Brandon Regional Library

It’ official! I AM A FLORIDIAN.
Of all of the places I visited… Tacos I’ve eaten. And all of the mail I have received over the last 5 months. Nothing made it more official than getting a Library Card.
No, not my Voter’s Registration Card, nor job, nor lease.
Getting a Library Card made me feel more official than I judge anything else could or can, including getting a FL License and Tags (yep!)
Because coming to the library gave me access to the aforementioned and so much more.
The Library really is a passport to the world and beyond (with an imagination and a good book).
The Brandon Regional Library is close to where I live, so that’s where I decided to twerk these books and make the pages clap…
My first experience was really brief… I used «Grumpy Nephew» (my Great Nephew) to help me survey the land. He’s 1 ½ years old, so even though he can’t talk how can navigate certain public spaces is very telling. Soooooo… I brought him to Toddler Storytime. He was a little old for Infant Story Time and little young for ToddlerTime, but the person who hosted (oh and it’s free) was very patient with «Grumpy Nephew» and the other little curious ones. You know the one’s who haven’t quite learned how to sit still and follow directions. The kids, who have snacks but want to share and exchange and touch things and walk around during the story… Yep she was patient and read with enthusiasm for all of these children.
I liked the fact that the library had regular programming for younger children because even though my own children are far beyond toddling, I spend a couple of days a week with «Grumpy Nephew.» I liked that they had a contained space with wide boundaries for them to wander and that even in coming and going when children tend to like to wander, explore, and question nobody shusssshed them rudely or even batted an eye. In turn the kiddos seemed content (for the most part) to turn down and walk, not run, and whisper (as much as they can) rather than blurting out.
That alone was enough to win my heart. Because while the library is a «quiet space» I think it’s important for the babes to learn how to «use» the library without being traumatized by overly stern and impatient Library Overlords.
That certainly would have been enough to make me drop in from time to time as you can probably tell by the inordinate amount of time and detail I used. But, it was the additional experience of inquiring about obtaining a library card and ultimately obtaining one that makes this library the real MVP.
I spoke to Joe, the supervisor on the way out about getting a card and he assured me that he could assist whenever I was ready. The process seemed almost too easy. It required a photo i. d and proof of residence (lease, bill, official mail). It seemed too easy. So easy, in fact that before I came to get my card, I called to verify. Yep, the woman on the phone said the same thing. I gathered what I needed and still asked one more time when reached the desk.
I had the great pleasure of getting Frank at the front desk! Trust me you want to get Frank. His customer service is EXCEPTIONAL. Not only is he going to get you registered, he is going to go the extra mile and make sure you know where everything is located and how to access all of the resources available at this and other libraries in the area.
While the selection (which has been pointed out in other reviews) is limited. The environment, the wifi, computer use, and customer service more than made up for it. Plus there are resources for getting other materials on-​line, downloading and utilizing e-​book resources. Even though the Central Library in my former home is much larger and more well equipped I found this library to be far more efficient and accommodating. And that may very well be the trade-​off.
Checking out books with the automated system was super easy and painless and there are at least 2 Librarians on duty at the front end to assist, if there is a snafu. The length of time you can keep materials is 3 weeks for Books and 1 week for CD/​DVDs. Plus you can checkout up to 50 books or 25 CD/​DVDs and 25 Books (including some Comics & Graphic Novels). I was all the way around impressed.
As I stated at the beginning they even offer a way to get a License and Vehicle registration at library branches, which is outlined in pamphlets they have available upfront and on the Hillsborough Public County Library website. They also offer activities and classes for older children/​teens and adults. (I think I’ll be brushing up on my American Sign Language).

The staff here is wonderful. They are helpful and friendly. The atmosphere here is pleasant, The collection is good. I appreciate the librarians help a great deal

Free toddler and story time. Great way to give your little ones interaction and activities with other kids.

This location is almost more of an internet café than a library. There are dozens of desks, tables, and study stations with power outlets and free WiFi available with passable download speeds. The interior of the building is bright, open, and well-​maintained, and the atmosphere is quiet enough, even when the building is relatively crowded, to provide a good study environment.
However, the selection of books is downright miniscule compared to what I was expecting from a library of this size. Additionally, the parking situation is abysmal; I actually ended up having to park at the medical clinic across the street because there is insufficient parking in the library’s private lot.
The staff seemed friendly enough from the limited interraction I had with them, but I cannot speak to the experience of checking out materials, as I honestly could not find any books from their limited selection that were applicable to my studies.
I can only recommend this location if you are looking for a place to sit and work on your laptop or tablet and you are walking or taking the bus to get here.

It’s a local library and I’m happy to have it, but its selection isn’t as wide as I was hoping it would be. However as a Hillsborough county resident you are able to go to any of the public libraries in the county. I checked out a book and was reminded that it was due, and then sent an overdue notice which was a helpful reminder. I just turned my book in maybe 3 weeks late and was only charge $ 1.20 which is reasonable in my opinion. Like some of the other reviews, the parking is terrible there but each time I’ve been lucky enough to find a spot (after having to back out of dead ends). The staff are friendly and knowledgeable and the library is clean and well maintained. I will be sure to look up the books I want to check out online before I go next time to see whether Brandon library has them.

Never checking out a book at this place again!!! They tried to charge me $ 80 for a book I was 100% sure I returned. After they had creditors sending me letters I went in and talked to the librarian. She simply sent a letter out to all the branches and they found it at another location within TWO DAYS!!! What would I have been able to do if they couldn’t find the book I returned!!! Before this incident I wasn’t a fan of this library because of the limited selection and because I’ve looked up books before on their catalog which they (after talking to the bookkeeper) actually didn’t have on the shelf :/​. Very unorganized.

Best place for free books around! If you are an avid reader for just looking to browse the selection is great! You can take out a boo for 4 weeks without paying a late fee! Where can you beat a deal like that! I go weekly and use the online system to place holds. Definitely a must

Parking at this library is terrible. There is basically 2 dead ends and if you do not find a spot there is not enough room to turn around, you have to put your car in reverse and back out.
I love the idea of the new scanner that allow you to check out books on your own. There is one significant flaw with their system and it is that you have to have the actual card on you to check out or return books. I think most people now use apps like Key Ring to store all of their little cards. Their system is not compatable nor will is allow you to manually input the number you MUST scan the actual card. This is ridiculous. Any time I want to check out a book I have to get a new library card as I am not going to attach this stupid little plastic thing to my key ring.