Coming from New York... I was very impressed with ...

Coming from New York... I was very impressed with the SF Public Library. The building seems all brand-new, with helpful and interested staff. Sure, there's an occasional homeless person... but the amenities this library has (on top of having all the books, e-books, newspapers, etc. that a library should have) makes up for any chance encounter that might occur. Library goers can even reserve a private study room should they need to.