The WIFI is terrible here. There are 2 WiFi's one of them (CCCLIBRARY) you cannot connect to it, but the other one (SR_Library_Guest) you can. Fast.com clocked the WiFi at 3-4 Mbps and that was at 10:05am in the morning on a weekday where I was the only visitor. This is really unacceptable (I know it's free but even then it's useless). If WiFi is important to you don't come here. The other nearby libraries (San Ramon downtown and Dublin) are way faster!! Also the tables were disgustingly dirty. Bring your own wipes! read more

There is this employee named "Dean" who has an extremely unhelpful demeanor. Being a librarian is not only about knowing the library rules, but also about being communicative and approachable; he was definitely neither of those. As a matter of fact, he was a complete failure in those area. The library should seriously consider replacing him with someone with more helpful aptitude. I would also say that the library was essentially completely empty, so it wasn't as though he was busy. read more

Incredible librarians especially Donovan. He greets you at the door, was very helpful and even walked us to where we could find parrot books for our toddler, and is always so friendly. read more

I used to do homework (as middle schoolers do, wasting the majority of our time just screwing around to be honest) with my friends here. We were at Windemere Ranch Middle School pretty much across the street. They have private study rooms which are good for like 1-6 people and outside there are benches and tables. I came here most around 2010-2014 and rarely go now but I have good memories here. They have a Contra Costa library card which I can use at San Ramon Library (as well as Dougherty Station, this one which is also in San Ramon but newer), Moraga Public Library (next to my current school SMC), and in the CCC libraries in Walnut Creek, Pleasant Hill, or any other public library in Contra Costa County. I haven't borrowed a physical book for at least 10 years at this point but I never had issues in my childhood. I do remember the librarians from when I was in middle school were very nice and good with children since most of the library's base demographic is families with younger children. I don't know how they've been doing since March 2020 (pandemic), but I grew up with this place and will always remember the memories I made here! EDIT: It has come to my attention that there are bad reviews that mention annoying middle schoolers from Windemere Ranch Middle School up the hill across the street. And I realized that I was probably one of those kids around 2012-2014. I am sorry about that. I'm different now, I'm 21 and in college as I'm writing this in June 2021! I do remember my friends and I being kicked out a couple times for being obnoxious. Just middle school things, I think! Sorry!! read more

Small cozy library with friendly librarians, full of kids reading and studying! Not a huge selection in-house but easy to order books to be picked up from other libraries in the Contra Costa system. Grateful to have it in the neighborhood. read more

I took my toddler to story time here. It was nice that it was a small group! The librarian leading story time was enthusiastic. Parking can be a bit tricky, but street parking worked out fine for us. The board book selection is really great! The adult book selection is a bit meager, but as a parent of a toddler, it's still a 5-star library. read more

Could not agree more that this library sucks for studying. I'd be better off at Starbucks so at least I could have coffee with the noise. The study area is haunted by people coughing, talking, playing on their phones. No attempt to quiet yelling kids in the library. I'm here because I drove all the way to come here, won't make that mistake again. Maybe I'll bring my three year old later since I know she can yell and run around with abandon in a library. Except I'm not a jerk so I wouldn't do that to the people trying to work in a quiet space. read more

Currently the main library in San Ramon (near the Market Place shops) is closed while they build a bright and shiny new library for the area. This is likely in conjunction with all the construction and remodeling near City Hall and I'm looking forward to seeing what ends up being built. During this time, the Dougherty Station Library is a suitable alternative library IF you have the time to make the drive out here. It's a good 6 miles from the main library but conversely this must be a great option for families who live in the housing developments in the far reaches of San Ramon. The location itself is rather small but it seemed to have the amenities one would need (computers, self check out kiosks, desks for studying and well organized selections of books and DVD's. I was able to find quite a few newer releases as well as some classics I've had on my radar to read. The DVD section okay-mainly dated TV shows and older movies. I can if you don't have a streaming service it might be worth checking out. Outside the library there are plenty of seating areas and some lawn space if you need to let the kids run around before heading home. For now, since I work in San Ramon, this will have to do until the other location reopens. Dougherty Station Library is smaller but is clean, on the newer side and has enough of what anyone could possibly need to be sufficient if you're in the area. read more

The library is beautiful and most books are in great condition. People of all ages can comfortably sit and read or study since there are multiple areas to sit. Some staff are hilarious, and some are plain rude. Sometimes you just gotta know them too. When I volunteered at the library years ago the entire staff was friendly. But before that, and even after, they'll give you glares for doing anything not related to books. If you're going to talk with friends, make sure you whisper because even a laugh can get you kicked out without warning. Warning to couples, don't be making out either because the librarian doesn't like that. Services are terrible, period. If you have a question, you're better off asking another person in the library or finding an answer yourself. They take forever to receive your attention even if they're just on their computer. Plus your answer might be given with a rough attitude. The system is flawed. Never return your books last minute to the box because you can't argue for the fact that you turned them in on time. A lazy worker who doesn't check in all the books by the end of the day means you will have a $0.25 the next morning. The librarian aint going to believe that you actually turned it in on time, don't bother arguing with her. And this has happened several times. Friends who have volunteered at the library agree that it happens frequently. Then what is this library good for? If you, or your child attends Windemere Ranch MS then let them hang out there after school. If you attend DVC, nice place to quickly grab resources for your class. Or if you simply want a place for a giant study group, there's a few rooms for you to do so. read more

What's up with the sub 3 star rating? This place isn't that bad. Yes there are better libraries in the Tri Valley area but I like to think of this place as an 'express' with limited selection. This place is down the street from my house and is right next door to Dougherty station where my daughter has her ballet classes with Mrs Heather. What do they have? Magazines Clean bathrooms Mediocre Wifi Computers Puzzles Meeting rooms Insider Information Because this isn't a flagship library and most of the patrons are just kids and their parents, I find their New Release section to be pretty well stocked. For example they had a couple editions of Hamilton readily available. Parents care about their education so you'll often find the parking lot full and library packed on the weekends. Windemere Middle School is just up the street. This library is a popular place to loiter right after school. read more

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I'm really tempted to give it a one star except that the building is quite new. 1) This library is REALLY small. One check-in station, 2 check-out stations. One side is kids, the other side adults with the librarians stationed in the middle. 2) Bad customer service. It was my first time in this location and I didn't see a self-checkout so I waited at the desk while both workers were on the phone. When one was done, I placed my books and card down and the person asked if the self-checkouts were broken. I said that I didn't even know where they were (you can see the back of them from the desk), so he told me they were easy to use and placed my card and books there and turned away. Really, how hard would it have been for him to check my books out the old fashioned way? 3) If you are coming from San Ramon, you can turn right at Watermill and loop around the block to get in...or you can follow the sign. I went in through Watermill but came out through the side street and was only able to make a right on Bollinger. THEN, there were no U-Turns on Bollinger so I ended up in Dublin. Fun... read more

This is not really what I had in mind when I thought of library. It is ultra, ultra small and has very limited seating and is more like an exploration area for kids while their parents sit down and relax nearby. The area nearby is beautiful, but for a study area, this isn't the best place because there are just too many kids and too loud for any kind of productive work to be taking place. read more

This is a tiny library with not much seating and not very many children's books and a ton of children running around and making a ton of noise. It's also got a very nasty bathroom that is not kept clean. You have to spend time checking your books back in. There's no drive through book drop and there's no where you can get a coffee/drink or a bit of food outside of the library if you've been trying to get work done. Overall, not a place you want to spend a lot of time..it was very disappointing. read more

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Start my review by saying thank you to Bernadette! She was the only one who was helpful, nice and with a pretty smile! The one older blonde lady who had her hair pinned up, was very rude & a noxious! And the shorter hair told me once, "I have to go in the back"! The second time told me, "I'm busy...you have to wait"! The third time she just pretty much ignored and tried to have no eye contact with me! Omg! How rude! I could not believe it! I had never ever had such a mistreatment from any libraries in my entire life! They were under dressed as if they were doing their house chores; wrinkled attire...embarrassing! I happen to be in the area, as I usually go to the Danville library. I shall never return to this branch, again! Yes, it's such a tiny library. But for me, the problem was the noise! Everyone was talking loud; way too many very young kids unattended without their parents; the cell phones were ringing; there were constant loud DING sounds every time the books were being checked out! Kids were playing video games on the computers!!!! Lastly, the bathrooms! Oh, boy, let me you...Stinky, dirty, bathroom papers all over the floor! Shame on you DOUGHERTY STATION! It's very disappointing! Had it not been for Bernadette, I would have given this branch a minus star! read more

A nice neighborhood library. Great place to take kids, and because of that, it does get noisy a lot. Nice and helpful people working here. Lots of middle schoolers during "rush hour" waiting for pickup. So happy this one is close to home. Great place to find books, and convenient for ordering books, etc from other libraries. Not sure why reviews complain about the smaller inventory when books/DVDs etc, can be ordered from any library in the county. Free WiFi access, too. Pretty popular place, as the lot fills up when they're open. read more

The lady who helped me was nice and friendly. The library is so so tiny it's as good as a home library. Even their inventory is tiny .. Wonder if they take book donations maybe increase the inventory that way at least ? read more

Too noisy,patrons come with the spirit of fun and zest,seems like a mall atmosphere,the librarians are nice,helpfu lSo sad that kids sit and study but adults and care givers are talktaive and noisy. read more

Decent, but small. Problem is having an open library on a college campus. It's very difficult to study as a student with little kids running about. DVC should also have it's own private library in addition to this one. Great for kids-bad for college students. read more

Call me spoiled, but I am used to the beautiful libraries of Dublin and Livermore. I am "thrifty" and come to libraries for my books. I remember walking into the Dublin library when it reopened in 2003 in the new location and stayed for hours just looking at all of the books and frequently settle down in a quiet area to study or read. I accidentally discovered the Livermore Library (Civic Station) and have yet to find a more beautiful, large library. I go to DVC and went to explore the Dougherty Station Library and I was VERY surprised by how tiny it is. It also seems very old fashioned by its lack of creativity and blank spaces. The other San Ramon library near Buffalo Wild Wings is also extremely old fashioned- I'm really surprised by how a city like San Ramon hasn't invested more in its libraries. I sometimes bring my 3 year old but it's pretty boring for her so we go to the Dublin library where the kids section is segregated from the adult section so the librarians aren't circling us saying SHUSH!!! I don't know...I just don't ever want to stay at the San Ramon libraries for hours on end, and that's not how it should be! read more

Do not come here to study! This library is really small and is basically one giant room where you can hear everything! Lots of kids running around and people talking. There are signs that say "quiet study area" but there is no quiet area here. I don't even think there are conference rooms you can use. One plus is the free Wi-Fi, which I'm currently using to give them a bad review. read more

bad place to study because it's small and cramped, meaning kids' voices carry and their parents and the librarians do nothing to promote "inside voices". the only good thing is the study rooms, but those you can only use for a max of 2 hours. here's the real killer and why i will never try to study here: they dont allow coffee. first library in the area ive been to that doesn't. limited access to quiet study rooms and prohibition of caffeine...no wonder education is declining - ppl have nowhere to study comfortably! besides being a bad studying environment, i really dont think they have a very good collection or variety of books here. their collection textbooks and study guides did pleasantly surprise me, though. the only pro is that the staff i've encountered are quite enthusiastic and pleasant to talk to. i was asked ever-so-nicely to finish my coffee outside without being glared at. read more

The most unfriendly, rudest librarians I have ever seen in my life. There's an older blonde lady never smile and always looks mad. I never bother to ask her a question. It makes my day bad from her mad face so I do not go there anymore. They charge $1 a day for each kids' DVD. Dublin library only charges 0.25 cents each day and most importantly the librarians are way more friendly. read more

Don't waste your time coming here. The library is small and nice but the librarians are the rudest, unfriendly, most unhelpful old women I have ever met. I've been 3 times and every time they have been obscenely rude and disrespectful. Nothing would make me happier than to see them fired. Trust me, GO SOMEWHERE ELSE if you want to be welcomed, helped and treated kindly, because this library is NOT the place. read more

This is a nice resource for the community, especially the students. Kids can study here. Believe you can volunteer as a public service - also a learning experience. They have lots of interesting materials, although not a very large facility. read more

Good local library to go to. There's only one check in station so if someone's there taking forever you aren't inclined to use it and just use the book drop off's in front outside. Its an easy location for someone living in the area as I use the online book holds so picking up is easy. Service is ok - some of the librarians are nice and helpful and others seem like you are bothering them. Contra Costa's library system offers a lot of books so ordering online has served me better than hitting the shelves there. It is nice that it is a safe place where the kids can go to. There are some study rooms and computers with printers. Its just a basic library. read more

Love this place. Great choices of books and media. Friendly staff and adequate parking.

This library is full of people chatting , children playing and there is no concern for anyone trying to read . This is my second visit here and it's a poor experience again. Librarians make no attempt to create an environment for quiet reading. read more

I found staff to be helpful and friendly and they are very good at recommending books to my kids. We check out a stack of books every week and I have to say for a small library they usually have what we need. We download some books too from the website. read more

This is my local library where I come often. They have lap sit, toddler time, preschool story time once a week. They have acrobats, magicians, informational talks, performances, and a slew of other kid and family related activities that take place often. I find the librarians very nice and friendly often greeting me and my kids and answering all our questions. My only gripes are that I wish their hours were longer, that they would open on Sunday, and it would be nice if they would have more than one check-in station. From over five years of using this library, I would have to say that they've only made a couple of mistakes as far as billing me once for an item that was already on their shelf (which showed that I had checked it in) and a late fee here and there. They have a good selection of books and videos, and you can also request an item be sent here from another library (free) for pick up if it is not found there already. During the story time days and after school hours (Windemere Middle School is less than a block away), you will find it quite noisy here with a lot of kids running around with their heads chopped off so if you want peace and quiet then those times would not be the best to go sit down quietly or study. The librarians try to enforce a quiet atmosphere, but sometimes and unfortunately it falls on deaf ears. read more