Dallas Public Library – Central Library

My kid and I totally geek out here. She gets into the chalkboard, costumes, blocks, and big books they have available, while I delve into whatever book I’ve picked up downstairs. I love that they have YA and easy children’s books in Vietnamese, but this is a small collection compared to ones I’ve seen in Arlington. Plenty of Spanish books though. We’ve yet to explore further than the 1^st and 2^nd floor of this gargantuan library, but I hear there’s some pretty interesting stuff up there.
I doubt the guard in the elevator bank would hear our muffled screams if we were shanked in the concrete shadows of the underground parking garage, so we save our own lives (along with a few bucks) by riding our bike. There are bike racks INSIDE the foyer, right before the second set of doors. Truly though, I think library parking should be free, if only to give some people that little push they need to rediscover the library.

We love the library. The kids section is the only level I’ve been to of the seven levels, but its fantastic. We just took a kids crochet class, one of the many summer events the Central Library has to offer. Its clean and feels safe despite the abundance of homeless people hanging around outside and downstairs in the lobby. The librarians are very friendly as well.

I’m a big fan of the Dallas Public Libraries, and the Central Library will always be my first love. Floors upon floors of books, DVDs, CDs, and plenty of other great materials abound here. They have a great children’s section and lots of available computers (handy when my wifi at home was down for a few days). The staff is always so kind and friendly and ready to help you find whatever you need.
This library also contains some great hidden gems, like the seventh floor display of Shakespeare’s First Folio, beautifully displayed and so cool to see. And just around the corner you can see an original copy of the Declaration of Independence.
I agree that the parking is certainly not the best, the garage is difficult to find and costs money (but if you’re staying for less than 15 minutes you can get out without paying!). Other than that your only option is metered street parking. If you can walk, it’s worth it.
A cool new feature they have now is their iPhone/​Android App, which you can download for free. With it, you can easily browse their catalog, see what books you have currently on loan, and renew materials easily. It’s saved my behind on multiple occasions!

I had a class at a meeting room late last year and hadn’t been to this library before. I paid the extra money for the training room with the televisions for the class knowing I wouldn’t need all of the seating.
The classroom was for 50 people and the room was very hot with 25, I never had anyone come show me how to hook up the laptop to the televisions which at the last minute «didn’t work», there was never any mention of a coffee maker there at all and there was one.
The staff interrupted my already slow going class due to malfunctions to tell me to be out by 5. I had asked at the librarians desk to have the air adjusted for my class and every single person (all younger men) that I spoke with denied ever speaking to me. One young man told me later in the afternoon that the library has no control over the AC. Crazy!
I did get a partial refund but I shouldn’t even had to ask. I have had so many problems with hotel meeting room for seminars that I thought the library was fail proof :(
I won’t be returning to this library ever for a meeting room but the library itself was very nice. The hot room in the place was the classroom eight no ventilation.
Good luck to you if you rent a classroom there. Hope you have a better time facilitating a class then I did.
UPDATE: I received a refund from administration recently.

Don’t miss the fourth floor displays dedicated to Dallas area music and bands. Great collection of old records and historical items.
The seventh floor also has displays of the musical instruments from the bands.
An original copy of the Declaration of Independence can also be located on the seventh floor.
The second floor is for children and a great place for kids.
Recently renovated. Nice library.

I am a Dallas native, and a big fan of our Dallas Library. It’s easy to request books and CD’s online, and check them out at your local branch with your library card. Sometimes there is a wait for delivery, but it is worth it, as these resources are free.
If you need Texas historical research, these librarians are top noch for assisting on any project.
As a Texas Realtor, and a member of preservation Dallas, a lover of architecture, I have found some amazing finds behind the desk, from newspaper clippings sorted by neighbohood, to searching the Sandborne footprint insurance maps on microfische.
When you have time for a quick lesson, ask about our extense list of global data bases, media sources, and legal sources like Lexus Nexus, for deep and wide academic research.
The staff is incredibly smart and helpful.
The music department has an bunch of adorable and friendly listening kiosks, loaded with 8-​track, reel-​to-​reel, cassette, and sterophonic record players!
The 33 ¹⁄₃ records and most media cannot be checked out, so plan to spend time here.
Regarding new additions, we always get new-​release films, on DVD and Blue ray.
Fiction and non-​fiction include the top 10 New York Times Best Sellers, and more. And, regarding older books, we have unlimited access to almost any author, thanks to WebCAT, that allows you interlibary loan services.
We have some great book sale events, and the meeting rooms are nice for groups.
Thanks to the public fund, the City of Dallas, come see the Ferguson and Casa View Branch to experience ome newly built modern, LEEDS certified library branches now. And, a nice remodel would be in order for all of our older locations; please donate to our libraries today.
Please become a friend of the Dallas Library. This place is priceless.

Public libraries are going digital and the Dallas Public Library is way ahead of the game. It’s a gigantic building downtown that has computers throughout and will likely have any book that you can think of. This is a great place to take the kids to explore and learn during the summer. The staff is kind and very helpful. Be on the lookout for various free programs, classes, exhibits and collections. Almost every week there seems to be an interesting community event going on. I was honored enough to host a session here for local business owners. They have something for everyone’s lifestyle and interests. Whoever said libraries are dying out hasn’t visited this place because it appears to be doing just fine.
A few minor downsides to take into account: Parking is not always an easy feat. It’s underground and not free. I suppose that’s expected given the area. And thankfully they do have ample (and very friendly) security there. Lastly you might encounter a homeless person or two here cooling off inside from the brutal summer heat. Usually harmless, just something to consider.

I thought I would give it a try. The facilities are wonderful. They really do their best. Unfortunately, I couldn’t stay very long because the entire building is a de facto homeless shelter. These «patrons» cluster around the computers and really have no interest in the library at all. Why library management feels they can’t do anything about this is a mystery to me. Eliminating the public computers and just offering WiFi in all the Dallas libraries would be a good first step. Failing that, the library could locate all the public computers in their own dedicated room. Since no suggestion that might actually work will ever be adopted, my only suggestion is just avoid the Central library altogether.

It is a good library with alot of excellent materials but you have to pay for parking and the other issue is the number of homeless people (by that I mean the smell in the library can be bad plus restrooms and elevators are places where you could get cornered and could be unsafe). One time I showed up very early and I was waiting in a sea of more than fifty homeless men for the doors to open and it felt unsafe.

The Central Library is a huge facility with lots of great amenities. The 7^th floor has two great permanent exhibits: Shakespeare’s First Folio and a copy of the Declaration of Independence. It also has a great used bookstore. The staff has always been friendly and very helpful!
I would have given it 5 stars if not for the number of homeless people roaming about. Granted, it is a public facility, but it is a bit bothersome to have to keep looking over your shoulder to see who is around. They don’t bother me very much when I’m just browsing or reading.

I love the library. I am not ashamed to say it. I have been here twice since I moved to Dallas and it is great. The staff is very nice and helpful. My only complaint is the location and the parking situation. It is downtown but there is an attached parking structure. I wasn’t expecting to pay for parking at the library but it was fairly cheap, just not expected.

Vast resources on eight floors. There isn’t a question the library can not help you with. Really. Go down and test them and check out a few books while you’re at it.
My favorite part? On the eighth floor is one of the very few original copies of the Declaration of Independence. Don’t see that every day.
So go explore!

The downtown Library is beautiful. The 2^nd floor is awesome for kids. It has the best design, well suited for children. Its spacious, and the computers are up to date and age appropriate. They have an incredible selection of books, and well categorized. Not a very good selection of DVDs, but their calendar of activities for children makes up for it. The librarians are friendly and knowledgeable. The check out staff are professional and courteous.
Now for the negatives. Its not in the best location. There are some questionable characters posted outside, many smoking, and consuming alcohol, but they are monitored by officers stationed inside the library. There’s always a stationed Dallas Police Officer on the main floor in the event of a problem.
I recommend you park in the parking structure, and come with at least $ 2.50 for parking in case you choose to stay awhile.

if you’re a dallas resident you are doing yourself a disservice by not visiting every floor here. tons of art, history and and of course the books. it’s a nice cool way to spend a weekend day.

For the less than 4 stars: Shut up! It’s a public library for god’s sake.
They do what they can with the funding they are given.

Downtown Dallas branch, originally funded by Andrew Carnagie in early 1900, has a great collection of books, despite the fact that this building basicallly now acts as a day camp for the homeless.
I used this library for some research papers onnmodern art and found books I couldn’t find at SMU or UNT.
Helpful staff. Discount bookstore in the main lobby.

As part of our commitment to better ourselves (i.e. watch less TV, read more books), the wife and I headed to the J. Erik Jonsson Central Library (the downtown location of the Dallas Public Library).
I signed up for a library card online at home and was at the front desk an hour later getting a new card. We then set off on our respective book quests (Sci-​Fi for me!). Using the catalog computers, we easily found the locations of our books and went to grab ‘em. We wandered around and realized the library is ginormous, with 8 floors of book-​filled goodness. Walking up to the circulation desk, we thought our 10 books might be above their check-​out limit., but nope, they told us the limit is 250!
The Dallas Public Library is really cool with the awesome check out privileges, online catalog access, ability to request book transfers, and the many locations. This particular library rocks for the location, book selection, and events (authors, concerts, etc.). We will be back! I guess we *have* to go back, because if we don’t, we’ll be charged for not returning our books. :p

It’s not as fancy schmancy as the library in Downtown Fort Worth, but DPL has a lot of stuff. I actually found a couple of textbooks here that I needed for my classes and DPL just saved me at least $ 80 in textbook costs! That’s more beer money for me!
I also signed up for a library card online and all I had to do was bring my ID when I got to checkout for verification and it was as simple as that!
Thanks DPL!

I was looking for architectural magazines and thought the selection was lacking. They need to go check out Barnes and Noble and at least get the magazines found there.

Okay, this is pretty cool. If you have any interest in Dallas history please take a read.
7^th floor of the main library downtown has an extensive collection of historical photos of Dallas from the 1800’s to present – AMAZING PHOTOS. You can view a sample of them online. They have 10’s of thousands of photos. I went up there and there are literally card catalogs with small photos that you can flip through.
You can buy a scan of any image for $ 27. They can also do custom hand prints which turn out beautifully. Here’s the real deal though – they have overstocks and photos that were ordered and not picked up that they will sell you on the cheap. Our office bought nine beautiful historic photos ranging in size from 11×13″ to 18×28″ for $ 400 total.
The subject matter is awesome. They have everything from parades to skylines to old State Fair of Texas to inside Big Town Mall to bi-​plane airshows at Love Field to horse and buggies parked outside the Harris Department Store to the last public lynching.
We got carried away just flipping through the photos. And if you are looking for something in particular, tell the staff and they will find it!
It’s insane! I took my daughter there just so she could see the history and she was amazed. She now has a keen interest in Bonnie and Clyde… grrrrrrreat…