The M.D. Anderson Library at the University of Houston became my home away from home for about a…read moremonth while I completed training for a remote job, and it turned out to be a great place to get work done. The library itself is huge, with plenty of floors and study spaces to fit just about anyone's style. My favorite spots were the enclosed glass study carrels. They're private enough to let you focus, offer lots of natural light (some even have their own lighting), and make for a comfortable workspace. Just know they're designed for studying--not soundproofing. You can clearly hear conversations from the carrels around you, so don't expect total silence. Also, if you're planning a long day, choose a carrel with one of the more comfortable chairs. Library hours vary between the regular school year and the summer, especially for visitors who aren't affiliated with the university, but I was still able to put in a full workday most days. The biggest inconvenience was checking in. Since I wasn't a UH student or employee, security had to manually enter my information every single visit. After checking in daily for weeks, I couldn't help but wonder why they couldn't simply scan my ID and speed up the process. One thing that surprised me was how rarely I saw security walking the building. My carrel was near an exit, and while nothing ever happened, I sometimes felt like an easy target if someone had bad intentions. There are signs reminding you to watch your belongings, and I definitely recommend taking that advice. My biggest complaint, though, was the sugar ants. They seemed to be everywhere and became a constant nuisance while I was working. Despite those issues, I really appreciated having access to such an impressive facility. It's spacious, comfortable, and offers some of the best study and work spaces I've found. Fix the ant problem and streamline visitor check-in, and this place would be close to perfect.

This library is an old facility with 5 floors and some wings with more floors. The hours varies…read morewhile the semester is in session. Sundays are great because they close at 12 am and quiet. There are several tables you can sit at by the entrance without checking in. Some have power outlets. There are vending machines on this floor too. If you don't have a UH student ID, you'll need to check-in using your driver's license with security. There is plenty of seating throughout the building. Tons of private study rooms. Not too busy on a Sunday afternoon and you don't need permission to use the study room. The 5th floor study rooms by the windows have a view of Houston's skyline. I would say it is good for work/study. The wifi speed is very good. You can stream Spotify and browse the web easily. I'm not familiar with this campus but I found visitor parking that's a 8 minute walk. Not sure if there is closer parking for visitors. Cost is $10 for the day (by phone).

This was my go to library when my daughters were young…read more Bluebonnet books. Lone Star books. Name That Book competition books. So easy to reserve books online and then pick them up. Perfect for my zoom Yelp book club monthly readings. Cute and cozy reading areas. Could even renew your passport here. Plenty of parking. The MyLink Library Card is free with proof of Texas residency. Still a great library to pick up a book or two.

My kids (ages 2 & 5) love coming to the library and playing in the kids corner while I'm browsing…read morefor books to check out for them. There are a variety of toys and board books for them to safely play with and my 5 year old loves making new friends there. There are computer stations and a lot of different areas for reading or studying. The check out process is very easy using the computer and you can return the books at the drop off slot outside the library doors or right inside the library on the left side after you enter. The restrooms are very clean. There is plenty of parking and the staff are very kind. Every time I needed help, they would be friendly and quick to help.

It's been awhile since any reviews. Regretably, the vagaries of advanced age have slowed Lloyd down…read moreconsiderably. He does not provide regular hours as mentioned on Web site. An elderly neighbor answered the door when I phoned (doorbell not working). Upshot is, sadly, he's not physically able to operate his bookstore any longer. It's poorly lit inside & his beloved cat of 11 yrs is not liter-boxed trained...best be cautious where you step. Call first, if you're going there. Cash only.

This is a one of a kind book shop. The selected categories…read moreand the skill of this retired library man make this my kind of book shop. Ask him, he knows nearly every book he has.

Yay to the local library! I was finally able to visit this location for a specific book that was…read morehighly reviewed and recommended. I tried to go twice before and once was a holiday, then the other time there were infrastructure closures. I finally made it today! I called first and checked the website to be on the safe side. I checked out a book called Long Live the Tribe of Fatherless Girls by T Kira Madden. Looking forward to reading it this month for pride. This library is spacious. Computers, reading pods, and a few tables. I believe there's a separate open reading area too, but I did not venture into that space. Additionally, I saw some stairs so there is something upstairs that I'm not sure about. I loved seeing the Pride Month display with several curated books for representation. The staff members were helpful. I'd return to this location and plan to do more browsing when I return my checkout.

I am slowly growing into a library aficionado, so in my mission to find the library with the…read morebrightest natural light, most comfortable and cleanest seating, and most reliable inventory, I'm making my way through the Houston and Harris County Public Library system. Looscan Library is charming in a vintage, historical way. There are plenty of open spaces, private rooms, and cozy nooks to settle into with a book. On this visit, I was excited to find a fill-a-bag book sale--an unbeatable deal. $5 and you can fill the bag (they provide) with as many books as you can fit. While nothing caught my eye this time, the selection had a little something for everyone. Printing and information stations are easy to access, and the overall space feels welcoming and home-y. Its Westheimer location makes it an easy five-minute stop from home. With all that sunlight streaming through the building, it's definitely going on my libraries to work from home whenever I need a break from my own place!

Excellent library!! They also allow non-Rice students to enter which is nice (just need to present…read morephoto ID) with guest WiFi. Plenty of study spaces with outlets. They even have a seed garden! (Can take 3 seed packets per person). Very cool!

My go-to study spot on campus as a Rice student! They stopped being 24/7 since the pandemic (sad),…read morebut still a solid place to work. It gets quieter as you go higher up in the building, so adjust your sound levels accordingly.

Beautiful library nestled in a residential area with ample seating and charging. There's even a…read moresection with a self-serve coffee machine and vending machine for drinks, making the area seem like it's intended for eating, although my friend and I ate our food outside of this area, which wasn't formally designated for food anyway. There is a water bottle refill station next to the individual bathrooms. The ambiance is stunning and modern, not exactly silent but not too loud despite the presence of a children's section. We didn't try out the other amenities of those library, as we had a lot of studying to do. Would highly recommend as a place to quietly meet up with a friend, get some remote work done, or escape the Houston heat for free!

I criticize Houston a lot for its poor public planning, but the Public Library System is one thing…read morethey've done marvelously. This library is sleek, modern, and absolutely beautiful. Color tinted windows brighten up the gloomiest and rainiest of days. Artsy geometric themes line the walls, ceilings, and furniture. Whatever your reason for visiting, the interior provides an abundant amount of space for it. More importantly than aesthetics, this library goes above and beyond in the resources it provides. It has passport services, computers, printers, study spaces, and books, similar to most libraries. What most libraries don't have though? Video recording studios, podcast rooms, and sound engineering booths. All fully equipped with instruments, all soundproof, and all FREE. OF. CHARGE. I absolutely love seeing this available. It provides people a creative outlet and a chance to feel heard. Other available gadgets include 3D printers, Cricut machines, and premium media editing software. C.J. and several other employees are at your service if you ever need a tutorial. According to the American Enterprise Institute, library visits have decreased by roughly 31% since 2000. I wouldn't have been able to tell based on my visit today. I saw plenty of parents, kids, and students lost in their own worlds. Free third spaces (locations other than work and home) have become increasingly rare; turns out that if you build a pretty library that's valuable to all, the community will come. I can't emphasize enough how cool this library is. It's a rare sight of tax dollars being utilized incredibly effectively. This isn't some privileged resource in River Oaks or Memorial Village; it's located in the unassuming suburbs of Westbury just outside of I-610. You'll leave this library impressed one way or the other. See for yourself.

Yes to the new Freed Montrose Library! I've been twice so far and I'm still in awe (let's be…read morehonest, if books are involved I'm always in awe!) I had already had a library card, but I felt led to get an upgrade. I ended up getting the space city library card. Very vibrant, very demure, very essential. The librarians were wonderful, customer-centered and patient. I explored the downstairs area as well as the upstairs area. Books galore! I really enjoyed the short story creator downstairs, the bright colored seating, the art by kill joy, plethora of calendar events and programs. I didn't go to the outside area, but I'll definitely be returning. During my first visit, I checked out three books and when I returned for the second visit, I was picking up a hold. Conveniently located and definitely worth the visit! "Having fun ain't hard when you have a library card!"

This is definitely a library in the middle of the city. Let's talk about the good first…read more The Good 1) Balcony-Loved the patio area with lounge chairs and tables and shade. There was also a large connect four type item for kids to play with. Our kid loved it. 2) Children's book selection and game table-incredible selection of books that encompass all areas. We always look for books that will broaden our child's horizons and they delivered with their selection. They also have this big table which is a touch screen computer with interactive games for kids. We always play on the one at the Rosenberg Library in Galveston so he was excited to use it. 3) Staff-everyone was very friendly and even offered us calendars for children and adult programming that they offered during May and June The Not So Great 1) Parking-you park at the Montrose Collective and you get a discount but you only get the first hour free which is kind of lame because by the time you park and get up the stairs with a kid, you've already lost 1/4 of your hour. We were there two hours and paid right under $5 for parking. 2) The feel. Okay yes it's brand new and everything looks clean but it feels a little sterile. All the white walls and the plastic chairs feels so artificial. It lacks character and feels like a transactional type of place. Check out books and do what you need to do then leave. It could just be me because I grew up with the Rosenberg Library in Galveston and we just moved back from St Louis and were used to libraries having a homier feel but that could just be me asking too much. Overall it's nice to have a library in the middle of the city if you can walk there. Also you can check out 50 books at a time but you have to return them within three weeks.

This is the local library located in Bellaire (the city, not the Boulevard!). Since I didn't feel…read morelike going home after dropping off my aunt at work and Whole Foods gets to be loud after 10AM, I feel the need to look for a library, and I came across this one awhile ago. Very quiet place! From what I've explored of the place there are 3 sections: A kids section on the right, with an interactive tv(still no idea what it's for) and a small patio outside of the kids section. An upstairs section on the right that seems to be a good place where conferences and meetings can be held. The adult (?) section that has a decent amount of chairs/tables where one can study/read/other things(wink). There are also computers here in case you want to look up things. I do have one curious things I have to note on here, and that is the fact that there seems to be an office in the kids section...why lol? Not that it matters to this review, it's still a decent neighborhood library, though I wish it had study rooms. As long as it's quiet I will keep coming here.

Hidden jewel in plain sight Cozy library with an excellent…read moreselection of books; Cool and friendly library staff. Family friendly and have a huge $1 book for sale regularly Clean, well lighted and does not have the riff raff and street bums who park themselves in other downtown city center libraries