We absolutely love the Berkeley Public Library system and cannot imagine surviving the Covid lockdowns and California fires without it. We use it a lot for toddler books as well as for hardcopy or audio fiction/ non-fiction. Link+ gets us lots of academic materials that are delivered very fast, and we occasionally watch Kanopy. The librarians are always nice.

March 2021: Only returns and pick-up of online holds are allowed. The line moves quickly and masks are required.

I am a reader. Great service at pandemic restrictions. Outdoor pickup with books ordered online.

This is my home away from home. I had noisy construction going on at my house for over a year and I could escape to this wonderful oasis, rain or shine. I could lose myself in a book sitting in peace with other bookworms by a fireplace. I also was going through chemotherapy and could be out in public but not so public, nauseated and bald. The librarians are all so kind and helpful, helping me find a book when I couldnt remember the author or title, finding the DMV handbook, all kinds of help! And hearing kids in the background or outside in the trees isnt always a bad thing. Thank you, Berkeley Public library and staff, for years and years of love and peace.

Adorable and underrated library! The main room, with its beautiful wood rafters on the high ceiling, big stone fireplace, and tall windows, is a great place to study. I feel transported to somewhere very far away from the bustling city-center. But its really so close to downtown!Because of its small size, staff are generally very available and friendly. You can also order any book from any of the branches to be delivered to the branch of your choice, so dont let selection be an issue. I just wish they had study rooms here so I could bring my students for tutoring here.

Great library, wonderful kids area. Sometimes books can be hard to find, esp for such a small library.Loads of DVDs and CDs as well.I also took my toddler to story time, which was wonderful.

Nice but hard to park.

Small community library with wonderful staff. Good kids section.

The branches are good with the exception of the new University Ave branch that is located in the vicinity of san pablo ave. The director of that library seems to be managing an affluent private library that requires patrons to be meticulousy perfect and highly intellectual.Excuse unedited grammar

Wide range of books and fun to hang out

My favorite library in Berkeley.

Very welcoming!

Helpful staff and quiet

Awesome

Love this place