Corte Madera Library

Let me start by saying I’m a HUGE fan of the entire Marin County Library system. The selection is great for books and other media, MariNet (the online catalogue system) works great, and the staff is wonderful.
Corte Madera is currently set as my «home» library in the system. It’s not the biggest, most dramatic, or best stocked library in Marin. But it is convenient (30 seconds off of 101), and the staff are great.
My daughter is 15 months, and she learned to walk up and down stairs in their kids area. We make excuses to go to the library all the time!

I pay my precious tax dollars to have a public library, I get that-​but when I go to donate books and the kid behind the desk says, «You CAN’T drop all your books here.», I’m sorry, I feel like yanking his paycheck. There is a way to handle YOUR patrons (read, the people who pay your paycheck) with a little more aplomb. Fail. Nothing worse than not getting your hard earned money’s worth.

Just moved to the area and super impressed by how much they have for my 12 year old! He already had a love of books and libraries but their added events and incentives just cemented what I hope is a lifelong love of books!
One wish– events have to be signed up for at the library or by phone, wish I could register online.

I’m glad I signed up for my library card here, because the librarian was so helpful introducing me to the Marin County Free Library system. She explained how the Lucky Day borrowing policy works (new releases that are lent out for short time frames), loan periods, etc.
Parking was not easy, however. I was lucky to find street parking by Peet’s.

Library itself is great but if you want to see your share of Weirdos (staff included), this is the place for you!

I just wanted to let people know — the library is closed for renovations until 12/​16/​2014.

I live in Mill Valley, and find it almost impossible to park anywhere near our own gorgeous library, so many spaces occupied by the school nearby, and visitors to the park, etc., so I return often to the Corte Madera branch. I generally reserve online and only pick up here, but there’s usually parking available — and when that fails, I can park and walk across the street from Town Center. I’m giving the Corte Madera location four stars based on their in-​and-​out factor only, since I never interact with the staff.

O.K., things have changed at the Corte Madera Library. Suddenly, there seems to be an entirely new staff. They do not look like they live in Marin and they certainly do not know Marin culture. It’s as if their attitude, energy and approach are the exact opposite of what Marin is: spiritually progressive. With this new staff it’s as if Marin has been thrown back into the dark ages. Really awful. So unpleasant to go there now and deal with their attitudes and energies. Ugh. Who hired them? Why?

Quiet little town, right off the highway. Convenient location with nearby shopping malls and shopping centers. People seem pretty friendly and not overly congested. Great location with easy access to SF, just across the Golden Gate bridge.

So incredibly grateful for this library! It’s open until 9pm four nights a week and has the absolute best selection of independent and foreign films for rent. And the best part about the County library network is that if you’d like a movie that isn’t available at a location closest to you, you can have it shipped from any of the other locations. I actually terminated my Netflix subscription because I’ve found that everything I like is available here (including all the best TV shows!).
There is sometimes a wait for the computers with internet access, and you will be asked to make a reservation, which in my experience has never been more than fifteen minutes.
Bravo Marin County, for your excellent libraries!

Once upon a time I thought this library was not too shabby… and then I went to the Santa Monica Library… GAME OVER. And then I went to the North Berkeley library. I suppose ignorance was bliss because I didn’t realize what was missing… amazing book collections, comfortable and inviting book reading areas, updated architecture.
Sure, I am unfairly comparing things that really don’t matter, but the reality is that there really isn’t the amount of books and the library doesn’t exactly entice me to curl up and read a book.
Nonetheless Corte Madera Library still makes do with what they are given with. The staff are helpful and friendly, and really to be fair I was happy with the library until I knew what big spending budgets can provide. It’s not CML’s fault. Also, the kids section is pretty large and competitive to other libraries I have seen. I unfortunately, don’t read picture books anymore…

This library has a great selection of books already on the shelves and its a real treat to not have anything specific in mind and go walking down the rows of books.
I really appreaciate how they have sectioned off the children’s section. That way the little ones can have fun singing and clapping during story hour but you don’t really hear them when you are in the main part of the library.
This library has self check out as well as assisted check out and DvDs.
The layout to the main area is a little strange.
There are also plenty of computers and a quiet study area on the back right side. Its labeled «quiet/​study area»
There is also a room with 6 or so tables that in theory are for lessons or low talking but library is so quiet you still feel like you are talking loud.
The room is sometimes closed and you can’t use it.
One time a mean old blond lady came over and spoke harshly to me and my tutor. We were not even in the «quiet» section and we were speaking low. (So low the man sitting closest to us fell asleep and was snoring)
She was not a library worker just someone working on her laptop.

My husband bought me a Nook for Christmas. I had a little trouble with downloading the book to my PC. I made an appointment with one of the librarians. It is free! It is suposed to be a half hour session. Sarah spent at least an hour with me that first time to teach me the how to.
A problem came up: I was able to download the selected book on my PC, but when I looked at my nook the book was n’t there. Sarah made herself available for HOURS! Unbelievably kind and patient. I now know that the book was stored in another part of the nook. If anybody has the same problem, I am sure Sarah will help you!
Sarah you rock. By the way, I’ve had nothing but wonderful help from all the people that work there, but Sarah takes the cake!
NS

Seriously, I don’t understand the complaints of other reviewers. The library is a free, public resource and as such I find it to be thoroughly awesome. It is routinely packed with a very diverse clientele, which is testament to its utility and popularity. The book selection is very good and is constantly being updated. In the age of budget cuts I would invite any doubters to visit some libraries around the bay. I’m sure their gratitude would increase exponentially.
As to the staff, I have found them to be delightful, intelligent and helpful people who try to provide the best public resource possible. If you ask them where to find a book they will probably ask you if you know how to use the catalog because that is how you find a friggin’ book! Then they will graciously teach you how to use it.
You can get magazines, dvds, books and even free internet. Plus you get some seriously educated people to explain it all to you… for FREE.
When it’s time to leave the staff flashes the lights a couple of times and they issue an audible warning (i.e. «it’s time to leave!»). If you are extremely sensitive or accustomed to mousey library staff, be forewarned! Typically patrons will not be unduly agitated.

It could only be better if they had a scanner. I like this library. There are just enough books to cover every topic imaginable. The students in the quiet area are all adults and very into their work. It’s a quiet study area, The CM library is unlike other library that host children at plan in the study area. The ample staff are friendly and tirelessly hard workers. They become intrued by the challenge and continue well after I’ve lost interest. I always fall asleep at the library and the Corte Madera library allows you to take a undisturbed cat nap.

Great facility. Surprisingly hostile staff
I grew up going to libraries. I love them. They seem to be that clean, safe place; a flashback to a gentler time.
Then there’s the Corte Madera library. Another poster has commented on the nice computers, and proximity to a coffee shop. So I’ll add that their new book selection seems much better than other local libraries.
My issue: I get the vibe that I’m an inconvenience to the staff. Not by asking them questions, or using up their time, but just by being there. Is it crazy for me to expect the place to be run in a customer-​centric manner?
Perhaps I first noticed what made this library different a few months back when I tried to use the photocopier ten minutes before closing. I couldn’t, because the staff had already turned it off.
But now I’m increasingly seeing behavior that reinforces my concern.
Let me describe what I witnessed just two days ago. It was a Sunday, 4:40pm, twenty minutes before closing. I’m perhaps 15 feet from the information table, looking at DVDs.
1. The library lights are turned off and on (signaling that closing’s approaching.)
2. Moments later, I see three people walk by, I have to assume from the front door. Then I hear a snide comment from an employee at the information desk, loud enough for me to hear: «Oh — Now we have the last minute people.» (I checked my watch: still 4:40pm.)
3. Moments after that, a young teenager asks the second employee at the information desk something. That employee’s response, again — loud-​enough for me to hear: «Do you know how to use the catalog?»
OK, I admit it. Perhaps by expecting civility, I hold libraries to a higher standard than I should. But I do hold them to that standard.
(In defense of the employees, I’ve read that customers can expect to be treated in the same way that staff is treated by management. So perhaps the management is the problem.)
Bottom line: the Corte Madera Library experience can be better.

This is a great study spot. The staff is really friendly and helpful. There is a good sized room for group study sessions. There are also individual desks that look onto a view of Mt. Tam. Each desk has an outlet to plug your computer into. There is also a coffee shop right across the street! Because everyone needs a coffee break…