Sacramento Public Library - Belle Cooledge

I just began using Audio Book (Libby) a few weeks ago and the librarians were so helpful and gave me a printout how to downloaded the Libby App.I went in today and spoke to the librarian ARTHUR because I didn't know how to return the audio book early. He was so patient to explain it to me. He patiently explained to me how to distinguish which were just readable books and which were audio and or audio books. Kudos to Arthur! Thank You! So appreciate it!

Very cute place. But I came here to concentrate and take a test for a college course and ended up having to leave. LOTS of kids and teenagers were around that were loud enough to hear through my headphones. I will come back if it's only a short stay though.

Has its own parking lot, which has plenty of space normally. However, people often have celebrations or parties in the adjacent park on weekends, which will make it so there is absolutely no parking available for library patrons. Clean interior. There's an abundance of hand sanitizer near the entrance/exit, but the staff don't wear masks. They have a printer and copy machine. There is a restroom, though with few stalls. While this doesn't bother me because I'm not affected, others may be - students from the nearby middle school often come in after school and hang out in the teen area. They can get noisy, which may be distracting if you need to use the computers or like to read inside on weekdays. I used to love this location, but the service has been disappointing lately. If you get email notifications about your holds being ready for pickup, that doesn't necessarily mean it's actually on the shelf, ready and waiting for you. Several times I've come in, and my hold isn't there when it should be. Curbside service is usually very convenient, but the librarians have left behind holds on occasion. I would have to go inside to get them, which defeats the purpose. For materials requested from a different library through Link+, they used to be placed on the hold shelves for pickup with everything else, but now the materials are stored behind the front counter. If you want to get your Link+ holds that are ready for pickup, you'll have to do curbside or go up to the counter and ask. As of late, the staff don't process returns same-day. It would be inconvenient timing-wise if you are someone who maxes out checkouts and wants to borrow more in the same day. While late fees are no more for Sacramento Public Library materials, they are still in effect for all other materials, like items borrowed through Link+. If you're lucky, they'll check your books back in the next day that they're open. If not, in a couple days. If you're really unfortunate, they won't scan your return correctly, re-shelve the book, and the checkout will erroneously remain on your account. This happened to me often in the past, and it seems like this carelessness has started back up.As a longtime patron, I'm truly sad to watch this location's service worsen over time. It could just be new, inexperienced staff. I want to give them the benefit of the doubt, but I won't be coming back for now.

Whenever they'd have its Friends of the Library book sales, the books are usually in good condition and inexpensive at two bucks for paperback. The volunteers are helpful and courteous. There's a selection of hard-to-find DVDs such as Keen Eddie and mainstream hits like The Sopranos and Sex & the City. I don't have to return it at this location once I'm done with it. I can return the DVDs at the Central Library, which is closest to my house.

Libraries are on what I'll call the 2nd stage of service and activity. First they continued to offer online access to ebooks and newspapers. Now they've started providing hard cover books by arranged appointments and pickup. I went to the library website, requested a book, then chose a location, date and time for pickup. Days later, I drove to the branch library and picked up the book. The system works fine for me. While at the library I returned books too, in the outside receptacle.

I have gone to many libraries but I swear that the staff here is the ABSOLUTE friendliest!! Honestly, every single person I've interacted with here is just the nicest person in the world. Their job interviews must be like "Are you ridiculously nice, friendly and helpful? Yes? OK, you're hired" :-)I go there mostly to use their computers and printers. I've never had to wait, though I read that in other reviews. I do agree it's noisy. Some of the teenagers using the computers near me were talking loudly and laughing so it was hard to concentrate. Fortunately, I'm usually in and out. All in all, I love this location! It's near my mom's house and I've never had any big issues.

The Belle Coolidge branch of the sacramento public library is always busy. I walked in this afternoon to find every computer booked and the wait was 25 minutes. So I did what I do best...perused the book shelves. Some of the shelves I always browse are the "staff picks", the "new releases," and of course my favorite genre..."fiction!" For those of you non readers, this branch offers audio books, music, as well as movies for a two week check out. And here's the real beauty to this.,.its all free ;)

I realize that "times have changed", but I still expect visits to any library to be as calm and quiet as possible and that parents and staff take accountability and responsibility to let those running around and being obnoxiously loud to respectfully use common library etiquette.Kids are on the loose here and gives off more of a kids daycare/center vibe. My 10yr old and myself were better off staying in the comfort of our home to study/get work done.

Although we don't live nearby, this is probably our family's favorite library because it is so kids friendly. We like to stop by on Saturdays, and check out what books and dvds are available. My kids like the toys section with the blocks and fake fruits/foods (to play kitchen/restaurant), etc. Most of the library staff are nice and we like the events they hold there too. We also charge our electric car while we are there, making it really convenient to go there.

This place is great on a rainy day. Dry place to use a computer, read a book, watch a movie, surf on your phone and you are left alone. The Internet speed is good. I never had trouble finding parking. There is a community room if you need to host an event. The nearby park is a great place to read when there is a sunny day.