Cute little library and friendly staff. But they are definitely in need of a new location, seems like they have been there forever. They're raising funds for a new library and I hope that can happen soon! read more

Santee Branch, San Diego County Library - The Friends bookstore will be participating in the first annual Library Friends of San Diego book crawl from February 14-21, 2026! - Libraries Near Me - Santee, California

For many years, I voted at the Santee branch of the San Diego County Library. The ladies there were knowledgeable and helpful, and I always enjoyed the childhood memories that the smell of the library brought back for me. But shame on me: in recent years, I've contributed to the slow unraveling of American society by shunning the small but community-centric offerings of the local public library. I want to blame TV and the internet, Amazon and TikTok, but that's a childish dodge, obvious and irresponsible, like blaming the rain for ruining my car's interior, instead of myself, for not putting up my windows. Libraries are - have always been - more than simple book repositories. They're classrooms; study halls; venues for public meetings; and "third places", where people can relax and interact with folks other than those they know from home and at work. Like many Americans, I've found technologies and places to stand in for the library. Much of the research and reading I do, I do online; and when I want the bustle of strangers, I sit in coffee shops. [half-hour long pause] I was going to add something here about the charming old-fashioned American tradition of submitting ballots at a library or other public venue, and I was going to ruefully assert that COVID-19 is to blame for my having stopped doing so. But COVID-19 isn't the threat it used to be, and the ugly truth is that I'm afraid to go into crowds of gun-totin', antisocial, right-wing extremist MAGA nutjobs whose attention is focused on politics, and who would rather see their fellow citizens shot dead than to see their candidates lose fair elections. I miss the library, but I'm not willing to die for it. read more

Why nobody cares about public libraries anymore. The hours are a joke. I got here at 7 am and it was locked. California unfortunately does not invest in public libraries anymore. read more

Santee Branch, San Diego County Library - Libraries Near Me - Santee, California

We dropped off our ballots at the Santee Library. Quick and easy, plenty of staff on hand. Parking in this shared lot is always terrible. It was especially terrible on voting day. The spaces are small and the aisles are narrow and there are a lot of business sharing them. The sheriffs often stage speed traps in the parking lot looking for speeders and and red light runners on Carlton Hills Blvd. The speed limit is 35, red means stop. Be careful out there. That is all. read more

We enjoy coming to this library every weekend. They have open play times Saturday mornings that are fantastic for my kids and gets them excited about coming in and picking out new books. They also have a 3D printer that you can choose from thousands of builds as well. Very clean, very polite staff. Thank you read more

Pros: * Very helpful staff * Great book selection * Easy to use catalog * Easy checkout Cons: N/A Extra: * They have drop off bins outside which makes dropping off anytime easy read more

I came here with my little dudes one time, and I can confirm it will be the only time haha The library is in a busy plaza with a bunch of shops. There is parking but in my experience, it is rarely enough parking, especially in the evening when the karate place has more classes. I can generally find a spot but there are times when I have to circle a bit. We come to the cupcake shop that is in this plaza all the time so I had an afternoon that I figured I would take the kids to the library here and then get cupcakes. We went into the library and I was surprised by just how small it is. It is basically one big room split in 2 sides, 1 for kids and 1 for adults. We went to the left which is the kid's area. It is pretty open and has some comfy seating. The bad thing about the openness of the area is that it is less books for the kids otherwise, it is great to have some places to hang with them. The board book area was very small, but I was able to get some good books for my dudes. Unfortunately, there really isn't anything for the kids to do at the library and we always can find an activity at the others. There is a half magnet wall with the alphabet, but my kids wrecked it and weren't able to engage enough to keep them there. They wound up going into a side room and trying to play with the white board to color there. Another bad thing is that since it was so open and small my guys were disruptive to others. I recognized that and I knew this was not a good library fit for us and I tried to get us out of there ASAP. I popped them back in the wagon and went to go check out the books we picked. The check out was not smooth because I didn't realize I was going to have to put my pin in and scanning my card wasn't enough. The library changed it so your pin is the last 5 of your number, not something you set up. I recently changed my phone number and in a moment of stress of trying to get out and having crazy kids I couldn't remember the last 5 of my number so I had to bring it up in my phone. During that time 1 kid escaped the wagon and tried to run one way to go out the propped opened door to go get cupcakes and the other ran the other way to go destroy the alphabet magnets. I was able to get one in the wagon and buckled and grabbed the other but did not clean up the magnets to get out. I cannot thank the young woman who helped me enough. She finished checking out my books and kept one kid in the wagon while I got the other and then cleaned up the magnets for us. We were in the library maybe 10 minutes. It felt like 10 days. I won't go back with my kids haha but, if you have calm kids this can work for you. Can also work for you if it is just yourself but it may not have a huge variety but if you love reading you can always find something. Not a bad library, just not a good fit for my dudes. read more

No longer take my kids to checkout books. They constantly have adult sexual novels on display with some of the covers being too much for young eyes. I would flip them over sometimes to ovoid questions from my young kids, but that only made it worse when I think in spite the employees put up worse and more up on display. read more

The people who work there are SO helpful and accommodating! Even the security guard is cheerful. I like the fact that if they don't have a particular book they'll order it outside the system. I don't think I've ever been disappointed - you can even put your name on a list of books they don't even have yet and they'll notify you when it comes in. I'll be sorry when the new library comes to Santee if it doesn't have the same hometown feel as this one does... read more

All staff are great! Friendly and helpful. Especially with Special needs and children!

Love this library! It is always clean inviting. My son and I go here for some one on one time. We enjoy reading books and spending time with each other. When I bring my littlest so. He enjoys it too. There are a few baby learning toys. There also is a wall where you can use magnetic letters. There are computers to use free WiFi! They have a calendar of events for all ages. We have joined many of the toddler events. The only gripe I have is that the parking lot can get a little jammed at this location. There are some good small businesses in this shopping center, so I hope they continue to be busy. read more

This is our favorite library! The staff is wonderful, and they really focus on the community. My child is dyslexic, and hated trying to read; after years of teachers trying to help spur her interest in reading, when she was in 4th grade, the children's librarian at the Santee branch suggested a graphic novel that hooked her. Suddenly she was reading graphic novels all the time, asking for them as gifts, and her reading level finally started to gain some ground! Now at 14, she loves to read, and it's all thanks to a staff member from the Santee library! Thanks Danielle!!! read more

Since we moved to Santee this is one of my family's favorites libraries, you can find so many good books that other libraries don't have, for example I was looking for this book ---Educated by Tara Westover---for my grandma's book club and in San Carlos library they told me it was like 500 people in line before me so that it was no point in putting the book on hold, so today I came to Santee library right away they ordered the book for me .... I will update you guys in how much time they will have the book available for me to pick up. Hey I forgot to mention they have a huge variety of movies, perfect for all ages. read more

The head librarian was so condescending to my wife when my wife asked to receive a library card. The librarian was very short and inhospitable. So we decided to go to the new library in Lakeside. So dissatisfied with that place. I pray one day soon she has a "Scrooge" experience one day and learns to treat ALL with respect and maybe even love. read more

Great Branch. They sure know how to make people feel welcome under this circumstances. Great Customer Service and really clean.

This place is so hidden because they don't even trim the trees and vines growing over the sign. I literally drive around 4 times looking for it. Walking in, it was automatically loud... Louder than outside. People were talking in their normal voices, not even being considerate of those studying. Kids are running around screaming from the top of their lungs. If parents can't teach their children to be quiet and respectful in a library then don't bring them into a place meant to be quiet. Or just don't have any. The Internet here is so slow that I'm studying off of my phone... How ridiculous does that sound? I would never ever suggest anyone to come here and study. read more

I like this library & have known of this library growing up as a young child. I used to go here for school field trips and encouraged from my elementary school in Santee to go there if I ever wanted to read or check out books. I do remember the library being a place that was very quiet to study, work, read, and have fun! They have had story time since I was young. Some days growing up I was one of the kids listening to the staff read the stories out loud. That's some of what made the library so special to me. The staff has always been helpful and sweet as well! They are trying to create an atmosphere for young children to have fun & learn about the library and reading books. Which I think is awesome! The first time I had came into the Santee library in a couple of years, I do agree it was a bit noisy than I would of preferred, especially when trying to go to a quiet place to study and write. There's not too many "quiet" places to go anymore, and the library has always been one I could always count on. You can't always count on this library to always be quiet, but it's not just serving the teens and adult. It's serving our babies & children to enjoy reading as well. The city of Santee has always tried to serve our FAMILIES. I do agree children do need to be taught that the library is a place of using your inside voice and being quiet to read & study, but if they have an hour to have fun, wiggle, and hear books read to them, let them enjoy it and come back another time. Also the staff will give you times that it's much quieter in the library, which I asked recently that way I could concentrate in writing & studying. Come during those bigger periods of studying & QUIET time. read more

I come here almost every Monday and Friday for baby storytime. Both women that run storytime are awesome and my daughter LOVES it! My only issue with this library are the super sketchy people that are always out front, but what are ya gonna do? read more

I spend various hours every week working on my laptop in several of the libraries in both the county and the city of San Diego. This is by far the noisiest, and the worst offenders typically seem to be the librarians themselves! If this weren't usually the most convenient location for me, I'd definitely avoid coming here completely. If you need quiet, go to the El Cajon branch! read more

Extremely loud & staff is also involved with the high volume conversations with other patrons. Two stars because of the friendliness of the young lady that greeted me (as Im just a visitor). Should you need an extremely quite place to do a college exam, I suggest going else where. This is not the place. read more

Always love coming here with the kids and the summer reading programs!

This is more of a community center than a library. If you are looking for a quiet place to read/study/work/etc. - this is NOT the place. There is a children's story time (Don't get me wrong, it's great they host a place for kids/parents) however, the singing and activities can be heard throughout the entire library. I went to the Kaffee Meister coffeehouse a few doors down for a few hours and decided to come back and give it another try later in the day.... once school lets out - the place is even LOUDER with kids roaring around. Glad that families and children feel they can use this library - don't get me wrong at all - better to have kids at the library than somewhere else after school - HOWEVER, there is no enforcement of "quiet" hours or anything of the like ... Do NOT come here if you are trying to focus. You'd be better off at a loud coffee house. read more

It's small, and not fancy at all, but they are good at finding you the book you want, even if it means requesting it from another library.

Great little library. Centrally located. Polite staff. I've seen their kid sessions and think it is so adorable! I have fun just watching them! read more

Love the Santee library! They went above and beyond for our daycare. We were on a field trip to The Cupcake Store, who shut us out, and the ladies at the library invited the kids over. They read them stories, sang songs with them, and danced. They threw this together at the last second for us and totally saved the day! They also gave each kid a coupon for the little used bookstore a couple shops down for a free children's book. The kids had a great time! We're going back next week! read more

Visited this branch of the library this weekend. Kelly was amazingly helpful!!! I agree with some of the comment's, this is not the typical quiet library, but from a kids perspective, I imagine this library would be one of the friendliest. I saw teenagers and young kids everywhere, lounging and reading. While we were there, a classical music review type class was going on. If I needed to study in quiet, this would not be for me, but if I wanted to encourage my girl to fall in love with reading, then I'm perfectly happy to bring her here. It's very kid friendly! read more

+1 They had air conditioning. -1 Everyone was talking! You don't talk in a library. You just don't. I don't care if your on fire and need someone to put you out. You whisper. -1 People were there just playing on their cell phones and not reading books. Go use a cafe. -1 This is the saddest building a library could be housed in. It is like they took an old Goodwill and threw some books in it. read more

I don't get all the bad reviews. I come here every Monday for baby story time and also my five year old needs to check out books for the week. The baby story time is wonderful the lady who puts it on is a gem . My five year old loves to use the computer and look for books. she also likes to be part of baby story time even though she not a baby .We come every monday and stay for an hour and we are very pleased. I read review about it being in a weired location and the building being out dated but please get over it or donate money to the city of Santee for a better library. read more

Thank you Santee Library for helping out My Place Just For Kids Daycare. They were on a field trip to the Cupcake Store and as they walked up the person inside locked the door in their face with no explanation why, and you took them in. You guys are the best.!!!!! read more

Took sign language at this library loved the class and all the children. They always had a large crowd, we met up with tons of friends at this location and always had fun.!! read more

The library is located inside a shopping mall so it is hard to find. It is also rather old and the building could be in better shape.

The staff work hard to provide many fun programs for both adults and children. The space is clean and well kept. For the limited funding, the librarian, Ms. Penny Taylor does a wonderful job in allocation resource to best serve the public. read more

We go to toddler "Wiggle and Giggle" story time on Fridays at noon. Wiggle is key. The lady who leads it is fantastic with crazy toddlers and is unflappable! My daughter loves the songs, and that she gets a maraca to play with, a scarf and her own copy of the book we are reading. She usually gives all these things away to other kids and parents, but she's having fun so who cares. She especially loves the parachute! This library is steps above our old branch. read more

I've been coming to this library for a few years now. Always great service and a friendly staff!

Just moved to the area and this place is great. They make checking out and returning easy. The inside is very nice and quiet as well.

Have gone a few times now. Danielle is beautiful! Wow! She's amazing and very involved in every aspect of the library. She is definitely the heart of the library. She is VERY patient with the 10-15 Teens that hang out there daily. They are the reason I didn't give this library 5 stars. Brought my My 10 year old and those teens ruined our experience. We walked in and within seconds, we were hearing the. 'F' word left and right from them. I don't think the library should be dead silent, but that's unacceptable. I know those kids have nowhere to go.....but their behavior is unacceptable to me. A library is not the place for them.....they ruin everyone else's experience. I'm sure Danielle did not sign up for babysitting a bunch of very disrespectful teenagers. My hope is that those teens either get an attitude adjustment or they are denied access because of their behavior so everyone else can feel comfortable bringing their young children there. There's no reason anyone, especially Danielle, should take this form of abuse from these teens. There are a couple of kids specifically, which I will not name, although I heard their names said over and over and over while I was there to stop it, or to be quiet, or to listen, or to not say that, or to not do that, or to not touch that....it was exhausting to hear. I can't imagine how mentally exhausting it is for Danielle to do that on a daily basis. read more