In Simi Valley yesterday to babysit our infant grandson. My wife needed to stop by the library first to renew her card from this city. She has them throughout California. This was my first time here. Beautiful building with a fresh look of newness. A good sized space after stepping inside, but seemingly in need of more volumes. As my wife made her way to the service desk, I began scanning the various shelves. I'll usually randomly browse through various non-fiction aisles until I find my favored sections. And as my wife found me, with her arms already loaded down with numerous children's storybooks, we made our way back to the checkout counter. Then exiting with me now carrying half of those books. We'll be helping with our grandson's early learning right away. Reading to them should begin even while they're still in the womb. read more

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My go to place for a good book! One of the best things about this library is the customer service! The reference desk staff is so friendly and helpful! They will help you get the book of your dreams or introduce you to new books! They will also help you sort out the online library system which offers great tools for ordering books at this library or other libraries! Plus you can download books! There are plenty of places to sit at the library or you check out a book to sit outside in the nearby park or on a bench! At this library you will also find a bookstore! There are amazing deals to be had at this library! Some really great books that are brand new or slightly used can be purchased for under two dollars! And they sell dvds, magazines and more! What a collection! And as for parking, plenty of spaces! Some grab a book and enjoy a good read! read more

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It was the first time that I was there. The gentleman on the assistance desk help me out to look for the book I was interested to read. He was very helpful and very friendly. Another young lady help me out to sign up for a library card. Customer service is really good. I need to mention that library is clean and well maintained. read more

This is a great library overall. They have plenty of space to sit and to study. The staff is really helpful. I had issues with the WiFi twice and the guy that is usually at information was super cool and helped me out. The issue is the WiFi doesn't work well in this library if you bring your own computer. It kept dropping out or just not connecting at all. I almost lost the paper i was writing. They don't have the best selection of books, but they are able to have ones from other libraries brought over and pretty quickly too. I also like the selection of dvds and blue rays. I just wish the WiFi was consistent, but I'll be back nonetheless. read more

My wife and I drove here today. I met three staff members. Really nice people!!! They were just awesome. What a rad group of people. Thank you for all you do. We appreciate you. read more

This Library needs a redo. All in all it's okay. But the carpet is old, and stained.

Overall not very pleased. Way too often the computers aren't working. When they do work, the login process is cumbersome. Inadequate policing of the computers with several regulars displaying rude behavior on a constant basis. Staff are pleasant but not able to do anything to improve the computer access read more

Katie??? What a absolute sweetheart you are!!! Thank you today for all of your great help today!!!! How gracious and caring you are!

Nice and clean huge library next to City Hall and senior center. All in one stop, I guess. I was in a room inside the library, so I don't know much about other part of the library. It was Saturday morning not so much crowded yet. About the wifi and computer I didn't tried. I don't trust public wifi anyway. read more

This was a great experience. My hotspot wasn't working and the internet was down so I came to the local library. First time here and Ms. Nancy took very good care of me. She was hands on, informative and very helpful. So many options whether in person or online and talk about social distancing, there were only a handful of people here in their own remote corners. read more

We visited this library for the first time early December 2021. We were in line at the customer service window for a library card and after about 3 mins, we were offered help at the information desk to avoid any delays. The Director woman was very helpful and shared information that we did not know to ask about. We needed help finding a book for my son's English class. She walked us to the area where we could find the book of our choice and offered to assist if we needed any further assistance. We sat there for about an hour reading and doing homework. I must admit it was a little noisy for a bit there, but it was a visitor with no consideration, not the staff. We checked out a couple books and were on our way. I had a good experience. Parking is ample and lit up. read more

My kids and I frequent this library every week (sometimes more) and we love the atmosphere and staff. Everyone is always helpful and kind! Great community library read more

This library is a total joke! My dog chewed the corner off a 12 year old paperback. I was willing to pay something but was made to pay the full price of $6.99 and a $10 replacement charge. If a book is 12 years old, they should prorate it. The damaged book had no missing pages or words at all. Avoid this dump and go to Thousand Oaks Library which is a thousand times better! read more

I am an avid reader and until last year, I spent a fortune on Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble and Borders Books. Then, I found the library. Now I'm enjoying my tax dollars at work! I originally checked out books on tape because I was commuting 3 hours a day. When I luckily got a shorter commute (down to less than 1 hour a day now), I started checking out books. They always seem to have lots of variety available and even have some new release books that are rentable for $1 a week. There is a bookstore inside where you can purchase pre-read books too. They also have computers available, a large community meeting room, large children's book section and lots of places to sit and read. They are always doing something there, such as a recent reading course where children learned to read by practicing reading to dogs. This is a great public resource that's clean, fun and convenient. Anyone who loves a good read should check it out. read more

"Meh, I've experienced better" is how Yelp describes the gist of a 2-star review, and that is how I'd describe this library. Unimpressive. You park outside and you think it's going to be huge and have everything, but noooope. I looked in their search catalog for Jane Eyre, one of the most popular, classic English-language novels, and they didn't have it. But I was told oh it's ok, you can order it. Why wouldn't they have that book? So strange. Then I decided to look for some good French books, and I don't know why I thought they might have those, because the selection was abysmal. Not my favorite library. I realize they're operating with limited funds, but the library looks very outdated and the lighting is terrible, too. I'll be skipping this library and going to Calabasas, instead. read more

I haven't been to this library in years and finally made a visit to study. I was a bit hesitant about coming here after reading all of the negative reviews, but I think people are just being too critical of the place. Sure, it's a lot smaller with a more limited selection of books. The waiting lists are quite long for some books, but it's only for the more popular, newer books. The staff is very friendly and helpful. I went to the Information Desk only to ask the worker to help find some books, but she was also very helpful with recommending me good books as well. The library is very clean and quiet, and that's really what I want most in a library. It's a perfect place to study, especially because it doesn't seem like a lot of people visit it during the day. I didn't have a problem with the Wifi, either. I thought it was a good speed for surfing the web. read more

I have only come once so I don't know all the secrets yet. However, the one time I did come was to get my brand spankin' new library card - along with just about everyone in town. Turns out they are going through a re-grand opening of sorts and switching over to a new system which requires everyone to get a new card. I was completely shocked that the Library employees (are they still called librarians nowadays?) were all SUPER friendly and helpful in spite of having to deal with Disneylandesque lines. Sadly, I have only dealt with grumps in the Los Angeles library system. This review may be a little premature since I haven't been able to peruse the goods. but based on how amazed I was by the workers I can't imagine anything but great things. read more

If you intend to use this library as a place for studying, DON'T!!! The internet is super duper slow even in weekdays when there are not many people around. I do not know what happen to the server but I cannot even log in to my school website when I can log in any where else. Not a lot plug in accessible. You have to sit around the corner if you want to bring your own laptop. Employers know nothing about technology. You have to save yourself!!! Starbucks is much much much beter !!!!! read more

This library is oddly constructed. For whatever reason, the noise from the main lobby carries throughout the library, which can be more than a bit distracting for quiet study and reading purposes. It's a decent enough library (wi-fi internet is available for library card holders -- but it's on the sloooow side); has a homey-feel to it, but I prefer the quieter, slightly more modern feel of the Thousand Oaks Library. read more

Grew up going to this library about once a week and even then, recognized that it was not a great library -- small, a design that did not age well, always loud kids (and always at least one crying, it seems) -- but I think it's definitely on the up and up now that it's out of the county system. Its an okay place to work, especially if you don't need silence. Can't say a lot about the book selection, though again, I think it's improved since I was a more regular patron. I can sometimes find what I'm after and the people who work there are usually helpful. The ~hidden gem~ though, is truly the Friends bookstore. Seriously, where else are you going to get classics for under $1??? Wish I had gotten the novels I needed for college classes (and possibly the occasional textbook) here. I noticed they're getting smart and pricing new, harder to find books at more reasonable prices now (I think I saw Mindy Kaling's first book for $6) but this is still my go-to place if I'm after anything ~of literary merit~ (you know, the Dickens books with 3857982357 editions type of thing) or if I'm in the mood to stock up on beach reads (e.g. Jodi Picoult, John Grisham, YA books.) Yes, you may have to interact with a chatty retiree when making your purchase, but they're all friendly, in my experiences. read more

I'm shocked at how loud the library is. The employees are loud. It seems that a lot of the people that come could be doing their business at a table at Starbucks, especially since they insist on having full out conversations. It's definitely not a place to study with shoddy WiFi and people who don't respect that it's supposed to be a quiet place. read more

I wouldn't call this a library, might as well go to Starbucks to study it's so loud and obnoxious mainly coming from the workers and not to mention how bad the Internet is there. read more

The Simi Valley library is a great library to go to for getting help from efficient, helpful, and kind librarians. They are always attentive. The library is also quiet for studying. I sincerely recommend this library. It won't disappoint. read more

Not a great library for studying quietly. Patrons are often loud with library staff unwilling to intervene. The wifi is shoddy and seems to completely shut down at times, going from okay connection to being unable to load anything at all. Shouldn't a public library in a large city like Simi be able to have decent wifi service, especially in this day and age? I have to drive out of town just to find a quiet space with wifi that works. I'm not sure I'll be coming here anymore, which is a shame because it's so close to me. read more

I also feel the love for this library. I wish people could sit in their patio garden though, it always looks super cozy. Be that as it may, it's still a relaxing place to hang out, check out the books or dvds, use the computers (if you are too cheap to own a printer, like me), use the wireless internet, and buy inexpensive used books from the friend's of the library, etc. A nice alternative to the consumer economy, but try not to rack up those late fees too much (even though the library could always use the funds). read more

It's not the biggest library but still very cozy and convenient. Great place to catch up on some work and research. It's clean and the staff is friendly. Lots of tables and outlets. My only complaint would be that super slow Internet. read more

Nice facility for a town the size of Simi Valley. Very easy and quick to get a library card. Computers work well. Employees were friendly. read more

Okay so this definitely isn't the prettiest library I've seen, but it does its job. It is really gray and the chairs are uncomfortable BUT the wifi is really fast. They have computers or you could easily connect on your laptop. What I did like is that they have a rose garden in the back, that also has really fast wifi. They have a few tables and benches outside, so it was nice to study outside for a change. Parking is always available. Is this my favorite library? Probably not. But it serves its purpose and isn't freezing cold like the Coffee Bean down the street. I will be back, but mostly because there is a pretty low availability of other options in area. read more

After almost a year of the library changing I believe that its changing for the better... its growing on me tho I've had problems with holds and other libraries trying to push me over Simi's had my back so yup this is an update review :) read more

Such a bummer that no one is quite in here. Trying to study is hard here. Hope someone will see this and start doing something about the noise. Otherwise lovely library. read more

This review is for the library as a place to study. I haven't used this place to check out books or anything like that, so please keep that in mind as you look at my rating. I'm new to Simi Valley and was looking for a good place to study. This place is not it. The study room is a random assortment of various desks and chairs seemingly collected from donations or yard sales. There's little order, and it's not comfortable. However, there are plenty of plugs. The atmosphere is no good for me. While it's a quiet environment and the hours are good, everything's old. It's not comfortable. read more

I actually am very pleased with the upgrades done on this library. I used to come to check out the occasional book and now it's been a couple of hours and I'm still here. It seems like they have now offered a faster internet connection and plug accessible desk. Staff seems friendly and knowledgeable. Getting a library card was fast and easy and while I was here they even had local high school student give a wonderful concert outside. Wonderful. read more

Very disappointed in the Simi Valley Library... I asked for help in the section labeled "information" by the teen section. The customer service does not want to help you. Very disappointing and very poor customer service. read more

Simi Valley City Library (since it left the VENCO system) has done quite the turnaround. Kudos to the new staff and head librarian, Heather. They have done the best they can with the rather dismal building. However, the offerings have improved significantly, including ebooks and more community outreach activities. Keep up the good work. This library is now actually a credit to Simi Valley. read more

Love the vibe going on at SVPL. Employees very friendly and community outreach is fantastic! Easy to access information and get questions answered. Definitely on an upward arc and could become the place to hang out in Simi Valley. Management is making a real effort to support academic, social and artistic community needs. Bravo! read more

all i have to say is they have everything and even if they don't have a book you are looking for, they can get it for from another library in a very timely manner... read more

What a pleasant experience I am having at the library since it privatized. The staff is courteous and helpful. They smile and ask if you need help. If they don't have a book you want, they order it from another library and call you when the book is in. The feel is definitely customer friendly. read more

The Simi Valley Public Library has always been one of my favorite places. But since the city took over, it is really amazing. The staff are so much more friendly and helpful, and the programs are endless! The space is being utilized in a much more efficient manner now too. The children's section is bigger and better, there's a separate teen room now, and a new enclosed conference room, in addition to the community room. There are many more strategically placed study carrels for quiet study and tables for collaborative work. It is quick and easy to get a book you've placed on hold online, a service which is priceless in my opinion. And it is such a vital part of the community now that you can barely find a parking space! Because of their excellent outreach programs, you see more and more new faces, both in the library and in the excellent Friends of the Library used bookstore that supports the library. If you haven't been to the library lately, you've simply got to plan a visit! read more