Richmond/Senator Milton Marks Branch Library

Wonderful children’s section, airy and light adult section, very respectable inventory. Every staff member I’ve encountered has been helpful and polite. The building itself is aesthetically very pleasing. One giant drawback: the restrooms, which seem to have become a haven for transients, and consequently often an unpleasant «surprise» when a library patron simply needs to use the facilities — especially when the patron has a small child with her. I have no idea what the solution might be, but I hope that the library at least recognizes that there is a problem, so they can begin to consider a solution.

From the outside it looks like a very nice shop, but all they stock are books, that aren’t even for sale? Manager must have had a hang-​over as she kept asking me to be quiet. Also, lighting is poor for selfies.

This library’s children section rocks! I love the HUGE selection! No matter what age your child is, there are plenty of books to choose from. I like how they separated the books by reading levels so they are easy to find. The books are also in good condition. The librarians are helpful and friendly.
I just wish the playground outside the library can be bigger and more play structure. It’s a bit small.

Sometimes it takes ten tries to come here. Five or so times of walking by, two or three times borrowed movies from this place by your friend, shown on the screen which you got to enjoy in the living room, girlfriend asked you if and when you’d be there because she could meet you there with her kids…
«Don’t you ever go to a library? This one has been retrofitted. It’s very nice.» The person asked you. You paused and said, «I tend to Kindle it.» Not exactly the answer that person was looking for.
Alfred Hitchcock would have been a fan — because the library is clearly a fan of his. Five or so movies by the great film master, especially the one you had not finished watching but had expired on Amazon prime: The man Who Knew Too Much. Friendly staff did a search and wrote down a few that you might consider. Rear Window was a long term favorite of one of your girlfriends, so you decided to take that one as well. All the DVDs and books have a three week borrowing period. You did not know that. You never went to a library before this.
You got tickets for Paul Theroux’s October 15 at the Nourse. The same friendly staff sent you to the Fiction room and told you, «it’s under F Theroux.» You found two books by him. Wish that it had a bigger selection of non fictions.
A window looks out to a pretty palm tree. A summer view for a summer day in the city. A whole section for Chinese books. Thought you dad might have liked a couple but did not know exactly what to borrow.
Conveniently located close to the Asian supermarkets on Clement too. Later on you’d pick out some veggies for your mother and enough of everything else to make the perfect chicken soup with rice that your favorite girlfriend taught you the way her Jewish grandmother once taught her.
You scanned the children friendly section, inside and out, for your girlfriend who has two young children and found no much sighting. Feeling partially relieved and partially guilty. Could have should have called her, perhaps, now that you’ve finally made it inside this pretty library.
Public libraries are good to visit, especially one like this where it has retained original architectural details while exuded modern aesthetics. Clearly well architected and constructed public use space for its people.
Later on, you had some chicken rice soup while finished two Hitchcock movies. Before bed, you opened the hardcover The Bones by Paul Theoroux.
The person next to you asked: «I am so glad that I took you inside the library. Did you like it?»
«A good visit indeed.» You said, and proceeded to read out loud the first of the twenty short stories: Minor Watts.

I use to come here all the time when I grew up on clement st. The remodel was much needed. Now
that it has modernized and equipped itself with computers and more digital books and a large childrens area. However, I’ve noticed that the homeless basically uses the facilities restrooms and shaded areas to sleep/​camp. My personal exp having to wait in line with my 1yr old child to change her diaper in the mens restroom along with homeless ppl washing themselves in the restroom was just too uncomfortable. They need to stay in the shelters and receive proper help there; not wander into areas where tax payers and their children are present. I may sound like an a hole saying that but you will understand if you were ever in the same room as I was. I longer come here and will use other libraries with much cleaner restrooms

Beautiful façade. Cute library. Restroom looks relatively clean, though still smells like urine. Awesome playground for kids in the back. They have the World Book encyclopedia in the children’s section!

Still a wonderful branch library AND they moved the new fiction section to a location that makes browsing more enjoyable!

Have you ever looked at a ceiling and said, «OMG did they steal that from a castle,» because that is what I said almost immediately after walking in to this library. One of the newest SF libraries, Richmond has a beautiful playground, a stunning use of glass, and a large collection of pretty much everything.
One thing I almost immediately noticed is that they have a room that is almost completely dedicated to manga. Manga on the floor, manga on the ceiling, manga on the walls, easily the largest collection of any library. They have all the basic stuff, as well as many less popular titles that are equally as good.
Also, they have these things called private study rooms, which have a wall clock, a big glass door, a table and chairs, and a giant window with a view. Did I mention the entire room was soundproof? A very nice place to quietly read or hang with your friends, or finish all the manga you just got downstairs.
All in all, one of the nicest SF libraries, with an extensive collection and friendly staff.

great area, small, friendly staff, I can always get to a computer in less than 30 mins, the copy machine and print station is very cheap and easy to use.

Beautiful library! Lots of light inside but barely enough seats. I guess it’s a popular place for the neighborhood. A good problem to have. The front and back are great places to sit on a nice day.

Great library. But the children’s room doesn’t have a huge selection of books and DVDs. Also, children’s room is loud. Clean bathrooms.

Manager or staff are happy? Do they maybe smile sometimes? Stressful manager or senior staff who is amazing… so I put one star this time
Usually I give more chance

Despite the fact that this is one of the more accessible libraries, my experience at this library pales in comparison with the other branches.
The fact that I requested a book at the ADULTS section and i can’t find it at the hold shelf is the least of my frustration. After some sleuthing, i finally found my book in the kids section.
Even though the book that I requested is a comic book (hey, i wanted to experience the book before i watch the movie that it was based off of), it is a comic book of a graphic nature (akin to Frank Miller’s Sin city). It shouldn’t have been anywhere NEAR the kids section.
This happened to me more than once… Needless to say, I’m pretty disappointed at the lack of concern for the libraries patrons.

The sunlight streams in from the far windows all afternoon, and if you have a good imagination, the other library patrons might fade and you can imagine that you’re sitting in your very own library. The new ceiling is intricate, and perfect for staring at in frustration when you’ve hit a writer’s block.
I don’t like the children’s area though. I used to love it as a child because it was full of old dark wood paneling and smelled like antiquarian books. Now it looks like it’s from IKEA. Clean, bright, well-​organized, sure. No longer homey. It also didn’t used to be popular. It was down a hallway I was once convinced was haunted and I almost never saw other kids there. Now, it’s seething with them. Too bad.

Perfect working space and beautiful new building! Outlets and free Wi-​Fi, what more could you ask for?

I haven’t been back here in years. Definitely before the remodel. I have to say that the Richmond library is very nice. I especially like the outdoor park for the kids to play with and the archway that let mobility impaired patrons to wheel up to the library. Hey it’s better than walking all those stairs! I actually prefer to walk up the ramp.
The library is very clean and bright. It does give the impression that there isn’t a lot of inventory in this branch (could it be the well spaced shelves?). We looked in the downstairs children’s room and it was very well organized.
Restrooms are also downstairs so if you are shopping in Clement and want to use the restroom, you can come here and do your business. It turns out it isn’t much of a secret because I see a lot of old ladies with their shopping carts use the library restrooms.

Second time I’ve had something stolen from my stroller or wagon while parked inside the atrium of the library for just a few minutes. A water bottle and a kids workbook — nothing worth a lot of money but really annoying. The staff didn’t seem to care.
I still love this house of books, but will never leave anything unattended again.

LOVE the SF library system… this branch especially, with its park right adjacent, greenery, and benches to enjoy those (rare) sunny Richmond days.
The renovation has made it a destination point for us whenever we are out getting Dim Sum, just today we rushed in & out of Good Luck and had a little picnic here before heading off to basketball.
Say what you will about SF Taxes, it is amazing that so many of the libraries have gotten such amazing upgrades.
This used to be a study spot for me back in the day before it was renovated, and it is amazing to see how they’ve kept the main structure but upgraded it so well.
Needless to say, parking is a B in this area on weekends, so be prepared with lots of quarters, even on a Sunday!

I use this library in conjunction with the web based service… actually amazing. Order the book from their stock and pick it up at whatever library you designate… so simple.
The library is a little bizzare when i go in to check out my books… free wifi and old geezers viewing porn… pure class.
The library itself has been redone in the last few years and really is nice inside.
On the 10^th ave side there is a great little playground for the kidsters.
Added bonus of allstar donuts right up the block… um nuttin better than Dostoyevsky and a plain old fashioned glazed.yum.

My neighborhood branch. Recently renovated (in late 2009 I believe? Don’t quote me) and located conveniently off of the 38/​38L MUNI stop at Geary and 9^th Ave.
This is a relatively small branch, so normally I just search the catalog and request books from other branches to be delivered to Richmond for pick-​up. This option is easy to use and free of charge, so I don’t have to worry about whether or not the library carries a book I want to read.
I usually never stay longer than necessary since My CPA-​studying days are a thing of the past. But last time I perused the library materials I found their cookbook section to be well stashed. See, everything always circles back to food y’all.
Lastly, OH MY GOSH how I look forward to walking to the library from the Geary 38L stop at around 6pm. The intoxicating and wondrous smell of freshly baked sourdough bread from Boudin permeating the neighborhood streets. THE. BEST!