A.K. Smiley Library & Archives Review

There books are fun to read and there so much books for kids who can read more.

I would have loved to come here. But since i don't live in Redlands its a $30 annual fee to check out books. Thats ridiculous. Going to Barnes and Noble now.

Historic District library. Architecture is wonderful. Carved stone and Red stucco. Inside has lots of original wood work. Garden area.

Beautiful piece of history and architecture. If you are in town it is worth a visit.

A perfect mixture of history and great atmosphere makes this my favorite library.

Multiple sun rooms create a great studying atmosphere. And if you want to take a break, they have nearly every current magazine that you would want to read.

Staff is helpful and knowledgeable, I highly recommend Smiley!

Beautiful library with great staff! Always a pleasure to go there!

One of the best and most beautiful librires I have ever been to.

this library is competitive with the larger, more famous libraries in the area, such as the los angeles and pasadena libraries. the staff and directorship are top notch. many programs are available to all members, young and not so young. it's a nicely laid out building with lots of special interest rooms. a little investigation will bring to a visitor the breath and scope of this beautiful facility.

The reference librarians (Nancy and Sierra) to name a few, are incredibly knowledgeable and polite. The Children's Section has many fun things to offer and the Friends of the Library bookstore is located downstairs. The Garden area is open pending weather and the library is both historical and beautiful.

Excellent library ! Amazing staff and fast internet was able study and finish a major assignment

Completely idiotic. Can't even simply check out a library book to read. Yes you have to get a library card but you have to prove you live in Redlands? That's ridiculous.

A beautiful space. A wonderful alternative to the loud distracting coffee shops down the street. Trouble free wifi connection and generous hours compared to any other libraries I frequent in Southern California.

Such a beautiful library.
I love the silent auction. You can get old books, new books, nonfiction, fiction, kids' books, DVDs, VHSs, etc all through it for great bargains. Weekly silent auctions end Tuesday at 1pm.
Also, on the first Saturday of every month, there's a book sale in the downstairs bookstore where you can fill up a whole bag for $6 (nonmembers)!

My children and I love the library everyone there is exquisite. And there are so many book options.

Beautiful building, good working areas, and an excellent used bookstore downstairs. Definitely worth checking out if you like books and are in the area.

I love it there. Its very lovely inside, there's many different areas and rooms. There are big buttons on the walls for us disabled persons to open the doors. The restroom doors also. There is a very peaceful room that is like a large atrium. There are garden areas outside. I haven't had a chance to visit the friends bookstore, I'm looking forward to spending some time and money there.
Don't miss visiting the Lincoln Memorial. Its very very interesting and if you make it on the right day, there are special presentations. The most recent one they had,but I was on the wring day, was an audioanimatronic show of Lincoln. The very knowledgeable lady that I talked with is very nice and she can tell you just about everything you can think of to ask her about the memorial and the library. The memorial is also a library.

I grew up coming to this library when I need some alone time. Many books were read here, many things learned. This is one of the best things about Redlands.

A.K. Smiley library is a cozy, enchanting library well stocked with all types of books and magazines for your reading pleasure. The wooden floors welcome you with a creak from the moment you step into this inviting place. The kids' library has a comfy area for stories, fish tanks, a few computers and all kinds of interesting books for kids if all ages. Downstairs there's a used bookstore, Friends of the Library, and price is very nice! The library is well lit with natural lighting from all of the windows. There's a beautiful garden/reading area in the middle, and it feels like a sanctuary. This is a great place to snuggle up with a good book; you can also request your favorite books online through their website. Happy reading!

Best library you will visit in the entire area! Come in, look around, be amazed by the beauty of the building's interior as well as exterior. It's worth it just for that. The Young Reader's Room is the gem of the facility (excluding special collections and Lincoln Shrine). My children grew up in this place, and it is one of the reasons we moved to Redlands. Special programs for kids and adults are now regularly held in the adjacent Contemporary Club that was recently painted to match the library. Win-win for both facilities!
The only downsides are reduced hours (should be open till 9pm every day!) and limited money for new books. Books are bought from Friends of the Library funds, not city general funds. It's a shame Redlands can't fully fund it's most important resource. Parking in front can be limited, but nearby parking via a short walk is readily available. Be aware that bikes are stolen from the bike racks regularly. Don't lock up with a cable lock, use a U-lock. At times the library is a bit of a homeless day-care center as well. That's an on-going city concern, not specific to the library.
Non-residents can use the facility, but to check out material they will need to pay an annual fee for a library card. Local property taxes pay for the facility and staff, so Redlands residents are already paying a similar fee annually. Non-residents are simply being asked to pay the same that residents already are.
Centrally located near downtown, coming to Redlands for a library visit alone is worth the drive. Shame on any Redlands residents that don't come in here regularly... this is the reason you live here! Support the library and don't complain about city taxes being too high: This is the best thing they can be used for!

Love the staff, great place to sit and read. Kids section is wonderful my kids love checking out books

Love it! So refreshing to be here because of its old architecture and set up. Very green and relaxing.

Although I dont have a membership here, I find myself coming here a lot. I love the friends of the library bookshop and the selection of books they offer. This library is absolutely gorgeous. The lady that runs the bookshop there is so nice and always busy putting away books. I will continue to go here especially with the romance book deals they have! Thank you!

Dear City of Redlands;
This library is a heartbreak. I get allured by the architecture, and natural beauty of the area. I come in , and less than charming staff at the very entrance . If you value justice, you would not idly stand by for some hiring mistake . It is clear that this a reoccurring problem with this library. So, WIPE THOSE GLITTERS OF HOPE OFF YOUR EYES! I'm only saying this to prepare you for a letdown.

Thank You For A New Nightmare

Read search best library in the world plus I live right next to it

Historic & beautiful. Good selection of children's books. Digital books available on their website.

The librarians at the entrance need to be fired. They do not fit into any decent librarian job description in any stretch of the imagination. That of common courtesy and charm. They victimize themselves in order to be vindictive and crude .
Hey City of Redlands, your Human Resources Hiring Department is WEAK. Just like your Police force compared Loma Linda's Police and Library department.
You're a disgrace, Redlands for letting thus happen to your fair city

Lovely place to study. Everyone does their best to not be distracting.

This library is huge and gorgeous, the architecture is beautiful, and it's in a lovely area.

Unfortunately, the staff here are extremely unpleasant. Asking them a question dos result in them acting as if you're more of a burden than anything. Also, you need to pay $30 for a card if you don't live in Redlands. I can understand paying a few dollars, but $30?

Such a shame that such a beautiful library is sullied by that.

The A.K. Smiley Public Library is one of the most iconic and pleasant places in Redlands. The architecture is beautiful, the facilities are well kept, and the grounds are immaculate.

The catalogue isn't the most extensive, but it's not bad considering the small size of the library.

Owing to the Young Readers' Room, I know a lot of kids in Redlands whose favorite place is the library. It's a uniquely interesting environment with a passionate staff that works to engage children through all stages of development. The programs and events they put easily top my list as the No. 1 reason Redlands in an amazing place to raise a child.

The moment I got out of the car and looked at its building, I fell in love with this library. Beautiful environment, helpful staff, lots of books and resources are just some of the reasons that makes me visit this library again and again.
Unfortunately Im not local, and so when I wanted to get a membership they said I must pay 30$.
Another thing is that it doesn't have a very good parking area, you need to park in the side of the street.
Despite the membership for non-locals and parking, the library itself is a really nice place

I love this library only wish they would enforce a quiet zone. People have loud conversations when others are truly trying to concentrate.

The Architecture of this building is amazing. It's a treat to just walk by and enjoy its beauty. Once inside you are reminded of being in a library and the wonderful staff will meet all of your needs for sure. I Absolutely recommend visiting this library. Enjoy.

Wonderful architecture, great amount of Redlands history. Just remember that it is a public library for, so talk and walk quietly where looking at the interior.

It's a wonderful place. Helpful employees, well used, historic beautiful building, great catalogues for all ages. Plenty of spaces for studying and reading and working. I've not used the public computers but they seem to be well used. Library is pretty persnickity about not giving out cards to people who aren't actual residents of Redlands. Happily, I live in town, but I think a card is pretty affordable even for out-of-towners ($25 ish??). Highly recommended library space for all kinds of uses. Fun little used book store in the basement as well ;)

I am in love with this library. And if that's wrong, I don't want to be right. This is a peaceful building full of treasures within. The architecture and antique furniture is almost sublime. The children's wing has stained glass windows featuring scenes from Alice in Wonderland and Charlotte's Web and Winnie the Pooh.
The smell when you walk in is indescribable. It's like a time machine to another era. This must be the smell of old books and an enormous amount of oak.

A wonderful library with a helpful staff, a beautiful building, large collections of books and magazines, and a room devoted to computers. A gem.