Los Angeles Public Library

I usually come here about an hour or two after opening and it isnt too packed. I dont have a problem finding parking inside either, but if there isnt any parking inside there is plenty of residential parking around the block.
Some of the time it is kind of loud because they have a kids section and kids are always running around and playing, but music and headphones makes this no issue for me.
Ive ran into all kinds of people here, some weird and some nice. Havent had any bad experiences so far.
The wifi is also pretty decent which is a plus.

I love this library because it’s small, quiet and never crowded!

I don’t know who the cow was but she was at the entrance only and exiting on Franklin Tuesday morning at 10:30 am (12÷15÷15) and yelling at me saying it was closed until 12 noon. It was difficult for me to see because the sun was in my eyes. I knew she worked there because she was locking the gate. She went crazy and took out her phone and started yelling at someone over the phone about me how I was blocking her and that their closed. the toilet mouth on this obese woman was dramatic. I felt sorry for the person on the other end. I don’t understand why not come and tell me? She stayed at least 6 feet away from me. I would have respected her and apologized if she approached me the correct way but this Heffer was unbelievable. I was a lady first and the better person and slowly backed out and she moves up and got real close as though to hit my car and if that would have happened it would have been a very different outcome. As I was leaving, another woman pulled in and she really lost it and yelled at her and she had a child in the car. This needs to be addressed!!! Please someone check the videos. I can’t imagine what would make her so upset? She’s 350lbs? A heavy flow? No man? Whatever the reason, it wasn’t necessary. Maybe one good stiff one would help her out.

After years of using college libraries, I forgot the joy of visiting my local library. I was a voracious reader as a kid, and my mom would have to take me to all the libraries in the surrounding area to help me get my fix. It was my favorite thing to do, and I’d almost forgotten about it, until I decided to check out my local branch and get a library card. My first one as an adult!
This location is teeny, but it’s within walking distance, and I love that if I think far enough ahead, I can call for books from other branches and pick them up here. Most recently, I stopped by to peruse their travel section. I’m going to Europe and visiting multiple countries, but don’t have the cash to splurge $ 20 on a different book for each country. That’s French wine money, yo. I stopped by here on a lark, and they had updated books (2014 – 2015!) for every country I’m visiting, right on their shelves. Awesome!
The hours were a little surprising. I couldn’t believe they weren’t open until noon on a Tuesday, but that’s not their fault.
I love that there’s a library in my neighborhood that I can walk to! It makes me feel apart of the community.

It’s at a location that’s close to me presently and opens late til 8pm on weekdays I believe. They’ve kept the place decently clean despite few people I saw brought food and soda into the library — c’mon, and don’t sleep on the bench!
The wifi is kind of slow and weak. But overall a chill place to be when you want to just sit quietly working or reading. The big plus is the electronic and books available from the larger LA public library system. I’ve got my membership card, and it’s virtually has been paying off the costs of buying all these books and materials I’ve been consuming. Read on people!

The library is nice. The only issue I have is that parking is limited and so are text resources. Other than that it is a great location for a library and I would return.

I like this library. I’d give them four stars but parking is limited and packed. I love their cleanliness and children’s area. The children’s area is cute and cozy. Very organized and feels safe. Lots of people occupy the tables in the non children’s section so if you need a table, pray you hit the lottery :)

hehe –I think I’m in love.
I love the architecture in this small space. I love that I can read books for free. I can check them out for 3 weeks and up to 35 at one time (if I remember correctly).
There are movies. Current movies. Hockey movies and documentaries (including the Kings last Cup run 2012!).
The staff are so friendly.
The ceiling in the kids section is rad.
Cute porthole window in the doors behind the desk. Hidden gem. Only said I’ve been in my neighborhood two years and haven just discovered this treasure.

When the internet goes out in your apt and you need to work, what do you do ?
You go to the library! I really like coming here too. I always wonder why I don’t do it more often. Nice air conditioning and I may even find a good book to read !
Who knew? lol !!

I absolutely love this place. This is my favorite place near my apartment for me to go get work done. Sure it’s small, but small isn’t always bad. The library is adorable and never TOO busy. The atmosphere is casual and really welcoming.
My only complaints are the same as everyone else’s:
1. the parking lot is really freaking small. I can walk here but honestly I’d rather drive the .2 miles when I have to carry 5 huge textbooks and a laptop, and it sucks that sometimes I don’t have an option to do that.
2. The hours are horrible. But that’s not the library’s fault, sucks that LA is so damn broke :(
All and all, I love this library though, the negatives don’t remotely outweigh the positives.

It’s a quaint, sweet little neighborhood library. It’s got a lot going for it — It’s in the center of Los Feliz right at the corner of Hillhurst and Franklin; there’s not too many people bogging down the internet connection speed; and the bum population is astonishingly low — possibly lowest I’ve seen for a Los Angeles Library!
I’m grateful for it to be my neighborhood library. As far as I can see it’s only has one flaw. It’s not worth visiting unless you can walk to it. There is NEVER any lot parking available. Normally, I’m fine with parking down the street and walking, but that’s by shear stroke of luck as well.
For the past 3 months, I’ve been handling a broken foot and the lack of convenient handicap parking has forced me over to the Edendale Library off Sunset.
I know that’s a bit nitpicky, but the parking situation in LF can be challenging. Would it be too much to ask for maybe one more handicap option somewhere in the near the vicinity of the library? I’m cool with parking at the lot next door — just SOMETHING please!
At first I was going to give this library 3 stars due to the parking, but I realized after writing out all the pros and cons that it is a pretty nice library. The fact that it doesn’t smell like the back of a Metro Bus earns another star all on it’s own.

I love libraries, and it’s unfortunate that I feel compelled to share my bad experience at the Los Feliz branch. I checked online for a DVD, and the system said the DVD was on shelf at Los Feliz so when I arrived I first went to browse the section it should have been in. Immediately I noticed the mess. I understand that it’s probably a busy branch, but the shelves are very disorganized and it made browsing difficult.
After not finding the DVD in question on the shelf I went to ask the librarian, who unfortunately didn’t seem quite up to date on the library system. I had to turn the computer screen my way and guide him through his own system. Again, the DVD showed «on shelf» and he walked over with me to try and locate it. We still didn’t find it.
I had given up, and as I walked up to the Circ desk to check out a different item, I noticed my DVD in a large pile of DVD behind the desk. As I questioned the clerk about it, a patron next to me mentioned she was having the same issue: she was looking for a DVD that was marked «on shelf» that she spotted behind the counter. The clerk directed us to the senior librarian and we asked her if she would pull out those two DVDs to see if they matched the ones we were looking for (we could see the titles matched, but I know some branches have multiples). She abruptly refused and walked off without explanation. I called out to her and began to explain that I’ve worked for LAPL (so I understand the ins and outs) and would like her to check the DVDs for us, she leaned over the desk, cut me off with another «no» and walked off again.
The other librarian, though a little technologically inept, was very helpful, as was the clerk, but the senior was very rude to me and the other patron. It didn’t end there. As I was walking toward my car, the senior stepped outside and called out. There wasn’t anyone else around, so I turned to see if it was me she was calling to. She saw me and with a flick of her hand said «Ugh no not you» then walked past me to a car that had pulled up.
Her people skills are lacking, and the branch is quite disorganized. I won’t be returning so long as she’s there.

Attended the «Architecture & Beyond» Lecture Series last night! The standing-​room-​only crowd witnessed Author Donald Seligman lecture from his new book, «Los Feliz and the Silent Screen Era: The Heart of Los Angeles Cinema 1908−1930»

Love coming to the library to get work done: it’s nice and sunny, with extension cords under the tables, so you can plug in and write write write. Unlike coffee shops, it’s free, and you don’t have to hunt for walls to plug into or feel obliged to order something. You also won’t ever get rudely interrupted by some acoustic guitar open mic.
It’s a shame LA is so broke, since the place closes early and opens late on many days… I like to plan to go for the full 10−8p days, Monday and Wednesday, so I can have some good workhorse sessions. Just gets a little annoying when people decide to have cellphone fights with their girlfriends in an aisle. C’mon folks.
There’s a few homeless folks who use the facilities, but they don’t bother anyone, and it’s not so big a deal as in other libraries that get a little overrun.

There is never any parking in the lot.
The bathrooms are clean.
Every single book on CD that I have ever checked out from here has been completely scratched and most are useless. I dont have this problem at any other library. I suspect someone secretly goes around scratching everyone. Just a theory.

The world as we know it is as the height of technology. We own smart phones (who would have thought growing up with pay phones that we would some day carry mini-​computers around?), we can pay to fly into outer space on private flights, and books are available on tablets, phones, nooks, kindles, etc. Albeit this technology, I am the epitome of a book worm and prefer a «old-​fashioned» experience of visiting the library once a week, volunteer my time at my favorite branch, and enjoy the smell and rustle of the pages within a physical book. For these reasons I may be strict on libraries and their offerings… or perhaps the Los Feliz branch of the LA Library is just sub-​par.
My initial steps into the Los Feliz branch were met with excitement: the lobby was modern and yet rustic, the bathroom was clean and spacious, and the actual library itself embodies a Frank Lloyd Wright look with dark, wood paneled walls, angled ceilings, and slab wood furniture. However, upon closer inspection, one notices that space is not utilized. Instead of expanding the book selection, the Los Feliz library has an odd layout with several rooms which literally sit with the lights off and chairs stacked. Not only is it uninviting but these could be used to store more book shelves.
Let’s talk about the book selection for a moment: the Los Feliz library is terrible. The shelves are «organized» (using this term lightly) in a very disjointed and odd way which makes finding books quite difficult. Plus, the selection is sparse and almost nonexistent. I have a list of about 400 books to read on my
phone app (yup, I keep track of my books!) and the Los Feliz branch didn’t have any I searched for.
Speaking of looking for books, the card catalog computer is not user friendly. It limits your time to 15 minutes to search their catalog. I understand they don’t want patrons to simply sit and look up books for 30 minutes but it is a card catalog! Not porn! How are they going to limit the look-​up time?! I have never seen this at another library.
One can hope that the customer service makes up for the lack of library spunk. The answer to that is, «No». The employees simply sat behind the counter talking and gossiping VERY loudly (where were the librarians to shush THEM?) while fellow patrons were also sitting around acting like it is Starbucks. Again, aren’t libraries supposed to be quiet?
Basically, even my love of books can’t save this branch. Aside from some eye-​pleasing aesthetics and an outdoor patio area; the Los Feliz library doesn’t have much to offer. I’m glad this isn’t my neighborhood library.

I will say that this branch is clean and the hold system works really well, especially with the text notification. So easy to ILL something. And it doesn’t have the chronic piss smell of the Hollywood branch. Far fewer bums around now that I think about it.
The only thing I would recommend is returning DVDs you’ve checked out to a live human. Otherwise I can almost guarantee you will be hassled for not returning something you are certain you did.
Also, as this is a «free» service you will always need more time than you think you do at check out. Idiots flock to this sort of place and they will always be tying up the line inexplicably manned by one librarian 98% of the time.
Thanks Villairagosa
.!

Didn’t love this place.
Free wifi if you bring your own laptop (just agree to their terms and conditions).
To use their computers you need a library card.
The décor is dark and somewhat reminiscent of Frank Lloyd Wright (though he may turn in his grave at my making that stretch comparison). Everything inside is a sad brown color, the tables, the walls, the bookshelves. The only large window to the outside world is in the Teen Section, otherwise there is little outdoor lighting creating a sad and somber mood inside the library walls.
I sat in the children’s section all the way in the back, desperately seeking solace. I found a table that seemed somewhat isolated so i settled in and began working. This library has no nooks to separate yourself from the world and submerge into your work. Most tables are smack in the middle of the library so if you have a hard time concentrating, it will be hard to get any work done here since you are in the midst of all the traffic coming and going in and out, from section to section, from computer to check-​out and so forth.
Mondays It closes at 5:30pm and around 5:15pm they start trying to get people out. They make several announcements that are distracting and the library computers shut themselves down so no one can access the internet after 5:15pm.
I got there at 5pm and i was unable to get a spot in the parking lot since it was full so i had to find street parking.
Tables were crowded and busy with people working and few places to sit. Internet was fast and computer stations were empty, so if you needed to use a computer, you’d have absolutely no wait time to get online.

Ahoy amigos!
I love this LA library branch! It’s small yes, but I feel it makes for a cozy intimate setting! You feel like it’s your little local personal library. Which also means that homeless people aren’t sleeping amongst the bookshelves.
Good:
–Open, airy, TONS of light
–Parking lot
–Right on Hillhurst, nice and convenient if you’re in the neighborhood
–Families come here, nice friendly vibe
–Clean
–Always table space to work
–Fast internet
–YAY learning!
Bad:
–Strange hours. I would recommend checking before you go, for instance, today is Thurs, and they open at 12:30 pm.
–I thought librarians were supposed to use their inside voices? Whatever happened to that?
Happy learning to all!

It seemed like a good idea. Free DVD rentals. 2 day limit. The place is a skip and a jog, so, no problem. However… the library is a place of learning, and I learned that I’m not good at returning stuff on time.
Look deeply inside yourself. Are you a punctual person? No? Then do you feel like donating to the library? If your answer is «Yes, that’s how I’ll justify my lackadaisical attitude and spin it into a good thing.» Then this place is for you.
The LAPL-​LFB was a great but ultimately expensive destination to take my mom when she visited. There is a rumor that Leonardo De Caprio had something to do with this place, so there is a hollywood mystique, and they have a decent selection of movies and TV shows. Oh and books too. I ended up getting some cool science books.
This branch is no Library of Congress by any means. The book selection is a bit dated and one gets a feel that the place isn’t quite college level. There is a culdesac of sorts near the front geared specifically towards teens. Unfortunately, it is often the only place to get some privacy, so I usually head up there to check out my book selections. I feel a bit creepy surrounded by shelves of Disneyesque teen mini series and mags I’ve never heard of.
They apparently have wifi and toward the back along the wall there are a few private coves with outlets if you need a cubby in which to create on a computer or perhaps to take a nap. (Bring a hankie for drool).
Getting a card is a snap, and of course it is. I know I’m not the only library flake. I bet they make a minimum of $ 10 for each card issued. In my case, let’s just say I’ve already donated $ 20.00 and today I cowardly dropped off «Crash» and «Whale Rider» at the curb side receptacle. I found them in my back pack in the back of the closet. I convinced myself that I had already returned them since they disappeared two weeks ago. Surprise, surprise, surprise.
But please do me a favor, if the library police ask you about me, just claim the fifth because I’m officially on the lam.
Thanks!
— — — — — — — —
Update: 02-​07-​2011
They sent me a collection bill for $ 75.00 which I promptly mailed back with a check for said amount. It has not yet been withdrawn so if the library police ask about me, please tell them the check is in the mail!