Piedmont Avenue Branch Library

We have our library back again! Thank you, thank you for being open during the weekend so the community can enjoy going there again. The staff could not be nicer… they are always above and beyond helpful and quick to make good recommendations for kids and adults alike.

So, it’s really great that there’s a library in this neighborhood, and I used to love it when the library was in the little historic building on 41^st, but this new location is just weak. The librarians try hard – they’re friendly, knowledgable, and helpful– and there’s a pretty good selection for a small library, but the space is just wrong. It feels like the worst kind of 70’s school library. So while I will gladly drop off books here, or pick up on-​line holds, if I want to read or browse or research, I prefer the College Ave branch.

This review is solely for the study space!
I was looking for a quiet place to study (new to the area), with a lot of desk space, and decided to check out this branch. It’s kind of awk that I’m sitting here now writing this review, haha. It’s a small little trailer, perhaps, with only two long white desks in the center of the space, where you can hear the front desk talking about everything! There are two desktop computers behind me, which kids are playing at. I’d say this place isn’t too study friendly… However, I can’t comment about the books! Looks like there is a healthy selection.
Free wifi!

Not piedmont staff’s fault obviously but the new hours SUCK. Closed Sat and Sun? At the same time I love this place — though the old space on 41^st was way cozier and had more stuff by a lot. Now they hardly ever open before noon or after 5… It’s hard to ever go there if you’re a working person! Please library overlords reconsider!

Tiny, obviously. But it’s tidy, has the Downton Abbey episodes I’m looking for, and seems to have a small amount of everything it needs. Just don’t go during pickup time for the elementary school next door — there’ll be no parking at all.

Nerd alert! I love libraries! This particular one isn’t very fancy… or remotely fancy — the bathrooms are straight-​up raunch — but I like it anyway. I enjoy the section right when you walk in with new books and travel guides.
My insider tips for the library:
1. ALWAYS put the book you want on hold. Why in the world would you go hunting for a book at a library? Log in. Hold it. They email you when it is ready. All you do is walk in and pick it up at the front desk. Simple as a pimple.
2. Use the Freegal music downloading program. When you log in online, you can download 3 songs for free per week and it goes straight to your iTunes. There is a decent selection of artists which means in a month you too can own Lil’ Flip’s 2002 breakout cd, Undaground Legend.

This Piedmont branch of the Oakland Public Library may be one of the smallest libraries I’ve ever been to, but it’s also one of the best.
Despite being nothing more than one of those instant portable houses, the selection here is great. Rows of DVDs, games, graphic novels, and new books show that the system works. I love how you can request things from other locations in the Oakland Public Library ystem for pickup here — definitely makes things convenient.
The only caveat is their one week rental time for media, but eh, it could be worse.

Small but incredibly well-​stocked.
I check the catalog online to see if they have what I need, go to pick it up, and spend some time perusing some of the other titles in that particular section. Easy in and easy out with super nice librarians.
Check ahead for hours and closing dates because they occasionally vary.

This is the cutest little library!
It is very small but does have computers to use and a rocking movie selection. I use to go here when I first moved to Oakland and they gave me a library card asap and even let me use the internet without one. The lady at the desk was very helpful and sweet. I wish there was a small library like this one in Providence.

It is quite small so I couldn’t find a seat, but I did score some incredibly cheap mystery novels I took to the coffee shop nearby!