Pretty decent library. Parking lot is right next door, but limited spots. Could be difficult to…read morefind a spot and street parking is also challenging. Suggest not coming on a Saturday or maybe even any weekend day, not sure about a weekday. Older building, but well maintained and friendly staff and plenty of books. Downstairs is for adults. Some people seem to be long timers and frequent visitors. Upstairs is for kids and teens and they make sure it's only 18 and under + families for kids safety. Colorful and cozy area. Many computers available for kids to reserve and use for hour at a time. All in all, a pretty decent library for the community in Santa Cruz. We stopped by to check this place out and for the kids to rest before more adventures and it was a nice place to find some quiet and calm.

Adj: Oldie but Goodie Library in Downtown Santa Cruz…read more We've been here a couple of times. It's an older library, and parts of it feels kind of grimy, but it's still a pretty decent one and a good resource for the local community. There are 2 entrances, the side one closest to the small parking lot (spots limited) might have some people loitering, so you may prefer the main entrance. Parking can be challenging, street parking available, but there's fees for those. Not too bad on the weekend afternoon when we came. Lots of seating and relatively quiet considering it was quite packed downstairs. Upstairs where the kids' section is located was a more cheerful and bright area with more natural light and colorful decor and furniture. The whole library is older so everything felt a bit 1970s-90s, but most parts were well maintained and kept clean. Towards the back of the 2nd floor there's a large community room where some kind of board game gathering was taking place during our visit, as well as some family-friendly bathrooms only for kids and their parents. The general public are directed to use the downstairs bathrooms which I passed by and peeked into and they looked kind of dirty and unkept (or very used by the afternoon). There's a campaign going on to raise funds to remodel or update this library, and I can see the need, hopefully, they will get there. The library staff are friendly and helpful. Plenty of computers throughout, on both floors although I noticed they were quite outdated older systems. Wifi was pretty good. Overall, an OK library in downtown Santa Cruz.

I give this library 1 star because the location is beautiful. As far as my experience goes, every…read moretime I have visited the Live Oak Library I left feeling violated and dehumanized. Libraries are my safe place. As a Black woman its heartbreaking to me that Live Oak Library is not safe for me. The downtown library may not be as beautiful, but in my eyes it is a true library: Inclusive and welcoming to people regardless of race or housing status because everyone deserves a place at the library, a place of safety, community, resources, and education.

Great toddler story time with 30 minutes of play followed by 30 minute story time. The library…read moreitself is clean and well staffed. Great stop for anyone looking to take a break and escape into a nice book.

The best little library! You can order any book from our library system there and they have comfy…read morecouches and computers too!

This is the place to stock up on music music from bygone eras. Use the website to have your cds…read moredelivered to this branch if this is closest. You can use the new Santa Cruz public library "SCPLgo" application on your iPhone or android if you would like to use your smart phone when you check out books at the library. It doesn't necessarily make things easier but you do feel like your superior to the troglodytes that are milling around in our libraries

Wonderful staff, everything is so clean and organized, plus they have a great selection of books…read moreand are constantly getting new stuff in

It was out first time going since the remodel and I was left with an open mouth. Beautiful remodel…read more Took my son to get his first library card and just had a blast looking around choosing a book.

I love to sit in a booth on floor 1 by the window, the one with the view of the whole lawn. I watch…read moreeveryone walk past and no one knows that I'm watching them. I can never get work done because I like inventing stories about each of them. Bathrooms are very conducive to crying. 2019 I cried in a floor 2 bathroom and another girl was also tearing up. Felt very supported. I think they shot a tv show here! Pretty cool.

Stopped in to check out the Grateful Dead exhibit. Nicely set up and super informative. Its a small…read moreexhibit, probably took an hour to absorb it all but was worth it. Parking was interesting to figure out the first time but now I know how to work it. Took an hour hike thru the redwoods and to a bluff overlooking the ocean. Very cool!

I reserve books weekly. The app is easy to use. I just grab my books off the hold shelf and self…read morecheck out. Not even 5 minutes and that includes parking.

Great meeting room..large enuf for 10 people Needed 2hrs but…read morelimited schedule..booked up We only need it for 2 people Needed 2hrs..could of used a smaller room if one is available

Adj: beautiful library with lots of natural lights…read more What a nice library in the middle of nowhere, or so it seems. Technically in the Santa Cruz mountains and just down the street from Henry Cowell State Park, this library is very architecturally impressive. The inside has high ceilings and lots of windows up high to let in a lot of natural light. The whole space is bathed in sunlight. The children's section is so colorful and fun. There are several tippees for kids to read inside, what an innovative and cozy way to incorporate Native American culture into the kids area. There's plenty of desk for working and seating throughout the library for quiet reading too. There's also a seed library near the entrance and a big meeting room towards the back. There's currently an exhibit of individual's life stories who's been through homelessness hardships, very moving testimonies of the resilience of the human spirit. There's also lovely local art work throughout the library, and of course shelves upon shelves of books for all ages. Overall, this library is a wonderful local resource and a great community meeting place for intellectual exchange and knowledge acquisition.

I was hesitant to go to this library because of a previous review regarding unattended backpacks. I…read more came here from San Jose Airport to get a library card so I can access thier wi-fi should my phone run out of signal or battery. I had a heavy duffle bag and my airbnb wasnt available til 3pm. But ai had no issues - even when i went to wander the shelves. As long as I kept my duffle bag in sight, I was all good. The lady at the front desk was very helpful and I was able to secure a library card within minutes. Then, she helped me find a book I was looking for. The library is small but mighty, centered on community - providing a safe space for patrons to read, rest, check out books and surf the web. They even have brochures of services should someone who is un-house needs help. and they have a great book selection. I was able to sit and read for a bit before continuing on my adventure of exploring this town. Thank you to the Felton library for the nice respite.

This is such a cute library. From the wonderful volunteers to the awesome historic collection it…read morereally has something for everyone. I've always passed it going up and down Old San Jose, but I had time to stop in and I got a library card the second that I could. Everything is by the books and you won't find a computer to save your life. I think that is what gives it the unique charm that most libraries don't have. 10/10

Soquel Porter Memorial Library is an all-volunteer effort to provide library services to the…read morecommunity. It was begun by pioneer descendants in 1912 and has been kept open (except in times of flooding) ever since. When it was ordered closed after passage of Proposition 13 in 1978, the people of Soquel fought to keep it open. It functions like a regular library under the guidance of several (retired) volunteer librarians who are highly skilled. Volunteers accept books and must decide which are suitable for cataloging in the collection. Volunteers deal with county regulations. Volunteers sweep the floors. Volunteers keep the doors open on a regular schedule. Sometimes volunteers get grouchy, but they perform a tremendous service for the town of Soquel. It is the little library that could.

My 9 year old is scared. Yes, we are at the SVL library and she is scared. She won't even look for…read morebooks. There is an unbearable amount of teens partying, throwing things, oh... I just heard something hitting the floor. And clapping. More stuff hitting the floor. My daughter and I have been coming here since she was 4, it was one of our happy places where we could explore books. She won't even go and look for books alone anymore. What is this? Why is this allowed? I have been told that Thursdays are the days to avoid because teenagers take over but it's Friday. And why are they allowed to be a menace here? They are not using computers or discussing books or working on projects. It's clearly their social hour. Why their horsing around is allowed in the first place? Why is this abuse tolerated?

fun great kids books the seats are great it is a great place to hang…read moreout and read books