Sun Valley Branch Library

I really like this library I used to go to the one in north Hollywood off of Tujunga but that was so packed all the time with homeless people that would hog the bathroom for hours and the staff there wouldn’t do anything about it when my little kids have to use the bathroom so I would always have to leave. This location is very nice and clean and all the staff have always been nice and polite. One of the women (I wish I got her name) really went out of her way and helped my son when he asked her where the dinosaur books are. She showed him where they are and even stayed with him to help him pick out the right books she was so sweet. They never seem to packed I never have to wait in line to check a dvd out and they always have computers available. I also love how they changed the rules and you can now rent the dvds for four days and renew them before we couldn’t renew them! So all in all this is my favorite library!

Its cool you get to use the internet without a library card for at least 15 minutes at a time.
And To set things straight about the hours: They’re NOT open until 2am, They close at 8pm.

I remember coming to this library a lot when I was younger. I recently decided to return and pick up reading again. It felt so nostalgic to see this place again. Everything still looks the same, looks like you still need floppy disks to save data though. O_​o. VHS tapes are still available for check out which kinda sucks cuz no one uses those anymore. Aside from that, they have a great selection of books: self help books, study aids, history, art, biographies and so on. This is still a very friendly atmosphere and it seems that the same gals from years ago still work here, which is nice to be able to see a familiar face. The staff is always glad to help in what ever you need and computers are available to everyone with a library card. There are also 15min computers for those who need to do something really quick. Other computers I believe are either 30min or an hour.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2014
I hear that a small but dedicated group has formed as a FRIENDS OF SUN VALLEY LIBRARY. I also hear that what is needed is some donations SPECIFICALLY FOR THIS BRANCH because, you know, this is not STUDIO CITY where people are living in houses worth half a million dollars, this is SUN VALLEY, where a lot of people are just making their rent. Employees should not feel they have to use some of their income to buy things that are needed for seasonal decorations or programs. So if you’re reading this, drop off a few bucks next time you’re in, or maybe, if you’re heading over to say, the Sun Valley Rec Center or Park for a ball game or Native American dance, make stopping here to donate a PLAN! (And they can always use the donations of books, magazines, DVD’s, and the like to sell too!)
*****
This library gets 4 stars because of the efforts of the staff who have been challenged here for some time.
Sun Valley supports something like 17 schools and without a Children’s Librarian (theirs retired a couple years ago and hasn’t been replaced), and this dedicated staff of librarians and desk clerks work long and hard to have wonderful programs like the CHILDRENS SUMMER READING PROGRAM (there are prizes), programs that include MAGIC SHOWS for the kids, and a KNITTING CLUB. THEY DO THIS WITHOUT AN ACTIVE FRIENDS OF THE LIBRARY GROUP, but used books and tapes are for sale during the evenings the knitting club meets.
I wish people in the community respected this library much more. This library has sadly been the scene of some destructive damage, from the smashing of computers to people defacing the bathrooms and taking off with the keys on purpose time and time and time again, which gets very expensive to repair. The building is light and bright and is eco-​friendly, but there is a problem in the design because the flag poles are an attractive roost for birds right over the outdoor bench which seems to get filthy and poop covered a lot.
All LAPL libraries allow card holders to order in books from other branches. So if a book you want to read is not on the shelf here, you can order it to be sent over. All patrons with cards can use library computers for up to 2 hours a day.
At this branch after 3 PM it is pretty difficult to get a computer that you have not pre-​reserved and it will be full of kids.

I remember when I was a kid and saw this newly redesigned library again for the first time. I thought it was beautiful. Immediately, though, I realized that what they gained in aesthetics, they lost in actual quality.
First, the parking dwindled exponentially. It’s horrendous to say the least. It’s a very tight lot with about 15 spots in total. So if you decide to drive, take the smallest car possible.
Secondly, the building itself seemed to have shrunk. I remember this library having a vast array of books. After the remodel, it seemed like they threw away most of the books.
To make this library a better place, especially for the adolescents in the area, it should be remodeled again. This time, with more room for more books. Because really, who still uses VHS tapes?
Overall, it is just okay. It isn’t outrageously terrible but it isn’t quite good either. There is a much better selection of books at the Sherman Oaks branch.