Dana Point Library

Albeit this library reached my requirements, it did not act as a grandeur.
I was only able to purchase a «geometry review» book while studying maths.
The other options? «Geometry for idiots», geometry for dumbies”. Who would dare purchase a book that confirms their intellectual abilities? Insulting.
I am going to return to this library to check my books in. I will write a secondary followup review shortly.
Signed, Eric T. Cartman

excellent facility. peaceful, well designed, good balance between book areas, reading areas, lounging/​reading areas, community meeting areas, great bookstore and friendly staff. a+

I thought coming here over Starbucks would be better but I was definitely wrong… squeaky door opening every 2 seconds and ppl talking up a storm… Starbucks next

My son and I love this library. Good selection of books and friendly staff. We have visited the book store a few times and found some great book for cheap.
It is on the smaller side, and would love to see some more activities for the kids. They do offer lots of book reading incentives for kids. Right now they have a program going with In N Out, which my son was excited about.

This is a nice neighborhood library. I used to borrow DVD here very often. Now with youtube and hulu, I rarely borrow DVD now.
The internet here is very slow mostly of the time. Nowadays, very few people need to use library internet anyway.

Its unfortunate that one of the city’s few freebies has to have such rude employees. Hadn’t been to the library in years and was chastised for not knowing their computer usage rules & regs. WAs made to feel totally unwelcome. Horrible experience. Avoid this place!!!

This is a great quiet little library. It is small, and does not have a huge selection, but it serves its purpose. A plus side is that you can get to the beach by a short hike from this library, which is pretty hard to come by. It is a great library and has friendly staff! I have not seen that many events at the library, I think Mission Viejo and Aliso Viejo libraries have more events

Staff is friendly and helpful whether on the phone or in person.
Even though the Laguna Niguel library is closer to me, I continue to use the Dana Point library because of the staff’s attitude.

For a fairly quiet place to study and a decent selection of children’s books, this is a nice library to get some homework or research done.
My son and I came by here the other day looking for books on missions. I hadn’t been to a public library in years and found the customer service to be friendly. The librarian spent quality time helping us find the books we needed.
This library has a great selection of magazines and plenty of decent seating as well. We also enjoyed looking through all the movies. There’s free wi-​fi and few computers that were busy while we were here. There’s also a tiny used bookstore here, but it was closed on our recent visit.
By the end of our visit here, it started getting pretty loud here. With kids running amuck, we definitely needed to head out soon. We were surprised how loud (even if it was for a brief time) this library could get.
This library may be a bit on the older side but had enough resources for us to get some good research done. With a small selection of books, friendly service, and plenty of seating, this is a great place to get some studying or work done!

SO LOUD! I came here on a Friday because the SJC library is closed that day and everyone that worked/​volunteered here was particularly loud when speaking to the library patrons. I always carry ear plugs with me so I was able to ignore it, but the staff is the one that sets the tone for everyone else. 15 minutes before the library closed, they began blasting music over the intercom. I had to cut my study time 10 minutes short because it was simply unbearable… and I know I wasn’t the only one bothered by it. I found it to be a rude way to force people out; a few announcements will get the point across just fine.
On the positive side, I have been able to find a wider variety of books to use for research at this branch. They also have adequate lighting and space for reading, but it’s just too loud to focus. Unless I need to check out a book and run, I will continue to go to the SJC branch or drive down to San Clemente if I have to.

My husband, son and I have lived in Dana Point for close to eleven years. We live within walking distance to the library. It is a gem to Dana Point. The Orange County Public library system is the second largest in the nation. I have no idea what the other reviewers were talking about in regard to the noise. We pop in here regularly as we are homeschoolers and it’s quiet and peaceful. Perhaps I’ve just been fortunate during my probably close to 5,000 visits. It’s peaceful and quiet and the staff is remarkable to say the least. I’ve found wonderful bargains at the Friends of the Library bookstore which is staffed by volunteers. The Dana Point library has saved us tens of thousands of dollars in what we would have had to spend if I had to purchase all the materials we use. We are often greeted by name and treated with the utmost respect. I adore the staff and am incredibly grateful to be able to take advantage of such a fine library.

I live just up the street, yet I will drive almost 20 minutes to go to the Mission Viejo Library because this one is so yucky! (and the Mission Viejo Library is awesome!!)
Terribly selection (the whole OC Library selection is pretty crappy), cramped, stuffy and old! This library needs a major face lift!
At least the staff is usually nice, especially the childrens section lady with the long hair (who has been there forever!) But I only go here if I absolutely HAVE to.

This is a decent library with a great magazine selection. I happen to like boating and they have a great number of books devoted to sailing and the sea.
The negative? This is the LOUDEST library I’ve ever been in when a lot of kids are present. Also a few adults have pissed me off by answering cell phones and talking loudly. The librarians here apparently never took the SHUSH! classes at librarian school and do nothing to help keep the atmosphere conducive to reading or studying. Also one day I tried to get the WiFi to work it was slow as molasses.
Otherwise it’s a fun place to pick up some good reading material for free. As others have said the used bookstore is worth visiting too.

A library with beach access. Hard to top that. The library sits in Sea Terrace Park, which has a tunnel under PCH. From there, it’s a short hike to Salt Creek Beach, a popular surfing spot.
The facility is usually overrun by screaming children. Parents can’t be bothered to teach children the difference between a library and a playground. You’re one of those parents if you’re thinking, What? There’s a difference?
Library staff also make their share of the racket. No one makes an effort to lower their voices.
Parking is tight. You may have to wait for a space. There are always several empty spaces marked «STAFF ONLY.» Obviously every staff member – past, present, and future – gets a space. I think they have a few spaces for staff who have passed away.
You can’t use the library parking lot for going to the beach. A security guard is on patrol. Just outside the library, there are three or four coveted street parking spaces. Across the highway, you have to pay. Down PCH, take Selva Road for free access to Dana Strand.
So what good is beach access? Suppose in your haste to pack for a day at the beach you forgot a good beach read. Just scamper up to the library and grab the latest James Patterson!
If you can ignore the bedlam, the library is a relaxing, enjoyable place. The librarians are friendly and jolly. One blond librarian has a funny growl when she talks. If you’re lucky enough to visit when it’s quiet, you may still hear a psychotic dog barking in the distance. The park has a dog run. I suspect library patrons leave dogs there while surfing online.
There is a «business table» with several handy outlets for laptops. Free wi-​fi of course. There are several computers, with little or no wait. You can use them even if you don’t have a library card.
There is a comfortable reading area stocked with magazines and newspapers. The well-​lighted interior space doesn’t feel cramped. Being a small facility, you wouldn’t expect the resources and services available at a large library like the outstanding Newport Beach library. Coastal residents don’t know how lucky they are having such impressive libraries.
The library has a tiny used bookstore. You can get decent books for a dollar. There are a few out-​of-​print volumes. The books are organized by category, but not sorted by author. It’s too much hassle trying to find something by your favorite author. And don’t ask a volunteer. They don’t know squat. Just scan the titles hoping to stumble upon something interesting before a case of «bookstore neck» sets in.
The inconsiderate volunteers practically elbow you aside attending to their duties. They have very loud conversations. By loud, I mean they bellow like jungle creatures. It’s the most obnoxious jibber-​jabber you can imagine. Old bags! Shut up already!

This library is on the corner of PCH and Niguel Road, right down the road from St. Regis Hotel and Spa. It is also close to the beach.
As far as libraries go, it gets the job done. Books, magazines, computers, etc. On the downside, it is kind of small and the layout is one big room, so it is not the easiest place to study if you are looking for quiet. But, since it is so small, hardly anyone comes to use it and I’ve never had to wait for a computer. Did you know you can extend your session by 15 minutes for eternity?