The North branch of the Redondo Beach Library provides the community with a variety of books, audiobooks, music, movies and TV shows to borrow. In addition, the library has various programs for adults, teens and children to participate in as well as a wealth of databases available to patrons.
The Coronado Library was founded in 1890, and John D. Spreckels built the library's first official building in 1909. That building still stands today and is now known as the Spreckels Reading Room. Its exterior serves as the focal point of the library's main entrance, which is located on Orange Avenue, across the street from Spreckels Park.
Over the years, the library has been renovated and expanded into a 40,000-square-foot facility. It houses about 190,000 books and offers a wide range of services, including free wireless Internet and story time for children. DVDs and music CDs are available for checkout, and the library has two meeting rooms that can be rented for free.
Additionally, one of the library's most stunning features is its display of public art. There are two murals by the Mexican painter Alfredo Ramos Martinez. "El Dia del Mercado" and "Canasta de Flores" were both painted in 1938 for the interior decoration of a former restaurant in Coronado, the La Avenida Café. "El Dia del Mercado" hangs in all its grandeur above the front desk at the library entrance.
For those returning items after hours, the book/video drops on Sixth Street are open 24 hours a day. The drop in front of the building is only open during library hours.
The Carlsbad Library Learning Center is a two-story building with bilingual books and staff. It opened its doors in 2008 and since then has supported life-long learning and literacy in the community. Inside you'll find colorful walls, a computer lab, a story time area and a homework center where students get one-on-one help from volunteers.
Roseville Public Library is located in downtown by Royer Park. The library has a collection of magazines, newspapers, videos, DVDs and audio books. Internet databases are accessible through the public PC areas, and Wi-Fi is available as well.
The San Anselmo Library is a small community library tucked away on Tunstead Avenue, next to the Town Hall. Although the library has been forced to cut back its open hours and services over the years, it benefitted from a $49 parcel tax that was passed in November 2010 to fund the library's operation and was able to expand hours, services, and hire a children's librarian. The San Anselmo Library's children's section is one of the more cherished town entities, with a designated children's librarian and Book Babies events. As part of a network of Marin County libraries, this location allows card holders to request books and media from any library in Marin for a 50¢ fee. The library also has access to some university and academic databases and systems. To get a library card, a patron need only have proof of address and doesn't have to be a resident of San Anselmo.
The Fairfax Library, at the west end of town across from St. Rita's, is one branch of the Marin County Free Libraries. In addition to being connected to the other county-run libraries, such as the ones in West Marin, the Fairfax Library is connected to all other town libraries through a database. Library card-holders are able to reserve or check out books from any library in the county. The Fairfax Library also puts on a number of community and kid-focused events. There are reading clubs for adults and teens, as well as weekly children's groups. The library posts a blog on its website that keeps patrons up-to-date with the most current events. In addition, the library recently began a service, Overdrive, which allows card-holders to download books and audio on their computers.
The San Carlos Library is located next to the City Hall building. A large building with a spacious parking lot, the library allows residents to rent books, videos, CDs, and use the Internet in addition to offering classes, services for arts and crafts.
Planning Commission meetings are often held upstairs. Announcements of the latest city events can also be found here.
Books are renewable 24-hours a day on the library website.
This library offers a wide range of books and activities for neighbors in the area. Activities include storytime for toddlers and preschoolers, as well as "Read to a Dog" sponsored by the Marin Humane Society. Computers are available and one-on-one tutoring sessions can be arranged.
Opened in 2003, the Rohnert Park - Cotati branch of the Sonoma County Library holds 24,000 children's books, more than 100,000 volumes and up-to-date magazine and newspaper articles available both in print and online. The main library seats more than 250 people and a second floor offers more room if needed.
The library also hosts community lectures, readings and meetings on a variety of topics, such as native plant landscaping and a kid's reading titled "readers of the pack," where children read to what the library touts as an "appreciative dog." Most readings and lectures are free and open to the public.
As it is located in wine country, the library also caters to its audience by offering a collection of wine-related articles from academic and trade journals are available for browsing at winefiles.org.
The Rohnert Park - Cotati Branch also offers easily-navigated online research tools, ranging from digital catalogs, fiction and non-fiction books and even a service to email or phone a librarian.
Los Feliz Library is a part of the Los Angeles Public Library system. This branch features a meeting room available to rent, free wifi and desktop computers. Special programs for teens and children are also available here.
Although the Pacifica Sanchez Library has a slightly smaller collection than the Sharp Park branch, it makes up for it with aesthetics. Located in Pacifica's Sun Valley, the library gets an unusual amount of sunlight for the notoriously foggy city and there's an enclosed garden area with a vegetable patch maintained by staff.
The library is family-oriented and features several story times and family movie nights weekly, along with clubs and regular events for adults.
The Malibu Library has been undergoing a $5.6 million renovation project during 2010. During this time, it has been closed and a temporary library was opened nearby in the same location. The temporary library features a limited collection of books and other materials; it also offers computers with Internet access and a kids' room.
San Rafael Public Library is a full-service library serving the local community. It is overseen by a six-member board of trustees, which advocates for the library and helps to increase its visibility. It also provides support to the Library Foundation. Pickleweed Library is a branch of this library, located at Canal Street.
Sylvan Oaks Community Library is a library on the Southeast corner of Auburn Boulevard and Van Maren Lane. The building, which is surrounded by oak trees, neighbors Crosswoods Park. In addition to a collection of 84,000 books and magazines, there are 15 computers available for use. There is also a computer designated especially for children.
The Sonoma Valley Regional Library is a branch of the Sonoma County Library system, located on West Napa street. It offers an extensive collection of children's books and other youth programs, including a toddler storytime, and a popular "read to a dog" series. The DeLong Room is available to community members to reserve for events and performances. There is an peeer-tutored Adult Literacy program, and numerous job training events and cultural lectures. It has an annual book sale that is open to the public, and organizes book groups for avid readers.
This facility is a beautiful full-service library located on the water in Redwood Shores. It offers something for everyone - a colorful kids' reading area, a separate teen reading room, reading areas by fireplaces, a large computer area, meeting rooms, a cafe and an outside deck area.
The Oakland Public Library Rockridge Branch has approximately 75,000 books, compact discs, DVDs, audio books, video games and magazines and newspapers for all ages. This branch also offers popular children's and teen book collections, as well as 12 computers with Internet access and a fully equipped meeting room with projection screen, DVD player and TV.
The Ocean Park Branch is one of four Santa Monica Public Libraries and primarily serves residents on the south side of the city - as well as individuals who live in neighboring Venice.
The library may be on the small side, but it's the closest one to the water (just two blocks away) - and the most historic: The Ocean Park Branch is the only one left that still has its original Carnegie Library architecture.