Simi Valley Public Library

Grew up going to this library about once a week and even then, recognized that it was not a great library — small, a design that did not age well, always loud kids (and always at least one crying, it seems) — but I think it’s definitely on the up and up now that it’s out of the county system.
Its an okay place to work, especially if you don’t need silence. Can’t say a lot about the book selection, though again, I think it’s improved since I was a more regular patron. I can sometimes find what I’m after and the people who work there are usually helpful.
The ~hidden gem~ though, is truly the Friends bookstore. Seriously, where else are you going to get classics for under $ 1??? Wish I had gotten the novels I needed for college classes (and possibly the occasional textbook) here. I noticed they’re getting smart and pricing new, harder to find books at more reasonable prices now (I think I saw Mindy Kaling’s first book for $ 6) but this is still my go-​to place if I’m after anything ~of literary merit~ (you know, the Dickens books with 3 857 982 357 editions type of thing) or if I’m in the mood to stock up on beach reads (e.g. Jodi Picoult, John Grisham, YA books.) Yes, you may have to interact with a chatty retiree when making your purchase, but they’re all friendly, in my experiences.

I only come here to study, very rarely to check out books, so this review is about the library as a place to study (similar to another reviewer below). I would say that if you are going to study here and/​or need to be on a computer for a length of time, bring your own laptop and get on the wifi if you have the ability to do so. The area where the public computers are smells like a dirty foot and is usually packed with people so you will have a hard time getting on one. With my laptop, I can go to one of the tables on the far end of the library away from everyone and that rancid smell and get things done in peace. It works out 95% of the time, except the last time I was there when someone decided to get on their cell phone and curse up a storm right behind me. I prefer studying at the library to coffee shops, etc. because of the quiet aspect and I do think this library could do better in that regard.
Nothing to say about the transition from the Ventura County Library system over to city management. I think it’s done well. As with most libraries, the hours could be better. Why only 1−5pm on Fridays?

It’s not the biggest library but still very cozy and convenient. Great place to catch up on some work and research. It’s clean and the staff is friendly. Lots of tables and outlets. My only complaint would be that super slow Internet.

This library is not a bad place, staff is friendly and helpful, and has improved somewhat since taken over by the city. The problem with it is that it has become something of a halfway house for the transient population. I realize that it is a public library, but it’s not exactly pleasant when you’re trying to work on something, & some man/​woman starts panhandling, can be probably smelled a mile away, or is obviously going through drug or alcohol withdrawal. I have witnessed erratic behavior by these individuals twice recently, where they were asked to leave, and you see them in the library the next day. The library/​city doesn’t’ want to get their hands dirty. There’s a lot of kids in that library, they shouldn’t have to be around this crap. The transients are not the only ones with civil rights.

I adore this place! Very clean, there are some people who are loud and obnoxious but overall it is a great place to go and study

Simi Valley City Library (since it left the VENCO system) has done quite the turnaround. Kudos to the new staff and head librarian, Heather. They have done the best they can with the rather dismal building. However, the offerings have improved significantly, including ebooks and more community outreach activities. Keep up the good work. This library is now actually a credit to Simi Valley.

After almost a year of the library changing I believe that its changing for the better… its growing on me tho I’ve had problems with holds and other libraries trying to push me over Simi’s had my back so yup this is an update review :)

I haven’t been to this library in years and finally made a visit to study. I was a bit hesitant about coming here after reading all of the negative reviews, but I think people are just being too critical of the place. Sure, it’s a lot smaller with a more limited selection of books. The waiting lists are quite long for some books, but it’s only for the more popular, newer books.
The staff is very friendly and helpful. I went to the Information Desk only to ask the worker to help find some books, but she was also very helpful with recommending me good books as well.
The library is very clean and quiet, and that’s really what I want most in a library. It’s a perfect place to study, especially because it doesn’t seem like a lot of people visit it during the day. I didn’t have a problem with the Wifi, either. I thought it was a good speed for surfing the web.

I have only come once so I don’t know all the secrets yet. However, the one time I did come was to get my brand spankin’ new library card — along with just about everyone in town.
Turns out they are going through a re-​grand opening of sorts and switching over to a new system which requires everyone to get a new card. I was completely shocked that the Library employees (are they still called librarians nowadays?) were all SUPER friendly and helpful in spite of having to deal with Disneylandesque lines. Sadly, I have only dealt with grumps in the Los Angeles library system.
This review may be a little premature since I haven’t been able to peruse the goods. but based on how amazed I was by the workers I can’t imagine anything but great things.

If you intend to use this library as a place for studying, DON’T!!!
The internet is super duper slow even in weekdays when there are not many people around. I do not know what happen to the server but I cannot even log in to my school website when I can log in any where else. Not a lot plug in accessible. You have to sit around the corner if you want to bring your own laptop. Employers know nothing about technology. You have to save yourself!!!
Starbucks is much much much beter !!!

Not a great place to study. For whatever reason, the loudest people in the world come here and work here. I can not understand why people need to talk so loud when the person they are speaking to is a foot away from them. I can’t even count the number of older people I’ve heard having full conversations on their cell phones (with the ringer up all the way!). Noise carries throughout the whole library and while there is a kid’s section, that does not prevent parents from dragging their loud children through the whole place. Even the «quiet room» is full of mismatched uncomfortable furniture and an equal level of noise. That being said, the place is good for renting audio books as well as regular books for reading. I love renting movies here, too. I would recommend getting a library card so you can take advantage of all the free entertainment. But don’t plan to come here for quiet studying. You might as well go to a rock concert to try to study.

Nice facility for a town the size of Simi Valley. Very easy and quick to get a library card. Computers work well. Employees were friendly.

all i have to say is they have everything and even if they don’t have a book you are looking for, they can get it for from another library in a very timely manner…

This library is oddly constructed. For whatever reason, the noise from the main lobby carries throughout the library, which can be more than a bit distracting for quiet study and reading purposes.
It’s a decent enough library (wi-​fi internet is available for library card holders — but it’s on the sloooow side); has a homey-​feel to it, but I prefer the quieter, slightly more modern feel of the Thousand Oaks Library.

I also feel the love for this library. I wish people could sit in their patio garden though, it always looks super cozy. Be that as it may, it’s still a relaxing place to hang out, check out the books or dvds, use the computers (if you are too cheap to own a printer, like me), use the wireless internet, and buy inexpensive used books from the friend’s of the library, etc. A nice alternative to the consumer economy, but try not to rack up those late fees too much (even though the library could always use the funds).

I am an avid reader and until last year, I spent a fortune on
and at Barnes & Noble and Borders Books. Then, I found the library. Now I’m enjoying my tax dollars at work!
I originally checked out books on tape because I was commuting 3 hours a day. When I luckily got a shorter commute (down to less than 1 hour a day now), I started checking out books. They always seem to have lots of variety available and even have some new release books that are rentable for $ 1 a week. There is a bookstore inside where you can purchase pre-​read books too.
They also have computers available, a large community meeting room, large children’s book section and lots of places to sit and read. They are always doing something there, such as a recent reading course where children learned to read by practicing reading to dogs.
This is a great public resource that’s clean, fun and convenient. Anyone who loves a good read should check it out.