We are trying to hit every branch of the Austin Public Library, we use a app for a wheel to spin to pick the next one. This makes the 4th one we have been to, Spicewood, Central, and Yarborough Branch have been previously visited. We want to see the differences and support the local library. This one had a larger outdoor area then most and even had a table and chairs outside to sit and read, not something we have seen anywhere but the central library. It also has some trails with art along it, as well as some interesting but creepy statues. A nice difference that makes it stand out. Inside they make full use of the space, they have a large kids area in the back and it seems very popular. Lots of Adult book clubs and activities as well as youth and children's events. It had one of the bigger collections of DVD's and Blu Rays for rent we have seen at any branch. It does have less computers for the public with only 6 or 7 but to be fair this is the first branch where they were not all full or close to full. In fact while we were there I think I saw one person using them. So it makes sense they focus on other things to match the area they are in. They have display caps with special displays like the picks of the people who work there, which is a nice touch. SHANA SAYS: I was impressed with the huge DVD and Blu Ray collection and I am not even a movie person, ask my husband as long as you have time to listen to him talk about it for awhile. The art outside was great, the fun artwork along the paths was unique and cool addition to this branch. They had some larger artwork in statues of some kind. I didn't get a great look due to looking at other things. This is extra nice all being outside for some fresh air and sunshine. They also have a large amount of adult and kids workshops and things to do! The bathroom was clean and they have a recycled reads area and a clearly marked hold area. They have board games you can rent and several other smaller touches that all add up. There was a cool display of cards that had a legal statement about how they don't wish to talk to you or give you consent in many many languages which was both awesome to see but sad we have gotten to that point. This location is not far, the closest one besides Spicewood Springs so we will be back to check it out more read more

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This is a wonderful branch of the Austin library system. There's a large children's room with seating, a unicorn, colorful bookshelves, and great displays of books to grab kids' attention. This was terrific see. In the main library, end caps of the bookshelves occasionally have special displays of books. And on some empty spaces of shelves, you may find surprises like book recommendations or flyers/brochures. The library has many community events, including story time, adult programs, book clubs, and youth programs. There's something for everyone! I was here to pick up a book on hold; it was easy to find that area and locate my book. read more

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This is a wonderful little library. Great selection and kind staff. Lots of parking and they even have EV chargers.

I love this library! Super helpful librarians and it's so easy to find what you're looking for. Using the online reserve system is great because then I can just easily pick up my book! read more

They sure do have allot of books for some reason.... Nerds Nice clean liberry, I need to go here more to work on class work. I just wish they stayed open later. read more

This local library is tucked away in the Milwood neighborhood but it is robust with books and common library needs (computers, rentals, etc). Childrens events like story time, Lego labs, and new scavenger hunts are common at this library. The staff are always friendly and helpful, and the environment is mostly calming and quiet although you do get some that can be disruptive. Overall we really enjoy this library we frequent! Recommended! read more

I certainly appreciate this branch of the Austin Public Library. It's the one that's closest to my house and it's tucked away in the Milwood neighborhood, so never seems that crowded. There is a reasonable sized parking lot and if they don't have what you need on the shelf, it's easy to order from other Austin Public Library branches for pickup here. They accept book donations as well as recycle batteries from this location, so even if I don't want or need to access the collection, I'm able to use these services. I've also gone here to just read on the weekend and while there isn't a ton of seating, I've always been able to find a spot. I like browsing the collection - including the newly acquired books near the checkout desk. All in all, this is a good library option to have in the neighborhood, especially given its connection to the broader Austin Public Library system and collection. read more

Library has had an ongoing gnat issue. They aren't fixing it, it's been going on for the 3 weeks that I have been coming to this location to study. I've told the staff here as well as another patron of the library. They keep acknowledging the situation but don't do anything to fix the issue. Probably won't be coming back to this particular branch, which is unfortunate bcz it's my preferred location. read more

A charming local library. However they need to start enforcing the quietness rule. It's just ridiculous how loud the conversations can get here. read more

These folks are so lovely! We come here often to enjoy a board games with a Meetup group. It's a delightful place to meet and the library staff are always so very pleasant. I love that they offer so much Earth Friendly support.. a LOT recycling options such as for batteries, etc, and a place to hook up electric vehicles. read more

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Great place to be. The employees are wonderful. The security people are also reassuring, very nice and engaging. There is a young security man named Ben, he is very professional and reassuring. Appreciate the COA library. More people should engage. read more

Small but mighty library with easy check out system and sequestered children's room. Great big shout out to Abhay! We walked in today for the first time since 2018 and I was surprised to see him sitting at the front desk in the same place he was when he first signed me up to get an Austin Public Library card 5(ish?) years ago. We hadn't been in a bit (my two year old was terrified of the zombie children statues outside, so we took a break of this location, then Covid hit) and it's been awhile! Abhay is always professional and knows everything there is to know about... everything. A true librarian ;) We were no longer living within the zone that qualified us for a free library card, so he helped set us up with the $22 virtual library card so I can utilize Libby. On top of that though, he also had some great info about other library systems I could hook up to my Libby account, like TexShare etc. Gotta love people who see your situation and immediately give you every single solution they can think of just to help you out. Thanks, Abhay. :D Back in 2017 they had a stellar storytime run by a female children librarian whose name escapes me and who has since left, but my oldest kid still talks about the rat puppet she used to open and close the circle. We appreciated their children's reading room in normal times, with it's plentiful board books and table games, but those are set aside right now because of the pandemic. If you're looking for a quiet place to study, the smallness of this location may not be ideal, but they do have some cozy nooks for reading and laptops/tablets to check out. Smaller book selection than other locations but you can get any book in the system sent over, so check ahead of time. read more

Here is a my neighborhood Austin Public Library (APL) branch, nearby to Summit Elementary, Balcones District Park, and Cool River (alright, one of those things is not like the others). It's much like the rest of the great sites in the APL system: friendly staff and volunteers; tons of books, periodicals, audiobooks, and movies; computers with internet access; wifi; weekly community events (like Storytimes for several age groups and Movie Nights); interesting community bulletin board; and fewer hours open than I'd like (currently closed Fridays and Sundays) due to the municipal budget crunch. As a parent and a lifelong bookworm, I adore the library and spend time here on a regular basis with my kindergartner. He always finds some interesting books to borrow (from traditional storybooks to graphic novels and nonfiction educational tomes) and he loves the donated kids' computer station with elementary school age-appropriate learning games just like at school. It's great for me that he gets his own library account, so his book limit doesn't count against mine. There's even a self-checkout kiosk right there in the kids' section, so no need to stand in line at the front when you need to hurry home for dinner. With the internet age, libraries have evolved and APL is no different. Once you have your library card, you can not only check out books and access services at any of the APL system libraries, but you have access to thousands of online volumes that you can read on the computer or on your e-reader or smartphone. Case in point: I recently read World War Z on my iPad and iPhone, using the Amazon Kindle app, totally free of charge by "checking out" the Kindle version of the book from APL's Overdrive e-book service. My favorite feature of all is that I can look for something anywhere in the APL system or sister libraries, reserve it online, and get an email when it has been delivered to the Milwood Branch for my quick pickup and checkout. Later, when I realize that perhaps my 8 checkouts were a bit optimistic for a 2 week reading period, it's simple to go online and extend my checkout for another couple of weeks to avoid late fees. Word to the wise: do not abuse the online reservation system to order books that you never pickup; the fees for non-pickups are even higher than regular late return fees. Other possibly useful facts: --Electric vehicles can be recharged at the two pumps in the parking lot facing Adelphi. --The drive-thru book drop is only available when the library is closed. Otherwise, you must park and walk in to drop off your returns. read more

Austin Public Library - Milwood Branch - Electric vehicle charging pumps are here at the library. Interesting! - Libraries Near Me - Austin, Texas

I love a good library, and this one was the closest to work. I love the new EV charging station as well; more businesses should embrace that. But seriously, the statues outside? Creepy. They look like zombie children, or children with their skin burned off. Not at all the sort of thing that I would expect to find at a library. But I imagine that kids probably don't get the same horror movie vibes that adults do, so I suppose that if you just park further away from the Horror Children, you'll be a happy camper. read more

Austin Public Library - Milwood Branch - Libraries Near Me - Austin, Texas

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It's a small library, but has everything a patron needs. The staff is friendly and helpful, and there is always a computer available when I visit. Printing is cheap (20 cents a page, and they do accept credit cards for payment). There's also plenty of parking available. The only downside is Milwood's hours of operation. They are closed on the weekends and close at 6 pm Wednesdays to Fridays. If you're ever in/near NW Austin and need to check out a physical book/print, this is the place to go. read more

I've noticed there aren't many reviews of this library since its renovation. I didn't know Milwood library before the changes but did have to deal with the bookmobile while the building was closed, and now subsequently visit this branch once every couple of weeks. Usually I just check out book holds instead of browsing all of the shelves, but here are some great things about this branch: It's newly renovated and there is a ton of natural light. You can check out laptops (for use while in the library). Three kiosks for self-checkout if you don't feel like talking to anyone. (I can be in and out in less than a minute if I just need to grab a book off the holds shelf.) A decent selection -- when I check the library website to see if a book is on a shelf, half the time it's available at my branch. Family programs like movie nights and such seem to be a thing. Easy parking. Libraries are amazing! read more

This library is not meant for quiet study. It's too small and has few desks for individual study. I spent 2 hours here and there were constant background noises of librarians greeting and checking out books, kids screaming, and people talking on cell phone as they were roaming around. I tried to get some work done but couldn't; started to write this review instead. If you're here to borrow books or need a place for kids to hangout, this library should work. read more

The Milwood Library is a nice little neighborhood branch of the Austin Public Library system. The location is convenient to the surrounding area, has a decent selection of fiction, nonfiction and children's books. There are comfy chairs and couches so you can peruse before taking your selected books home. I would give it five stars, but the statues of the running children outside freak me out...they look as though someone removed their skin. :shudder: read more

I had not been to a library in years. I needed to sign into my Gmail to print an insurance card and was not close to my office. I would have been in and out in less than 2 minutes. I had to take a moment to laugh because there was a sign as you walked in the door for you not to wear hats or sunglasses. That kinda bothered me because you had to wonder if they were doing some sort of face recognition security and just who are they looking for. I was asked by a male librarian to "take my hat off". I asked him why. He explained it was because of the sign but could give me no detailed explanation. He told me I could turn my hat backwards. Well gee, that is still WEARING my hat right? Defeats the purpose of having a sign. I noticed I needed access to the internet. I handed the guy my license which was my user id. He proceeds to tell me if I needed to print anything it was going to cost me .20 a page. I explained I just need to print one page and i was out. I did not think I needed to jump through hoops just to print one page. I took my ID and explained that I could easily just go back to my office and print the one sheet and be done. I left this place shaking my head mumbling that this was my tax dollars at work. Another patron turned around and smiled and told me she thought that it was a little silly as well. What happened to the public library system? You want me to turn my hat around and wear it backwards, and you want me to pay to print one page? Then you want to glare at me when I ask why and can not give me a straight answer? Thanks but no thanks. If I need the library, I will stick to the one closer to my house. I have used their internet when it was down at home and I needed a quiet place to work. read more

This is a nice library. A whole lot nicer than the one on Rundberg, which I am closest to. Now, this library gets three stars because I feel that the attitude I was given by a library employee was unacceptable. I worked for the library system for five years. I know the ins and outs of the system. A particular book I was looking for on was not on the shelf, and it said it was. Common problem. Maybe it was JUST checked in, or lying around somewhere, on the repair table? None of those could possibly be the option for her. Her only explanation was that, "You must've read something wrong." "You probably just made a mistake." No. I CHECKED FOUR TIMES. It just had to be my fault. It really rubbed me the wrong way... As a patron and former library employee, I shouldn't be treated that way. Period. In the end... It is just a library and I will be coming back for future study sessions. It's a nice change of pace from Rundberg... read more

Books, movies, CDs.... online books... and they have an awesome "hold" feature which makes getting in and out very easy.... .... really what else is there to say? I'm a big book loaner... but not a person that likes to stay in the library to read so their hold feature is AWESOME!! Recently they had a surgery which I hope means they will increase the number of hold available per person (you can' only place a certain number of items on your list... which if there are 30 people ahead of you... you need to keep... but doesn't take time into consideration.) Otherwise - save money and support your local library :-)) read more

Your typical neighborhood library! I stopped into this branch to pick up a book I had on hold. This isn't my home branch, but it's close enough (branches not being insanely far from one another is just one of many features I love about APL). This branch has your usual books, movies, etc. Employees are nice and can provide fun banter while you check out. They also have an outdoor book drop so you don't have to park and come in to return your checked-out items. The only thing I don't like about this branch is the parking lot. I guess in an effort to protect the trees, the parking lot meanders around and it's narrow. read more

I like this location because it's close to my home and easy to get in and out. This library is clean and customer service is good. They have most of the popular books I request, unlike the Round Rock location. Multiple self check out systems are available or you can go to a librarian to check you out. A decent amount of computers are available as well. read more

Its not the hugest library and there is no separated section for romances ( I'm on a trashy reading kick lately.) So lets just say I forgot to return books for, er, quite a while, and some how amassed a 32 dollar fine. yes. I Know. The women was sympathetic, let em pay half at a time, and let me check out books today. More computers then the norm, friendly staff. Big selection of Cd's, DVD, just don't be a dummy like your friend Susie G. and bring your stuff back on time! read more

I take my daughter (16 months) here for the story times. She's been on a book reading kick lately. The story times are pretty interactive. They have sing along music and arts and crafts. Sometimes they read one book, sometimes they read two. The kid's book selection is decent. Lots for Ms. Princess to choose from and the people that work there are pretty nice and always willing to help out. read more

Milwood is repping the ATX in style, a blend of artistic with industrial, and with vines absolutely covering the building. The WiFi is Incredibly fast with a lot of power outlets and sitting areas. There's an impressive statue garden on the walk towards the building. You'll find plenty of parking on both sides of the building. I also love that they stay open until 9pm on most days, adding the final touch to make them one of the best libraries (and hidden treasures) in North Austin. read more

This library is small, clean and quiet. I got my library card and can't wait to visit more often. I wish the book selection was bigger but overall I had a good impression. read more

Not terribly impressed. A few of the librarians seem to take themselves very, very seriously. Which unfortunately does not translate into taking their jobs, or you as a patron, seriously. Or really even just being friendly. (There are one or two exceptions of course) Somewhat snooty, serious (but not when it comes to kids running wild and screaming at the top of their lungs) older librarians, but hey...we all have bad years I guess. Not *horrible* but I'll stick with shady, yet comfortable Little Walnut Creek Branch. But, if you feel like being condescended to and having your book choices, looked over and sniffed at...come here. read more

This is a nice, quiet little library and the staff is very friendly and helpful. The exterior is very interesting and cut off from the road by a lot of greenery and some statues that honestly, kind of creep me out. I love the concept that if they don't have a book I need, I can place it on hold and it will be delivered to my library of choice. This library is closest to my home, and is on the way home from work so it's so convenient, but there are tons of other APLs all over Austin. Sometimes I'm appalled that not more people in Austin use the libraries. read more

Not Kid Friendly. Went to a puppet show where they expected all children to sit still and quiet.... hmmmmmm We were asked to leave because my 3 yr old stood up. read more

Yes , this library location is incredible friendly and selections are varied. Staff is helpful and friendly

I'm totally surprised there are actually some negative reviews of this place! I've had 95% good experiences here, and one experience that was meh. I didn't see any hipsters working behind the counter, just some nice guys, a nice lady, and a couple old ladies. There was only one lady who is kind of aloof and distant, she accounts for the 5% meh. Not rude though! Just not necessarily nice. It's probably been the easiest library I've ever used. read more

Great library, great junior/teen selection. Everyone is helpful and always available Newly renovated, so it is now easy to find what you want, much more open and we love all the natural lightening. read more

My 2 boys and I just signed up for cards here...1-it's a cute little library and hopefully we will enjoy our time here this summer. 2-the staff members are not very welcoming and one was even outright rude. I hope this does not become an ongoing problem...but from other reviews it looks like poor attitude is a common issue here. That's why I gave it 3 stars. Thanks to Melissa for offering to give us a tour when no one else would and for doing our library cards when another worker said it was not a convenient time to do so. read more

Excellent little neighborhood branch of the Austin Library system. Not a bad selection in their stacks, but, as other reviewers have noted, the great thing about Austin Public Library is that if you have a card, you can reserve books, DVDs, etc. You go on their website and if what you want is at any branch in the city, they will deliver it to your local branch. Super convenient. This branch seems to have a big kids section (I don't have kids, but that's what it looks like to me.) The internet-enabled computers always seem to be in use, so don't expect to get one without a wait. The staff is helpful and friendly, although sometimes the checkout line builds up, especially if a patron has a problem or unusual situation, or when families with small children check out 20 books (which I see happening a lot.) read more

Convenient for people who live nearby. Easy access for cars. Sometime the parking lot gets close to full, but I have always been able to find a space. I rarely browse here, but i take advantage of the city library's transfer program whereby they deliver most anything in the catalogue to your local branch. The Milwood branch also has regular video screenings of movies in the conference room. read more

I appreciate the library offering story time but can you please clean the rug? My kids clothes are black from the lack of cleaning

Milwood is known around the library community for circulating the most books of any branch in the APL system. They also have pretty good service. I went in and explained that I saw on the catalog that the books are here, but they're not on the shelf. The male employee thought I didn't look on the shelf correctly, which secretly appalled me, because I'm a librarian, but I didn't say anything. So, after the male employee confirmed that indeed they weren't on the shelf, he kinda just told me to keep looking around. As soon as I was starting to get frustrated (I would never do that to my customers, even if they were grown ups and not kids), a female employee who overheard our conversation found the books and brought them to me where I was looking. Super nice, huh? THAT is the level of service I appreciate and try to give all of my customers, too. Well done, ma'am. Thanks for your assistance! read more

The Milwood branch is one of the smaller branches of the Austin public library, but its reasonably modern. They have a self checkout scanner, and full access to the online resources for reserving books from any Austin library as well as Interlibrary loan. The staff is friendly, and they have a great kids play area with lots of books for very small children. My kids especially love the jungle animals hanging from the walls. read more

This is a nice little community library. It's small but cozy, surrounded by beautiful greenspace. Downside is their chairs at computers and desks are very uncomfortable--I can't spend much time here. There are a few couches for reading books though. read more