Los Angeles Public Library – Edendale Branch

I’ve been coming to this library for a couple weeks now and I actually like it here better than the echo park branch. I just hate how it can get a little loud sometimes. Other than I like studying here forsure. Plus it’s next to Tierra Mia (:

Do libraries in general attract the sketchiest of people? If so this branch is no exception! Other than that this library is okay. Private parking lot, clean, friendly staff. Nothing to write home about but it is nice.

My neighborhood library… it used to be the Echo Park branch but this is way closer to my house. I enjoy coming here with my nephews ’cause there are always kids in the children are where they can play, read and interact. The places is always organized and clean. Staff is very attentive and friendly. Staff and visitors tend to forget this is a library and can get noisy at times, but this is Echo Park/​Angeleno Heights you know! The parking is wide and the good thing about this library is that Tierra Mia is close so you can grab your horchata latte and enjoy it here while flipping through magazines or reading your favorite book. I haven’t had to check out a book just yet.

This library is very sparsely stocked. Don’t expect to come here, browse, and take home a book. The building itself is very nicely laid out and the children’s section is great. There’s always parking in the lot out back (entrance on Alvarado). Most of the staff is great.
This review is three stars because of one person. There is one library who usually works the information/​holds/​fines desk who is super grumpy and rude. She’s an older woman with short blondish/​brown hair and a permanent frown. She barely acknowledges people, has a habit of slamming books on the counter and doesn’t respond to friendliness, smiles, politeness — or sometimes any talking at all. Even when asking her direct questions like «when is this due?» will sometimes get zero response, a glare or a book slammed on the counter. I don’t know why her attitude is so awful, but it’s completely unprofessional and makes me dread picking up holds at the library if she’s working. After another awful experience with her today, I’ve decided that if I see her working I’ll come back later so I don’t have to deal with her attitude.

I would have given this a 5 star BUT why is it soooo loud in here? Staff are loud and talking like it’s not a library.
Parking is amazing AND there are a lot of tables.
I just can’t stand all the talking in this library.

I come here to get work done for school– it is quiet enough, there are plenty of outlets. If you come on a non busy day you can get a table to yourself which are large– if you have to share there is plenty of room between seats that you can still spread out. The internet connection works well. It’s clean. There is a coffee shop right around the corner on Alvarado, a gas station for snacks. Free parking for an unlimited amount of time. What more can I ask for?!
I don’t come here to check out books so can’t say anything for what their book selection is like. Really, I can say that this is a good place to study.

i really like this library. they have a decent selection of books and DVDs and plenty of tables for studying. it’s so much better than the super tiny and depressing atwater village branch. the architecture is fairly modern and the lighting is on the dim side, so it has a pretty good ambiance if you want to hang out for a bit.
they’re open a little later on tuesdays and thursdays which is great for those of us who work late! i’m also obsessed with the LAPL online hold system… request a book online and get an email when it’s available for pickup. crazy convenient.

This library is really close to where I live so the convenience factor is a plus. This place is clean with helpful librarians and a generally good book selection. My favorite thing about this place though is the book sale on wednesdays, I’ve found some really great books for 50 cents! Now thats a steal. They also offer some good community classes, I remember taking a practice SAT test here :)

On the up side: The librarians are helpful. It has a super cheap used book sale on Wednesday afternoons (if you’re local you can write a check, otherwise it’s cash only). There’s a parking lot (the entrance is on Alvarado). There are plenty of computers, and people seem to be pretty good with sharing. It’s open late and right next to about 10 bars.
On the down side:
This library is small. The Internet often doesn’t work. I normally have to share a work table with someone else. The book selection is quite limited. A school came for a noisy tour when I was studying for the GRE.
(good thing I’m friendly/​keep to myself)

Charming little space, generally easy to park, love that this library offers a safe space for kids to go after school, and that it offers free internet to people who might not be able to afford it otherwise.
The librarian that everyone complains about (the older white woman who usually works the circulation desk) is extremely socially inept. I wonder if she can even help it, though, sometimes she seems like she is trying *not* to be rude but is not sure how. Last time I was there I wondered if she was personality-​disordered, in which case she really might not, but in that case it would be better to have her in a situation where she had less contact with the public.
I admit that *I* don’t like to go through her desk, and I’m 50. Thinking about it makes me afraid that the non-​white kids that deal with her might perceive it as being race-​based. Having lived through that as a kid, it is pretty awful, maybe the library could help her out with some counseling.

This library is across the street from my job. I eat my lunch & spend the remainder browsing movies, books or cds.
The staff is very attentive & the shelves are always neat & organized.

So cute little library, great selection on children
Books. My daughter loves this place. The only thing is that
There’s this old lady there that is always angry
She’s a little annoying but I deal with her cause of her age
Other then that this place is great.

Some people have mentioned a lady that works here and what they say about her is true. She needs to learn some people skills. That is the only reason why I don’t like going to this branch. I still go occasionally because they have a wide selection of DVDs and cds. I’ve seen their book selection but it’s always easier for me to look it up on their website and then put it on hold. Overall, this is an okay branch but if you happen to come across that lady then maybe your day will be ruined.

+Free internet access.
+Lots of tables to work.
+Usually an open spot (although you may have to share a table).
+Most of the staff is really kind and helpful.
–Internet can be frustratingly slow.
+/​-​It’s a bit cold.
Conclusion: Great spot if you need to study without wifi. Otherwise, I would check out one of the coffee shops in the neighborhood.

This library makes me sad. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not a sad-​looking place, and the staff are no downers, but it makes me sad thinking about how much more awesome this place would be if they had more money to fill it with more books. If you’re a kid or looking for kids books, this is actually a great place. Lots of popular childrens’ titles to choose from and a nice area to sit and read in a brightly colored, cheery space. If you’re a Spanish reader, then you’re in luck too. However, for all adults in general, the pickings are slim. If you want to see where I’m coming from, compare this place to the main branch of the Santa Monica Public Library. It’s pretty shocking. Still, this is a place with a lot of heart and I’m glad it’s got great stuff for kids and provides a nice family-​friendly venue in Echo Park.

I have never thought that I would write a review about a library, but looky here! I am! Why you may ask? Because of this stupid, RUDE A$$ White lady at the circulation desk. I have gone to this library numerous times and have always dreaded getting HER to help me out. I don’t know her name, but she is always there. I know that there is usually a Hispanic lady (super nice), a Black guy (a chill, nice guy), and that RUDE A$$ White lady. I have seen the way she talked down to people even when they asking simple questions; even to a 14 year old boy for goodness sake that I just wanted to slap her face right there when she did that.
GRRRRR I really, really disliked that lady. Even my sister DESPISES going to that library because of her. It’s like she hates her job or something. Ughhhh Seriously if one day you go to this library and you, unfortunately, get her at the circulation, ask a question and see the way she answers it (focus on her tone and body gesture; you can’t miss it). She is a disgrace to be called a librarian, and I know for a FACT that I’m going to be a BETTER librarian than her; studying to get my master to become one now. It is for this particular reason that I go to the other nearby libraries, Echo Park Library and Chinatown Library.
P. S. The other employees are fine, especially the people at the information desk. Super nice. It is just THAT lady that I have a problem with.

there are two major reasons why this library is awful:
1– bad business practices. they lost a book that i returned (on time) through the book drop and now i have to pay $ 45 in order to have that book processed and replaced. this is particularly upsetting because i did not lose the book AND i returned it in on time but due to the library’s ineptitude, i will now have to pay for their mistake.
2– the head librarian, joelle dobrow, is a very unpleasant person and is almost always working at the circulation desk so it’s near impossible to avoid interacting with her. she has been rude to me on several occasions, even yelling at me once when i asked if there was any new information regarding the book that they had lost. additionally, she always acts like she’s doing me a gigantic favor to go and get the books from the hold shelf right behind her and, with a audible sound of annoyance, check them out.
if this woman does not like having to interact with patrons, she should be working in a different capacity. otherwise, i strongly believe that she would greatly benefit from some human resources lessons in providing good customer service.

Like other reviewers, I live in the area and use the «Hold» function to the fullest. A book pops into my head, I jump onto the LAPL website and place a hold on it, and then it appears in my neighborhood, with my name on it. It’s a little bit like Christmas.
The wi-​fi sometimes slows to what seems like a complete stop (in a pinch you could run to the Starbucks inside Lucy’s laundromat, up the street, or to Stories at Echo Park Blvd.). On the other hand, the guy at the loan desk enthused about the awesomeness of Brian K. Vaughan’s Runaways, which he was checking out for me. And he was right.
All in all, the Edendale branch, and the LAPL’s magnificent Hold feature, is one of my favorite things about living here.

I am one of those voracious readers that jeanne w. just described. For some odd reason I find myself coming back to this library only to find a very small variety of non-​fiction books that I keep looking for. If you’re into fiction, this may satiate your appetite. As for me, I’ve read at least 30 marketing books this year, 10 cookbooks, 10 random business books, and picked up some cool/​random things… but not at this library.
I do love the atmosphere, the people who work there, the ample parking (ample because I guess most people walk or bike there) and the cleanliness and newness. It’s bright and the tables look inviting. There are no screaming kids on computers. (thank goodness)
I went to check out the French language section today… which consisted on 10 outdated books and a couple of old looking CD’s…
so I’d say come here if you’re checking out Angels and Demons or Girl with a Pearl Earring. learning how to cook, be happy in the workplace, possibly build a resume and wash your dog the right way, but if you’re trying to learn web design, quickbooks, search engine marketing, french or chinese, try the Central Library in Downtown.
I did find a cool book on Monkeys that I am looking for on Amazon right now.

Cool arts performance support (Drama West) on the occasional Saturday. Outstanding media library to choose from. Recent (ish) music to check out, and lots of good DVD movies, too. Their kids collection is the best I’ve seen — really kicks heinie in an unassuming location.
When busy, park on Alvarado or nearby streets as their lot gets filled!