San Diego Central Library

Really cool and big library with lots of services. The kids section is particularly outstanding! I saw many small kids and babies hanging out with their caretakers or families and it was very sweet, my baby is a bit small still but she enjoyed watching everything happening around her.

Such an incredible architecture building in the base of downtown. Parking is in a parking garage that you can validate for free (if you stay less than 2 hours). There is 9 floors. The top floor has an open air museum area to lounge and a few closed museums. They had a few computer rooms, as well as many stories in braille. I would absolutely recommend. They also do have security in the library but that is due to the location. They seem to be doing an amazing time and keeping the rifraff out.

This review is intended towards the manager of the little book store at the first floor of the Library. I have been buying movies from this little store inside the library for years and years!.. have spent quite a few hundred dollars on movies from this little store, but the old dude that manages the place, HAS TO BE REMOVED and replaced with a kinder, better and more customer friendly person! I was looking at movies to buy and then this fellow looks at me giving me. Suspicious look like I was going to steal something and went to the security guard and told him to keep an eye on me!.. this after he knows me to be a consistent buyer of movies! I was outraged and left. I am seriously considering making a formal complaint to the Library, I felt targeted and very insulted. Other than this, the Library is one of the best things about San Diego! World class Library! And I Love it!

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE LIBRARY! They really did a great job on the architecture and it’s such a peaceful place to study and get work done. Beautiful view on levels 8 & 9 (take the elevator)

Overall, beautiful library. As a PhD candidate, this is the perfect location to review literature, analyze and evaluate theories, and write papers. With that said, I usually spend an extensive amount of time reading and in the library. I do get hungry at times and like to enjoy a light meal or snack while getting work completed. My constructive suggestion would be to have a section in the library where those that need to spend a lot of time there legitimately getting scholarly work completed can have food or eat. I understand that this policy may be in place due to the potentially messy individuals that don’t clean up after themselves and the subsequent rodents/insects. However, this was not explained to me. The very kind security lady told me to not eat in the library without substantial reasoning as to why not, so, I was left to interpret on my own. Then again, I could’ve just asked. All in all, great scenery without explicit rules provided. Just enforced by the security people while patrons just blindly comply.

This place has gone downhill drastically unfortunately. I have lived downtown for about 3 years and the homeless issue has become an epidemic in front of the library (as well as all over downtown). It is to a point I don't feel safe walking alone and definitely don’t feel safe for my wife. Certain individuals will just stare at you aggressively and sometimes walk around you when you are walking into the entrance. It is bad, very bad. I don’t even feel safe inside the library. The smell is atrocious at times as well. There is probably about a dozen security guards walking around the library at all times and I’m not sure if that makes me feel safe or worried. It is sad because the library is a beautiful place and has tremendous potential. I understand and support making it an accessible library for all, but if the current issues are not addressed then the only customers inside the library are going to homeless.

One of the largest libraries in CA. Tremendous resources, super friendly staff. There’s a detail I want to mention: all the library staff treat homeless people with respect and wholeheartedly help guide them to access the facilities.❤️ They have a larger area in the back on the first floor specifically for kids and storytime. The best part? You could take the elevator all the way to the top and see the fabulous city from the top!

What a nice library! I just to find somewhere to work for a couple hours so this was perfect. Free parking for 2 hours. Free WiFi, lots of tables with power outlets, and clean bathrooms.

Really cool and big library with lots of services. The kids section is particularly outstanding! I saw many small kids and babies hanging out with their caretakers or families and it was very sweet, my baby is a bit small still but she enjoyed watching everything happening around her.

Such an incredible architecture building in the base of downtown. Parking is in a parking garage that you can validate for free (if you stay less than 2 hours). There is 9 floors. The top floor has an open air museum area to lounge and a few closed museums. They had a few computer rooms, as well as many stories in braille. I would absolutely recommend. They also do have security in the library but that is due to the location. They seem to be doing an amazing time and keeping the rifraff out.

This review is intended towards the manager of the little book store at the first floor of the Library. I have been buying movies from this little store inside the library for years and years!.. have spent quite a few hundred dollars on movies from this little store, but the old dude that manages the place, HAS TO BE REMOVED and replaced with a kinder, better and more customer friendly person! I was looking at movies to buy and then this fellow looks at me giving me. Suspicious look like I was going to steal something and went to the security guard and told him to keep an eye on me!.. this after he knows me to be a consistent buyer of movies! I was outraged and left. I am seriously considering making a formal complaint to the Library, I felt targeted and very insulted. Other than this, the Library is one of the best things about San Diego! World class Library! And I Love it!

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE LIBRARY! They really did a great job on the architecture and it’s such a peaceful place to study and get work done. Beautiful view on levels 8 & 9 (take the elevator)

Overall, beautiful library. As a PhD candidate, this is the perfect location to review literature, analyze and evaluate theories, and write papers. With that said, I usually spend an extensive amount of time reading and in the library. I do get hungry at times and like to enjoy a light meal or snack while getting work completed. My constructive suggestion would be to have a section in the library where those that need to spend a lot of time there legitimately getting scholarly work completed can have food or eat. I understand that this policy may be in place due to the potentially messy individuals that don’t clean up after themselves and the subsequent rodents/insects. However, this was not explained to me. The very kind security lady told me to not eat in the library without substantial reasoning as to why not, so, I was left to interpret on my own. Then again, I could’ve just asked. All in all, great scenery without explicit rules provided. Just enforced by the security people while patrons just blindly comply.

This place has gone downhill drastically unfortunately. I have lived downtown for about 3 years and the homeless issue has become an epidemic in front of the library (as well as all over downtown). It is to a point I don't feel safe walking alone and definitely don’t feel safe for my wife. Certain individuals will just stare at you aggressively and sometimes walk around you when you are walking into the entrance. It is bad, very bad. I don’t even feel safe inside the library. The smell is atrocious at times as well. There is probably about a dozen security guards walking around the library at all times and I’m not sure if that makes me feel safe or worried. It is sad because the library is a beautiful place and has tremendous potential. I understand and support making it an accessible library for all, but if the current issues are not addressed then the only customers inside the library are going to homeless.

One of the largest libraries in CA. Tremendous resources, super friendly staff. There’s a detail I want to mention: all the library staff treat homeless people with respect and wholeheartedly help guide them to access the facilities.❤️ They have a larger area in the back on the first floor specifically for kids and storytime. The best part? You could take the elevator all the way to the top and see the fabulous city from the top!

What a nice library! I just to find somewhere to work for a couple hours so this was perfect. Free parking for 2 hours. Free WiFi, lots of tables with power outlets, and clean bathrooms.