Santa Barbara Public Library Reviews

I love spending time and volunteering at the library. Everybody is really nice and helpful.

It is so nice to be in a quiet space the tutors there are so nice and helpfull

I am surprised that the community can provide such excellent library services. When I worked, I never used the library services much; I didn't need too.

good place to sleep. take a dump and read some mags. computers too for writing reviews..

Amazing place. They offer free WiFi and the space is very clean and neat. You can get books, DVD s, audio book, magazines, e-books and do much more. They offer activities for all ages, they host book clubs, and other clubs of sorts. They have computers that you can use for free. They have an entire floor dedicated to just the children so kids can be kids in a library without anybody being bothered, as well as very nice staff they help you find everything you need and that are very polite. I love the SBPL.

The Liberian is so nice and it soothing listening to good music.

This library, like most all of them, is wonderful. The staff is great, the place is clean, and it's wonderful to cool off in the air conditioning on hot days. Oh, and the books are also amazing! The building itself is a beauty as well, almost worth checking out on its own. They have a great system for curbside pick up for books you put on hold, I appreciate them looking out for their patrons.

lot's of bums and one of the library workers told me to not put my feet on another chair....really some people have power trips....

There are so many great things to do here for free, they even offer games that you can play with your friends in the library and they have many great events for all age groups, one of the biggest being Harry Potter Night.

Loved this library when I was a kid about 20 years ago. The vultures have stripped it bare of anything resembling a library, (books, for instance) presumably in reaction to the ongoing vagrancy problem. It's a real shame, as it used to be a great community resource.

People that come in to this library are weird offensive and smelly, you can complain all you want about them however if you dare to complain about staff be prepared for SWIFT RETALIATION it is guaranteed! it is dirty and more smelly than the patrons that come here. Employees are dishonest.

i asked to use the phone because i got mine stolen yesterday and some old white lady that looked like many of our former presidents with the same hair-do refused to let me.

Despite years of budget cuts this is a wonderful library system with
extremely helpful staff.
Books can be requested from any library in Santa Barbara County.
Requests and holds are free and can be made online as can renewals.
The SB Public Library also offers electronic books and many programs and services.
I'd give them 10 stars if that were possible.
Consider donating to the Friends so SBPL and its branches can continue its great work.

Our library is THE BEST. The staff are helpful, kind, accommodating, and creative. The library s digital resources are practically infinite, and the spaces are all extremely functional.

The building feels very spacious and modern. The wifi is pretty fast, about 4 Mbs down and 1 Mbs up.

I love the helpful staff who have been there for us during this ongoing crisis.

I have enjoyed going to libraries i was a child. One visible problem with Santa Barbara library is homeless using it as a living room. Among them are those in need of psychiatric attention, and hygiene issues, and general lowering their voices when they walk into library under the influence of alcohol/ drugs.

I love the Library everyone is so nice and helpful. For me books are still the most enjoyable way to gain information.

Employee did not perform up to the expected standards. I made complaint against Matt a quiet Latino staff member at Central Library for reverse discrimination for politely allowing another to repetitively hurt me.. These monitors are hired to moderate unruly patrons especially those who are not "clean and sober"...

Santa Barbara Library - a discriminating institution that abhors freedom of the press

I like the library because they have books, DVDs, and I can use the computers, so I like that my children can read the books in the library that good.

Fabulous Friday's they have activities at 10 and 11 am for kids 0-3 in the lower level computers and games abound. There is also a weekly Summer Reading Program in the Children's Library.

What a valuable resource in our community-- in addition to all of the books and media at no cost, they have interesting programming and a lot of resources for children. The staff is approachable and friendly.

So nice to walk in and hop on the wifi! Thankyou Santa Barbara public library! You made my day!

Great atmosphere for work. Can print and there are some good books

This library is really awful. The staff is super rude but I'd be too if i'd get paid minimum wage and deal with awful coworkers as well.

They have a great system for curbside pick up for books you put on hold. Instructions are posted at the pick up site (on Anapamu side for Central), but after a few texts someone comes out with your book, places it on a table and walks away so you can come get it. Sidewalk is also marked for social distancing.