Got to love the local library. The world is quiet here. I really enjoy getting holds sent to the library. I'm not sure if they have Inter Library Loan but if they do it expands the catalogue you can borrow from. The garden seems very relaxing can't wait to walk through it if possible. Thanks for your help! read more

I've been on a library card hunt and yesterday, I was in Gardena and saw that this was an L.A. County library! My cousin and I stopped in around 5 pm and asked the lady at the front desk if we could apply for a library card and she directed us to the library counter. My cousin had a passport card and not a California ID and let the clerk at the desk know. She checked with her higher up and he approved her application with the passport card. The clerk's name was Marie and she said to give her about 10 minutes to prepare our cards and add us to the system. The library is one story, clean, organized, no weird smells and quiet. To use the restroom, you have to ask the person at the front desk to unlock it for you and they do that from their desk at the push of a button. We returned to the desk to pick up our library cards and Marie went through the packet and let us know their policy and made us aware of the free apps we have access to thanks to the library card. One new app I learned about was Freegal, a free music app, similar to having Apple Music. It's not as extensive, but it has a lot of the major artists in their catalog. Another service I learned the library offers is you're able to print 10 pages a day, for free, at this location which comes in handy for me. Overall we had a great experience getting a library card from here and I'll be back to visit again! Thank you Marie!! read more

LA County Library - Gardena Mayme Dear Library - New library card, who this?! - Libraries Near Me - Gardena, California

Review #864 2025-036 The Gardena Mayme Dear Library is located in the Civic Center part of Gardena, & the L.A. County Library (one of the largest U.S. library systems). This 14K+ sq. ft. library offers a children's & teens' space, meeting room (50-person capacity), photocopier, printers (10 free pages/day), unlimited Wi-Fi access, computers, even laptop (Chromebook LTE) loaners for a 6-week check-out! Chromebook LTE Check-Out: Any adult library card in good standing can check out a laptop for 6 weeks during regular service hours, & must be returned in person during service hours at the owning library. NO BOOKDROP RETURN ALLOWED! Most libraries have eliminated late fees, so there's no late fee for turning in the laptop late; however, the laptop will become disabled once the loan period has ended. If it has sustained damages, the borrower is responsible & will be charged damage fees. The following programs are included: Adobe Acrobat Reader; DocuSign; Google: Calendar, Docs, Drive; Skype; WordPress; Internet. We mostly used the Torrance libraries, but have expanded our network for the summer reading programs & events. And Gardena Mayme Dear Library has an awesome 2025 line-up: Bubblemania! (my youngest is too old at 9 but still enjoys bubbles), Duct Tape Wallet (had a conflict & wasn't able to attend), The Arty Loon Show (this was so funny & fun!), Georgia O'Keefe Watercolor (my teen is here painting as I type), Super Science Super Show (my 9 YO is super looking forward to this), Wonders of Wildlife (can't wait to see what live animals they're going to show). The library is open, airy (great for those hot summer days) with lots of natural light. There's plenty of individual cubicle spaces for privacy as well as tables for shared work. It's relatively quiet except when there are LOs (toddlers & pre-elementary kids) so you'll hear some random chatter & squeals. I read some of the other patrons complaining about the noise level (assuming it's during the weekdays after school). I would never allow my kids to run amok, & would leave if they can't sit still or keep quiet because I feel our presence is disturbing the peace. The children's behavior/attitude is a reflection of the parent (a bad one if they don't keep them in check at a public place); this is not a playground & if you need one, there's 2 nearby: Mas Fukai Park & George H. Freeman Park. Service was friendly & helpful (read below); I saw at least 4 librarians/staff at the customer service station & shelving books. We came Saturday afternoon & there's still plenty of workspace & seats available. H was here for the 2:00 PM: Georgia O'Keefe Watercolor event while I assisted locating her Honor English reading assignments. I flagged down a librarian passing the catalog computer & asked for directions for the books; she did one better & escorted me to the row of books. =) I still know my Dewey Decimal System, & informed her I can locate the book(s) I need on my own. It was a relaxing way to spend the weekend after a rough morning. Thanks Gardena Mayme Dear Library for this fun, creative outlet so my teen can separate herself from the screen. read more

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This is a cute library in my neighborhood. Has a nice selection of books, from fiction, history, children's books and reference materials. A few computers you can rent to use/print items (for a cost), space to study and the staff was very nice and helpful! read more

We enjoy this library because we have young toddler aged kids. We alternate between here and Matao Satow when in the area. This branch is older and has less dicey visitors (perhaps due to the surroundings) but it lacks in the warmth and personal touch of the librarians. Except for the gentleman with glasses, he was nice and gentle, even when telling my kids to be quieter lol. The library is well stocked with educational toys like blocks, toy kitchens, and dolls, so I'd expect toddlers to be a bit too excited when playing. Though i think it's also a great time for them to learn inside voices. Perhaps sound barriers could be used to block the kids' voices from carrying over to the adult side? Anyway, all areas inside and out are clean. The smell of kbbq from down the street (Moon and Furusato) is intoxicating. 20 min street parking just outside is always helpful due to the smallish parking lot. read more

Gardena Mayme Dear Library is one of our favorite local libraries. It's such a great place for kids! The kids area is amazing and has soooo much to keep little ones occupied. They have a play kitchen stocked with food and utensils, little chairs and a table, blocks and soft play toys for toddlers/babies. There are also lots of free activities like coloring, puzzles, and games to play and we utilize all of it. The library is beautiful with an old school feel. There's a beautiful atrium with bonsai trees and a little water feature that is so visually appealing and calming. The staff here is very friendly and helpful. We love it here and come here often as it's one of our favorite places to visit. read more

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It's way too crowded and has a power tripping staff member who is not customer service oriented in approach. Worst public library experience I've had in LA County. It's old, not visually appealing and needs to be gutted and updated. I am surprised that this place is packed. Note to self and others: Do not go back and find a different library in the area. read more

Staff is friendly and helpful, I went to this library as a child and I haven't been here in 40 plus years. Since I moved out of the area. To my surprise, it looks great!! I'm impressed how helpful staff is, everything is well organized and clean!! read more

One woman at the next table kept talking loud (20 minutes) and it was so hard. I couldn't study because there was no staff stopping her, so I went to the staff and told them myself. When the staff came in, the person next to me had already finished talking. I think it's okay for me to make small noises. But for the first time, the library felt noisy because this lady at the next table was interfering with my studies. Still, I'm glad the employee kindly asked me what the problem was. read more

What a great place! I have come here off and on to use the wifi, copier/scanner, and sometimes to just relax and read my own non-library materials. The staff is kind and polite. As for the copier/scanner, ten black and white copies are free and additional are around ten cents each. The scanner to save pdf docs to your personal email is a great FREE resource to library card holders. These simple resources will cost you much more at places like UPS Store or FedEx Office. Parking is limited but, there seems to be quite a bit of street parking. The neighborhood is very safe as the Gardena PD is super close in another building. I have been at the library when story time for kids was happening and what a wonderful thing to see many kids happily participating in a great program! I have not really used any resources like their books or periodicals but, I am aware of their "Friends of the Library" program where patrons donate books to be sold to help fund the library. Go County of LA for providing a good library in Gardena! read more

LA County Library - Gardena Mayme Dear Library - A Jason Bourne book. - Libraries Near Me - Gardena, California

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I read through the reviews and I agree, this library is not intended for all public use and is more catered to children. I usually don't mind children, but what bothered me is that I was sitting alone at a table in the "kids" section at 11 on a weekday and one toddler came in, who was enjoying the library running and screaming, again I do not mind, but staff is rude in asking that I move because its the "children's" area. I am not bothered by it and do not mind noise as its what is expected in a kids section, but seriously the adult area had quite a few people, its cold and flu season and I'd prefer to distance myself in a space not being occupied. Again it appears this library is not intended for all the public's use but just the children's use. I guess I will come back and have them babysit my kids as they run wild, because that is the use of this library according to other reviews as well read more

Nice library. Staff is nice. Parking lot is a bit small but there's street parking available as well.

Great place to study. It's also very clean. I saw a maintenance guys cleaning the counter and computers every time someone walked away. I like the window that allows a view of the plant area. Very nice scenery. Great staff. read more

Awesome place to study and do computer work. I was born and raised in Gardena and I keep going back.

It's a wonderful Library with a beautiful garden. Whether you're here to study, take a break, print, or learn this place is great. I've personally enjoyed the staff, they've always been receptive and open to help. As a student i like to come here to finish my homework, and it's been great. read more

This is a really nice library, clean, useful, and helpful staff. It was very easy getting a library card. I got a temporary card that would last up to 30 days so I could use the computer for free. You have an hour on the computer after you check in to rent it out, then you will be kicked off but you can check in for one extra hour if there are any that are free from use. You get 10 free printed pages per day, the paper is very cheap and thin but at least it's free. They have a small parking lot but you can find parking on the streets. If you want a permanent card you have to fill out the application with your name and address and proof that your address is correct by ID or mail. If you don't have proof you can fill out a postcard to send to yourself stamped with the Library's address, and then bring it back in to the library once you get it in the mail; they will then give you a permanent card. read more

Family library is great for the community and had story time for kids. This is a family area for kids development. They have several toys and books and computers for little kids as well as adults. Japanese and Spanish books are available as well as Chinese and Korean. DVD and magazines as well. The staff is friendly and helpful. I've made many new friends here. It's wonderful. read more

This place is too loud parents must use this as a daycare since there is a school right next door won't come here again

This place gets noisy with small toddlers running around (while the parents do nothing) uneducated people who don't know how to set there phone on silent or vibration. If you want to study in peace and in a quiet environment I suggest you either one come early in the morning or two look for a different place to study! I don't know why the staff won't ask the people to step out to use the phone or ask parents to watch there kids from running around the whole danm place and causing chaos! On the bright side staff seems to be very helpful if one needs a book or help around the library. read more

Sorta big library, reading area seems crowded. I like the self checkout system that makes it fast and good.

I always go to this library and I like it. There's always air conditioning so when it's hot outside, this is a nice place to relax and read a book. If they don't have a book in stock, you can place a hold, and deliver it to the Gardena Library within a couple of days. Also, they have a book sale every first Saturday of the month. Summer is almost here && they have summer reading programs for minors. read more

Nobody helps. Customer service acted as if it was a chore to answer questions. Waited 15mins for a library card only to be told the person that was helping us had gone to lunch and our application couldn't be found. Don't come here for anything, you'll be completely ignored and treated like a nuisance. read more

Friendly staff, quiet and clean. Helpful if you need to use computer or find a book.

*first-timer experience* Books. They have an okay selection of book, I want to say no more that 15 double sided shelves of books. 4 for fiction, I believe. Note, this is only for the "adult" books and this review is not for the childrens& teens section. Wifi is not open to the "public", only for LA county library card holders. I initially signed up for a card to gain access to the wifi but also found some books, so win, win. The wifi can be slow and, during the 4 hrs I was there, was down for a little while. If it is down, make sure to let them know and it should be solved ASAP otherwise, it will stay being down. Also, disable ad blockers on your computer to gain access to the internet. *If you plan in signing up for a card, make sure to bring proof of residency i.e. some formal mail document such as bills. If your address is current on your I.D, you should be fine* The ladies at customer service are super friendly and helpful! They always answered my questions with a smile. Overall, a decent library to come and hang out/study! It is located right next to the Gardena Civic Center and parking can be kind of rough, especially on days when they hold events. For example, I came in on a day when they held a comedic/magic show for kids and could only find street parking down the street. read more

Staff here is great and helpful. I've only had one hiccup with checking out and returning books. For some reason a book I returned got put back on the shelves without being cleared on my account in the computer. It was straightened out and I was not charged. I like the kiosk they have for checking out books. It's fast and easy. The chairs at the tables are comfortable and there is extra lounge seating in the center of the room. The only thing I deducted a star for was they don't police the noise. I understand this is a community library and it isn't the children noise I'm upset about. It's the people on their cell phones. And they adults talking extremely loud. A cell phone policy of putting your phone on silent would greatly enhance my experience here. I've been coming here since I was a child. It's a great place with great people. read more

This is my home away from home. I love coming here. I love books so it is a match made in heaven.

I have been to many libraries in my life, and what I can say is that this is the one! I have been coming to the Gardena Library for a very long time, and it feels like home! The staff are so friendly especially to younger teens and kids. Like me, if there's anything I need, they have it. From supplies, to homework help, and also with personal issues, the staff is wonderful! The kid area (teen space) is the best. It is a comfortable place to relax and do homework and socialize! As I said the staff is still there to be awesome! Last thing, if you need anything on the computer, the library is there for you. Now with there new technology at the checkout station, it is way easier to check out items, even without your card! It's so modernized! But that doesn't make the library an amazing place to go, the reason why is because you will always have someone to support and help you~ read more

Most libraries have a better handle on noise control, and other behaviors that are obviously NOT intended for use in a library. Turn off your damn phones, people! Step outside if you want to have a conversation about your personal business. Heck, take your kids to the park since you're letting them run amok here without supervision (while you type away on your phone). People actually come to the library to study. Not to socialize. Staff needs to step it up!! read more