Librarians aren't well informed as to policies about checking out devices. I've read all policies prior to talking to the librarian and he wasn't informed at all. Sounded like an older male with a very raspy voice, maybe a smoker? Not sure, however he was very rude about it just clicked instead of discussing with me why HE personally couldn't be of any help or directed me to someone with more knowledge. I know librarians are severally underpaid but that's no excuse to go around the policies or be rude. read more

Lovely little library with toys, books in Spanish and English, and an array of books that represent many types of families (I'm an elementary education teacher so I know my books for young readers and they had so many options...I said many times,"oh I have this in my classroom!" High quality content and friendly staff to boot! They also have a seed library where people bring and take seeds home to plant. Just amazing! We came here to see their pride story hour which was lovely. They had gifts and bubbles of the kiddos along with music, stories, and they did it outside. It was wonderful! We will definitely return! read more

Kensington-Normal Heights Branch Library - Songs for pride story hour - Libraries Near Me - San Diego, California

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Yay for this library! We visited today and we couldn't be happier! My girls love libraries and while visiting the Earth day celebration we stopped in. The library had really cool crafts for kiddos which is not what I have experienced in my North county libraries. We grabbed one of each and just finished them, so fun! The librarian there today was also very nice, he was attentive to everyone that came in as it was super busy due to the event. We stayed and played, looked at books, and grabbed a few Spring coloring pages for home. Thanks for the play time & crafts! What a wonderful library. read more

Kensington-Normal Heights Branch Library - Octopus and Ruffles heart craft; scissors and tape or glue needed only. - Libraries Near Me - San Diego, California

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Right now I am the Duke, but that shouldn't be. It's not like I'm in here all of the time checking out books. I envy people like that, but I'm a slow reader without a lot of free time. I'm the Duke because I come here for the state park passes. Did you not know about this service? https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=30806 You can also get passes to local museums: https://www.sandiego.gov/discoversd I realize that these features are not unique to this location, but I would say that because we get access to so much via the San Diego Public Library system that all branches deserve five stars. The librarians here are nice and helpful. I like the programs that they sponsor, like the Tîrgan Summer Persian Music Concert. Yes, K-NHBL is small. Don't try to get any work done here. No parking? No problem! One of the reasons I live in Normal Heights is because of walkability. How could I forget about eLibrary? I can vouch for the courses that I have taken on Coursera. Thanks, San Diego Public Library! https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/elibrary read more

Kensington-Normal Heights Branch Library - A seed library! Get into gardening! - Libraries Near Me - San Diego, California

I love this little library. We live nearby in City Heights and often we will ride bikes over, play in the playground next door then go inside to look at books and things for the kids to do. The staff is always friendly and helpful. This may be the smallest library in SD but it's our favorite. And if you are not in a hurry they will get a book transferred from another library for you. read more

LOVE LOVE LOVE my library! Great family library with a terrific little kids section! The staff absolutely make this library the best! They bend over backwards to help you research and reserve books! So what if it's small???!!!! It's a gem! They have so many organized events for kids, from mommy and me yoga, to magic shows, and we love their summer reading program! The library has a reading hour for the kids too! As for my reading requirements, I've never had any trouble requesting and getting a book promptly! I read both popular fiction and lots of esoteric non-fiction as well. I am so sad to read these bad reviews by people who should know better than to try to do university level research at a tiny neighborhood library. This branch serves it's neighborhood very very VERY well! WE love you!!! read more

I laugh when I read some of the complaints about this library. You have to walk two whole blocks from your packing spot? Oh, wee lamb. Maybe it's because I've lived in a city for most of my life, but I'm willing to walk to my destination so two blocks feels like nothing to me. This library is half a mile from my home so I walk here unless I have my heavy book bag. Then I find street parking (yes you're going to have to walk a couple of blocks, heaven forbid). Getting your library card is super easy and they make it right then and there (now with multiple color choices). Your first card is free and any replacement cards cost $2.00. Not Too shabby considering all the free books, CDs, DVDs, and Audiobooks you can get from this library. Yes it's a small library, but it's a branch library. Want a book they don't have? You can borrow it from another San Diego library through the inter library loan system. It's not hard, you just have to make a reservation for the book and pick it up when it's available. That is pretty awesome if you ask me. Especially since (and I emphasize this), it's free. Can't afford that new book for $24.95? Be patient and check it out from the library. The staff here are friendly and always helpful. I have quickly leaned I won't be able to get a table guaranteed each time I go there, but it makes me happy to see how popular and busy this library branch is. The Kensington Library is one of the gems of the Kensington neighborhood, so to all the complainers please get your priorities sorted out. Think of everything the library has to offer you with no cost to you. Be more grateful. read more

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It's one of my local libraries and I used to visit all the time, but I've just grown exasperated with the branch each time I come in. It's the smallest branch in the system, more like a large school bungalow than a library, that's situated at the apex of a large mound on Adams Ave. that masquerades as a park. Strange. It's noisy and doesn't have very much computer access (two or three terminals, I think) and doesn't afford you much privacy if you want to study or read. The CD collection and DVD collection is impressive, though the DVD collection is reliant on branch-exclusive numerical system and is not alphabetical (the norm for most all of the branches in the San Diego system), thus making it extremely difficult to find what you're looking for. The biggest problem of this library? Its parking is absolutely horrendous. Like the Central Library, there is no private lot. You can park along the street on the south side of the branch, if there's enough space for your car. Adams Ave. is a no go. Its east and south sides are surrounded by residences, which amplify the parking problem and there are businesses with limited parking on the north and west sides. Often times, I would have to park in front of a residence as much as two blocks away and walk north towards the library. It's terrible. You don't know how many times I've driven to the library only to give up and abandon the branch because I can't find decent parking anywhere. read more

On the one hand, it's tiny. There is precious little room for books, only a few computers, and the seating is all kind of uncomfortable. And there is no parking. I mean none. Walk. That being said, the librarians are probably the most friendly and helpful I've met within the San Diego library system, and there is a really nice playground outside for those of you with podlings. So if you need a library for the books or computers, go to another branch. If you need a library for the community, come here. read more

This is one of the smaller branch libraries, but it's a good one. The staff are more helpful than at some of the larger branches, and they offer the usual fabulous library services. They even have some good classes, but size is limited because of space restrictions. It's also located in a nice little park. Very pleasant, even if you're too old to play on the jungle gym. There's no dedicated parking lot, but the residential area just south of the library has enough street parking that you should be able to find a spot within a few blocks. read more

This tiny library is MEGA retarded. I am doing research, and since I am no longer a grad student who can access a university library, I decided to come into this branch to get a library card so they can order the material for me FOR FREE. So I filled out the info to get my card, but it never came in the mail. A few weeks later I went back, wasn't in their system, so I filled out another application, a few more weeks go by, and still nothing. WTF??? The staff didn't seem too concerned for me when I voiced my problems. Probably too busy cleaning the drool out of the Harry Potter and Twilight books. Complete waste of time. read more

First things first: yes, this library is small. Some would even say tiny. When my husband and I drove up, we were like "Whoa, is this it?" Our hopes were not high, given the size of this facility. But you know what? This library proves that good things do come in small packages. First thing you see when you enter the building is the "Friends of the Library" sale section: books, CDs, DVDs and magazines for sale, to benefit the library. Right on! We scored 4 CDs (including a Boards of Canada collectible EP, what-what?!) for $4 from the friendly staff. We then asked about how to sign up for library cards, being that we're new in town. The librarians directed us to a catalog terminal, where we filled out our name, address and email addresses to get a temporary card number. Write it down and head back to the front desk to show them your picture ID, confirm your residency, and pick a color for your new card (all in complimentary red, orange, green, blue, teal, or purple hues) and you're in there like swimwear. Sign the back and you're ready to make off like a multimedia bandit. Next up: the DVD section. Wow! We were impressed by the varied selection, including TV shows (all the Wire complete seasons! 1930's monster movies!) and art films, as well as a pretty good foreign film assortment. You've got a 5 video max, and you get to keep them for just a week, but that seems fair (how many flicks can you really watch in a week?). The librarian also warned us about the $2/day late fees, so be sure to bring that stuff back on time! Even the CD section, a notorious dumping ground for stuff like Riverdance soundtracks and Yanni, had some gems. I found an early Massive Attack album I hadn't yet acquired. Score! Finally, the books - a library's main draw! Admittedly, I did not venture into the new releases or classics to see what this branch has on file, but I was perusing the craft/architecture/art section just behind the DVDs, while my husband pored over the cooking section, and found a few interesting titles there. Granted, the book I checked out on how to design your own logo is from 2005, but if nothing else it should serve as a monument to how quickly our concepts of good design - particularly for the web - truly change. Extra points for having several Calvin & Hobbes collections, as well as Anthony Bourdain's (plus his pal Michael Ruhlman's) entire opus. No dusty, faded 70's crap here, just an updated, if tight collection. They had some dope Julia Childs updates and - whoa! Blood, Bones and Butter by Gabrielle Hamilton (a MUST read for all chefs) AND Antonio Carluccio's The Complete Mushroom book! My huz even found a '12 Ableton Live advanced controller template book in the music section. They also have a pretty decent Photoshop and digital photography section! And if you have kidz, or you yourself just need to wear a helmet on the playground, they've got you covered in the adjacent park - it's all rubberized padding. You won't do your masters dissertation here, but you will find unexpected gems. read more

Tried to reach the volunteer coordinator for this library and was turned away from even being able to speak to her by same lady I spoke to saturday. The volunteer website info is complicated, and I wanted to talk to the Director for Volunteering. I will move on. Not very friendly at all. It's a good thing I'm not a ghost volunteer wanting to make a million dollar donation. Now I don't even want to walk into the library ever. read more

Tiny little library (more like one room of books) pros- lots of parking behind and around, great location, friendly people Cons- not good to study because it is so small and noisy, lots of kids in and around library (that could be a pro or con, I suppose), all chairs and desks seem to be made for little kids. This is a small library and serves it purpose, I think, as a collection of books; however, I strongly suggest the Mission Valley Library for studying simply because it is larger and isn't as noisy. But for younger children it is a great library. read more

Small but cute. Wish the hours were a bit longer....but that's budget cuts for you... Wish I could say I'd volunteer to pay higher taxes to keep it open longer, but that's not realistic is it. read more

I have been a patron of this library for years. The staff have always been incredibly kind and helpful. Recently there has been a new male librarian. Unfortunately I don't know his name, but I believe he's the only male librarian at that location. He makes me feel as if I am wasting his time by needing any assistance. I had books to donate, and he rudely told me to just leave them on the desk. No thank-you or anything. Before I would have given this location five stars. I would recommend this employee taking some public relation classes. For the record this was not him just having a bad day, he regularly has an attitude. At least try to fake a positive attitude towards others. I wonder what he is like with the other librarians. He needs a different job where he doesn't deal with the public. read more

Wish I'd gotten the name of the wonderful lady who helped me sign up and then showed me the computer and the system for getting books. Last time I was in a library, cards were being used. I really like the library, not the hassle of finding parking in the street. It's a comfortable library. read more

Branch manager and person at the desk acted like I was suuuuuch an inconvenience calling and asking four questions about the library. Sorry to inconvenience you, I'll go somewhere else. read more

I lived near this library for over six years. To think this library doesn't have a full five star rating is bewildering to me. Incredibly helpful employees, tons of $1 books, lots on the stacks, always organized and lots of community organized events. What more could you want? It certainly isn't too small, and is just big enough. The parking is more than suitable, so those complaints hold no water as I've never had to walk more than a couple of blocks when I've had to find parking. There are quiet places to sit and read if you'd like as well. This is a tremendous resource and I honestly can't find a single negative about this place. read more

You walk in and the first thing you notice is the stench from the dirty old carpet. There are 3 computers for public use and they are usually occupied. Homeless people spend 15 minutes at a time washing themselves in the bathroom. Seating is limited after 3pm on weekdays one large table is reserved for after school children and it can get loud at times so bring some earphones or ear plugs if you get distracted easily. The outdated computers can't print PDFs. There are electrical outlets in the walls and in the one large table for charging electronics. Not a bad library overall but if you need quiet to study this is not the ideal place as it is very small. read more

you'd be lucky to call this your neighborhood library. every book that a put on hold is waiting for me on the hold shelf within just a few days, the librarians are considerate, and your fellow library goers are respectfully quiet and patient (wait lists for computers). read more

I moved to this neighborhood this year. I like this tiny library. It had new books that are not on hold by five hundred people. You just have to bring it back in two weeks. There aren't homeless everywhere and around every shelf like University Heights library and a couple of others I've been to. The people are nice and helpful. read more

I love coming here! They have an awesome playground where the kids can play and parents can sit and watch. Right in the middle of a beautiful neighborhood. Starbucks, ice cream, and restaurants steps away. read more

Not a bad library, but pretty small. Parking is a challenge, so you may need to go down the block to find something available. There is a nice playground next to the library for kids and fun stuff like Burger Lounge and a wine/beer store across the street. The librarians are really nice, and you can place books on hold to have them delivered here. There are a few computers for use at no cost, but some folks take advantage of the time limit and refuse to move after they are done. Printing services are available at a small cost, and lately they've had old books for sale for around $1. Again, small library, check the availability of your book online before going in! read more

Love this library because its in an area centrally located in Kensington. Nice thing is there's residential parking everywhere,so cant complain about that! read more

This is a quaint library branch of the San Diego system. The staff is helpful.. They have a great selection of dvds.. child friendly.. bins with EXTREMELY cheap used books.. There is a lawn area.. great location right on Adams Ave. There is nothing to complain about. This is a wonderful, FREE community resource! read more

If you look closely, you can see the original building... stucco with red tile roof. That is where I began my use of libraries when I was about 5 or 6 years old. I am now 63. Born and raised in Normal Heights, the small library (the one that is used now is about twice the size of the original one built in the little park on Adams Avenue) was a great place to go and relax when I was young... and the park was a great place to just relax and cool off on those late summer San Diego days. There was no need for a parking lot when it was built. It was a service to the kids and families of the area. So many good memories... read more

I always go hear for my books, I'm actually headed here now. The librarians are polite and the people who go there are pleasant. It's isn't a modernized looking building but overall it's a cozy and comfortable environment. read more

OK, so maybe I'm doing a little "compensatory positive ratings" but come on people! THREE stars is NOT fair or appropriate. In these times of city budget cuts and reduction in services, I'm THRILLED to have the library and its friendly, helpful staff available in my neighborhood and providing me with access to some really cool San Diego Library resources. Some of the other reviewers complain that it's small and full of people...Like Christina said, gems are small too. And it's crowded because it's POPULAR. If you work the library "hold" system correctly, it's like having your own free book club and you can basically have access to ANY of the books in ANY of the branches all over San Diego county. Just recently, my wife and I went on a long road trip and thought about going to Audible and buying some audio books, but before we did--checked the library web site and found out I could DOWNLOAD five audio books at a time for NOTHING. I've found the staff friendly and helpful and love being able to walk to the library (we live in Normal Heights) like I did as a kid in the Midwest. So, ok, maybe five stars is a LITTLE generous (I'm saving that for the AMAZING Central Branch when it opens downtown--can't wait), but this is definitely a solid FOUR star library experience. Highly recommended. read more

Great little neighborhood library. Hard working librarians who do lots with little. It needs a complete remodel to make it 2stories. I use it often. read more

This place makes my heart very, very happy. It's cozy and the employees are oh so helpful and lovely.

Love this little spot in the center of the village! Right now it is super colorful on the outside thanks to the yarn bomber! My book club gets their books routed through here, my kids can get a book and play in the park afterwards, it is a really sweet spot. read more

The children's events they have are fabulous. We saw hullabaloo with my toddler right on the big grassy lawn, there is a gated park right next door, the children's section had plenty to keep my son interested. We easily make a day out of going here. read more

I've been on Adams for 15 years and my Kensington library card made me an official memeber of the community - they just don't get any nicer than the folks in and around Kensington/Normal Heights - I've always found parking right out front - For those who want to study the area has 7 coffee shops within 10 blocks from quiet garden settings to fabulously hip! - you can order any book from the San Diego Public Library Site online and have it delivered to Kensington for pickup - plus they're open until 8pm on some nights! I'm on my way there now...hope to see you there soon - totally local color read more

The thing that is so great about this stretch of Kensington/Normal Heights is how town-y and neighborhood-y it feels. The local library actual feels nice and local, and everyone is so friendly! This is a one-room building set on a little open green space across the way from Starbucks, Burger Lounge, and other yuppie staples. But the library itself is quite homey, with older residents reading the newspaper, kids playing in the tiny section, and volunteers tutoring ESL. For some reason, even though it's on the small side, you're not really tripping over people while browsing, and they have a pretty fantastic collection of DVDs, travel books, and random other stuff. The stacks suit the audience of the area, and it's local enough for me to walk or bike if I want some really random movie to take home with me. The librarians are sweet and remind me of the ones in my old small hometown library back east. Aww. Yay for libraries. read more

This library is as outdated as some of the canned goods in my pantry. This whole place needs to be revamped. It's too little to serve everyone's needs, so it does a poor job of serving anyone's needs. Here is my idea. Turn it into a children's library. Everything in this place would cater to children. Sorry, you will have to get your Barbara Cartland romances somewhere else. This place is for 'kids only.' No more old people checking their e-mails on the old computers. 'just kids' Maybe the smell of this place would improve with the elimination of the old books that nobody reads anymore. At least I think the smell is coming from the old books. Freshen this place up, clean it up, make it 'kid friendly.' That's it. This transformation will provide a wonderfully safe haven for the little ones....and they can learn to read rather than play the wickedly nasty video games causing carpal tunnel to their thumbs. If you don't do this, then close the place down.....level the building...and create much needed park space for Kensington. By the way....how do we get the dog owners to stop their pooches from purging their bladder and intestines on the library lawn? To all of you than sunbathe on that lawn or have a picnic on the grass.....have you seen the number of dogs that call this space their community toilet? Egad!!!! What if I decided to take a dump on their front lawn? Oh, yes I will do my best to clean it up with a baggie. I don't see anyone catching the liquid. It's going right into the grass where you sunbathe, do your yoga, and have a little picnic. Get one of those blacklights and shine it at the grass during the night. The whole damn place with light up with urine tracks. Maybe that is why the library stinks. read more