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    San Rafael Public Library

    3.9 (28 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Closed for renovation as of Feb. 19, 2025

    Came to study pet yelp stating the public library was open. Came to find a sign stating closed during renovation.

    The Stacks

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    Photo of Denise C.
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    1 year ago

    Peace progress positive ..agenda is the library ..I didn't invent it ...I didn't build it myself..read

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    2 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    6 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

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    5 years ago

    A lifelong resident of San Rafael, the library has always been a part of my life. I wish it was open on Sunday afternoons.

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    17 years ago

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    15 years ago

    DVD's are now free! Well, not all of them. Just the documentaries, instructional ones such as education, languages, yoga, etc.

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    14 years ago

    Business owner information

    Photo of San Rafael L.

    San Rafael L.

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    5 years ago

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    7 years ago

    Love their memory lab...used it to scan docs to purge. It does require you to reserve a space. Miriam was very helpful and friendly.

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    10 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    17 years ago

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    12 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    14 years ago

    too many dvd theves likely the riff raff tweakers who hang out here, otherwise very helpful employees and good wifi

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    Review Highlights - San Rafael Public Library

    I like the fact that the San Rafael Library is right next to city hall.

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    Corte Madera Library

    Corte Madera Library

    4.0
    (26 reviews)
    3.6 mi

    I mainly pick up books that I have placed on hold, so I forget how much space there is inside…read more There is a community room with plenty of seating to study, a teen area, free events, guest speakers, computers & printers, and helpful staff to answer questions. I will definitely consider spending time there the next time I feel stir crazy working on a project at home.

    Corte Madera Library is the perfect escape to allow for productive work…read more The Corte Madera Library is one of the smaller libraries in the Marin area. However, it has a quaint charm that really draws me back. Although a bit of a drive from where I live, I like to on occasion drop by the Corte Madera Library especially when I have a meeting free day at work. It is somewhat hidden covered with plenty of greenery in the surrounding area. I appreciate that there are plenty of spacious work spaces that not only allows for natural light, but also an excuse to stare outside. No need to worry about outlets because there are plenty of those too. For those who need a computer, there are stations available. In need of a caffeine boost, there is a Peet's conveniently located across the street! Or if you are more of a Starbucks or Philz Coffee person, those are just a few blocks away. If you are interested in checking out books, DVDs, or CDs, they do have a decent selection but a little limited because of its smaller size. However, if you are willing to wait, the librarians can help get books from another branch delivered if avaialble. Another downside with the smaller size is the smaller parking lot, but there is definitely ways to find a reasonable parking spot walking distance from the library. Overall, Corte Madera Library is a great place to get work done especially if you are in the Corte Madera area.

    Photos
    Adult section
    Adult section
    Outdoor seating to read
    Outdoor seating to read
    Corte Madera Library

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    South Novato Library

    South Novato Library

    4.6
    (11 reviews)
    5.7 mi

    a special place to visit. Children love to come here, as do seniors who have loved libraries…read moreforever. The staff are welcoming, eager to help. This is what a library is meant to be!

    This place is so amazing, I almost want to keep it a secret. But libraries are one of our most…read moreimportant institutions, so it wouldn't be right not to shout out about the South Novato Library from the rooftops. The book space itself is just average for Marin (I miss my fancy big public libraries in small town Connecticut!), but there is something really special here: The Shop. The Shop is an all-ages Maker Space with almost everything you can imagine to create: a row of sewing machines, knitting and crocheting materials, paint supplies, all sorts of arts and crafts materials, and a full wood shop! I have a sewing machine, but can't work it and hate sewing. It's much easier for me to bring any kind of mending project (I irrationally volunteered to mend some classroom chairs) to the Shop on a Wednesday or Saturday, when a sewing librarian is there. My younger daughter has loved experimenting with sewing here. And my older daughter loves tinkering with the glue gun, foam, fabric, and other supplies. Kids 8 and over can actually stay at the shop during open hours without parental supervision. When we have gone, I've always seen industrious, creative, responsible kids and pre-teens there hard at work. What a great space for young people who often don't have a set place in public spaces, where most events/ places are focused on adults or toddlers/ preschoolers.

    Photos
    Register to vote at the local library
    Register to vote at the local library
    One interior shot of the new library
    One interior shot of the new library
    New library in Marin

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    New library in Marin
    Belvedere Tiburon Library

    Belvedere Tiburon Library

    4.1
    (26 reviews)
    7.8 mi

    Public libraries should be open to all, and today we learned this is not the case at this library…read more My daughter and her nanny turned up to the 10:30 am storytime this morning. It's listed as 0-18 months so my daughter is too old but there are limited places to go in Marin on a rainy day. There were a bunch of other kids 2-3 years old and mine was singled out (she's tall, so she looks older than she is) and asked to leave. The only kid. She was so upset that she peed in her pants. After calling the library to ask for some clarification, I was met with vitriol from the Children's librarian. Instead she expressed outrage that I would try to bring my daughter who is over the age limit, accused me of taking away from the experience of the younger kids, and then hung up on me. I am beyond upset for my child and the state of this library.

    The town of Tiburon has a library, the Belvedere Tiburon Library. It is a state of the art…read morefacility. You may be wondering why a non Tiburian like myself is writing a review. Well I happen to be in town walking part of the Old Rail Trail. The trail passes along the library and is a perfect place for a restroom break. The building was dedicated in 1997 from Fred Zelinsky family's donated land. Mr. Zelinsky was a local real estate developer. The library sits on the site of the 1890s landfills for the rail yards. Keeping with the theme of Tiburon's railyard history, the architecture of the building is reminiscent of the 19th century rail yard and building with its high pitched ceiling and beautiful wood beams and rafters. The back windows has views of the marsh and hills of St Hilary's. Besides the typical full compliments of a community library, they also have a bookstore, collaborative work space for learning workshops called the MakersSpace, and an art gallery. The library is small but mighty. The bookstore sells previously owned and retired library books. Staff was pleasant and welcoming. Makers space is a collaborative work area that serves as a space to conduct learning and design workshops in state of art AV equipped rooms. The lobby and hallway areas are used to display art by local artists. In front of the library are outdoor tables. I sat out there eating my sandwich I bought from the grocery store a block away. In the back of the library is Zelinsky Park that is alongside the marsh and Old Rail Trail.

    Photos
    Library bookstore
    Library bookstore
    Front of the library
    Front of the library
    Fireplace Room

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    Fireplace Room

    San Rafael Public Library - libraries - Updated June 2026

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