This is my all-time favorite library - ever. It's quiet, the people are friendly and it's easy to use. It's a great place to study - lots of little nooks to curl up with a book. They even have quiet rooms specifically for studying. I like that the children's section is separate so you don't hear the kids while in the main library area. They have great kids programs with story time, crafts, etc. Everyone is friendly and helpful who works there. read more

OK, so I'm right in the middle of medical school finals and I headed to the Benicia library to stress out in the midst of the company of complete strangers. Dilemma... The library just updated the internet to SPOT. OK, not a huge deal because thus far, it doesn't seem to be much faster than before but now you only have 120 minutes at a time before it logs you off and you have to log back on. Here's the kicker; at 4:30 pm when I'm here needed to wikipedia everything I need to know about sideroblastic anemia, apparently all the "spots" on the internet are taken and I can't log on. I had to sit and wait until someone logged off before I could get on. Seems a little lame to restrict the number of internet users at the library. Not diggin the overall situation here, but at least now I'm on and straight to wiki I go... read more

Whenever I have a need to study, I come here. Whenever I don't feel like paying for a movie at a Redbox, I reserve a movie here. Whenever I don't have the money to buy the used CD at Rasputin's, I come here. If ever you should need internet and not want to have to buy a coffee with it, you should come here. The library, especially in Benicia, is an untapped resource for many. More people need to jump on board and put to use what their tax dollars are funding. I have always had pleasurable experiences with the staff at the Library. Because of my delinquencies, some of the front desk people even know me on a first name basis (Hi Ann and Marjorie). There are plenty of quiet spots to hide and study should you want to be alone, and there are also large tables should you need to get a small group together on a project. read more

I come here mostly to study for big tests coming up. The place is quiet and the staff is very friendly. There's a section near the back of the library that is reserved for quiet study. I spend most of my time here and I can get a lot done in one day. They have single tables in this section with power outlets for your computer. The chairs are typical wooden chairs with the pillow cushion where you sit on. These can get uncomfortable at times (especially if you're studying for a long time) but you can always just head outside and sit on the bench for a break. This section also has some outside windows in case you need to look at what's going around you. There are specific sections for young adults and kids. I have spotted some couches near these sections but I'm not completely sure and haven't sat in one of them. The Wi-Fi is free so you can access to the Internet. If you need to, there are plenty of computers that you can use. They also have semi-recent movies and music that you can rent for free. The outside of the library looks nice as there is no vandalism on the wall. The parking lot is really spacious and haven't found problems finding parking even when it was busy. The library is next to a police station which adds an extra sense of security. There are tennis courts nearby as well but I have never been distracted by them while I'm inside the library as they aren't too loud. I really like this library and is where I'm most productive. read more

Convenient library that has all of the amenities. I visited the library to print some paperwork, as my printer was out of ink. The librarians were all helpful and I was able to handle my business very quickly. There were plenty of computers for people to use and they were all up to date and new, not like some other libraries. If I'm in need, I will definitely be going back. read more

My sister worked here for years and (mostly) loved it. I love coming here and it's the only place where I can find American Craft Magazine. I needs to get my craft on and these magazines inspire me to create. I also like the staff they're very friendly and always helpful. Love this library. read more

Delightful little library where you can cozy up in comfortable seats with a book. They have many family friendly events and it is a very art oriented library with permanent pieces, installations and a small gallery to the side of the main library. In easy walking distance to Benicia's downtown area too. read more

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What a pretty place, is the Benicia Public Library.. And so helpful and nice..and..my my - lots and lots of public computers all hooked up to printers. Great and vast selection of books and periodicals too. Staff is so nice.. and so helpful. I want to chime in on the fact that you can reserve a meeting room at this library. Lots of safe parking. Clean bathrooms, decent water fountains read more

I have been coming since I was a little kid. I can even find my parents names on the bricks outside the fountain, just to know how involved my family has been with this library. The book selection is decent, and the atmosphere is really quiet. Nowadays, I come here on my vacation from college so I can get out of my house and get some paper work done in a quiet calm atmosphere. read more

Cute, adorable library with the friendliest staff! What stands out for me though are the guest authors/speakers that come through their doors. I love not having to drive to San Francisco to hob nob with some of my favorite authors. There's always plenty of parking and it's in a great location. read more

I have been going here during the last few months of school last year during school and from the start of this year to march mainly in preparation for my state board licensure test. Even though it was further compared to most of the libraries closer to my house, it was definitely worth it. What made it worth it was the hours, study room and just the people around there. The hours were great because they were open longer than the other libraries I tried going to. This library has a designated quiet study room with individual cubicles for solo studying. Can't forget about the people compared to other libraries who were not considerate of others actually studying. In preparation for a state licensure test, I needed a place that was quiet, study-friendly, long hours, and considerate people and I couldn't get that from going to a local coffee shop or even the libraries I've been to! read more

The $5 bag of books sale comes the second Saturday in November. Then you can fill as many bags that you want choosing from the stacks (except new books in print which are in stacks to the left of the entrance), including novels by James Patterson! Danielle Steel, Scott Turow, Michael Savage, & many, many more. The $2 bag of books sale occurs every second Saturday of each month & includes only books set out on tables to the very right of the entrance. All other books in stacks on the entire floor are priced at $1 per for hard cover & lower prices for paperbacks. They have technology books, cookbooks, children's books, DVDs, videos (movies), & even LP records. Lines form at the doors to open at 10 a.m. & closing is at 4 p.m. You can also donate your used/new books & DVDs at that time as well. The Volunteers are very friendly & you may bring your own shopping carts, wagons, etc., to take your purchases to your car. (The fellow book lovers are also very, very friendly & there are many novels in duplicate on the shelves so no fights over books ever occur.). Note of caution: it is very habit forming. Good luck! read more

Great teen section with diverse and progressive subjects. Wonderful offerings for book clubs for all ages. Good used book section. Nice cozy fireplace to read by the fire during winter. read more

I am a Vallejo girl at heart but I do like this library. Although it is not as big as JFK, it is a great place to study. It is near downtown Benicia and the city park. read more

Great library that allows for multipurpose use. Staff is friendly and knowledgeable. Very clean and well organized.

It's a nice little library with great staff. I love all the windows and fireplace in the main sitting room.

OK, I am in nursing school so I study alot and this library has become my new best friend. Sure there are the garden variety weirdos that lurk about everyday but overall, there are nice ladies working the front desk, good study tables, and nice cool air conditioning on hot summer days. Love it! read more

We are so lucky...above and beyond what you typically find at the local library. Things I especially love: 1. Knowledgable, helpful and friendly staff. 2. Community resources are oh-so- relevant...Everything from the community message board to Lawyers in the Library. 3. Website/reciprocity with other libraries= impressive selection of materials. 4. Location: less than a mile from my front door and in the middle of everything. 5. The general awesomeness and what it says about our little city. .. read more

The fireplace is awesome and cozy. Staff always kind and knowledgable. My kids love coming here!

Benicia Library is a great place to study, read the paper, or surf the web. The funny thing is, the same 10 people have figured this out and are there EVERY DAY. Some of them don't smell very nice and some just have no better place to go. The librarians don't mind if you take a nap or a 3-hour deep sleep complete with REM (not from experience, by observation only). I have found myself telling people to take their phone conversations outside on more than one occasion. People talk so loud on their phones! It is always the people looking for DVDs that talk on their phones loudly. On a positive note: the library has a wonderful layout. There is a quiet study room and plenty of large tables, each with its own lamp. There is an abundance of power outlets and fast wifi (wifi has limited access to a certain number of computers at one time). The facility is clean and well-lit. The staff is friendly and helpful. read more

This is a pretty good, clean, and friendly library. Good number of selections from books, magazines, DVDs, and reference. You can pretty much find everything you need about a particular subject. In the back by the bathrooms is a community postings where you can see the different services and business, classifieds that are available in solano county. I never really use it but I find reading through them pretty interesting. However, this library has limited hours... They close pretty early and open kinda late in my opinion. Earliest they open is like 11am... They need to be open at least 9-930am. And it always seems like they take too many non essential days off. But that's just me. Other than that, this library in the heart of Benicia is a great place! read more

My kid loves the ball roll on the wall & to choose books. She also loved the baby area when younger: bricks, puzzles, boardbooks, puppets etc. I also applaud the study areas & the Lawyers-in-the-Library nights they hold. This library is not as good as others, such as the Walnut Creek Library. For example CCCounty libraries no longer have fines while Benicia does. The books in the children's section don't seem to be updated that often & after awhile it's just the same boring choices to choose from. Although there's also a very small New Book section which gets updated at times(sometimes months go by it seems, other times frequently updated) They really need to check out more uptodate, modern check-in book systems, such as the WC one. (I have mentioned it to them and they have no clue whatsoever what the WC is one is like.) For example at another library the check-in system is electronic & automatically & immediately checks in your book for you on the spot. You can do it outside or indoors. At Benicia they hand check all the books in & a few times I have gotten overdue notices whenI returned the book. I literally went to the shelf those times, pulled the books & brought them to the counter to show them the books were returned on time. With No Apology & just rudeness in response!!.... This was before their "new system." Now with their new system it's said Ive checked out books which I never did & also had to show them. (A couple times the books were mislabeled but that was not always the reason & were literally on the shelf.) Also I no longer am able to check out books myself, as it always has issues, so their New System is not user friendly. I shouldn't have to go to the librarian to check in books due to the countless human errors of checking in books nor have to have a librarian to check out my books everytime due to their inefficient new system. Last, they really hyped up their Teddy Bear Sleepover. However whoever planned it didn't do the best job. It was poor planning & execution on their part! You would think the books they choose to read would be Teddy Bear/stuffed animal related & also high interest and age appropriate. However they chose books that seemed more for a 2 year old boy! They were very boring books: a cow saying moo, construction work on a library & a monster book. 2 of the books hardly had any plot/words. Yet they really hyped it up for school aged kids. You would think they would have a Teddy Bear or sleepover related activity or two, but instead you were supposed to create a constructionwork hat. Boring to many kids... However they ran out of the tiny hats & had only big ones left, then none.... You were supposed to see what your bear was up to over night and my child wasn't thrilled with "they might do construction work" overnight. I get it really had to do with their working on the library roof, but come on you can do better than that with a Teddy Bear sleepover. You could've really done well with that theme, yet there were many bored and disappointed kids. Just seemed like they really dropped the ball on this one. Also quite a few behavior problems in the crowd & the librarian didn't know how to deal with them at all. There were so many kids there how is the library going to make sure no one steals someone else's toy when they pick it up..... That will probably be our first AND Last library event there. I think we'll pass on your other "themed" parties after that experience. Maybe instead of spending money on the new roof, you should've updated your check-in system to an electronic one? read more

We are truly blessed to have this incredible asset in our community! Reading is the key to success in life! Books improve our health,happiness,knowledge,etc. They an endless amount of programs including: art,music,summer programs, read to a dog, trivia quiz, children,teens,young,old...and they're all free! Use the computer, access to printers,copiers, with the most helpful and friendly staff there to support you. Thank you BPL for all that you do! read more

Love this place. It's quiet. The people are helpful and friendly. Enough space and computers to go around & free wi fi. Good selection.

A solid "small town" library. I haven't used a public library in forever but I've been having to study for a major work related exam and needed a spot away from the distractions of home. This place hit the mark; quiet but also comfortable seating, including a quiet room. Book and magazine selection decent and I loved being able to request inter-library book loans online, or PM the library via their website to ask a question. read more

The booksale fundraisers are very well organized, but a bit on the expensive side, compared to Hercules and other booksales. But worth attending anyway. read more

our favorite library so far! my little one loves this, very clean, organized, staff are superb always willing to help.

This library is one of my favorites. Seating for quiet studying, always helpful, nice staff, variety if books for kids and adults. Parking is never too full. Close to downtown so if you need a coffee break there's a Starbucks across the street. Very good library. read more

If the quality of a town is measured by it's public library, then Benicia well deserves it's status as a top place to live in the Bay Area. In the past 30 years this beautiful Library has given me knowledge, entertainment, a forum for worthy community causes and vocational advancement beyond measure. I've curled up with the latest issue by a warm fire on a chilly evening, received free legal advice and formed friendships with the brilliant and always helpful staff. I learned how to use a computer before they were affordable to own, consumed every genre of fiction (and all the non fiction I desired) in every media. I became addicted to Playaway audio books and don't feel guilty. The hold shelf is my free Netflix. I've been honored with four art exhibits in the amazing Marilynn O'Rourke Art Gallery, generating sales that enabled donations of over $1000 back to them - a pittance for what this library has done for my life here. I'm moving to New York this month and this library is high on the list of what I'll miss most about leaving Benicia. It is a sanctuary and a launching pad. Go to their website more often - there is always something wonderful going on to make life here even better. Thank you with all my heart to everyone who helps make this community treasure so special. With love, Mernie. read more

Good library. Fine forgiveness each year late summer. After school activities for children. Monthly children's book club for different age groups. The children used to get to keep the books by a donation from stores like Target. The book club really gets the children thinking about what they read and it is very interesting on the different points of view based upon each child's interpretation. They used to have movies with snacks for children. Easy to browse magazine/ newspaper section. Easy to use online automotive manuals and schematics. Passes available for museums such as the Asian Art Museum and the Exploratorium. Terminals for Internet use and easy to print out pages. Check the monthly calendar for schedules such as toddler story time which can be pretty creative. Easy to search and place holds with the SNAP library system. Easy to check library record and sign-up for e-mail notification of holds and overdue or close to due date items. The electronic resources are good. I think Contra Costa and Santa Clara library systems have access to more titles of downloadable audio books and e-books. I have been using these for years to alleviate boredom during long flights on my PDA cell phone. They also work well for downloading to laptop and desktop computers. read more

parking is free and it is never full. the library is clean and full of friendly staff. you can also bring starbucks (closed lid beverages only). why only 4 stars? well, the internet allows only 120 minutes of usage. but best library by far, in bay area. love this place! read more

I love the Benicia library. The staff is so friendly and helpful. If you can't find the book you want they will get it from another library and email you. The email system is so easy. read more