the librarians don’t help either. They often speak more loudly than patrons and the library is small so you can always hear them. They don’t ask people to stop talking on the phone, you have to go do that yourself. There are two librarians in particular that are excessively loud. I’ve complained… but they don’t care.
So my main issues. There is a lack of seating/​tables, especially during summer and after school. When it gets busy, the wifi is pointless to use, I usually end up having to leave because it gets so slow. The noise is too much. I hate coming to study here because it’s so difficult to concentrate. I used to think my home library was noisy, but at least they have signs telling people not to talk on the phone and the librarians talk in whispers.
I’ve stopped coming here. It’s fine to come and get books and browse the magazines or print something. If you plan to sit and study, you’ll need bring your headphones and some patience, but I’d suggest not coming at all.
Edit– They’re also closed on almost any day they can get away with. «Oh it’s Christmas? How about we take off 4 days?». (It’s closed Dec. 24 – 27). I can’t think of 16 holidays that you need to be closed for. I don’t know any other place that closes that much except maybe the bank or some other government office.

Overall great library and excellent experience. Architectural firm #Marmon Mok. Love the giant gold fish bowl at the main desk where folks wait to acquire their library cards. It’s true what they say fish do provide a sense of calm and patience. I’m sure some smart person did this for that reason.
I interacted with 4 different librarians/​employees. Each and every one was pleasant and willing to answer any questions I had.
The library has two large community rooms. Contact the library in order to determine availability and arrangement parameters. Book exchange available.
I really enjoyed this library. I plan to return again in the future.

This library changed my life!!! While the selection of physical books was small, the receptionist offered a great alternative available on Apple products. I’ve now been able to read dozens of books from home on my iPad. She was super helpful and I really appreciated her. Definitely love this public library.

Parman is a great library. The staff are friendly and helpful. There are always lots of activities going on in and around the library from kids crafts to yoga. Overall I have been very impressed with the SAPL system and its continuous additions and improvements.
The playground out front is very nice and is usually teeming with kids of various ages. The walking trails are also very nice.

you can log onto their website to start the app so it really saves time when you go to the library to get the card. i also learned from the website that you can request/​save materials and you’ll get an email when the materials are ready to pick up. you can return materials to any location so that makes it easy. there’s also a trail that you can walk that connects to the dog park on wilderness oak. will be back.

This place is more akin to a daycare than a library. With kids running around, screaming, crying & yelling, it impossible to get any studying done. The staff did not care & parents just seemed to let their kids run wild.

It’s a great place to study for any med student or law student, the place is quiet but not too quiet. It’s clean, organized, there is free wifi and its a beautiful building. The construction is modern contemporary. It’s a warm environment and they allow drinks inside. I highly recommend this place for serious students

This library is amazing. They say location, location, location in terms of real estate, and the same would apply for libraries. Upon my arrival today (first time here), I was amazed to find the following: decently sized playground at the entrance/​driveway of library for ages 5+, walking trails, and picnic tables. These surrounding amenities actually make the «not-​so-​book-​wormish» types enjoy a book at their leisure. Inside, the staff are very welcoming and helpful. For those with kids, the kid section is immediately at the front of the entrance. They have a wonderful «Express Checkout» setup where you can scan your library card and books at ease. In fact, should any problems occur, the screen prompts you to re-​scan and the staff is directly behind the desk to aid you in any errors that may occur. Lovely library and looking forward to coming back again with my kids!

I love this library, has everything I need and more!

It’s a funny thing going to centrally located libraries and then one in a wealthy neighborhood. In the libraries located in wealthy neighborhoods, are more computers, fewer people on the computers, and fewer people who look like they’re running their small business out of the library. I came here to find a DVD I knew was on the shelf, and saw that of the two rows of computers, there were only two people using them.
Parman is a new library which is always pleasant to see. The staff was very helpful in the two times I needed their assistance. The parking spaces are spacious, even for San Antonio standards. If I lived in the area, I would come here regularly.

I really enjoy this library. It is *usually* quiet enough to work, but not always.
I stop here when I have time between appointments and want to maximize my time. And, with the hot summer weather here, I would much rather be in the Library than in my car!

I have been to this library over 30 times on the weekdays to study for many exams, to hang out with friends, and to relax while listening to music.
+ Clean, quiet, and FREE (duh!)
+ Great selection of books and magazines for all ages
+ Never full capacity. Always empty seating available. (weekdays) I have not been here on a weekend.
+ Fast Wi-​fi — I have experienced slow speed a couple months ago, but lately the wifi has been working flawlessly.
+ Bathrooms — Super clean. I wouldn’t mind studying in here.
+ Librarians and staff are very friendly, smile frequently, and are open to questions anytime.
— The hours are different everyday. Make sure to check before going.
— Quiet study rooms tend to turn into ice rooms so be sure to bring a sweater if you are planning study in one.
— The water in the water foundation tastes like water from the sewers.

Parman is a beautiful library with perfect sound proof study rooms! Although it would be nice if they could add a few study rooms because they are quite popular!

Cynicism is not my natural state, but this summer has found me on its doorstep a little too often. In pursuit of a new library card and disoriented from finding the Ronald Reagan Public Library replaced by this one, I was ready to get in and out. Thankfully, this place was a breath of fresh air… exactly what I needed. So let me wax eloquent for a bit on a place I’m sure I’ll be visiting regularly from now on.
On a Saturday afternoon, the library was busy but not crowded. The building and facilities are a lovely blend of form and function, design and usability… from the wide, comfortable couch-​chairs with gently swiveling table space, to a hip area reserved for teens in the corner by the young adult fiction, to the reference computers situated at standing height to deter loiterers. Floor to ceiling glass windows offer cheery lighting, and the building is cool-​not-​cold, the perfect antidote to Texas heat.
All in all, the facility is a perfect container for all the best things about a public library: excited kids on their best behavior, whispering and clutching books to their chest; adolescents and tutors murmuring over textbooks; busy adults with headphones and laptops working on broad wooden tables; friends knitting on couches; parents introducing toddlers to the wonder of the written word; gentle clicking on computers; people wandering through aisles of well-​organized books, pausing at a familiar title or eye-​catching cover. The library is like the perfect wine glass: crystalline, unobtrusive, just a vessel for all the wonderful things it holds.
As can be expected from a new library, everything is clean and modern. The staff were very friendly and efficient. The library is small, and so selection is rather limited, as is the parking lot (although everything is sufficient). I like the size, but if for more obscure titles, this could be a problem, hence four rather than five stars.
Smaller things of note:
— Their well-​curated, up-​to-​date magazine rack is a pleasure for a lighter respite, whether you’re waiting for someone or just taking a break.
— Check out DVDs, from classics to Hot Tub Time Machine to Pilates videos. CDs too.
— Books can be renewed online and by phone. If you have a Kindle/​Nook/​iPad/​etc, you can also download books in various formats. Music too, evidently.
— There is the hum of conversation here, so headphones might be prudent if you want to be absolutely free from distractions.
— The DIY «express checkout» is genius. I’m easily impressed, and had to stifle an audible gasp. :P You scan you library card’s bar code, then to check out, you just put your book on the grey platform. The system recognizes the book without you having to line up the scanner to anything at all. So simple and elegant… how does it work?! I’ll ask someone next time.
— Heading towards Blanco on Wilderness Oak, make a right turn onto a curved road.
— Decent free WiFi.
I walked out of here with a smile on my face, books in hand, articles from Scientific American and Zooey Deschanel’s interview with SELF magazine under my belt… not to mention a clearer head and a healthy injection of intellectual curiosity. Not bad, so thanks Mr. Parman. Having spent the last few years in Los Angeles, where public libraries are being shut down and hours cut left and right, I can appreciate what a gift this place is. Not that politics in Texas are perfect either, but I think this place is a gem for the community.
I hope you enjoy this library as much as I did, whether you’re a confessed bookworm, or just want something for the kiddos.

Very nice location with a good selection of books and outstanding facilities. It far exceeds my expectations for a small library. I am happy to go here whenever I get a chance.

The Parman Library at Stone Oak will open May 7. The 17,000-square-foot library will be located near the corner of Blanco Road and Wilderness Oak.
Not only will you be able to check out books but the location will also offer a playground, nature trails, outdoor theatre, public art, a community meeting room, and state-​of-​the-​art technology.
The library is named after local Stone Oak businessman Dan Parman, who contributed money and 10 acres for the facility’s location in San Antonio City Council District 9.
After visiting the site in preparation for the grand opening next Saturday, May 7, 2011, it definitely looks like a beautiful place to enjoy a visit to! There’s an outdoor amphitheater and walking trails, the entire place is very quiet and secluded.