I don't ever bother going into this library. I enjoy the outside grounds. It is very green on the…read moreproperty where the library sits. Looking thru the windows it kind of appears to be stuffy inside and there doesn't appear it is a comfortable place to study.

Although I didn't attend DU, I came here frequently when I was a college student living in Marin…read moreCounty to study. I was always impressed by how quiet it was- other students and patrons were always respectful and mostly silent. Making everyone check in and present their IDs made me feel safe and secure, which is always appreciated when studying in a public location. I loved the tables that faced outwards because there were some great views to take in while hitting the books. One thing to be aware of if you're not a student- the library does not offer guest WiFi, so plan ahead by setting up a mobile hotspot or preloading things on your device.

Everyone is helpful at the Novato libraries! I like how they make requesting a book easy to do…read moreonline or with a librarian - books usually come quickly and are easy to pick up. the case with new fiction, lucky day and Staff recommendations is right up front. the printer is easy to use. limited free printing and no overdue fees are the best perks. the only down side is the limited parking at certain hours - but rare, if you can choose when you visit.

From the outside this is a cute little library. The asphalt parking lot is immaculate clean without…read moreever a shred of garbage on the ground anywhere even though children go to the library with their parents. You know how children are about holding onto papers. They lose them every where. However, the parents do an excellent job of making sure papers dropped are picked up by their kids.

The Book Place (1608Grant Ave, Novato)--a beloved nonprofit used-bookshop run entirely by…read morevolunteers, with all proceeds supporting the Marin County Free Library. Vast selection at great prices: Over 60 categories of donated books--fiction, nonfiction, cookbooks, children's, history, collectibles--plus CDs, DVDs, sheet music, and puzzles. Hardcover novels run around $3, trade paperbacks $2, mass-market paperbacks about 75¢, and clearance titles as low as 25¢. We were here on July 1st and they had books on American history on sale. The Book Place in Novato offers a treasure trove of affordable used books in a friendly, community-centered environment. Every purchase or donation helps enrich Marin County's library offerings, so it's a great spot for both reading lovers and those wanting to give back.

​This is the best used book store in Marin County! If I'm in the area on the days they are open…read more(closed Sunday and Monday), I'll stop by to see what they have. This is a Friends of the Marin County Library store, which means that volunteers lovingly keep the place clean and organized. All of the shelves are clearly listed, with price lists adorning the walls. Some of the books are even discounted further (individually priced on the cover), with an entire back room marked as Clearance (along with the carts outside the front door). Clearance books are mostly $1.00, and most everything else is under $5.00. Community members frequently donate items so the shelves are refreshed regularly. Each time I come by, I always find at least one or two titles to take home (and usually more than that)! There is free street parking, as well as a parking lot in the back of the building. And they only take cash or checks.

Great little library in the charming hippie town of Fairfax. Good selection of books…read more I attended a mushroom lecture held in one of their meeting rooms, which was very educational. Parking lot has ample spaces. So many great libraries in Marin, and this one definitely holds its own.

Staff here are very helpful. If you have children, there's a child librarian who can guide you to…read morebooks for your child. I was here on a rainy day and there were many patrons in the library despite the weather.

I love libraries and hate to say anything negative about them, but the San Rafael Public Main…read moreLibrary makes me want to cry. Maybe I'm just spoiled because my small-ish hometown in Connecticut has one of the best public libraries I've ever seen and is bigger and probably with more resources than all the libraries I've been to in the Bay Area (this is the third county I've lived in here) put together. The pop-up library at Northgate, however, gives me hope for the San Rafael Public Library. This pop-up, which opened in December, is housed in a small mall storefront. And yet, somehow, this little library manages to make the most out of the space. In fact, there are more spaces and activities for children to participate in than in the main library. For young kids, there's a small play area with a few toys, a reading space with bins of board books, and also a drawing table. For older kids, teens, and adults, there is a 3 D printer and a virtual reality station. This is really brilliant. Every time I've stopped by, I've seen teens come in straight from school to sign up for a time slot to use the virtual reality headset. What a great way to engage this age group! While the collection is only, as one of the librarians described it to me, a "browsing collection," meaning there are too few books for you to come with an idea of what you want, there selection is always varied and engaging enough for me to come home with something. And the first time I stumbled upon the space shortly after it opened, in just about 15 minutes I saw more than one person wander in and get a library card for the first time. I would love to see this space become permanent and expand.

I graduated from DUC in 2023 with a Bachelor Degree in Biological Sciences. I loved attending…read moreschool here so much that I even took up a job as a laboratory technician after I graduated. The close-knit community made school feel like a second home. I've made so many great connections here while still being able to learn so much throughout my four years. The faculty and staff are so supportive of each of the students specifically those in the Health and Sciences Department. Their upper division classes and research methodology course is a once in a lifetime experience! I definitely recommend any prospective students to take the time to tour. Go Pengs!!

After transferring from the College of Marin, I can confidently say that Dominican University of…read moreCalifornia was the perfect environment to complete my undergraduate education. The small class sizes transformed challenging upper division courses from weed outs into collaborative, professional experiences. I am especially grateful to Dr. T. Johnson, Dr. M. Sevigny, and Dr. J. McNally; their mentorship and the school's rigorous curriculum motivated me to realize my potential and steered me toward the biotechnology field. Shortly after graduating in Spring 2025, I accepted a full-time position as a Bioprocess Associate at BioMarin. I have no doubt that DU provided me with the technical foundation and communication skills essential for success in this industry. I look forward to building on this foundation as I pursue my Master's in Biotechnology at the University of San Francisco in the Fall 2026.

Love visiting the family here!…read more The Marin Museum of Contemporary Art and Olompali State Historic Park are some of the cultural attractions here in Novato. It is also the home for the Buck Institute for research on aging! There are shopping centers like: Novato Fair Shopping Center Pacheco Plaza Hamilton Market Place Vintage Oaks Shopping Mall

I was running errands in downtown Novato yesterday and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that…read morethey've closed down Grant Ave. on weekends and turned it into a charming promenade. Locals and visitors can now dine safely every weekend on the street (six feet apart from one another at the countless restaurants). And there are so many great food options to choose from nowadays (Blue Barn, Grazie Restaurant, Mai Thai, Finnegan's, Batika Indian Bistro, and more). And if you're looking for coffee and/or a sweet treat, check out Flour Chylde Bakery and Dr. Insomniacs. Plus, they have a plethora of boutiques for all you shop-a-holics, including: Accents; Alice Becker; Valentino Fine Jewelers, Mara Shoes & Leather Fashion, Five Little Monkeys, and more. It's really heartwarming to see a community come together to support local businesses. Downtown Novato has really transformed into a Norman Rockwellian town with a modern twist. Regardless of the gourmet restaurants and chic shops, this town still retains its old school charm and values. When you walk into a store, most people know each other on a first name basis; families are still dining together; people are still walking their dogs and pushing their baby strollers. In these bleak Covid times, towns like Novato give me hope that we're all gonna get through this together. If you haven't been to Novato in a while, you should reward yourself with a visit soon. I think you'll be just as pleasantly surprised as I was. Keep up the great work, Novato!