Union City Library

it’s a small library. A lot of people come here so it gets crowded.

Instead of having that pretty pond with the ducks, they should have used that land to increase the size of the library. Focus on what’s really important! This library is tiny. I guess its alright if you just pick up books on hold from this branch.

Super tiny library in Union City. As it was one of the two libraries closest to me. i decided to swing by. The used for sale books were horrible and the library itself looked really dark and dirty. It definitely could use a remodel but i know funds for libraries are nonexistent. For what its worth the librarians seemed pretty friendly and the AC was working well. As i did not stick around to try the wi-​fi i cant vouch for it. A plus for this location is the beautiful surrounding man-​made lake and the police station next door (makes me feel extra safe). it looks like a fun place to have a picnic with a couple of nice books borrowed from said library. Also Union City has city-​wide wi-​fi. Very cool. Kudos to you!

NOTICE as of ¾/​16: If you love the Alameda County Libraries, please take some time of your evening to voice your views on the future of the libraries at the «Imagine Your Library’s Future» and «Community Meeting» events. (
search for «Imagine Your Library’s Future» and «Community Meeting.) I am no way associated with the Alameda County Libraries, but I do care about the future of our county libraries.
The Union City Library was my wonderful quiet space where I could read as many books as I wanted. In high school, I checked out books at this library all the time, especially if I couldn’t find a book at the James Logan library. I volunteered here in high school, too, and met a few friends. I go to this library occasionally after returning from college, but this library just needs some more love.
I’ve been at the Mary L. Stephens, Davis Branch Library in Yolo County, and the Mountain View Public Library. The Mary L. Stephens library was newly built for the Davis community a few years ago. It has all the bells and whistles of a top-​notch library with bigger space (very roomy dedicated kids space, movies space, and even a quiet study space). Also, it has the automated check-​in book conveyor belt machines. The Mountain View library has this as well, and it’s mighty convenient for both library staff and patron (trust me! As a prior volunteer, this machine makes the library more efficient).
I have to say this: someone please make our Union City Library awesome again! This library needs a new interior, furniture, and an expanded building. There is so much potential here, because this library is nearby James Logan, which caters to many students, and even Union City constituents, too. I really love this library, and hate to see it maintained, but not updated.

I have been going to this library since my parents have been carrying me on their shoulders. I remember checking out those eyewitness books which are the shiznits by the way.
I own more books than clothes so that tells you a lot about myself. I love to read and write. The library is a great place to really do homework and study but over the years I’ve been swayed by pretty coffee shops and boba shops.
Nevertheless, this library is a wonderful place to check out books, do research, play cards, wait to get picked up (there’s security) and just do homework and study. I forget what a wonderful library this is. They have a great selection of books and resources that I need. Libraries are the tools too success! Gotta love books, no lie.

Nothing special about this place. Brought my godson and his cousin here and they looked around and picked what they wanted. It is a little loud and books unorganized but hello it’s because it’s mainly kids here. I’m not sure how it compares to a Iibrary in a weathy area but it beats buying every title book they want! There is wifi in here.

Perhaps I’m spoiled by my hometown newly renovated expensive library but this place is old and there’s hardly any books on the shelves! So many shelves are empty. The volunteers seemed unhappy to help and the computers to use were old and slow. The only thing unique was the view from the patio.

Rude staff. When you’re rushing to get there before close and they shut down the main desk even earlier. They won’t tie family members accounts together which would be much easier. This place was only convenient when we lived two minutes away, now I’m going to go to one of the other libraries in the system.

Library situated in Union City. with not much to see. You get a nice little pond with poop all over the sidewalk but I guess you don’t come to library to stare at a pond! Its a great place to come and study if you need to. They have two floors with plenty of tables for you to hunker down and be productive.
Pros:
— Free Wifi
— plenty of tables
Cons:
— small side
— not really quiet
Tip:
— bring headphones and you’re set!

i came in cause my library card expired. they had a security guard which i didn’t understand why considering they have a police station. 100 yards away. and i thought sheriff usually guarded county places.
they have a check out machine for laptops and for tablets. which i thought was cool.
printing was like 12 cents a page. and they give one hour of internet time.
outside they have a creek. with a bunch of ducks and swans. i even seen turtles and gold fish too.

So. This library isn’t the best. Kids are running around. Its very noisy. Etc. but if you can sit up stairs and relax. I think you’re okay.
Personal Experience: They have free wifi and you can borrow an iPad or laptop for 2 hours for free also. I use that to help me study. They can also offer you some headphones so you can listen to your audio book, audio lesson, music, etc. that should drown out the sound of those kids. I’m really upset that on some days, the libraries wrong open until the 1−2pm. I wish it was open longer. With all the resources they have, it makes it up. The staff is kind and nice.
3 stars for good staff and resources but there’s so much they can fix.

This place is a small, unquiet library. Decent studying can get done around here if you can find a seat, but I wish they’d crack down on keeping this place silent.
The noise level is more comparable to a café than what a library should be. Quite a bit of chatter and kids running around. And I’m just studying in the summer here for summer school! I can only imagine how much worse it is during the school year when more students are here after school!
There are better libraries in the area, but I just come here at times because it’s conveniently closer to my house.

They let the kids run the place. Kids are talking like they’re outside and the staff doesn’t say anything to them.
Not sure where the parents are either.

There are great books here but i cannot study here and I think its quite depressing. The lighting isn’t great, it feels dirty to me, the bathrooms usually are dirty or out of order, and the amount of noise in that library makes me feel like I’m in café rather than a library. I seriously hope the city utilizes some funds to renovate this library completely. Every city deserves a good library. Hayward has TWO.

The only library in the area that is pretty much frequented by locals. It’s not a «Main Library», so it’s definitely not huge. You’ll not find a quiet place to work here, even though it is a small library. It’s more like a free daycare center for senior citizens to come here with their grand kids and let the kids run around till it’s time to take them back home when their parents arrive home from work. That’s the truth. Go in any given day, including weekends. See for yourself.
The days when it is open till 8pm can be a decent time to work or read a book. Usually, upstairs is the «quiet area.» You might be able to get some work done towards the later hours in the day.
Words of advise: Be on the lookout for questionable characters frequenting this library on a regular basis. You *will* find that your stuff disappears if you let it out of your sight for too long. Trust me. They have police officers walking the inside of the library at random. The Union City Administrative Buildings and the Police Department is right next door to this library as well.
Teenagers sometimes come in huge groups of ten or more at a time and can be kinda disruptive, but they leave you alone for the most part. The High School is right across the street from the library, so that doesn’t come as a surprise.
I usually go there by myself to get some quiet time to get some work done. The staff will help you find out about other services they offer and locate items you might not be able to find on your own. The security guard knows me by my first name. Communication; amongst other things, is my forte.
Books are filled with knowledge and wisdom from ages beyond my comprehension. Discover them at any library, book store, new stand, and anywhere else you can find books. You’ll be a smarter, wiser individual.

This is a quaint neighborhood library that serves the needs of the locals. I often visit here with my children instead of the new, big library in Fremont because it just has that old charm and my kids can walk around without being trampled.
Parking is shared with City Hall and the Police Station, but there isn’t ever really a jam except for when there is tutoring or group classes in the afternoon. Even then, parking on the street can be found.
The highlights for me are the children’s section, mini computers, play area, and group classes. I also like that there is a small pond and park nearby, so my kids and I take a walk before/​after or when I come during their odd hours and need to kill time before they open (haha, so tip? check their hours before you go).

I have fond memories of this library as I used to come when I was growing up. Now that I have my own kids, I bring them here because they share my love for reading (thank Goodness)!. After they pick their fave books we go outside and they like to look at all the duck and geese in the grassy area.
A great escape when summer hits!

talk about a circus! Very loud, messy, kids screaming and running all over the place. Not my idea of a library at all. Its almost as if people have no respect for other people anymore.
The library is very small as well.

Nearest library to home and a landmark for many of my runs. A good solid 4 miler to and from this library. It’s not the newest. It’s not the cleanest or freshest smelling, but I get what I need when I need it.
This place hasn’t changed one bit except no more VHS and more DVDs. The fiction is still on the second floor and the left side is still the kid’s section. It’s not the quietest library, so don’t expect silence here. But if you’re the type that needs some ambient noise, then this is the place. Also no private rooms so expect to get comfy and cozy with communal tables.
I still like this place as it gives me a lot of sentimental thoughts.

— First off it’s kinda hidden and difficult to find if you’re not familiar with the area already
— The parking isn’t great because the lot is shared with the police station and the way it’s shaped means it’s rare to find a spot near the actual library.
— If you’re gonna be there for more than two hours then you’re going to have to get a permit from the reference desk. (Although after 5pm you don’t need one).
— One of the smallest libraries I’ve ever been in. So everything is pretty crowded and the upstairs is more just like a balcony.
— Limited tables and there are only about 2 – 3 tables that have access to outlets.
— The restrooms are one-​person only ones, which is fine but it was DISGUSTING. Can’t believe I’m saying this but even some Bart restrooms have been in a better state…
+ Library hours are a bit longer compared to other public libraries
+ The lady at the reference desk was really nice about answering any questions
I don’t think I’ll be coming back here for any reason unless I absolutely have to. The Fremont library is AMAZING in comparison. Even if I was from Union City I would take the drive to go there instead.