Reviews of Scottsdale Public Library - Civic Center Library (Library)

Liz Lopez

Great place to learn!

David Knell

The kids love this place - we've been coming here since our youngest was 9 months old (that's getting on for 8 years) and it's always a hit. Docked two stars because I've twice tried and failed to use the computers/printers/scanners - can't remember why last time, but this time because the library doesn't give change (why not?) and the things which take payment for the printers don't accept cards and couldn't take my $20. So a wasted trip, and a visit to Fedex instead.

Jamie Yakscoe

vast array of digital selections. more than any library ive been to yet

Aniko' Paunoch

Hire workers that are happy to be here please! I've been coming here for years. Staff leaves much room for improvement. They socialize and talk among themselves a lot often ignoring the people and making them wait till they finish their personal conversations. Attitudes of some of the staff I've experienced seem as if they are "too good" for the job they are doing. Doesn't make for a good experience. Phoenix Metro Center is way friendlier!

Jovanna Figueroa

I love coming here. They have a cute kids area that's very spacious and has computers. The coffee shop is pretty good.

Raptorkier

Our family LOVES this place. You cannot beat the kids center portion of the Library. Not to mention the overall seamlessly endless options to choose from is many categories.

Mark Adams

Laughably poor internet service here. My dial up internet from 1995 is better than the internet provided here. I'm often forced to sit in a specific area to use the wifi or have to switch to using my phone. It's a great library, but I can rarely get any work done here because of the poor internet service.

Don Pfau

Another great amenity in Scottsdale and it's located at the Civic Center!

Charles Provine

I love the open spaces, hours of operation, ease of using the checkout, and the outside amenities. I study here rather than at home

Joseph Dennis

Love the library. The kids section is awesome. Lots of things for the little ones to keep them entertained.

Travis Heinze

They had a couple things that I never seen before. Plus it’s free. I refuse to pay for any museum.

Vanessa Arzu

Civic Center Library was one I stumbled upon on a trolley ride. I got off to check it out and was stunned by what I saw. Upon entrance of the library grounds I was immediately caught by the beautiful park that greeted me when I walked up the stairs. It was a Sunday afternoon and it was only a handful of people there. I forgot about going inside and spent the time exploring the library grounds. What beauty! What amazing sight to see! There were three differently designed water fountains with amazing sculptures in them and also floating within the water were beautiful ducks enjoying their sun bath. Also around the grounds were gardens that are well manicured for the eyes indeed! There is also plenty of chairs to sit on and little pathways to walk on for romantics and nature lovers alike. And though there was only one craft for kids to play on, it is still kid friendly because there is a vast space for kids to simply run around around. I almost forgot to enter the library, considering my intrigue with the park outside, but when I did I was in for an amazing display of my favorite thing on the planet; Books! There was so many books there and I was surprised to find that they held almost ALL the books of my favorite author Karen Kingsbury! The librarians were very friendly, courteous, and inviting. All was left out was the english tea display, for the atmosphere made me feel like I visited an old friend. :-) Finally, upon getting my book, I realized there was plenty of places for me to sit and indulge in my book. The chairs were comfortable and the atmosphere was quiet and relaxing. I loved it! The only reason I gave 4 stars was for the lack of good internet. At a time like this I expect great internet service from libraries and I never had issues before at any library. I frequent libraries a lot, and both times I came to Civic Center Library, I never got connected to the internet and the librarians had no good explanation for me. Overall, I have had a great experience visiting this library and I encourage you to do the same.

James Walters

My favorite place in Scottsdale and they have so much to do there everything from just books to fun activities for kids

Josh Patrick

The outside is truly an oasis. Lots of art and nature

FEETUS Cletus

I used to help out at a kids program. Staff is very helpful and know what they are doing. Security service. Right by Scottsdale civic center and the police department. Down the road from Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Leslie Davidson

Fantastic place for EVERYONE!! My kids absolutely loved this place. They were able to get books and movies and now they're happy.

Sniper

Well managed. Clean. Comfortable area. Police presence. Newer DVD's. Helpful staff. Nuff said....

Andora Goodrum

Amazingly helpful

Vanessa Glady

I remember when this library was built! It's gone through lots of changes but I still love to visit! The Eurika Loft is there for Entrepreneurs, they always have something going on for kids, and check the area for books to purchase! There is parking all around the building including a parking garage on the west side.

kaleb clifford

I just love coming here most of the time and hanging out in the teen center with a lot of my friends

Jacob Fancy

Great library, with an ever better kids area! We could spend hours there

Anita Aschoff

Great library, helpful librarians. Comfortable and quiet area near windows to read. Reserve system and computer check-out works well.

Amy Greer

I visit this library every week. Some days I go there to work just for a change of atmosphere. I always leave with something unexpected!

katina jones

They are very well maintain clean welcoming new customers all of there placing in this library from adults to children are amazing

G Null

I was here for a one day workshop. What an amazing place! I stayed two hours after the event exploring and taking pictures.

Caryssa Barrett

Best kids area! We love it here!

Booberry Delicious

I love that it has free parking and it has a book return box and the people's here are very helpful THANKS

Kristine Ingersoll

Organized, cool temperature, outside water areas and seating, nice staff, fun fun fun

Kate Thakkar

While this review is for Meg’s Civic Center Cafe, I felt the need to post it here because of the policy shared by the employee on behalf of the Civic Center Library. She informed me that the Library does not allow any outside food in the cafe, even for toddlers on special diets. Upon arrival to the Civic Center Library, I noticed the sign for Meg’s Civic Center Cafe and pointed it out to my friend. We were both excited to stop in after his play time. We took him to the Cafe to enjoy his peanut butter and jelly sandwich because the library was crowded and as a mother of a child who had a peanut allergy, I’m sensitive to the fact that he’s one of few who outgrew it. We sat and I gave my 21 month old his sandwich and water while we got situated because he was very hungry. The owner came out and asked if we had brought outside food. I answered honestly, because yes, my son has special dietary needs and I did pack food for my toddler. She informed me that outside food is not permitted. I apologized. My son had immediately soiled his hands with jelly and my friend grabbed a napkin, almost immediately after sitting. I reached for my own wet wipes, but I didn’t think anything of it. The owner informed us that napkins and other accoutrements are for paying customers only. I apologized. We had only just begun to organize ourselves for sitting at the table, which is quite a task with a toddler. My friend assured her that she had intended to purchase coffee. The owner pointed out a few more times that the items to the left us us were for paying customers only. It was very awkward. She went on to say that our seats were also for paying customers only, but that she would allow it for today because her cafe was empty (one can only guess why). I planned to purchase a coffee after situating my toddler, because let’s be honest, he’s in charge. There is never a missed opportunity for coffee in this family. I understood her point after one time, but the sheer number of times she publicly (though the cafe was empty, there were library onlookers) pointed out that we were not paying customers, was embarrassing. She left and I gave it some pause, but decided to purchase the coffee that I wanted in spite of the treatment I received because on behalf of someone whom I should probably give little credence, I was not going to go without or disrupt my son’s nap schedule to purchase coffee elsewhere. The coffee turned out to not be very good and not because of the metaphorical bad taste in my mouth. I spoke with the cashier about the incident and she informed me that though it is Meg’s cafe, the Civic Center Library does not allow outside food in her cafe, so, “...her hands are really tied.” At no point did myself or my friend consume any outside food. The only culprit was a toddler on a special diet. While discussing this with the cashier, a woman with a newborn, a toddler and another adult sat at one of the cafe tables. Not only did the mother breastfeed her newborn, she gave her toddler snacks, the toddler took a free sample for herself and the other adult because she’s a good little sharer. I can’t imagine what Meg would have said to that mother if she had not already left. The family enjoyed their time at the cafe, didn’t buy a thing, the mother fed her baby in peace (empty cafe) and then they left. I had many moments like that with my son when he was that young and this is the first time anyone has ever stopped me on arrival to give me trouble about feeding him, a toddler, his own snacks.

A Pietrak

The crown jewel of Scottsdale

Anonymous

Big awesome library, customer service not so great.

Malcolm Miracle

I love this library, my son has been going here for a couple of years, and the staff are always friendly. My son refuses to use any other library when this one's an option. He knows one of the staff there and most of the people that frequent their teen center. We both love their book AND definitely their movie selections.

Maya Kaleem

Love this place. We can spend hours here playing, socializing and reading.

Abi De Los Reyes

You are welcome

DON'T TOUCH THE FOX GAMEING

A very fun place to Lenin more information and Time family fun with your friends

Shyam Maggo

It is absolutely amazing. I love the variety of teen books.

Esmeralda Marquez

I absolutely love this library my favorite area is the children's library. my son enjoys it so much. the staff is also amazing and very helpful always.

Sebastian Parks

One of my favorite places to chill.

Lisa Boileau

i went with my daughter and grand daughter had a blast

Ron Gray

Good place to relax. Comfy chairs over by the windows so you can read with a view. Noisy by the entrance area tho with untamed children. Occasionally you get someone by quiet study desks in the aisles who have never been to a library before and can't STFU. Heaven if you can grab one of the few study rooms. If you see someone sleeping in one, just alert the staff.

Kayak Joe

Great facilities and kind staff. Hosting the best ESL workshops in Phoenix metropolis. Very professional and industrial volunteer tutors.

Myshelle Harris

Love to browse through the books and find interesting ones to read.

Savanna Pool

The books are great and wonderful atmospher

Chris McFarland

Great wifi and ambience, but the desk chairs were uncomfortable.

Hailey Ceron

It is amazing there

Charles Crawford

This is the best library I've ever been to! They not only have a great book selection, but the upstairs entrepreneur facility is impressive. It's great what they are doing up there. Thanks for providing such an awesome space!

Eileen L. Smith

My Review of: the Scottsdale Civic Center Library The Library has a great children's/youth center that is decorated in a castle theme. Tall wood and cloth trees line the walls, a grand castle with drawbridge and tower invite readers to come and linger. You don't need a library card for your child to login as a guest and get 1 hr of play/research time on the computers. There is a wonderful baby zone with hands on activities like legos, puppet shows, foam blocks, discovery wall, drawing/art stations. It has it's own teen center. The adult sections as boring as the youth & teen rooms are exciting.

Erick S.

You can check out "culture passes" that include tickets to museums and events. They partner with the app hoopla that allows you to download media on to your phone.

Juan Jimenez

Great staff good environment.

John Smith

Library is very loud with no noise enforcement. Library patrons are inconsiderate of each other. Difficult to study in. There are homeless people that come in the library and hold loud conversations, sleep, put their feet up on the tables. Other people use computers and watch TV shows and movies without headsets, creating noise.

Kyle Moore

Kids area is huge!

Ilya Andor

Beautiful

steven Lewandowski

You simply must go here. The more people who do the better they will become. Friendly knowledgeable staff. Wifi available. And if you've forgotten your laptop they have a few dozen PC's that you may use even if you don't have a current library card! (Just ask.) ALSO be aware they regularly have a variety of classes designed to help Small Business owners. They will teach you how to do numerous things Online. A must do in this day and age!

Stacey Williams

I love this library....It's always clean,very busy with people and the employees are always helpful and courteous.

B E S

This is a great library. The children's area is amazing. My son got so spoiled with the castle and all the toys that now he doesn't understand that libraries are supposed to have BOOKS and he won't go to our new library that doesn't have toys...

Dhruv Bhate

Great library and one of the places in Scottsdale that my family and I frequent the most. Along with online access through Hoopla and Overdrive, the library has most books and movies you can reasonably expect. High point of the library has to be the kids section - great all around. Low point is the internet connection - at least as of 2017 it was very inconsistent - I have since stopped going there to get any work done unless it involves no internet access (which can sometimes be a good thing!). While some sections closer to the kids section can get loud, there are plenty of quiet places towards the back.

Julia Taylor

Great children's section, story times

Jacque Doyle

Excellent library!

David Hogan

Cozy spot to relax and unwind with a good book!

Catherine Cook

Good books, video, music - and great, helpful staff!

A D

The exterior of the library if very beautiful. Once inside, the library does seem a bit small and overbearing with its layout. The person who I was seeing it with stated it felt like it was "a room to house courthouse records" as opposed to a library. Appearances aside, I did like how the books are organized into sections by genre so you can find at a glance the books you want. Also, the front desk guy was very helpful and helped to set me up on a library card.

TheCHIEF BIGFAITH

Nice facility but weak Wi-fi, & not much computer access for out-of-state guests

OdorCure USA

The children's library is packed with interesting and educational activities for the little ones. My 3year old sons loves spending time here and never gets bored.

xxX Xxx

The female librarians who work here are DISGUSTING. They have the worst attitudes I've ever come across. Thankfully the male librarians are more chill, and usually work on weekends. I seriously wish more MEN worked at this library. Mostly because the women working here are useless and have a serious attitude problem.

Vijay pentapati

Nice calm library with wifi.

berserker96

Library no longer accepts coins to print papers, it is card only. However, if you want a receipt of your transaction, the machine will spit out a full 8 x 11 printed recipt, gratis. ... I used to be poor. This change was clearly made to keep a certain demographic of people from using this library service, and even offering to waste the extra sheet of paper to do so. How snobby. I won't use this library again. This kind of thing upsets me and if you know the struggle it should upset you too. I'm very disappointed.

Ronald Walker

The Scottsdale culinary arts festival is a great place to get some good food and drinks while surrounded by good music and great people!!

Ivan Radovanovic

Thanks !!!!

Y Choi

The noise level in this library is too loud. There are kids yelling screaming crying all day long. Don’t come here and expect to have a quiet study or reading time. The parents with kids need to also know there are other people who are studying or reading.

Evelyn Louise

Big beautiful library. Quiet. Cool. Covered parking.

echo_o0o o

This is a beautiful library! LOVE the kid area!

Annette Eanes

Great library! Helpful attendants. Requests/holds done quickly. Resources upstairs definitely worthwhile.

Dee Smith

Wifi and phone connection is poor

Little Spooky

Nice enough library, but WiFi seems to only work close to the front. But, even when it does; Dreadfully Slooowww internet. Less than half a MB download speed. Feels like 2010 WiFi. Come on Scottsdale!

David Williams

It's a great library and a classic well designed building.