"I have always imagined that paradise would be a kind of library." - Jorge Luis Borges Today I walked into a new Library. Well, new to me. It's in Garland, Texas, a town not far from where I live. And it felt like a kids paradise from the moment I walked down the stairs into the children's area. I saw children gathered around for a special event, and they were all filled with joy and many were giggling. What a beautiful experience it was to see such happiness around books. And isn't that what being a child is supposed to be like? The walls were covered with creative nature scenes, just like you're walking into a storybook. And they carved out the sweetest little reading nooks so you could enjoy your time, privately, with a great story. There was a wonderful artistic mobile hanging over the area where you walk down to the children's area, and fun seating for storytime readings. And let's not miss out on the slide kids can go down to get to the children's area. What a fun idea! Hats off to whomever thought that one through! Every person I talked to in this library was genuinely nice. It truly felt like a safe and happy place to be - for both children and adults. I'm coming back with my grandchildren, and I already know it will be a great adventure for us all! read more

See all

Wonderful library full of an entire bottom floor built for kiddos! There's a computer corner, reading nooks, a large slide that kids can take to the bottom level (it hasn't been open though the last 2 times we visited), an LED interactive wall for kids to explore, small toy ponies for the littles to ride, and thousands of books! I am seriously so impressed with it here in the middle of Downtown Garland. My two toddlers have had the best times here and looking forward to attending their story times and activities. read more

See all

This "version" of the Garland Central Library reopened in July of this year. It has a great vibe, almost reminiscent of a Mid-Century Modern time. This is a memorial library, also named the Nicholson Memorial Library. It was built with funds from a man named W.R. Nicholson who lost his mother and brother in a tornado. To memorialize them he bought a vacant band building and opened it as a library in 1933. The library is really a hub for people from Garland and it is well utilized. I came here for a book fair and then stayed for story time with my daughter, son in law, and grandkids. It was like a rock concert for kids and I did not feel out of place with my Rolling Stones t-shirt on! Seriously, the library staff did a great job engaging the kids and helping them to have a great time! Review #2155 read more

See all

The library has been our go to since we moved to garland in 2021. The entire library system in garland is amazing and helps me keep my kiddo busy all summer or during school breaks. From baby story times, to toddler activities, and even up to teen board game nights or adult book clubs, there is always something to do. The new library is gorgeous and the staff is so dedicated to helping. Even without an event, we go and read in the book books or play a board game on the bottom floor in the kids section. I am sad the slide didn't work out and wish they would remove it - I think it ended up being too dangerous and the slide is now closed to the public read more

Central Library - Libraries Near Me - Garland, Texas

Can't really say good or bad cause all I was there for was to watch my granddaughter and then leave. But just sitting there it was fine. But I did witness what I thought might have been a homeless man coming out of the men's bathroom after he got cleaned up and all because after a policeman went in it wasn't long before he was coming out and he did have his jacket open and no shirt on underneath??? read more

I loved this library before the upgrades and massive changes. It was my favorite of the Garland locations and I was so sad when it shut down for renovations. I've been anticipating the Central Library's reopening ever since it closed for construction. It had a wonderful collection to choose from and a great design. I was so excited to hear that it had finally opened back up. I took a friend with me and have been telling her about this library for a long time. She also was excited since she hadn't been prior to the changes at all and this would be her first time. However, my review is low for a reason..... Everyone that I took with me to see the changes was shocked. It's a great outdoor design (looks very nice) and once you step inside, it goes from interesting to loud. You can hear kids screaming. It's because the bottom area, which is now completely devoted to the kids section, is basically a major play area, almost reminiscent more of an outside park-like setting with swinging benches and games that leave kids screaming, running around. School is about to begin, so maybe this will die down and it won't be so loud in the future, but it was very chaotic and crazy down there. We were trying to look on one of the children's books aisles, and there were some kids throwing things across the aisle that was part of a game in that area and we basically had to squeeze against the shelves to keep from being in their way. I'm assuming that they based their changes off of community input, but I've never seen anything like this. It's so loud. Some of it was super cool. I really appreciated the cubbyholes in the walls for kids. Those are great fun reading areas that encourage reading. I've always thought of libraries as peaceful indoor places to read and relax. This is no longer that place. It's as loud as an outdoor park now. Don't get me wrong. I really thought some of the things included were very cool. But the noise level on the day we visited was extreme and it was nonstop. If you had never visited this particular library prior to the massive changes, you may not know that the entire bottom level used to be devoted to non-fiction. It is now devoted completely to the children's area. I don't know what happened to their massive collection of non-fiction books but they're gone.... I think a large amount of weeding out took place with the renovation. I used to love the massive selection that this Library offered, and it's possibly in storage or gone? I loved the fact that they had so many shelves of books that offered more privacy when you were looking for something to read, and that's gone. Now, you're being watched by people who are renting computer time when before you could be sheltered by so many shelves. There was a man on one of the rented computers watching one of our kids, and I was very uncomfortable with that. It was a more intimate comfortable setting before, now it's open, bare, intrusive, loud, sparse with books, did I say loud, and modern. When we left I asked opinions and it was unanimous: we didn't want to go back any time soon. The main reason: the noise. Maybe it will calm down once school starts? Even from upstairs, the screaming from the first level could still be heard. The reason that I go to a library is to decompress, to quietly peruse the shelves, to maybe sit and read for a bit, for a relaxing, quiet setting to visit in my free time. I've been at libraries where children played, people talked without whispering, noise was happening and all of that is fine but this was constant screaming. I have never been to such a loud library or to one with playground equipment inside. How can you expect kids to be anywhere near quiet with that? Why would they be? I'm sure parents with kids will love this. But the kids with us didn't. I'm sure the children we had with us may have liked this if it hadn't been so loud. It was crazy down there and really jarring. The kids said they didn't want to visit again. I've heard that libraries are beginning to do things like this, I've just never seen it before and I've never even seen it in a big city. Garland is technically not a really big city (comparing to Dallas), but this was very surprising. Loved some of the changes but the noise level was off the charts. Kids didn't like it. read more

Very helpful at the front desk. Looks clean and quiet. They have lots of classes offered and readings for younger age groups.

Everything went well. Very helpful, and polite employees. They helped me tremendously. I needed to create a file, paste it, open it, download it, print it etc. read more

Located in downtown Garland, Central Library is an upstairs downstairs library with a wide selection of books, movies, magazines,etc. Upstairs area can get noisy due to children but downstairs is more secluded with private study rooms and work areas. WiFi and internet access available with library card. Wheelchair and handicap accessible. Security on site , multiple friendly librarians who are both very helpful. Great place read more

I feel good. Why? Because my 1900th review goes to a library. Noble cause, I'd say! (HAH!) ;) While it's not my favorite library, I have to say it's actually a very good library. I don't understand why someone would say this library is old - because it's anything but. It's spacious, with plenty of study space, and plenty of computers too. It's also two stories, with the "second story" being the basement which has even more tables and chairs. This is Garland's main central library, and the hours are great - with Monday through Thursday closing times being 9 pm, and the weekend closing times being 6 pm. It's never closed, pretty much. Only the other three Garland library branches are closed twice a week (Sundays and Mondays). And you do not need to be a Garland resident to register for a card - as long as you live in the Dallas area. Really, how nice is that? And with this being just a block from historic downtown Garland that's undergoing some sort of renaissance (albeit slowly), and a DART rail station nearby, I think I just found a great study spot! Oh, and yes there's wi-fi (for registered library-goers) and free parking. read more

See all

Wonderful children's selection. The librarians I've sought help from have been courteous and accommodating.

I read. Alot. Since I started keeping track of my books in June of 2005, I've read 316. At least half of those came from the Garland Library. If I would have had to buy them, hmm, let's say on average each book cost me $10, that would be like, um, $140,000 or something. My last year of school I took a bunch of online classes through my university. I pretty much always procrastinated and ended up having to take a day off work every semester, which was spent down in the private study rooms in the bowels of the downtown library. It was nice and quiet and I had easy access to reference materials. These young whippersnappers have got it made now, as the library has frickin' free wifi now. Where was that crap five years ago? Libraries are one of the best services that a community can provide to it's citizens. You know, that and keeping me from being raped by a bear. read more

This library is awesome .. besides a plethora of computers that are free to use for members they have a excellent research library with a handful of private study rooms downstairs and private group meeting and study rooms upstairs. The library is well taken care of and has a great variety of books, dvd movies and reference material. The City Of Garland Police department recently has occupied a small office at the enter hallway as well. Nothing like a secure feeling with Garlands Finest around, Plenty of parking and a after hours drop box on the outside. Free Wi-Fi for members as well if you bring your own computer. read more

Lately I have been visiting this library daily as I work from home and I get a little more peace and quiet at the library. It is a very good library, very clean with lots of spaces to sit and work/study. 2 story library with a huge selection of books and dvds. Very clean restrooms and library also has a cleaner and a police Marshall on site. Great hours. Definitely worth a visit. But please note that to use the wifi you need to be a registered user of the library. read more

The library staff under the "references" sign will not keep checking up on me like I'm doing something I shouldn't, I'm a biology student in UNT Dallas and this will never happen in the school or any other library. It is very noticed the once you get ur things out to study, a different old white lady will keep on passing near me and trying to see what I was up to. The only proper way to call this is Harassment because I'm brown. Do not go here if you are not a republican and white, if not you will get harassed. read more

So it's the main Garland Public Library branch. I must admit I mostly come here to get online. Get this. You can use IE or Firefox. Unlike the Dallas Public Library, it's not IE6. Quiet, about 30 PCs so you may have a little wait, but not as long as I've had in Dallas at times. Friendly staff. Nice selection of books. Free wifi. It's a short walk from the DART Downtown Garland Station. read more

I frequent the North Garland Branch library on Garland Ave (across from Winters Park) and have always been impressed with the facility. I've used their large meeting room on several occasions and the librarians have always been very cordial and helpful in getting everything set up. Also, the library is always kept clean and quiet. read more

One of the women working downstairs at the reference desk was extremely rude and unaccommodating. 6/11/19 @ 4:20

The parking is the only issue, I normally prefer the south Garland branch , but this one holds its own & is slightly larger. a great selection of books & video. Its saved me THOUSANDS over buying this stuff. & Introduced me to things I later bought that I never knew about till I discovered them there. read more

I went here yesterday and was shocked at how unfriendly the staff was! I went in there with my girlfriend and kids and not only did the staff ignore us despite walking by us several times with no greetings, they refuse to let our 8 year old get a library card because my girlfriend had a fine from over 10years ago! This was madness!!!! I guess they really don't care about kids reading these days! read more

I walked in wondering whether or not I would be allowed to set out my business cards or if they even had a place for such things. I spoke to Susan at the Help Desk along with another young lady which I forgot her name now as I'm writing this. Point is that they were both very courteous, polite, and nice explaining to me their polices regarding with what I was trying to do. *I'm a local Apartment Leasing Agent in case yall were wondering* Fun fact; I had ALWAYS seen the lady who I spoke to today (Susan) ever since I was in Middle/High School but never even bothered to talk to her..Until now lol. As a grown up. Life is crazy sometimes. Keep up the good work guys! read more

My children and I love to come here for story time. Always fun with cool guest surprises like Pete the Cat and always friendly staff. We come here weekly and I really love the convenience of the online catalog. Love it, such a nice library. read more

Clearly old, uncomfortable and not good for studying. This may be fine for someone who checks out books and walks out the door in 5 min. But if you're looking to do some work/study there, it's totally depressing. read more

I love this library!!!!!Nice staff wonderful environment.Very very very excellent compared to some staff from south garland library. Wide space, lots and lots of computers.Quiet atmosphere.Nothing negative...... read more

Took two years to give up on library staff and write review. The very next day, one of the staff noticed us looking for an outlet for our laptops and immediately came over to show us to one of the study rooms with comfy seating and plenty of outlets. Her quick attention and friendly assistance erased two years of bad experiences and earned the library and extra star. Thanks, Young Librarian with Braid :)! read more