Reston Public Library

These four stars are for one of the librarians I met today whose name I don’t know but she was the best librarian I’ve ever met in my entire life and for the actual wealth and collection of books. Minus one star for everything else.

I’ve been here for the past several days doing school work and projects. Although it could use some tune ups (especially the men’s restroom), it has a quiet feel where I can be productive and get my work done.
There’s free wifi and community computers with Internet access. I usually bring my own computer with me so the wifi helps. It’s fast and easy although it takes a few tries to connect.
This location is convenient since its within a close distance to the metro and to my gym. I hate doing school work but i know I can get it done if I come here.

Three stars rating overall. The librarians who work there are pleasant and helpful and they deserve 4 – 5 stars; however, the main reason I go to the library is for preschool programs for my son. There are very few at Reston Library (maybe once or twice a month) for kids under 2. Most of the teachers are not that great… they don’t project their voices, the books and activities they choose are generally too long for the average attention span of this age (under 2). Ashburn Library, on the other hand, has outstanding storytime teachers! Numerous short activities, lots of music, no lulls between activities… there are no class size limits (as there are in Fairfax Co), and I’ve been to sessions where there were 25 kids (with a parent) and everybody was having a great time. The skilled teacher kept everyone’s attention… she didn’t miss a beat! I don’t really understand why Fairfax Co. can’t invest more in a quality experience for preschoolers

not bad. between the old people fighting/​shoppin for board games, and kids and homeless folks, it gets really loud. I like that they do have a small study room for people who actually need quiet. But the bathroom do get kinda gross due to homeless folk and there are lines. All and all tho I prefer this place when I need a break from the coffee shop.

Very nice and helpful librarians and greatly underutilized in my opinion! I really like this small library. Need more tables and computer stations as things get busy.
There is a homeless shelter next to the library and many residents end up in the library during the day. Sometimes a few of them are snoring or smell really really bad. I don’t think folks should be banned or anything — I just wish the library and shelter could supply better care or something? With very high Reston taxes I think better services can be provided to the needy /​homeless. Matthew 25:31−46

I now understand why there are shady characters, people smoking in the front, people just hanging around, asking for change, the same ones that sleep and occupy desks and valuable real estate. the reason all computers are used for youtube and movies and not research and studying… oh, and why my little kids scooter got stolen from outside just by walking in and dropping a book off and heading right back out seeing someone running away with it… the Library is very tolerant and accepting of their neighbor. That building next to the Library and behind the Daycare is a homeless shelter. I dont wish tragedy and being homeless on anyone. but there needs to be some level of upholding the best interests of those who go to a library first as a resource to learn. not to take advantage of the other things.
Imagine walking into a community area, a library and having to walk past people asking for change, or the odor of smoke, or having shady looking characters scoping out the place for opportunities if you will… yes I see this all the time… its too bad Reston library cannot provide a more safe, positive environment.
Please Fairfax County and the Reston Community, we deserve a better place for children and family and others who want to use the library as they are intended.

I’ve only recently started taking my boys (6 and 9) to the library, but I am so glad I did. This one is showing its age, and it’s musty with strange folks inside (as libraries can be!) The one we used to go to on Hay Road in Ashburn was bright and shiny.
But this one is a true library. Lots of tables whenever we come, not too crowded in the areas away from the computers, where the homeless folks seem to congregate. I like it. It’s an old-​school sense of community.

I know I’m nerdy and I am going to make my kid nerdy too. But I LOVE THE LIBRARY lol. He gets so excited about our biweekly library visits. Before this visit, he made everyone in the house walk around whispering like they were in the library all day! I will pretty much read anything and I have found my best technique for selecting a read for my quiet time: look at the pretty pictures on the cover lol. No photo, I don’t want it. But, it works for me and I usually end up reading about something I wouldn’t normally pick had I read the back cover.

Free wi-​fi. Lots of books. Plenty of seating. Has a weird musty odor in there. Not sure if it was the actual smell of the building or some of the occupants… there were a couple groups of loud people that were hanging out in the back area. and these were adults, not kids.

I actually live in Loudoun county and I’m SUPPOSED to be using Cascades (sorry)… the thing is, Cascades is always loud and their wifi connection is just terrible. I can’t get any work done there. Babies and small children are always making noise, the children’s section is huge and, due to the open floor plan and high ceilings, noise travels to every corner. Their private rooms are full from 10am to close and there is no decent, quiet place to get work done.
One tiny nuisance is the ever-​present homeless folk (there’s a shelter next door). Now, I don’t have anything against them if they’re quiet and considerate, but sometimes they are talking loudly on the phone, hacking up a lung, or talking to friends loudly. I prefer when they just sleep… but then they might snore. It’s a public place, they’re not going anywhere, so be sure to really scope out the whole library before choosing a place to plop down. If you need to study, talkative people are so distracting. Don’t expect a rounding librarian to shush them (because the «quiet rule» seems to be more a suggestion at this library). Bring headphones.
The staff is lovely. There are power outlets EVERYWHERE, which is a huge plus, and their wifi always works (and is free!) and is pretty darn speedy.

I’ve seen a lot of libraries in the past couple years, due to my travels. And this is one of the best, at least for getting work done on my laptop. The WiFi is fast, and doesn’t block my VPN connection. There are several large tables that have power and room for two people with computers, drinks, and other stuff. I’m not a member, but I can see the selection is pretty good. They have PCs that patrons can check out and use. And either the ventilation system works well or they installed white noise generators in the ceiling, because there’s a soft hum that drowns out noise and makes it easy to concentrate. Judging from the signs, they also have an active schedule of special programs. I would say this is probably the nicest medium-​size library I’ve seen.

This is a great library it’s got public spaces if you want to read or quietly meet with people and they also have quiet rooms especially if you want to study.

This was a great library where I did a little studying while waiting for a friend to return home from work and to let me into the house!
Open access wifi. Was easy to get a table and an outlet in the floor right next to the table.
Truly I cannot complain. Wish they had not closed at 5pm on a Sunday so that I wouldn’t have had to decamp to Starbucks and get less done there. But that (library staying open later on a Sunday) is the stuff of dreams…

This is a very busy branch like other reviewers have posted. The parking lot is horrible pretty much any time of the day when the library is open.
There is a nice selection of books. I love that you can go online and reserve and hold books to pick up in the near future. They will shoot you and email when your book is ready to pick up and allows you to get in and out. Bonus if you use their easy self check out line. You can be in and out within a few minutes.
I do wish this location had a better DVD selection. Most of the DVDs are super old or educational. I guess I will have to resort to my cable on demand.

Staff is super friendly, plus their quiet rooms are actually quiet. Def recommended :) Free wifi. Only reason it got 4 stars instead of 5 is because there is nothing to eat/​drink in the immediate vicinity, as in you can walk to get food but its just a little bit of a walk. So, i wish they had coffee /​vending machine or something. U r not allowed food in the library but u are allowed a drink with a lid. so if ur getting dropped off, make sure that you get something before your ride leaves.

Lots of selection. I usually hold my copies online and pick it up when they are available. They are pretty good in organizing their stuff. I just go to the hold section, find my name, scan them myself, and out of the door in just about a couple of minutes.
I find a few of the people who work there with some strange personalities, but in terms of competence on what they do, they definitely know what they are doing. Just ask any body and you will find the answer in a jiffy.
Lots of parking spaces. They also have a special bathroom for kids and family just inside the bookstore. Their regular bathrooms are located just outside the entrance (still inside the building). From time to time they have puppet shows, magic, reading, computer class, etc.

Two and a half stars. Tucked a block back behind Reston Town Center for the criminally lost like me, with a decent-​sized (one-​way traffic) parking lot for the selection size and seating options. I’ve stopped by on the way home from work a few times and never had trouble finding a spot.
Limited selection; check for things on display if you can’t find it on the shelf and it’s listed as being there. One shelf near the checkout counter with audiobooks, and slightly redundant section organization. Not too keen on glancing through 4 sections to look for a book if I’m too lazy to wait for a catalog computer. Self checkout makes me happy, though. Can’t believe they now charge to look your account up by your info! I remember the good old days when… oops, dropped my cane.

I am not a resident of NoVa but my boyfriend is, so we go here from time to time. This is a pretty active community library. Lots of staff who are all to happy to help. Checking out is painless because they have multiple people working at the front desk and several self-​check out machines. There are also lots of flat-​screen TVs, computers, DVDs, and other media to be had. Also, they have a fairly large selection of English-​translated manga, which I would have loved when I first got into animé like, 12 years ago. Parking isn’t an issue, either.

I’ve been coming here for years since I grew up in nearby Great Falls, VA. The library is well maintained and right now I’m sitting inside by a window overlooking some trees and green, very relaxing.
I do wonder what the future holds for libraries like this though I do see real value in providing a secular community gathering point and a place for some peace and quiet.
The bathrooms could use some love, soap dispensers aren’t dispensing a lot of soap these days and it smells.
But really in this day and age fast, reliable, and free WiFi is the key and they’ve got it.

The heart of the community is what this library building represents. You can get tax forms, local club info, senior services info, and lots of books and magazines to read. There are quiet study rooms along the perimeter as well as the typical library tables and some lounge chairs. It is one of the county’s less sunny libraries, shaded by trees most of the year. Sadly, this well-​used location also has the distinction of operating a totally outdated, pay-​as-​you-​go copier set up and has yet to be technically enhanced to the standards of the 21^st century.
The Reston childrens’ librarians offer an extensive reading activities program. Many programs for adults also occur: computer skills are available to the uninitiated as well as tutoring for those who are trying to master the English language. This library maintains rooms that can be reserved by community groups for meetings, lectures, candidates… a tradition in keeping with Reston’s open-​mindedness.
The check-​out desk is always busy, the computers linked to the internet never seem to be free and the information/​reference desk is active most of the day. If one were to improve the library, it would be to expand the facilities already available. Volunteers support the multitude of services. It’s a reflection of Reston, a neighborhood that places a high value on education and the arts.
The staff is happy to reserve a book or order an available copy from another branch library. All you need is a county library card, and that’s free! You can also access the library catalogue and order books to pick up by using the internet.
Nestled in the woods, meekly cowering across from the encroaching town center, this low rise library invites the curious to enter the world of literature. The Reston Library is regularly filled with people of all ages, from hundreds of different cultures, some of whom are still trying to master the language. It is an authentic reflection of the multi– ethnic community of Reston.