What a great little library. On the first of May there was a long line around 4:15pm. I'm assuming there was some food distribution going on. My kiddo really enjoys the new Vox books. If they are not new they are certainly new to us. Vox books work like an audiobook and contain a little speaker on the book. Big hit in my household! Customer service was great. The person checking us out shared how to charge the books and appreciated my feedback on how much my child likes them. It might be the only public bathroom in the area. Big thank you for all the librarians and library team members that work to keep the doors open to the community! read more

Oakland Public Library - Cute seats for kiddos in the lobby - Libraries Near Me - Oakland, California

The employees show concern and assist those who need help in regards of a book or locating PIC.

"For the love of Knowledge ", the West Oakland library has been a neighborhood staple for all the local kids for decades. Located across the street from Defremery Park people forget that this library is still open and very active. Even I've overlooked this library numerous times forgetting how much of a staple element it is to my neighborhood and community. However, I still do come for necessary reasons such as voting. West Oakland library has been a place where you can vote or drop off vote ballots for a couple of years now. It is also great for bringing your kids to read and check out books in addition are computers. Printers are available 10 cents per page and reading areas to enjoy quiet time. It's a very nice and quiet library. I will visit more often and so should others. The bathrooms are always available and clean for visitors and the staff are always willing to help. There is plenty available parking on the street. read more

Oakland Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Oakland, California

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After being rebuffed by a useless librarian at Main, I found a very nice, smart librarian who helped me with finding books that exactly answered my information need. The library is quiet, and there is lots of parking. Amazingly, there is even someone who can be tapped for computer help! read more

The West Oakland Library is is a small branch yet has friendly staff. Some of the new books here were: The Subterraneans by Jack Kerouac The Sun It also Rises by Ernest Hemingway The Anointed Song Lyrics of Bob Dylan There was a book display of books by the Black Panthers that have roots in Oakland. There was several hip hop books including several about Tupac Shakur. They had the current & back issues of Slam Basketball magazine. They had a vegan slow cooker cookbook. The West Oakland Library is a short walk to the Mandela Food Cooperative & the West Oakland BART. read more

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Poor West Oakland Library. There wasn't even a hint of its existence on Yelp until now. It's a small branch, in an oh-so-70's-looking building, but it works. The librarians are extremely friendly and helpful. I usually end up ordering my book club books from another library for delivery here, because their selection is a bit small, but I've also landed on a couple of neat finds on their shelves. Another plus: walking by cute kids groups on the lawn of DeFramery Park. (Minus for the drug dealers holding a convention a block down the road). read more

The West Oakland Library is a nice and convenient place. I enjoy going there, and although it is on the smaller side, there is alot of reading material!. From books, DVDs, computer access and quality self help books. I enjoy picking out a good page turner, and if I ask one of the staff about a particular book , they will give a summary of it or ask another person working. If you want a book and can't locate it there, they will ordsr it for you from a different location, within a short time. The books are well maintained and the library itself is clean and has a warmth kind of feeling to it. I believe it's because of the people who work there. They are always kind and very helpful . read more

Clean restrooms, friendly staff, barely and riff-raff parading in as with other branches of the system (see my review for the Main Library). No bad things to say really here. I come here to zone out when I have free time in The East Bay in between errands. Kudos for free wi-fi as well. Note: If you are against being around children (sometimes they creep me out too, they're so tiny!) be wary, the school and recreation center near the library come over "storytime" on certain days. Check with the staff, as I think the dates fluctuate somewhat. Why not five stars? I wish their selection was a little more current and updated as with other branches in the system. read more

I am a lover of books and the West Oakland Library is the place to be. This library is clean, peaceful and the employees are personable. They offer a wide array of things from books to various types of media. Whenever I am looking for a certain DVD they are extremely helpful. If the DVD is not in stock at the West Oakland Library they would order it and I would receive it within at least seven (7) days. If you have school age children they have a bi-weekly children's reading program. I have seen busloads of children come and enjoy the festivities as one of the librarians read and get the children excited about words, images and books. If you like peace and quite don't come during that time because the children get really excited during this time. There are other libraries throughout Northern California to visit (with libraries being almost extinct it seems) but there are not a lot of them that are as personable as this one. Yes, its a smaller library but I have found that it is better and more personable. If you need that personal touch asked for Gaye or Darrell they both are extremely helpful. read more

Nice place.... I bring my girls here to get them out and enjoy some time out the house and they loves it! It's so much they can do from computer time to read books and plenty of toys for my two year old to stay occupied... the employees are very nice and sometimes when events are going on the give the kids lunch... I give this place 5 stars read more

This place is a old library but it breathes life and progression. Items are in place and plenty of books. This balance has l it's of cultural events post in their folyerit will keep up to date what is going on the the Bay. I gave it a low score because of Tue location and the homeless that was outside near the park. read more

Oakland Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Oakland, California

I see them installing new windows because some guys came by and broke them. West Oakland has a history of struggle, but I don't see why anybody would want to hurt the library. Those people are ignorant. The library helps my community get jobs and get out of poverty. This library is one of the greatest assets to West Oakland. read more

Bookmobile services operate 4 days weekly serving an average of 60 stops a month in Oakland, Emeryville and Piedmont. Stops include preschools, senior care facilities, drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, correctional facilities, and streets stops in areas that are remote from a public library. The 32- foot vehicle features a collection that includes books, magazines, DVDs, CDs, videos, PlayStation 2 games and books on tape/CDs. There are a limited number of materials available in Spanish, Chinese and other Asian languages. Anyone with an Oakland Public Library card can use the bookmobile which is easy to board and has a wheelchair lift. This is a wonderful service from Oakland Public Library. read more

This is a small branch library, but convenient 'cause I like to drive and there's plenty of street parking, unlike the Main branch were you have to pay for parking. I got my library card in record time. There was a large selection of African American reads here. The great thing is that you can place items on hold from any library and pick them up in the convenient location. Looking forward to going back! read more

The space is peaceful and positive, the staff is friendly and helpful. It's definitely a 5 star- deserving space, if you don't count the white woman who works there, who seems incapable of speaking at a level that is compatible with being in a library setting. The volume she communicates with is unnecessarily loud and is quite distracting. No one cares what the subject is regarding the phone call she in engaged with. No one cares about her personal life, or about any other conversation she engages in. But someone forgot to tell her that. All the rest of the staff speaks at appropriate volumes, even when she speaks loudly while standing next to them. Maybe they're trying to teach her by example. read more