Benicia Public Library

We are so lucky… above and beyond what you typically find at the local library. Things I especially love:
1. Knowledgable, helpful and friendly staff.
2. Community resources are oh-​so– relevant… Everything from the community message board to Lawyers in the Library.
3. Website/​reciprocity with other libraries= impressive selection of materials.
4. Location: less than a mile from my front door and in the middle of everything.
5. The general awesomeness and what it says about our little city.
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This library is very highly utilized by its community members,& that’s all one asks.
Sure the lighting is downright depressing,& there are no modern fixtures, but!!! There is a gorgeous large fireplace lit for mood and warmth, there are a plethora of study cubes and tables, chairs, comfy nooks,& even an antiquated quiet room full of decades-​old cubicles (think colleges in the 90’s)
Diverse demographics that all come and use it’s periodicals, free wifi (card holders only), after –school safe haven for getting homework completed. The employees are nice enough.
Wifi signal is moderate and completely absent in the quiet study room. One can walk to 1^st and get grub, either Safeway or toward the water.
I’m most pleased by how full the library actually is. Books aren’t going to trend toward lots of newly published mats. Not that kind of wealthy city. But suits me just fine. Glad I found it. Parking is AMPLE
If planned well, one can study, read, go play tennis, get an iced drink in the sun, and have a meal– all within arm’s reach.

We are truly blessed to have this incredible asset in our community! Reading is the key to success in life! Books improve our health, happiness, knowledge, etc. They an endless amount of programs including: art, music, summer programs, read to a dog, trivia quiz, children, teens, young, old… and they’re all free! Use the computer, access to printers, copiers, with the most helpful and friendly staff there to support you. Thank you BPL for all that you do!

Convenient library that has all of the amenities.
I visited the library to print some paperwork, as my printer was out of ink. The librarians were all helpful and I was able to handle my business very quickly. There were plenty of computers for people to use and they were all up to date and new, not like some other libraries.
If I’m in need, I will definitely be going back.

Now this place is a great library! It’s well designed and organized. Always clean with helpful staff. Patrons also respect the golden rule of silence in the library. If you’re looking for a great library to read, study, or just relax, I suggest you check this place out! Definitely the best library (by far) in the Vallejo-​Benicia area.

Great public library. Self checkout & self return machine. Holds are always in place, not stacked elsewhere, other than alphabetically by last name of holder. Recently we left a backpack full of homework in the kids area & after an hour or so, we went back & it was still there! A safe place for kids & ladies. Well done!

The Benicia Public Library, using it is a SNAP!
The Benicia Public Library is a great place to go to for reading, studying, surfing the net (free wifi and public terminals for those with library cards), and for meetings. It is a medium sized library by area standards but it has a layout which allows for specialized sections to be located in their own separate wing. There is a very large children’s section which has a sunken floor for public readings, a display/​meeting room wing which can be reserved by local groups, a basement where they run book sales, and a main wing with an expansive sitting area surrounded by stacks and study tables. The staff here are friendly and dedicated.
The library is also part of SNAP — Solano Napa Partners. SNAP is an online catalog of the holdings of public libraries located in both Solano and Napa Counties which can be found at
. Through SNAP you can reserve books, CDs, and DVDs throughout the two county library network and have the items delivered to your nearest branch. I have reserved hundreds of the latest movies, music CDs and books through this network. One note though, Benicia is pretty strict about making sure you pick up what you reserve. If you fail to pick up your item within a week they fine you $ 1. Out of the country when your item comes in? Too bad, $ 1 please! No other library in the two counties does this. Just think of it as a donation to a good cause…

My sister worked here for years and (mostly) loved it.
I love coming here and it’s the only place where I can find American Craft Magazine.
I needs to get my craft on and these magazines inspire me to create. I also like the staff they’re very friendly and always helpful. Love this library.

What a pretty place, is the Benicia Public Library. And so helpful and nice​.and​.my my — lots and lots of public computers all hooked up to printers. Great and vast selection of books and periodicals too. Staff is so nice. and so helpful.
I want to chime in on the fact that you can reserve a meeting room at this library.
Lots of safe parking. Clean bathrooms, decent water fountains

I come here mostly to study for big tests coming up. The place is quiet and the staff is very friendly. There’s a section near the back of the library that is reserved for quiet study. I spend most of my time here and I can get a lot done in one day. They have single tables in this section with power outlets for your computer. The chairs are typical wooden chairs with the pillow cushion where you sit on. These can get uncomfortable at times (especially if you’re studying for a long time) but you can always just head outside and sit on the bench for a break. This section also has some outside windows in case you need to look at what’s going around you.
There are specific sections for young adults and kids. I have spotted some couches near these sections but I’m not completely sure and haven’t sat in one of them.
The Wi-​Fi is free so you can access to the Internet. If you need to, there are plenty of computers that you can use. They also have semi-​recent movies and music that you can rent for free.
The outside of the library looks nice as there is no vandalism on the wall. The parking lot is really spacious and haven’t found problems finding parking even when it was busy. The library is next to a police station which adds an extra sense of security. There are tennis courts nearby as well but I have never been distracted by them while I’m inside the library as they aren’t too loud.
I really like this library and is where I’m most productive.

Gayle and I came to the Library yesterday for an inspiring set of readings from the Poet Laureate of Benicia. Lois and Gayle have been friends for many years, as have the rest of their LLB, most of who were also in attendance in addition to many friends and family. I’ll admit that I’m not a big Poetry guy, but I enjoyed Lois’ words as she weaved in prose, storytelling, and touching bits of her family history. I had previously read and enjoyed one of her books titled: RVing Solo Across America… without a cat, dog, man, or gun.
The Poet Laureate event was in a comfortable Community Room that along with a small Art Gallery is set off in the front right (as you enter) from the Main Library. The Library itself opened in 1993 and has held its own in terms of style, size, and use against the next generation of Libraries that have recently opened up in Lafayette and Walnut Creek. I like that the Building is located within its own cul de sac within Benicia’s larger Civic Center area. I enjoyed the wood beams that accent the ceilings and the feeling of community gathering as I walked in and around. There are also lots of quiet places to study, work, and just relax with a good book or screen.