Came to this library to try the baby story time they have weekly. Arrived a few minutes late and the doors were locked which was a bummer. The other libraries that participate in story time do not lock the doors. Walked around the library and it was exactly what I remembered it being from when I used to go as a child. The only thing that's changed is that there are A LOT of homeless in the front and back of the library which is unfortunate. I don't think I'll be back to this library with so many others to choose from that don't have homeless hanging around outside. The back of the library near the water is still nice read more

Fairfield Civic Center Library - Solano County Library - Libraries Near Me - Fairfield, California

Nice sized library with pleasant staff. The hours posted are not correct. I stopped by Monday around 5:15pm (When I looked up the hours, it said it closed at 8pm) and it was closed. I returned on Wednesday during my lunch break to pick up a Malcom X autobiography I had placed on hold. Checkout was a breeze at the self checkout counter, with the option to print out a receipt with the due date printed. read more

Fairfield Civic Center Library - Solano County Library - Libraries Near Me - Fairfield, California

My little one loves this library! Lots for kids to do! Friendly staff! Great selection of books.

Crowded, dated, dirty. A new library in town is needed. Near Claybank would be my choice. Not enough parking at this 1. Cordelia library gets far less use so their hours were cut. Try Suisun I haven't been there yet. read more

I needed a place to study for a certification exam and asked for a quiet room. The library staff quickly showed me to a private, peaceful space with ample lighting and outlets. The environment was ideal for focused studying, and the free Wi-Fi was fast. The value is extraordinary, as the library offers free access to practice tests and educational resources online. With such great facilities, the membership fee is a small price to pay for access to so many services and tools. A top-tier library experience! read more

The Library is OPEN! The collection looks great and there are so many materials other than books that you can borrow for 3 weeks and more if you renew. You can borrow wifi hotspots and print wirelessly by sending it by email or send it through the solanolibrary.com website. One of the coolest new features are NO MORE LATE FEES :) The library is inclusive and provides everyone an opportunity to study, sit and live freely; of course following behavior policies. When I have a chance I stop by the 99 cent store to pick up a pack of socks, tooth brush pack and bar of soap to donate to someone in need. It's upsetting to read people's complaints about the unsheltered community. Heartless comments, they are human and have the same rights as you. Anyhow, the three items I usually buy at the 99 cent store cost less than a Starbucks coffee. Something to consider the next time you park your car, walk in with your lap top, cell phone, and a cup from Starbucks and want to complain about someone who obviously needs some assistance in life. Let's just focus on the positives that our Library brings to our community. Enjoy the pictures! read more

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I'm a book worm so the library is the perfect place for me. I love the ease of being able to reserve books for pick up and the automated book renewal. I only have to go to the library now if I need to recheck a book after my curtesy renewals or to pick up a reserved book. The librarians are pretty friendly. There is a guard on duty I guess to keep the people who may mill around. Love thé hours and days of operation also read more

Wow! This is a beautiful modern library. I really like the open layout with the children's section being completely separated from the adult section. It feels more like a bookstore than a library. Extremely well organized, lots of computers and efficient checkout system going on. On one side you have a row of librarians ready to check you out and on the other side, you have your self checkout machines! There were two entrance/exits. Plus they have a small Friends of the Library bookstore within the library. Also, there's a beautiful park with a giant pond, perfect place to read your book! read more

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Solano County Library Fairfield has been an awesome establishment for me to get some quiet time and needed intellectual stimulation. I had the chance here to donate my time (for close to 6 months) to volunteer to those who needed help with literacy skills as an adult literacy tutor. The staff here have always been accommodating. My only pet peeve about this location was the cleanliness of the bathrooms as the homeless population (as well as potentially regular patrons) in the area tended to use it without regard to cleaning up after themselves. All in all, this is a great place to get educated on local events that can contribute to self-enlightenment and self-sufficiency. read more

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This is my daughter and I's library of choice in the area. I've been coming here since as long as I can remember, and though it's changed a lot in those years - it's still got it's charm. Upon entering there's a teeny-tiny bookshop immediately to the right selling gently used books for next to nothing. Often, they'll have a roll out shelf of books right by the entrance for 99 cents or less. After walking in a bit more there's an open area with featured and new books for adults. If you keep walking straight from here, you'll go right out to the lovely little duck pond out back. The lovely little duck pond is often surrounded by duck poop, goose poop and a few homeless people. We've never had any trouble with any of the homeless though, unless you count those kids I caught smoking pot once (within eye sight of the Fairfield Police Department mind you, pretty ballsy). Back inside the library, you can go right from the main entrance to the children's section or left to the adult's section. Kid's section has featured books (typically concerning upcoming holidays or current events) right when you walk in as well as their own check out area. The check out kiosks have step stools so kids can check out their own selections (one of my daughter's favorite parts of coming here). Bilingual section of kids books is just to the left of where you walk in and the kid's restrooms are straight ahead and to the right (gotta ask the kid's librarian for the key though). I love that there's an area in the far left here where the picture books are fenced in with bookshelves. It keeps my daughter in one area, and the chairs are great for a story while we're there. Storytime divided into separate times for different age groups is offered here a few times a week as well. My daughter loved coming for that before she started school. They also have a great selection of videos and books on tape too. Adult section has a good variety of music and DVDs. There's also plenty of computers and work tables here for school work, reading or just loitering in the library if that's your thing. This area seemed huge when I was a kid, and I still feel it's a great size. If they don't have what you're looking for, ask a librarian. They can order from all the area libraries and you can return their books to any library in their network as well. Pretty neat, huh? This place has books, a whole bunch of 'em. The librarians are helpful and polite too. Take your children here and spend 30 minutes at least exploring the kid's section or fattening up the ducks out back. Great way to spend an afternoon! BIG SIDE NOTE - I've been coming with increased frequency to this library over the last 5 years (my daughter is a bookworm). In that time there's been no less than 4 books that I've returned but have received emails saying I didn't. Typically, this is cleared up with them walking over to the shelf, finding the book and actually scanning it in like they were supposed to when I returned it. Just a bit of an annoyance since the self check-out machines will block you from checking out anything new when there's a past due item on there. There's actually been once where I returned a book that as far as I know, vanished after it went through the slot outside. The lady was unable to find it on the shelves, but took it off my account. This may never happen to you, but since it's happened to me this much it's worth mentioning. read more

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This was the library I would frequent many times as a child. I have been going here for as long as I can remember. As a kid, I would stay in this library for hours on end getting as many books as I could to take home and read... Now, not so much (hahaha), but I still frequent to take advantage of many other things. They have a lot of books. They have a non-fiction and fiction section. They have a children's section too. And, not only do they have books but they also have CDs, DVDs, magazines, etc. Take advantage of those things. Your tax dollars are pretty much paying for everything so you kind of own everything. And everybody who pays sales taxes do too. A library is a place where we can share all those things. haha That's how I look at it. They have lots of computers, but they're all full whenever I get there. Many are filled with people who play games and other stuff for hours on end. It's really annoying when you absolutely need to use a computer (or mostly the printer) for homework, and there is no room. But, you can reserve a computer. It will save your life. The main thing I love about this place the most is that you can get items on hold if you need them. It depends on the title. A lot of items that are popular take a while to get them, but if you getting something that nobody has ever checked out then you would be able to get it in about two or three days. If you don't live near this library but you live near another, you can get the hold sent to the library (if the two libraries are linked). I think all the libraries in Solano Country (even at Solano Community College and Napa Valley College) are linked. The library website will tell you which ones. I also love that this location is close to my house. I can just bike ride there and it would take me five minutes. There is barely any parking in the afternoons. This library is great. The park behind it makes it much more beautiful, as well as being near Downtown Fairfield. read more

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This was the library of my childhood. It became the determinant of how I would imagine a library forever after. I used to beg my pops to bring me, and it was impossible to take me home in the evenings. What I remember: the park out back where I climbed trees and read. My dad would watch me from a big window inside the library. There were bronze lions, and a woman in the children's section who sometimes let me play games on the single computer, and Ye Olde Book Shoppe with its yellow canopy. The tiny shop wasn't often open, but when it was, I vanished into it for hours. This is where I read Pearl S. Buck, absorbed the whole Oz series, and furtively bought my first "dirty" books (Lace I and II by Shirley Conran. Sad, I know). Fast forward a decade in a half. The library is smaller than I remember, but it has automatic doors and smells new. There is more than one computer now. Ye Olde Book Shoppe has been replaced by a much larger sales establishment, encased in glass. But the lions are still there, and the park I used to visit, and the tree I used to climb. I miss it here, and haven't really been able to enjoy a library since. read more

Holy moly, we're not in Kansas anymore Toto. I wish I could say this was the library of my dreams, but it's more like the library of my 16th best dream. It's got a very open and welcoming layout (even though it's slightly confusing about where to go to a library card) and it's well organized, well kept, and very clean. They had 2 rows of computers, an incredible amount of tales for reading/studying and a lot of book shelves. It sort of reminded me of Barnes and Nobles in terms of layout, minus the coffee shop aspect of course. The staff are also great and a range of ages. In the past, I've encountered some tough cookies in terms of librarians, but everyone here was informative, helpful and incredibly kind. I've only been here once, but I have to return my book so I'll be back a few more times. :) read more

A decent library, not my first choice, but not bad. I try not to come to this library unless I'm just picking up an item on the hold shelf. Why do you ask? The homeless people. They hang out in front of the library doors harassing people and yelling things. I don't always feel safe. I wish the security guard the library has would actually patrol the library instead of sitting his ass at a desk all day. There is a very large children's section of the library to the right. To the left you have the main library with computers that are usually taken by people checking their Facebook. There's lots of desks with outlets to set up your laptop and spread out your textbooks if you're there to study. I wish they would replace their "comfy" chairs. They have stains and some smell. I much prefer the Cordelia library. It's newer, cleaner, quieter, and most importantly I don't feel threatened just walking through the doors. read more

I love going to the library but this location needs to be spruced up a bit. Although it is next to the fire department, and near the police station, for some reason there is a constant flow of homeless people Also....this place constantly smells like urine. It gets peed on outside and a tad inside with children running amuck. This building is quite old and has been around far longer than other libraries so I can understand why there is a bit of wear and tear. They have taken time to change things and update the look, but it's like when pets pee on carpet. It's hard to get the smell out. Overall, decent, but get in and get out. read more

This library is alright. Plenty of books to look at and computers to explore the internet on. A lot of people come here... especially bums. I dislike how they don't have a colored printer & that people who don't need to get work done on the computer are going on gambling sites & spending hours on it. I feel like I needa disinfect the computer when I use them o__O . Other than that there's plenty of tables to study on :] read more

Great place to get your books, or study, watch out for the pedophiles walking around checking out the kids, and worse, them standing behind you watching you read, or on your PC or tablet, waiting to pounce(steal) be safe when coming here, lock your car, but it's a dying breed, the library! read more

This is an awesome library. I usually spend an hour or two a week at the library. It's always airy and clean. I've never had an issue with homeless either. It's great that the library offers assistance for the people who are struggling too. The staff is friendly and welcoming if you have a question. read more

Went there to study using my laptop and the study tables were all being utilized. ( The ones with electrical outlets to charge my laptop). There was one table that I could have used but there were homeless people there with lots of bags, obviously high/drunk, sleeping at the table. When I asked the librarian if there can be something done about it, he said," we like to acomodate everyone. So I had to leave. read more

This is for the Civic Center. Guess they are not seperated... If you are here to sign up your kids for any recreation activity show up between 11am to 5:30pm because our City Government can't seem to be able to afford more than one employee to man the desk... their website is terrible to use so this i formation isn't easy to find. Also they are closed every 1st and 3rd Friday. What exactly are my city taxes being used for? read more

Came here today to work on my job search. As it has been some time since I used a library to "study" and I have long since misplaced my library card, I walked up to the front desk to inquire about use of the WiFi. Quick question, right? Well as soon as I walked up to the heavy-set woman with glasses at the service desk was so busy checking in some DVDs, she told me to wait. Like, I had no opportunity to speak after politely saying "Excuse me..." This broad was so damned focus on the prehistoric DVDs, she barely looked up at me. No greeting nor speck of any good customer service skills. I could've just wanted to know something simple as where the restrooms were but she insisted I wait for her to service me. Another librarian was at the other end, left and came back and I was STILL STANDING IN THE SAME POSITION FOR 3-5 MINUTES so this second librarian approached me finally and I asked my quick question if a library card was required to use the WiFi. The answer took all of 5 seconds. I think it is VERY RUDE not to provide customer service to the person standing right in front of you when CLEARLY you current situation with the DVDs could have waited a few seconds. At the very least, allow me to ask the question before shutting me down. RUDE. read more

Tables are gross. I always have to wipe it before I use them. People always throw trash in the outlet cube. Library employees are too lazy to check for cleanliness. Restroom is gross too. I walked in on a naked woman trying to wash herself out of the sink! Glad I didn't have a kid with me. read more

Thanks for being there for everyone of all ages and likes and dislikes!!! I do get a little nervous about the homeless that are hanging out front..I don't feel safe... Walking in or out of the library.. But once I am indoors I am ok.. Sometimes I ask the security person to walk me to my car.. read more

I agree with the comments of providing a day space for the homeless. When I use the library, it is not my desire to fight those for power tables for my laptop or suffer through the odors. Often times they are just hanging out; not using the facilities to search for work or assistance. This made my experience negative. There should be some other service place for that. But I have to say, the librarians were very helpful with my particular search and answered my questions with completeness and respect. read more

Great place for the babes. Lots of books, DVDs and they even have play groups. Never too crowded, they have a whole side section just for the kids. Definitely the best btwn here and Vacaville in my opinion. read more

Wonderful library. The staff is very nice and helpful, even security guard. Soo many computers! Easy parking. Lots of books and great services if you want a book transferred from another branch. The little room on the side sells great books for practically nothing. Love the library! read more

I love the library. Granted I don't really spend a lot of time there, I usually put stuff on hold, and when they're ready for pickup, I'll get an email notification, and then I go pick em up. Really convenient. read more

This library is OK, plenty of books, clean, and very helpful librarians. Plus there's a park right behind the building.

Definitely five star library around love it very much, Free information,beautiful view, internet, books, CDs, DVDs, videos, fiction and everything all at your fingertips. read more

Update. A few minutes later I discovered that their bathrooms were closed...both of them. Not their fault, someone ran over the water main. But even though my brain could maybe power through a less then optimal situation, my bladder could not. So I decided to jump back in the White Diamond (that's my car) and to the branch over near Costco. Okay now we are getting to the real point of this edited review. Over at the Cordelia branch they are equally as nice and also have study rooms. BUT you ARE allowed to use their study rooms for at least 2 hours and can stay longer until someone else comes along. So easy. So come on fairfield library, time you started running your operation like a good customer centered corporation would, instead of like your typical government run inefficient disaster (no I'm not a republican. But come on, if the shoe fits right?). Now is your chance to set an example for other county run businesses. Next time you are reviewing your policies, ask yourself, "what would Apple do". In the meantime I'll be at the Cordelia branch. read more

Terrific little 'gentle used' bookstore with ALL KINDS of books for ALL ages! I can go evenings or daytime on weekends. I browse often and always find several books to read plus when I am ready to give up an 'old companion,' I can donate it back to the store. And all their funds go to the library's literacy programs--what a deal for the community and the library! Avoid extinction, READ!!! read more