Laguna Niguel Library

I was excited to go to this library branch until I was met by the night of the living dead staff. Why are you giving librarians a bad rep people!!! Management needs to brainstorm and hire an outside service to come in and teach these folks about customer service and human interaction. They literally are socially awkward, don’t look you in the eye when processing your checkout are cold and look like they hate their job. My son was in the kids area. «KIDS!» And he has mild cerebral palsy so he stepped on some books. She literally ran over like the library SWAT team and scolded us and tried to pull the books right from under him and told us they get damaged that way. No shit Sherlock! I was just on my way there to help him. At the counter the lady accused me of damaging one of the board books. I told her it was in my car for two days and rain must have gotten to it. She acted like I was lieing. I told her ok I will pay for it and she literally went on for like 10 minutes not getting to the point like «this has been damaged, we don’t check books out like this, what happened to it, what did you do to it?» and huffing and puffing. Get to the point lady my debit card is out I’m trying to pay you but you want to just paint me with a big Scarlett letter. There are better ways she could have reacted and proceeded but then again it’s not a retail store. If it was they would fire and hire new staff. I will stick to the Aliso Viejo library. Aliso Viejo library has a ton of kids activities, a coffee shop, nice employees with a personality and an excellent friends of the library bookstore. I am giving this place 2 stars because it is clean. The End.

I love this library and the staff. The blonde lady even took the time to recommend her favorite books on CD! I had a 8 hour drive and it was so enjoyable with the book on CD that she recommended.

They were closed at 8:30 tonight when I went there and the lights were still on! I waited politely outside for TEN MINUTES. I knocked on the doors multiple times and still no response. I understand it’s the evening before thanksgiving, but c’mon… When a girl wants a book, SHE WANTS THE BOOK! I am sad that they closed early. Other than this particular occasion, this library is great! :)

This library is really close to my house but man are the Liberians rude! All you get from them are eye rolls and cold shoulders. But that’s not my biggest issue. The biggest issue is wifi. Is ridicules that you go into a library that doesn’t have wifi. You have to sit there for hours for a simple page to load. There honestly needs to be something done about this library because it’s not benefitting anyone.

On the plus side for this library is the parking lot.
The two closest libraries, Dana Point, and Aliso Viejo, have limited parking, especially during peak hours.
This branch has a much larger selection of new books than the two neighboring branches as well.
I’ve seen some complaints about staff, but my experience as a frequent user of this library has never lead me to believe the staff are anything other than friendly and helpful.
Another bonus, they have the largest selection of DVDs in the area.

This is a small branch library, not as big as some of the Irvine branches, and as such has a smaller selection of children’s books, but the choices on the shelf are good, and you can easily request books from other branches.
The real reason to go here are the great kids programs and the helpful friendly staff.

Please, please, please OCPL, overhaul the staff at Laguna Niguel Public Library.
If you want to know why libraries are dying in the United States, go to the Laguna Niguel Public Library. The facility is small and cold, and the selections are limited but the real problem is the staff.
I’ve never been to a library before where I got the feeling that librarians wished I wasn’t there and didn’t care about reading or whether their patrons liked reading. They aren’t excited about books, don’t seem familiar with book titles or authors, and are cold and disdainful if you need help. If you actually have a complaint, or have been given conflicting information by another staff member and are trying to solve a problem, they treat you like a pariah. (There is one older woman (gray hair) who works there who has been more pleasant to me than anyone else there and I wish I knew her name so I could credit it her here.)
Also, I’ve had books and media (more than once) that I’ve returned there show up in the system as not returned and then I’ve gone to the shelves myself and pulled the book to show them that it was returned. Now when I return something I stand in line and watch them scan it in which seems to offend them but what other choice do i have?
I fervently believe in the importance of libraries, this is my local library and I desperately want to like going there and to use it regularly. But I’m miserable every time I step in to this cold environment. I’ve been driving to Ladera Ranch, Dana Point, and even to Irvine to use libraries that are pleasant and positive. While I know I won’t be missed at my local branch, I really wish that I could miss them; then I’d know that it was a library worth going to.

I have only been there twice to go to the study lounge. I did see how rude one particular woman was. She has mousy brown hair, bangs. I said Good Morning and she just rolled her eyes. So I stopped and made her speak by saying How are you Today? Clients were standing there so she muttered good.
I would give this library a F+ because of the rude staff you see when you walk in.

Friendly and professional service by the gentleman that assisted me with my library card.

Have lived in Laguna Niguel for 25 years. Was excited when library was being remodeled. Was very disappointed to see the results. You would think they would have «improved» it. I find the Aliso Viejo and Dana Point branches more to my liking — more books, friendly and helpful staff, and they just «feel» more inviting and comfortable when you walk in. Too bad since this branch is much closer to me. I still remember how the ladies at the reference desk would sigh and roll their eyes when you asked for their help with anything. Their attitude, body language, tone of voice were like «Why are you bothering me?» They were just sitting there and it didn’t seem like they were working. Yup, I guess they were just abiding their time until they retire and get those big retirement checks. What a waste. Shame on Laguna Niguel. Should learn from Aliso Viejo and others.

A small yet respectable library which underwent a face-​lift a few years back. The basic layout from the old library is still there, however what is new pretty much encompasses the interior walls, furniture, lighting, and a cleaner parking lot that is no longer surrounded by sagebrush.
The selection of books is pretty tame, however, the OC library system is extensive enough where you won’t have trouble finding hard-​to-​find titles; you’ll just have to wait a few days or so.
One aspect that I enjoy and appreciate are the «private» study dens or cubbyholes where someone who needs more peace and quiet can get some much needed studying. There is also an outdoor patio area that doesn’t get much use.

This is a great small library, it is clean but the selection of books are very minimal. It is quiet and not too loud, however I would recommend going to Aliso Viejo library or Mission Viejo library instead. Aliso Viejo library is a bit bigger with more of a selection, and Mission Viejo library is even bigger, however a little louder and less secluded than the Laguna Niguel Library and Aliso Viejo Library. The only selling point regarding this library is that it is quiet and does not get that many visitors. I myself like a good amount of people to be at a library, it motivates me to study, so personally, only three stars for me (2.7 to be exact).

I agree with the other reviewers — this library is a real drag because of the staff. I always feel like I’m doing something wrong. Why do they seem so unhappy? Does the branch manager set the tone? If so, what’s the matter with him or her?

I was so happy to have this library open near me but my gosh, the people are RUDE.
The Dana Point library is further for me but I don’t care, the people are nice there and know how to do that thing with their cheek muscles that turn their lips into that upturned thing that the Laguna Niguel staff are clearly incapable of!
Also, the lady who was working in the store every time I went in was droning on and on about Jesus, being saved, Christianity is the only right way, etc…
Do yourself a favor and go to a different library.

Clean and not as crowded or loud as mission viejo library or aliso viejo which is the reason I give it a 3 star.
There wifi is so bad that I had to watch my lectures on my phone. Only come here if you will be studying from a textbook or don’t want the distraction of surfing the web.

I agree with Kim, in that everytime I come in to this library, I make sure to smile extra big simply because I want the people who work here to know I am happy to be here, and that I appreciate their part in making this awesome place a reality. Well, each time I come in here, almost 3 times/​month, I am also greeted very coldly, if at all. Let’s get some customer service training in here, as it is a really great library!!!

What is WRONG with the people who do the hiring here. Went to pick up 3 books this morning and the woman at checkout was old, grouchy, didn’t say hello, didn’t say goodbye. Just plain rude. All the employees here are like this. If they hate their jobs so much, why don’t they just quit and let someone who actually enjoys interacting with people have the job. Or, better yet — have self check out. How hard is it to scan a book. In a place like a library that is supposed to be enlightening and interesting all you find here is negativity and disgruntled employees.

Renovation has brought a newer feel to the library. 40% bigger! Free wifi and 16 computers with printing access make the library semi-​modern, although stacks still take up most of the floor space. As far as public libraries go, it’s just about what you’d anticipate. Nothing special but good hours and plenty of space to work.