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September 2019 by Jennifer L.
A smaller library, but well-kept and has plenty of parking and good hours. Never any problems with the patrons or staff, and I've been coming here since it was located across the street from Safeway. Eccentric outdoor art and paintings by local artists inside. More bathroom stalls here than other library bathrooms.
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May 2019 by Norris Cash
Great interaction with public
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April 2019 by Stephanie W.
I went here many, many times in 2013 and 2014. This is one of the best public libraries in Contra Costa County, although there are better ones in the Silicon Valley. Pros: 1. They are open on Sundays, from 1 PM to 5 PM. Most of the libraries in this county are not open on Sundays. They are also open from 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Thursday and 10 AM to 6 PM Fridays and Saturdays. 2. The wifi is very strong and fast, and reaches well outside the library. 3. There are at least four private carrels, with electrical receptacles nearby, and many tables, also with electrical receptacles at each one. These are also cubbies in the large windows. 4. The restrooms, though outside the library in the building hallway, are large and clean. 5. It is a very plush and tony library. There are few or no homeless people who hang pout here. Not that I have anything against homeless people, but I have seen them cause trouble quite a bit in other libraries. 6. There is a nice reading area, with fireplace, where many people gather. 7. The staff is nice and competent, for the most part. 8. There is a cafe, museum, and Friends of the Library store, and community center right in the same building. 9. Though technically against the rules, the head librarian said she did not mind if you ate or drank, as long as the drink had a cap and you were not making a mess. Cons: 1. Parking can be hard, unless you arrive early. There is a garage right under the building and a small lot outside, but they fill fast. There is also a three-hour limit, though this is routinely ignored by the patrons. I have never seen anyone get a ticket. Parking on the street is limited. 2. The staff doesn't care about noise. When I complained once, they said unless a child was crying non-stop, there was nothing they could do. They also allow tutoring, both for-profit and non-profit anywhere, even though it is technically discouraged in certain areas, which can be disturbing if you are trying to work. 3. Kids play computer games on the public library search computers, which can be annoying,with constant pressing of the keyboard and accompanying sound effects from the kids themselves. The mother was oblivious to her kids' behavior, as she was always in other areas doing her own thing. Ugh, the library is not a day care center. 4. There was one guy, possibly homeless, who arrived from the Bay Area Rapid Transit train (BART) train and was there all day on the public computers. He coughed with a loud, sickly, death cough every 30 seconds to a minute for the six to eight hours he was there. This lasted for months. This can be disturbing if you are trying to work. Sometimes he also wore the provided headphones, but you could still hear the noise from them. 5. Sometimes they forget to turn on the elevators, so you have to use the steps, which are far away and long. This can be hard if you are wheeling a suitcase with laptop and other items. 6. One librarian pursued me down the stairs and into the parking garage after I set off the exit alarm and refused to stop. I set her straight the next day when I complained to her supervisor. 7. One time a young woman came each morning at 10 AM, set some throw-away notebook on one of the four private carrels, then left for five or six hours. This way, when she returned after school, when the library was already crowded with students, she had her own private space all waiting for her, as she had "reserved" her spot. I put an end to this when I reported the behavior to the head librarian and she came and confiscated her belongings.
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February 2018 by Tom P.
Truly one of the best libraries in the Bay Area. Kind of a hidden gem. I love everything about this place. The seating. The little alcoves. The staff. The selection. The design. The courtyard outside. The restaurant downstairs. The park next door. It's one of my favorite places to work. Highly recommended.
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October 2017 by Dorothy Gager
The last reviewer sadly was directed to the wrong address. This library is a vibrant ongoing location with many amenities. A Berkeley friend comes here to write his book in the carrolls. There is a huge children's section with special programs for reading to children. The periodical section is inviting with huge leather chairs and any choice you wish. There is a great audio video section. And there is even a nice little coffee/tea cafe on the ground floor with outdoor tables and umbrellas. I hope that person tries again. They sure missed out!
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August 2016 by Vanessa I.
The lady at the desk was not friendly. In fact, she was snooty and so I left. Grumpy ladies should stay home.
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November 2015 by Steve G
An excellent friends-of-the-library secondhand bookstore. Like most friends of the library bookstores, the prices are great but the selection is fairly spotty. This one has a lot of fiction and a bit of this and that in most other categories.
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January 2015 by Susan C.
I love the book shop! The hours are limited with I think longer days on Thursdays. I come here to donate books (drop off is in the underground parking garage) as well as buy books. They have a good selection of used books priced cheap! Love that they have a cheap books for me and my children. Kids books range from $0.25 to $2.00. Adults book start at $0.50. Every dollar I spend here benefits the library and their great community programs. The volunteers here are very gracious and helpful. If you can't find something, ask and they will check the backroom if there are volunteers working there. They have a big book sale once a month. I think it's on first Thursday of the month but pls call and check before coming here. The book sales are huge and they spread out all over the plaza by the coffee shop. They are open Mon-Sat 1pm-4pm, Thurs they are open later til 6pm. Closed on Sun.
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March 2013 by Toni M.
After lunch today we drove down Dam Road to the Orinda Library. The Friends of the Library Book Shop is to the right just before you enter the library. Staffed by volunteers, most paperback books are 50¢. Alan picked up a couple and I picked up one. The selections is always changing, but the books today were varied and interesting. They have hardback, paperbacks and a separate children's section. As w/ most Friends groups, the money raised goes to buy new books for the library and to support it in other ways.
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June 2011 by Linda L.
The bookshop is even better now! Good paperbacks (the larger format kind) are now only $2 and hardbacks are $2 to $4 for most of them. Such a deal!
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August 2010 by Diana V.
What can 50 cents buy you now-a-days? A book at the Friends of Orinda Library Book Shop! Located on the right side, just before you enter the Orinda Library, the shop is an outpost for this volunteer non-profit organization dedicated to improving library services in Orinda. Via sales of donated books, they provide the library with new books, magazines, videos, etc. The little old ladies running the shop are sweet as can be, and apparently know my little 4 year old niece by name. Either she is a compulsive shopper-in-training, or a philanthropist-in-training. I would like to think it is the latter. Get the donor plaque ready : o ) They have a giant green cushie frog chair just big enough for a kid, where the munchkin can sit and peruse the wares before she buys. With the small library she has amassed at home, she better get a 1600 on her SATs.
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December 2009 by Melanie W.
This book store is fantastic! The hours are limited but worth the effort to make it in. The ladies that work there are volunteers and are super sweet. The selection is ever changing, as the books are replenished often. One tip: if you see a book you like, buy it! Great quality at the right price!!!
