The Main Branch Library stood it's ground for a long time and is still a regular stop for me. I opened my library card there for the first time in my life at the age of 7, since 1987, and still the place is my Mecca for information. Over the years, we've had our tufts - mostly my fault, because I keep on trying to borrow something longer than allowed. I've noticed how the rates of fines increased from 10 cents per book per day to 25 cents per book per day. While things like that seem very minuscule to our wallets, it just irks me to pay for something when it should be free. Then again, it's my own fault, and I just started to discipline myself over the years. Now they have a computer center, free wifi for those that don't need to use public computers, and a quite attractive video/DVD library for those that are interested. They even have a tool lending program for those days you need a crow-bar or drill. Yeah, there are the occasional share of vagrants there, but still I love this place. It's my place of worship for Sundays, and I go every other Sunday. Sometimes I check out books but never read them, but I still go, religiously. One thing I want to do is write a message to myself and hide it in one of the books, for maybe 20 years. I'll have to work on that. Until then, I'm a fan of the Oakland Main branch. read more

Beautiful municipal building, lots of books. Greatly in need of updating, but I believe there's a plan for that. I love that they are open on Sundays, as well as Wed and Thurs evenings (til 8pm). I like browsing the nonfiction sections, and the travel section here is better than any of the branches (that I've been to) and has its own area by itself. Also has a dedicated job search selection. One great thing is that the children's section has its own floor (the basement) so the kids have the own place (and own circulation desk that's low, etc.). I needed a kids' book recently, and the staff was very helpful in finding it for me in their storage/back area. The fiction (adult) section is somewhat hidden, but if you find it, it's usually nice and quiet for browsing (though no chairs). Overall the library is a bit grungy but has good sections and is lovable. read more

This library has so much to explore but when it comes to studying - stay away. There are a couple of tables stuffed in the back on the ground floor. theres not enough space for everyone and definitely not enough outlets for everyone to charge their laptops and its super stuffy in that area. I couldnt stand more than a couple of hours studying there. Great for materials but not studying read more

This library branch is definitely one of the best branches in the Oakland public library system. First off, they are open 7 days a week;where most others are only open a few days per week and they also have late hours on select days which is beneficial for people who need Internet access in the evening or just need a place to relax and study. Secondly, the selection here is magnificent, they offer tons of books, movies, and music; all available for 3 week check out, and if you can't find what you are looking for; be sure to take advantage of the card catalog and links system. Lastly, the staff here is always super helpful and knowledgeable about their inventory, and they do a great job in letting patrons know about free events and services offered by this branch. read more

Oakland Main Library - Huge DVD Area - Libraries Near Me - Oakland, California

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I came here to get some work done. Place is okay, seems like there's quite a few books, and there were many tables with outlets on the floor next to each table on each side. Internet was pretty slow though, but I guess it is a public library. read more

Worse than many public library systems. First, they have this odd system where you have to check out exactly two items first, return them, and then you can check out more (up to 40). The person didn't explain it clearly, so I checked out one the first time, returned it, and couldn't check out more than two the next time. I have no idea how this policy protects against theft, promotes responsibility, or does anything other than annoy people. I mean, do they have an epidemic of fly-by-night thieves who are from outside the area and can't bother to deal with the trial period?? At OPL, you can only renew ONCE. Why? I can understand for popular or new books, but for some obscure dusty book that no one has read in a while, who cares? If people want it, they can just request it and you return it. SFPL and BPL both allow multiple renewals. They close all the time due to "furloughs". For example, this past week, the library was only open one day out of the week. That's great, especially right when everyone is going back to school. No self-check out systems. Many libraries have had self-check-out systems for years. read more

My heart bleeds for libraries. They're like churches for books and book lovers. Oakland libraries, despite being given the financial shaft every so often, continue to find ways to be accessible to people and score massively awesome staff people. I don't know how they do it, but I've haven't encountered a person there yet who wasn't absolutely kind and helpful. The main library is open 7 days a week and remains open during the evenings (until 8pm) on Wednesdays and Thursdays. That might not sound very exciting to most other people, but with a lot of the other branches being closed on Mondays and shutting down at 5:30, it's nice to have alternatives. The DVDs are mostly all in the front, the non-fiction collection wraps around, and I adore the little maze where the fiction books are housed. I'm sure that if books and media materials could talk, they'd say that they're happy to live there. I'm certainly happy to visit them. read more

I always loved it here since I was little! If you go to La Escuelita Elementary School, you have the opportunity to visit the library and choose a book! If you're a teen or younger you can go to the children or teen department for free lunch (including the summer). The staffs are welcoming and helpful in finding materials you need. When you can't find a book in any Oakland public libraries, I reccomend people to use +Link. It lets you request books from several college libraries and more libraries BEYOND California, and you can pick it up at your local library. Just ask the librarian for more details! read more

Not bad given so much social decay in Oakland overall. I love libraries and they have a decent system to connect you with books that aren't in their library. The holds haven't taken to long to get books that weren't available. The DVD selection was pretty slim. I give Oakland props for a friendly staff and a decent library. I hope that some of the waste that seems to go on with library bond measures won't rob us of having access to books and other stuff for just another developer trying to make a buck at the people's expense. Visit every library you can and read as much as possible. It beats TV any day and your brain while thank you - especially when you're 80. read more

was pleasently surprised by the Oakland Library. As a relative newbie to the Oakland Public Library system, I'm still looking for a branch that has a good selection of books, nice ambience, and ample seating for studying and reading. This library fits the bill for me! It has a really cozy atmosphere, with the general fiction section books surrounding room with tables, chairs, etc. Also, despite it being a smaller size than some of the other libraries, I can typically find the books I'm looking for, or I put them on hold and have them delivered. The staff is very friendly, and I really do have to give props to the oakland Libraries as one of the few places in the city where the homeless can get out of the cold and [occasionally] read some of the books [sometimes they just nap]. read more

I love that they are open every day and the location is pretty convenient. However; since it is a public establishment, it does tend to attract several of the local transients and seemingly mental ill individuals in the neighborhood. I just wish there was more security, considering this, read more

I love all libraries and that includes the main branch of the Oakland Public Library. The staff is helpful, especially when I've requested books from their stacks. When I had a research project, I found what I was looking for here. Photocopiers work, bathrooms are clean, street parking isn't an issue if you enjoy walking near Lake Merritt. read more

Just love this place! They have pretty neat events here and the layout is great. They did a Dia de los Muertos event on the Friday before Halloween! They're open 7 days a week and the employees here actually know about and love books! Have encountered no curmudgeons thus far. They have a great selection of books (it's the main library after all) and an excellent graphic novel/manga/comics section for all you fellow fans. Most are on the 1st floor, but there are more in the "teen zone" on the 3rd floor. I love the their private fiction nook where you can quietly browse in a space that feels hidden. To get the full experience, set up your online account. For library newbies, you can log in and request books to be sent to your closest branch and check out electronic books for your kindle. read more

While it's easy to be critical of DVD choices or how many copies of the latest popular novels are on the shelves, one thing most of us outside of the library sciences world don't often think about is that libraries are only as good as the political measures we vote on AND the staff that run them. The main branch has undergone a number of changes in recent years, and I thoroughly appreciate the positive progress being made in spite of poor funding. The librarians are wonderful and the selection - from books, DVDs, music and more - continues to grow. We are saved a search through the stacks for a good book to read by the new books/hot picks areas in the lobby. The DVD selection changes daily as people check out and return them. The displays are always changing, highlighting new books or popular themes. The children's room is an incredibly dynamic space where kids, parents and youth librarians definitely rule the roost. And if you're interested in Oakland history, take a trip upstairs - not only are there specialized collections of old texts, documents and photos, but there are great pictures on the walls guiding you down the hall. I look forward to seeing the teen room develop further, but it is an area in transition. All in all this a great neighborhood library. And if you're not in the neighborhood, it's an easy walk from BART. p.s. Circulation staff can be extremely forgiving about fines... read more

I was never a "library" person. (I would make a joke here about just learning to read, but I'm not that lame). I'm a book whore. I want to own my books and on a rare occasion lend them out to a friend. I want to have a vast collection of just about everything in my house, just in case I need to build a fort, a book fort. I want to show off how "smart" I am by dramatically gesturing towards my book cases and going "LOOK!" Ok so I got over that. Bigger cities have good libraries and Oakland is no exception. This is a beautiful library in a nice historic building. It's super close to Lake Merritt Bart, as are most of the libraries and they are stocked with movies, books, magazines, etc. We no longer use Netflix because of this place! Their collection isn't that extensive, but they have enough to satisfy any taste (excluding porn, for some reason...) read more

I used to come here all the time when I was a child. They had free after school tutoring and snacks for kids! lol. plenty of books here. The librarians are generally very nice and helpful. I loveeeed the children's area! haha i would grab a book and read in a corner. then check out 10 more when my mom comes to pick me up! hehe. Now with the growing technology, I hope the next generation can take advantage of the great offerings of a library. Not everything in wikipedia is true kids!! and Nancy drew is not the same as iono, whatever those other stupid shows kids watch on TV nowadays. and Garfield comic books are the shiznit. lol. However, the parking does suck! read more

If free books and movie rentals, internet, and awkward public interaction are your thing - Oakland Public Library is for you! I especially like the "The Lawyer is Here" sign that I've yet to this day been able to decipher. Credit also goes to the very friendly staff. Unfortunately, I can't always get what I'm looking for there. But I highly recommend reading of all kinds! read more

There are always people waiting in line to get in this place. Makes me happy to see people using their library. Everyone is friendly here and they have a huge selections. I don't know if people know this so I'll just put it out there but you can order any book from any library in Oakland and have it shipped to your library near where you live in Oakland. The selection of books is so much wider if you request books and use that service. I think they need to change some of the chairs here though. They stick to my butt. Also, get a library card instead of a key chain. The key chains break easily and they charge you a dollar to replace. I'm cheap-- sue me. read more

I am honestly a huge fan of building one's own personal library so this is my first time back in a public library since the 90's....I will say this library has quite a selection and if they do not have something they are more than happy to order it for you. There is wi-fi in the actual building, many computers to choose from if you do not have a computer, a great selection of dvd's and the online system is cool. You can reserve books, put them on hold if someone else has them checked out, read ebooks, and renew books that you already have out. The only reason I can not give this place 5 stars is because there are many undesirables/boozers that hang out outside of the library and I feel that it brings down the integrity of the place. Not sure of what they can do about this but it's something to keep in mind. read more

Awesome staff, computers, resources, and (most importantly) BOOKS! I went last Sunday and nearly 30 people were waiting at the doors for them to open at 1pm. I like the mix of people who use this library. read more

Great selection of books and exceptional service. Easy to request books online from multiple branches to be delivered to your branch. Not the most aesthetically pleasing, but the place serves its purpose very well. read more

exploring OAK's Chinatown lead me here :) i was never big into reading as a child. i read less than my fair share. read what i could get by with for school. i'm very happy to say however that i'm finally discovering the joy of reading. learning that Oakland's Main Library is so close to home or even better that it is between work and home, i will definitely be stopping by here more often. the main library is multi level and i have much more of it to explore. i know that it has been very active both times i have visited thus far. there are plenty of people browsing and reading. as well as a line (considerably a fast moving) check out. their staff is also very helpful. until next time cheers read more

Oakland Main Library - This place is truly SPECIAL - Libraries Near Me - Oakland, California

I love it. The Public University is an amazing resource. The main branch has the most selection and has rooms for classes such as the ones the foundation center in SF creates and is just a really neat place. My only complaints are the hours. I wish it was funded so it could be open 9am to 6pm or more every day. Its really a true asset to the community. You can't beat your local library. The librarian are helpful and the other staff are too. read more

I'm an Oakland girl through and through-- I've been at least partially raised by the Oakland Public Library System... and this is hands-down one of my favorite places in the entire Bay Area. Yes, the hours suck, yes there are often rowdy homeless folks hanging out to keep warm/busy... but it's always my first stop for a massive research paper, or even when I'm feeling the itch to learn a new craft. I love the selection here. (Sooo much better than the Berkeley Library system.) It is upsetting to me that over the years the hours have become stranger and stranger... I wish Oakland would make it a priority to fund their library system a little better. I'm willing to pay higher taxes for this--really. But: 99 times out of 100, the Oakland Library system has the item I'm looking for--and when you read as voraciously as I do, checking things out from the library is sooo much cheaper than trying to buy them all. I do wish that the website was a little more functional. (Berkeley allows you to pay your fines online...) But I suppose that's neither here nor there. read more

I spend a lot of time here on my lunch break. A nice location near the Lake and a great selection of books. My favorite part of all is the History Room. I did a major research paper on West Oakland in college and couldn't have done it without that room. It's not well known, so go see for yourself. Definitely a get lost for hours place for local history buffs. The library also has a decent selection of movies and music, which is great, too. My only complaint is that they don't send you late notices of overdue items. What the hell, man? Where's my nanny state when I need it? Reminders, please!!! read more

Ahh Oakland - I have a love/hate relationship with you. Unfortunately, OPL tends to be more on the hate than the love side most of the time. I called the information desk today to ask for information on a woman named Emily Davison (she was part of the women's suffrage movement) and explained how the one limitation for this class assignment was that I could not use the Internet. The woman who answered turned from sweet to incredulous that I could ask such a thing and told me that I should come to the library to look at biographies and that "she wasn't going to do my homework for me". Take THAT customer service! Not a lot gets me angry. In fact, it takes a lot to get me angry. Yet it was in this moment, for the first time, I decided to file a complaint. I went to the library and after getting help with my question, I nervously told the woman my experience afraid that she was the woman I had spoken with. She walked with me over to the Information Desk to find the person in question but she was nowhere to be found. I was handed a comment card and wrote down my thoughts with a exceedingly small pencil gripped tightly between my fingers. I wanted to go into great detail about my feelings but left it with stating the facts and then a short blurb about the value of good customer service. Content, I walked the card over to the information desk afraid that the woman who helped me would somehow identify me and then proceed to shout me down in front of the whole library. Thankfully, my fears were met with the kindness of a library employee whose name tag was covered by her long hair who apologized for my experiences. I dropped my comment card in a box wondering if they really would contact me or if they just took these cards to the Ruby Room across the street after work to have a laugh. Would I go back? Only out of necessity. I prefer the Alameda Library where you can be met with a smile, a helpful attitude and a great-looking building! read more

If the Oakland Main Library isn't half as spacious as it is or didn't possess great information prowess, I'd lower my review one more star. I'm unsure what's in sadder shape - their dirt quality restrooms or near nonexistent resources. Sure, they provide study desk and technology services, but everyday at everytime I enter, I find practically all spaces booked. Compared to the John Paul Leonard Library at SF State, this one's a dump. read more

I was expecting the library to be bigger, so I was a bit disappointed when I realised it was all on one floor. However, I found that they had a lot of interesting books in the field I was interested in (computers). My wife wasn't so lucky, she didn't really find much about her interest, archaeology. Overall, I found more diversity in books than what I was used to in other libraries, and I liked how they promote local activities. Registration was a breeze, and the people working there are nice and helpful. They let you take out 40 books at a time, I thought that was quite impressive. I will be back often. read more

this place needs an updated or something bc it feels so depressing to be here. not inviting at all and not a comfortable atmosphere.

A beautiful place to be! Wonderful and helpful staff, nearby beautiful lake Merritt. Easy to learn and gain new knowledge!

Five stars just for being a free public library! The second I walk through the metal detector and the security guard, I get a sense of taking a step back in time because of the building's architectural design. The layout inside includes three floors with a help desk on each floor. Because I teach nearby, I get the opportunity to visit the Children's Library downstairs with my class every morning month. This also has its own entrance off of Oak St. The children love coming here to listen to a story read aloud, hang out on the cushions to read, check out books, etc! The main part of the library offers plenty of tables and areas to study or read quietly. The staff are super friendly and always willing to help you with your needs. There is a computer room, a DVD section, classes or seminars or various helpful community meetings. The bathrooms, at least the men's, is better but not that much better than other public restrooms. I enjoy visiting this library in Beautiful Oakland! read more

It's true. I'm a librarian, i think it's great to go into any library, but this one offers a lot of information to the locals. The history room has a lot to look at, and if you want some weird fun, go to the microfilm machines and look through old newspapers from the 1800s! so yea, it's not everyone's cup o tea, but i still think you should visit your local libraries and show some love to your sassy librarians! read more

Somewhere along the way I had forgotten just how much I enjoy libraries. The last time I had really step foot in one was in college, spending countless hours "studying" inside of Doe or Moffitt at Cal, trying desperately to learn in 24 hours what I should have learned over the course of a semester. The last time that I actually went to the library to check out books for fun was probably elementary school. I must say that I really, truly missed it. Recently, it just seems like my brain has been super sluggish and really hasn't had a chance to think freely nor use any imagination. I started coming in about a month ago to get it jump started. I must say that I've been pretty excited and pleased with the whole situation. Reading has been a pleasure of mine that I haven't nourished in a while and the way I've been reading lately, one could tell my brain has been starved. The library itself is a good size with multiple levels. Lately I've been focused primarily on the fiction/sci fi sections. I've had a few instances where the books that I've wanted have been checked out, but there's still so much material to explore that it's really a minor issue. There are several terminals for internet browsing/reference searching, but if you do need help finding something, the staff all have been friendly and approachable. There's not a great deal of tables or study areas, so I don't know how good this place is if you wanted a quiet space for studying or reading. However, I've noticed that it's generally pretty quiet, unlike some other public libraries that I can remember where there's been a lot of background noise. Overall, it's hard to hate on a library, and this place offers a good combination of resources and reader friendly atmosphere. read more

I wish that Paula Abdul or that boy band choreographer with the frosted tips (I know...which one, right:?) would choreograph a routine for a Sepultura video that would be filmed on the roof of the Main Library. Because I would have a really good view of the action and I think it would be awesome. read more

The main library is one of my favorite places in Oakland. I used to go there most of the time after taking a walk in Lake Merritt. They have plenty of books in stock that I could always find something interesting. The staffs are very friendly every time I am looking for help. It would be pefect if they can extend the hours on the weekends. read more

OPL main branch forever gets 5+ stars for telling the cops to FUCK OFF when they wanted to prevent occupy oakland from meeting on the library steps. not only did they tell the cops to EAT SHIT they also kept the building open for regular business. at least someone in oakland understands the first amendment! read more

I just renewed my books online for another 2 weeks. wahoo!

i am in love with public libraries in general, but i am PASSIONATELY in love with the oakland main!!! (1) it almost always has what i'm looking for. maybe no one has my exact reading preferences - or no one reads anymore. well, what is bad for society is sometimes good for the individual! (2) the online catalog, including delivery services AND renewals! (3) magazines! love love love love love. read more

I love library. It's free. What else do you want?! Yeah, it could use some updating but hey you want to pay more taxes? I don't think so. It's good enough. It has all the normal resources you expect from a good library- book, magazine, newspaper, computer, DVD, etc.... Good place to just relax, sit and read! read more

close to 12th street BART. Good childrens library section on ground floor.