This is a NICE library. They have free charging stations for your phone, which I benefited from when I arrived and noticed my phone was at 1% charge. The library has a special room within the library to research Petaluma history, complete with a few artifacts on display. I recommend this huge library! read more

Yes, the library has been completely renovated with more computers and workstations. They also have enclosed privacy glass rooms and private conference rooms. They also have 3D printing machine for students. read more

This library feels outdated and old. However, if you smile at the librarians they willingly will help you find the books you need help locating. read more

I have always thought well of our library staff!! I asked Cailin for help navigating the "Libby" feature the other day and she was patient, kind, informative and couldn't have been more helpful! THANK YOU CAILIN AND THE LIBRARY for hiring such wonderful staff for our library!!!!! read more

Best library in both Sonoma and Marin country that I've been to. Plenty of tables and computers to use also. Great spot read more

Petaluma Regional Library - Great library! Plenty of tables and space to work. - Libraries Near Me - Petaluma, California

I have been coming to this library since I was a little girl. This place brings back so many happy memories and a plethora of stories read. Although they have updated since I was a child they still have an amazing selection of books and their children's area has expanded. They have also expanded their audio books and computer areas too. Tuesday I was able to visit with my step kids and join the library in their program of reading to dogs. Both are great readers and listening to them read to the two adorable dogs that were there I could hear their fluency improve as they felt more confident in what they were reading to speaking. Even though I do not live in Petaluma any longer I will make the short drive if it helps them. The library itself is always clean, relatively quiet (a little noise encouraged in the children's area). read more

Petaluma Regional Library - One of two dogs that were available to read to. - Libraries Near Me - Petaluma, California

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Wonder and merriment await the persons who visit, PetAluma Library. It is easy to use in persona and online. They have a great collection of books old and new. Librarians are easily accessible and friendly. They share some of their favorite books each week on a shelf near the front desk. I love too, when you walk in and head straight, you will find a lot of the newest books both fiction and non fiction, they have on hand. As I mentioned, you can check books out in the comfort of your home. You can waitlist both books and digital books, too! If the book you want is Available, you can hold it too. I just learned, the libraries all have access to special free or discount tickets to many museums and other attractions in the Bay Area. I'll be taking advantage of this soon I believe, these tickets are only good for specific days. They have children's activities. And a great foreign languages too . They also, have a number of computers to help you look for things or, apply for jobs for example. The library is a treasure. I lived outside the US for a long while and this is something I actually missed. Enjoy read more

I've been visiting this library pretty frequently in the last year. Their selection isn't huge but you can find books from other library branches and they will ship them to this location which is what I've had to do many times. They usually come pretty fast. The look of the library is definitely in need of some updating as others have mentioned (i.e. the carpet is pretty run down). The service I've received at the front desk when checking out books is definitely not the friendliest. I've literally had people not even acknowledge me. You would think I wouldn't give it 4 stars but I have to say that taking my daughter to story time every Thursday has been a godsend. The woman that puts it on is so sweet, friendly, and great with kids. She is really awesome. Sometimes this story time gets very crowded but most of the time it's a nice size group. She encourages parents and kids to stay afterwards to play with toys or check out books. I've never had a bad experience at this story time. I will continue to go for as long as I can. read more

Thoughtful and welcoming environment. Very helpful and kind staff. Wonderful sense of community and Petaluma pride :)

A couple years ago, I might given this place a four, but there now as a student at UC Berkeley, with access to one of the best libraries in the world, I'm sad to say "I've experienced better" =( I grew up going to this library, checking out books here, using the internet here, signing up for the summer reading program, being a volunteer here, using the computers here, doing homework here, and its always nostalgic when I come here. Definitely brings back memories. I wish the place was more modern looking though and the technology was more up to date. I really love the staff here. They've all been around for as long as I can remember and they're all very personal and helpful when you need assistance with anything. There are better libraries out there, but in Petaluma, this is about as good as it gets sadly. read more

Petaluma Regional Library - Libraries Near Me - Petaluma, California

This is a great library. It's definitely on the older side but you can see that it's been used by the community. Like a grandparent it wears its wrinkles with pride and it's always happy to see you. I take my two young children there once a week if not more and every time the staff is always friendly and helpful. Programming here is amazing. I have only had the chance to go to the children's programs so far but there are several Adult Programs I want to go to and hope to do so soon. I hope you all go and check it out and please realize that the age and wear of the building is badges of honor. read more

My mother was a librarian so I was a latch-key library kid. I went to the library every day, spending several hours waiting for her shift to end. In the process, I became a voracious reader. Since I grew up in Berkeley, the libraries there have a pretty high standard, maybe because of the university (which has it's own library--my mother also worked there). So now that I am in my seventies, I realize I've become something of a library snob. I live in Petaluma now and. the first thing I did when I moved here was to check out the library in town. I was really pleasantly surprised. The inventory is decent and the staff is accommodating. I can get almost any book I want by putting a hold on it, if I'm willing to wait a few days. They have the usual periodicals, newspapers, magazines, etc. and the computers are easy to use, although I needed help in the beginning. They have most of the recent novels as well as works of non-fiction in English and what appears to be a decent inventory of books in Spanish. I visit this library at least twice a week now, usually leaving with at least a couple of books. Nice job, Petaluma! read more

Aesthetically speaking, this library has great potential (I love the beautiful wood) but it's in desperate need of new carpet. I'm pretty sure this carpet was installed over 40 years ago. It makes me concerned as to how dirty it is. read more

Petaluma Regional Library - The time for new carpet or flooring is past due. - Libraries Near Me - Petaluma, California

I bring my boyfriends daughter here every Tuesday we pick out books for her bedtimes for the week and every Tuesday volunteers bring their dogs for little kids to read to. Now she's so excite to tell stories out of books to our dogs. I'm really glad they do that read more

Petaluma Regional Library - Libraries Near Me - Petaluma, California

I love that I can select a book online and if they don't have it they'll call me when it's in from another library. What I don't enjoy about this library is how dark and small it is. Also I don't find the staff very friendly. Is it really that hard to give a smile? read more

With the passage of Measure Y, two and a half years ago, the Petaluma Library, along with the entire Sonoma County Library, is fulfilling its promise of delivering excellent library service to the people of Petaluma. An excellent collection, amazing and relevant programming for all ages, and a dedicated staff combine to make for an excellent library experience. I'm upgrading my rating to five stars. read more

I love the local library in every respect except one: it needs to be on an inter-library service like LINK+ so that I don't need an SF Library card just to find esoteric or old books at other libraries across the state. this is really surprising as an absence, because most of the library's I know have this service and I hope that they add it soon so that I can add another star to my review. read more

Nice, modern, comfy, clean, quiet little library. Only knock against it is small size and thus "meh" book selection. Don't miss the little Friends Of The Library book sale just inside the door, though. $1 all paperbacks and $2 all hardcovers, with a surprisingly big selection for such a little place. You can grab some unreal deals here. read more

There are two problems with this library. 1. It's in the wrong place. Situated between the west side and the east side it serves nobody in particular. The site of the library should housing or shopping/stores or perhaps a police station. It is not suitable as a location for a library. The west side needs its own library desperately. In fact it's supposed to. The original Carnegie library on the west side of town would be well suited as a modern library. It size is perfect and the layout is good. The east side is big enough now that it needs its own branch library. 2. The layout is poor and the selections are limited. Kids book section is fine. Young adult selection is ok. The DVD section was recently obliterated, which makes little sense... seeing as how the DVD/Bluray industry is growing again, even in the age of online media. The library needs to focus on what people want. Much of the donations to the bookstore that end up in the booksale could go to into circulation... at least for a year or two to determine popularity. Seems a waste. Indeed, the book sales are a better place to seek selection than the library itself! Given the historical nature of the area, California history (both old+new books) should be kept available. More book types should be highlighted so that people will check them out. I hope this library gets the message before it is permanently "shelved." It's a great place for homeless folks to get warm of course and the kids+ya sections are pretty decent. Internet is also decent. Bathrooms need desperate, desperate help tho'. read more

Most of the staff is friendly and helpful. They have great activities for kids such as reading to a dog, the summer reading challenge, and special events such as a painting class with families. One thing that was a little disappointing was just how crowded some of their summer special events can get. The wildlife show we attempted to attend was full probably beyond capacity. We stayed for about ten minutes before giving up because the kids couldn't see and we couldn't understand what he was saying even with a microphone. I know the painting class we signed up for required reservations. Maybe something similar could be utilized for the larger presentations as well, if for no other reason than to ensure the fire code is being followed. read more

I love my local library! It isn't as up to date or architecturally marvelous as some of the others I have been to, but it's mine. Comfy, quiet, and nice staff. Plus lots of programs and activities. read more

I would say that they have awful service. The people never smile and if you call they are so quick to get off the phones and have hung up on me multiple times. I just wanted to know if the systems were back up so I could drive back over and get a book and they hang up before I'm even done asking them. I would much rather drive farther away and waste money on gas to deal with nicer people that actually have it in them to smile or at least be genuine. read more

5 stars to the children's section and the lovely ladies running it. Kind, polite and kid loving! My kids have a BLAST at this library.. Relaxing atmosphere with very nice people. Thank you read more