San Diego Public Library – Mission Hills Branch Library

Decent neighborhood library. Low inventory of books, especially current books, but take advantage of the fact that you can put a book anywhere in the library system in hold and then pick it up here.
Do be prepared that you may not be able to just run in and out to pick up your holds at peak times (especially Saturday), as there are generally just 1 – 2 people checking folks out. Two high-​maintenance requests ahead of you and you’ll be waiting up to 10 minutes in line.
Otherwise, it is every bit as lovely as you’d expect a small, older library to be.

I love my neighborhood library! Everyone is always so nice and helpful. There is a lot in back which makes parking easy and the metered spots out front are usually available.
I’m looking forward to the new library location on Washington. It’s been in the works for at least a decade but it looks like things are starting to happen!!!

I like the Mission Hills Library – I can walk there, it’s small an cozy. Only problem I have is the chairs next to the mysteries are too close. It’s diffcult to get to the books when someone is sitting in them, which is most of the time. It’s a shame about the hours – not open enough.

This is my favorite library because it’s super cozy, the librarians are not too stuffy, it’s clean, and there aren’t a ton of bums just hanging around. Stay clear of Tuesday evenings because it’s story time which means it’s filled with kids!

For this being a smaller library, the children’s book section is pretty decently stocked. I teach preschool and was able to find enough fun and educational books on gardening and plant life to span an entire month’s unit!
Love the convenient location and parking is never too terrible, at least when I go.
And they do story hour for preschool kids! How fun!

An older small library with as many interesting books as you’ll find any other library. Thought the place is small they do have a very interesting selection of books. Some of the books are old but seem quite rare dealing some unique subjects (I found one book on ancient egyptian clothing).I spent 2 hours in one aisle one day. The librarians here are older, nice, and friendly. I personally like older buildings/​establishments as they have more character and, for a library, this place has character for a library.

Hey guys. I was moving. Sorry about the 3 bags and 1 heavy box containing hardbacks and paperbacks. I just couldnt bring myself to throw away literature.
Besides it wasnt like I was dumping used oil in front of a Kragen Auto Parts right? Its not the same thing. My books were clean and sanitary.
Oh, by the way. I do like your establishment. Its way better than the North Park library, which I used to go to every now and then because it was closer.
Keep up the good work !

I’d give this library 3.5 stars if I could, but 3 stars will have to do.
Pros:
–The library is convenient (walking distance from my place)
–The librarians here are a pretty friendly bunch (although they are stern about fees)
–Checking out books and DVDs (yay for Mad Men!) from the library is a great way to save money. I’ve converted my better half and now he’s a library snob too! So, any library that works and can put books on hold for me is great in this economy.
Cons:
–This branch is small and the atmosphere is not very appealing (which is why I wouldn’t sit here and read)
–The parking is OFTEN a pain in the behind! Instead of getting frustrated, try circling a few times around the block (their parking is minuscule) or find parking on a residential side street.

The Mission Hills Library will always be an underdog within the dying universe that is the library system. So sad that people think libraries are archaic. I was one of those folks until I had my son. Now the two of us think the library is the coolest place in the world.
But I digress. Let’s talk about the Mission Hills Library, and let’s be realistic: it’s old, it’s small, the hours aren’t fabulous, and there isn’t enough parking in the lot. My sister-​in-​law is a tech-​librarian at a mega-​library in Long Island, NY. Hers is the champagne of libraries (I’ve been there and it is impressive). On a recent visit, she made it clear that our cute little building can hardly hold a candle next to her institution. I almost cried when she came back from story-​time and said it was a disaster. Maybe it’s nothing compared to her story-​time, but it’s all we’ve got. And to be honest, I’m OK with that. Let me explain why.
First of all, the people that work there are very nice and helpful. They have won over my son.
Second, they offer a fantastic summer reading program for the kiddos, and they also have a weekly story-​time all year long (currently on Fridays at 10:30am). Mercedes, the usual storyteller, is a total nut. My son and I are both fascinated by her. In the summer, the library arranges real entertainers for the kids. Last week they had singing pirates. The week before they had a magician. This is good stuff for kids, and it’s all free.
Third, the place is charming. It almost brings a tear to my eye to think how wonderful it is that there are still people (lots of them) that appreciate the simplicity of a quiet reading space (ok, it’s not so quiet when my son is there, but still).
The hours aren’t always accommodating, but let’s face it: libraries aren’t exactly at the top of the totem poll on the City Budget. I’ll take what I can get.
Our library offers exactly what we need: a great little, comfy place where our kids can enjoy the vast world of books. Kids don’t need anything fancy — I promise.
I don’t know what I would do without our cute little library. It’s all we’ve got and, truthfully, maybe it’s all we need.

This is my most favorite San Diego Public Library Branch. EVER!
Sure, the other branches got their thing going on, such as: Central is HUGE and old and cool looking but, there are bums everywhere and the peeps there are weirdos. University Heights is whack! Their selection on everything pretty much bites and the people there are all over weight, the place is dingy. it’s really kinda weird. North Park branch is weird and reminds me of a terminal. Clairemont is well, in Clairemont. The Mission Valley one has a good selection but, it’s in a strip mall, for corn’s sake. NAH. i’ll stick to MHSDPL all the way, baby!
Been going to this one for years. I live blocks from the UH branch and will go out of my way to pick up my hold items at MH. Don’t get me wrong, it’s brilliant to have the UH drop box so close to avoid over due fees. tee hee. But, to browse or actually chat with the librarians MH is the place!
I’ve been a library nerd for umm. lemme see here… ALL MY LIFE!
So, i think i know what I’m talking about. ;-)
MH has a great DVD, magazine and biography selection, the bathrooms are VERY clean and do not require a key (that should tell you something). And, they have a male AND female restroom! They have a water cooler, WITH CUPS! Their hold area is well organized and the library as a whole is well organized. sure, there’s a wait to print stuff out sometimes but, while you’re waiting you can read a book!!! WOW!
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri
closed 12:30 — 8 9:30 — 5:30 12:30 — 8 9:30 — 5:30 12:30 –5:30
Sat 9:30−2:30
The workers are amazing! Cool people, nice people, helpful people.
I like to go to MH, the place where everybody knows my name. lol
No, seriously though, there’s a chick there that puts my stuff aside if she sees me come in and she was just about to stock my reserves. She says, «hi, here’s your stuff!» LOVE THAT!

In general, I’m very disappointed with the Mission Hills branch of SDPL. I’ll just lay it out like that.
Hours — I mean, we have to get real on the hours here, people. Open until 6PM most days? Most folks that go to work and pay taxes to keep you open are at work until 6PM. When am I supposed to go to the library? Generally the scenario is I run over there and try to skip in the door to pick up my books on hold and then take off. Sure, I get my books — but that’s not all a library is about. It’s supposed to be a quiet place where one can linger, pick up a newspaper or magazine, flip through couple of pages of books while browsing the stacks. It’s just not possible with these awful hours. Frankly, is it really necessary to retain staff to employ them only during common working hours? I mean — are these people really going to quit if they shift the hours to provide service in the evening? This suggests to me that the library is less focused on customer service than on maintaining a stable bureaucracy, a dangerous precedent when there is consideration of a fancy new library downtown.
Comfortable facilities — um, no. Anywhere you sit is spitting distance from the hub-​bub of the circulation desk, so it’s not really conducive to soaking in your latest find. The interiors are dated; the lights are fluorescent. The Mission Hills branch is just not a nice place to hang out.
To conclude — indeed I am disappointed with this library, but am also surprised. How is it that in this wealthy area of Hillcrest/​Mission Hills where half-​million dollar houses are the norm, we have a library that doesn’t hold a candle to that of *gasp* Mission Valley?

Probably the smallest branch in the entire system. Of course, I believe the place used to be a classroom or education center of some kind. Nevertheless, its collection of books and DVDs is pretty impressive for a branch this size. The DVDs are generally new-​ish and easily available though it’d be nice to put them on shelves instead of spinners, which make it difficult to find what you’re looking for. Access and parking is a major problem with this branch. Easiest way to get to the branch with little traffic problems is to use University Ave. and turn right on Falcon St. It’s not easy to turn into the street when you go down Washington St. Parking is all of 4 spots in the private lot. Four! And one of them is a handicapped spot. You have to use street parking, which is difficult because the residents in the neighboring apartment complex usually take all of them. I rarely go to this library.

San Diego’s public libraries are pathetic compared to the gargantuan, pimped-​out library in my hometown, but I’m slowly adjusting. The Mission Hills library is pleasant; small, but adequate.
This branch has an extensive selection of LGBT literature, which is neat.
Also, I always find good stuff simply by browsing the new books, which are straight ahead as you walk in.
I really like the option to renew materials online — it’s a life-​saver.
San Diego’s libraries have skimpy hours. The libraries are only open into the evenings on Mondays and Wednesdays, for a few hours on Saturdays, and closed entirely on Sundays, so plan ahead.
The Mission Hills branch is a great place to learn about community events, pick up local newsletters, get involved with tutoring children, and so forth.

i really love the public library. san diego’s library system is pretty good and i like my neighborhood one in particular. it’s not the newest or fanciest, but it is small and the staff is courteous, knowledgeable, and the selection is good.
i got hooked on the wonders of the public library when i was living in san francisco and it has carried with me down south.
the plusses: good selection of DVDs. they are FREE for 7 days with an optional 7 day renewal. you can have 5 out at a time. just don’t be late. the late fees are $ 2/​per day per dvd. they also have magazines to check out. i love magazines, but they are pricey to buy from the newstand. besides, since magazine time is always a month early the ones at the library are right on time. the other plus are 3 – 4 racks of pop fiction paperbacks that always have some good «beach reads» options. magazines and books circulate for 3 weeks with a renewal period.
the minuses: this branch is kind of old so not the most pleasant place (unlike the mission valley branch which is so nice). the sd public library charges fees for branch transfers and also for holds. it is minimal i think – $ 1, but again in sf i could do all that for free. maybe it’s because of the city’s dismal financial state – who knows.
but i do really like the public library! gooooooooooooo library!