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    Fresno County Public Library

    3.8 (10 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 6:00 pm

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    Jack W.

    This library is in the grim, often dangerous Downtown district of Fresno; it has a distinctly unwelcoming atmosphere as it is basically a flophouse for the local homeless and a convenient roosting place for drug-users and drunks. Though some other libraries are regularly patrolled for part of each day by County Security Guards, this is the only library which has at least one guard every day from opening to closing times. The staff try hard to provide the services that one expects from a library and the security guards have actually managed to gain some control over the building's infamously anti-social (95% majority) customer base - but no day passes without fights, drug transactions (usually in the restrooms) and terrifying confrontations between guards and rootless, belligerent people who resent any kind of reasonable rules. The children's sub-library is colourful and stocked with many great books and DVDs,plus a fair number of computers. Rather optimistically, the staff often organise creative crafting sessions (though they seldom attract enough interest to justify all the effort). The Local History section is another highlight - it is managed by very dedicated and well-informed workers. However, there are nicer (and safer) libraries if you want to borrow books or use the other facilities. The Central Library is not a comfortable place for the average citizen - it is the haunt of the lost and the damned.

    Spacious 1950s era library with useless wifi.

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    7 months ago

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    Ask the Community - Fresno County Public Library

    Is there a parking lot?

    There is a parking lot across the street, the lot for the Water Tower/park. There is always a lot of open metered street parking right in front and on the side of the library as well. Weekends and after 6 meters are free I believe.

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    A Book Barn - we found the rare books section & could spend hours in it!  found a 2nd edition 1940's book & a rare 1963 novel this day.

    A Book Barn

    4.5(88 reviews)
    7.5 mi
    $

    The service is amazing! You're always politely greeted and asked if any assistance is needed, I…read moretend to walk in and know exactly what section I'm headed to- so most of my service is at check out. It's always friendly and helpful. The selection for psychology and philosophy is the BEST, better than a handful of libraries I've experienced in Fresno. The value is the BEST in town as well. I always spend $5.50-7 for a book. This is legit my favorite place! The most time I spent here was 3 hours! I love the square, walk around, upstairs- the showcase, the furniture & few chairs to read before purchasing. I love the atmosphere of this place. I will forever patronize here, as long as I'm in town or visiting.

    A really nice bookstore inside. Things are well organized, and the store is clean. Staff is very…read morefriendly and welocming, suoer helpful and talkative about books youre into. The selection itself is huge. it's a two story bookstore. The individul sections or genres seem well stocked. Although the Horror section from what I saw was severely lacking most likely due to it perhaps being the biggest selling genre for them? The books themselves are in varying condition from Like New to Fair. I personally found some incredibly good looking books. Their prices are a big selling point for me, very fair and they run a 25% off mass market paperbacks. with all the positives out if the way theres one negative I want to address and thats their trade in credit system. To be honest, It's pretty shady. They give you a great price on your trade-ins if they're good books, in good condition. Howeve, theres one big catch. You can't use that credit outright to ti simply pay for a book or two. They hold your credit hostage (for the books you gave them that they are going to resell and make a profit on)and you must either (A.) Spend the exact amount of cash that you jave credit for in order to use that full line of credit or you can (B.) sped under that amount and only be allowed to use half of your existing credit. You see, that way they have you on the hook, They got your books, they got your credit and they're going to get your money too by forcing you to pay just to gain access to your own credit. I was told by an employee "We have to do that or else we wouldn't make any money, we'd be just trading books for books." but thats not true at all because they price them for a profit when they resell them. There are other ways to make the same amount of profit, perhaps more without the shady (and frankly unfair to the customer) business tactics. They could not have a 25% off mass market paperbacks, they could give less credit for trade-ins, they could raise their prices slightly perhaps .25¢ more. and let their customers have full access to their credit withiut the conditions that limit and punish the customer. Benefiting at the customers expense in this way is unethical regardles if it is legal. the moral gray zone is there. So I learned my lesson and will not be doing trade-in business with them any longer. I might continue to shope there but I'm paying cash, so long as the prices remain low. All in all, it's a good bookstore, just don't do trade-ins.

    Photos
    A Book Barn - Inside (6/12/26)

    Inside (6/12/26)

    A Book Barn
    A Book Barn - Inside (6/12/26)

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    Inside (6/12/26)

    Fresno State Library - The beautiful exterior at night complete with the led screen

    Fresno State Library

    4.0(9 reviews)
    5.5 mi

    The fresno state library is the perfect place to have a study session in. Separate by floors, each…read moresection is suited to your needs. There are floors dedicated to silent study, group study, and artistic development (Studio, etc.) The chairs are comfortable and the spacing in each table is perfect.

    Horrible experience with staff on Friday 02/21/2025…read more Today I was trying to get a text book that they acknowledged they had on the phone. Then when I proceeded to go they would not give it to me since my I.D IS 2 days expired! I just had my birthday. Instead I called my bf and to see if he was willing to get it. So he drove a whole hour later.. just for the staff to reject him too! They lied and said he came. We are able to provide the book for you. Even asked for my last name to put on the book with a sticky note. But why would you need my last name if my man is coming to provide his info???? They didn't even acknowledge us when I came the second time back with my boyfriend. Then they proceeded to lie and say oh there was no book! Like wow!!!! They need to really hire friendly and helpful staff. Not children who give no eye contact. The Asian guy, black girl, and blonde just stared. The only help was the shaved girl with glasses and she had no location for the book but was the one who lied and told me that I should wait an hour until my boyfriend got there. I will never come back in this library again, it was an awful experience. They were not working but instead on their phones staring at the desk down and not up to see how they can help. I had to ask the Asian guy to go get whoever is ahead in charge because he told me he didn't want to help us. Fresno state... why are you having kids work here if they can't talk to the public like adults?

    Photos
    Fresno State Library
    Fresno State Library - The harry potter moving bookcase shelf.

    The harry potter moving bookcase shelf.

    Fresno State Library - The staircase with study area

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    The staircase with study area

    Sunnyside Regional Library - Kids area

    Sunnyside Regional Library

    3.4(8 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    I stoped by this library a few weeks ago since it's the closest library from home. I've never been…read morehere. I've only visited Downtown and Clovis Library and compared to this location it's quite small. I had my two children with me during my visit. I initially came to get library cards for all of us. As I entered I saw there was a stack of papers to apply for a library card. The lady at the front desk was way in the back but noticed me and greeted and approached me. I just asked to confirm if those were the forms to be filled out. After filling them out I went back to the front desk and she assisted me and was able to get our library cards a few mins after. My daughter wanted to play in the children's s area as she noticed a play kitchen so we did just that. They had a calendar of activities for the month. There were actually quite a bit of people inside on the computer and desk area. I sat down at one of the tables and noticed the tables and chairs could use a good wipe down. Otherwise our visit was pleasant.

    So i moved to the area about 5 years ago. I was excited to learn that there was a library close by,…read more however the library seems to be a but small. I've not always been able to locate the books I was looking for. They do move books around and you can place a hold and pick up there. That is what I would recommend. The last two times the whole library smelled like urine. They desperately need to do a cleaning the smell was intense. I can't say I be continuing to go here just because of the smell.

    Photos
    Sunnyside Regional Library - American flag next to help desk.

    American flag next to help desk.

    Sunnyside Regional Library - Kids/play area

    Kids/play area

    Sunnyside Regional Library - Monthly calendar/ events

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    Monthly calendar/ events

    Fresno County Public Library - libraries - Updated July 2026

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