Richmond Public Library

I was on may way to an evening meeting tonight and found this place to be extremely convenient to catch a quick great fresh cup of coffee.
Despite there being only one person working there, the service was extremely efficient and friendly. The line up from the folks going to the same meeting as myself diminished quickly.
I just settled for a grande Americano as needed something to keep me awake during what turned out to be a 2 hr meeting.
Would definitely go back if needing a fresh cup of coffee quickly that taste great.

I remember coming here before they renovated the entire place and I must say, this is a great place to study/​read. It’s quite spacious and well lit so it has a very welcoming feel. They added warm colors that really make it inviting. The staff is also knowledgeable and friendly.
I usually go upstairs when I come here because there’s nothing on the first floor that I find of use to me — upstairs is where the tables are located where I can either work in solace or work with people. There’s tons of computers which are free to use (with a valid library card, of course) and there’s a photocopier too. A silent study area is tucked behind one of my favorite areas upstairs: the lounge with leather chairs and the fireplace. It’s so warm and cozy in there, it’s a great place to read your favorite book.
For the ease of borrowing/​returning materials and it’s central location (parking is also good, although I find it’s quite tight) I give RPL Brighouse ⁴⁄₅. I also love the fact that it’s walking distance from the mall. So when you’re done with studying (or socializing, if you’ve given up on studying after 2h), you can head to the mall!

So guess what… I was studying, and I went into the bathroom…
I saw a woman holding a banana in front of her face, looking at the mirror. Okay no big, but WTF are you doing that for woman…
Then I come out of the stall, and I realize that she’s rubbing the peel all over her face… she only merely stops after I give her a look…
Okay if you’re a woman, and a frugal one, and one that likes natural beauty regimens, you will know that bananas are GREAT for the skin, especially dry skin in the winter… but come on woman, please do this in the stall if you reaaaaaally need too, or at home, where people typically rub shit all over their faces… seriously it’s a bit bizarre woman, and I’m quite the bizarro…
Also, I went into the mens bathroom one day (don’t ask), and they are 10x cleaner than the woman’s, seriously… the woman’s bathroom is disgustingly dirty… is the cleaning man a misogynist or are women just filthy creatures? :/​
Maybe I’ll just continue using the mens bathroom and bypass the crazy woman with the banana peel…
Oh well, wonder what I will encounter next at RPL…

Ever since I could recognize and read the curves and lines on the pages of a book, I was here. I joined my first book club here. I had my very first «official» card, that wasn’t paper, here. I first read about boys and kissing here. This is where my childhood mind grew up with bookie knowledge…
Richmond Public LIbrary has grown up a lot and had a few facelifts here and there, but this recent one would even make Joan Rivers jealous.
The upstairs portion of the library is now equipped with a silent room for those hardcore studiers. In that room, there is another 2 rooms made for group studies, as long as you reserve a time. Downstairs there are new areas that highlight popular or must read books. Also, further into the library there is a whole nest of audio books, CDs of music and an entire centre devoted to borrowing movies from oldies to semi-​newies. So if you want, you may read your Twilight and watch it too.
The entire library has a new sense of being, the warm lights, the modern colours on the wall, the new technology spread everywhere, the leather chairs and fireplaces scattered tastefully and an abundance of seating so you may take in that good book on the many rainy days in Richmond.
If you’re here to return a book, there’s a book return «drive-​thru». A separate area on the Minoru street-​side there is an area you can drive into, quick park and return your books and DVDs.
Also, on that side across is where Richmond Centre is, so if the words are getting a little jumbled in the head, refresh at the mall and then come back. Win win!
Note: Free Wi-​fi with a registered library card that is also free to obtain.

Nice facility with cool historical photos along the entry walls and spacious atrium with a Trees Coffee (
) stand. Ding for, unlike in Vancouver proper, they charge non-​residents 30(?) bucks for a library card. =/​I tried a new-​to-​me chai at the stand! It’s Ambient Moon brand and I think it was Rooibos Chai? I can’t find anything online about Ambient. It was pretty good; subtle.