Reviews of Reston Regional Library (Library)

M. B.

I used to love this little library but the last few times I've been there (3 times last week and again today), it was so hot inside that I was sweating so I had to leave. Another big minus is that there's not enough outlets to go around as so many people bring their own devices now so I had to walk around the inside of the library a few minutes until someone was leaving where there was an outlet nearby. Also, I know with the library being next to a homeless shelter that it's going to attract homeless people but I wish there was some kind of compromise because the times when I've used one of the library's computers there's always a homeless person nearby and some are a bit overly fragrant (and not in a good way). This evening when I was leaving I mentioned to the young lady working at the info desk how hot it was and that I was going to have to find somewhere cooler to go to and she said that their AC is degraded due to how old the bldg is and that Fairfax does not want to spend money to fix the AC when there are plans to replace the library with a new building at some point so it doesn't look like that problem will be resolved any time soon. Anyway, guess with summer around the corner I'll have to find somewhere else to go where it's cooler, more outlets and less homeless people. (Note: I feel badly for mentioning the homeless problem at this library as I know that homeless people need access to a computer but it's also a turnoff because many of them are addicts and they don't bathe plus they are always hanging out inside or outside the library and they're sometimes a bit hostile. I guess that explains why many times there's a police cruiser parked in the library parking lot even though the Reston Police are directly across the street. I'm sure that it's not a police officer's favorite task to have to babysit the library when there are other more important matters to attend to. Not sure what the answer is with regard to the homeless shelter next door. Bad situation all around.

AJ

full of junkies unclean and old embarrassment to reston

Cirnd Ihnsjd

This heap of garbage has kids yelling and running around nonstop. It does not deserve to have library on the side of the building.

Luis Duran

Muy buen salón de lectura con una gran variedad de novelas de la literatura inglesa. Buen ambiente para relajarse y leer un poco.

Aaron Foltz

Great library. Great selection of children's books, with a nice reading room. Too many sketchy people take up shop outside though...

Joelle Stasak

Great community library! They have very friendly staff and hold events frequently (book sales, game sales, etc.).

DAYTIMEDDYED CASTILLO

It grate for studying

Elizabeth Shaw

Staff is lovely and the atmosphere is delectable. Great place to study, or check out books of course. Great kids section!!

Ali Mir-Moghtadaee

Opening is at 10 AM, a little late!

Saba Fasil

Great space for reading/studying, and good activity/reading for children!

Pablo Martínez

Great place!!! I recommend it!

VA Wolf

Librarians have always been helpful, ordering books from other counties, when needed. Pretty nice library, overall.

Mark Boda

Excellent library. Has English and computer teaching for elderly and immigrants. Friendly staff. Nice kids area.

Lisa Thompson

It's a very convenient location wise because its very close to my home. I also find that a lot of homeless come to use the computers but they cough out loud and don't cover their mouth and some of them have not showered in a while so the odor is unbearable. The staff at the information desk are very rude and they don't really seem to want to help. They have an attitude and when you ask for help they don't seem like they want to help you; as if you were bothering them from surfing the net. I've been going to the Herdon location and it very nice, a little smaller but only 9 computers. I'm going to try the one it Great Falls.

Gina K

Very friendly & helpful staff. Great kids reading area.

Little Dorritt

5 stars for the programming, 4 stars for the librarians, 3 stars for the collection, 2 stars for the facilities, which are cramped, dated, dingy, and heavily overused. Every time I visit the facility, it seems like every carrol, table, stall and computer are occupied. (The only exception is an ill-conceived "teen area" which is always empty and probably ought to be repurposed.) This says great things about the library and its programming - obviously the surrounding community loves and heavily uses this library! But the facility is clearly dated and straining to meet the needs of today's diverse clientelle: for example, some study carrols don't have access to electricity, the chairs are ancient and uncomfortable, the children's library is cramped, there's often a long line for computer access, the temperature is often too warm/stuffy, and the payment kiosk they've installed in an ill-advised attempt to cut down on staffing rarely works. FCPL has some 24 libraries, many of which are spanking new, filled with amenities, and drop-dead gorgeous - alas, this is NOT one of them.

Nadine S.Ali

I agree with what other reviewers have written in terms of bathrooms being very dirty and lots of homeless people coming in and sleeping at tables. It seems unsafe sometimes because they loiter outside the building as well. I just do not like some of the staff there as they can be rude at times. They also do not keep a data sheet on what books are damaged and blame on patrons to pay heaps of fine. Please check your damaged books and record the damage before making patrons pay for useless fines. Honestly, I just prefer to buy my own books and rarely borrowed a book from them in a while.

kenza amrani

It s my favorite place after i came to Virginia lovely place thank you for everything

Ashley Huang

a great library which has access to a lot of books. librarians are also very helpful

Dian

Librarians helpful. But the area is a magnet for the homeless. We have found them bathing in the bathroom, smoking near the doors and once a very mentally ill man who was ranting and raving about many things walking up and down the main thoroughfare of the library. I appreciate that the shelter next door closes and the residents must find somewhere to go , but I have worked in the mental health field and some of these encounters have been scary because you don't know what they will do. Perhaps FFX CO could suggest a safer place where they could get help, and wash up. Walking into the bathroom to encounter a half naked man was not what I expected when I sent my son into the restroom.

Saira B

Its my go to library! but i like the one in fairfax.

David B

They have the best return policy! , I brought them back after two weeks used and they didn't charge me

Alice

Nice place, good resources and helpful staff

Janey G

The selection of non-fiction books is really small. You can order books from other libraries here though but it can take some time. They do, however, have a large section for children of all ages. Unfortunately, with so many of the library visitors being homeless drug addicts who do inappropriate things here, I could never bring my children. What a waste.

Mitch A

Good WiFi here.

yuri rodriguez

Very close to home, and the hours very convenient

Maile Contacht

I appreciate the phone number and all of the options when I call, but there should be at least 1 option to speak to an actual person at the location.

reazul islam

I use the library with my kids , but why drug addicted homeless people always at the gate where small children need to feel safe . very unsafe environment for kids and children alone , dont think about walking through crack/heroin hyped people to library , i take my car in/out and , stopped dropping book at night or after hours . dont tell your spouse kids wit outside untill you reach there . Kids are scared not safe at the gate of public library , I see county police alway around as County gov office right infron of it , but addict people made it lawn there playground , be safe .

Mark Thompson

Ive never really been there because i live in florida but ive heard tjat is is relocating and will have better facilities

Jamie Williams

At least 18 internet computers 3 table areas for groups Tables and carrels for study Mostly quiet even when busy Have had to sign up for computer But wait time usually short Library is the most used in the county Perhaps due to shelter next door

Kate Songer

Great library, kind helpful staff. The people from the shelter next door hang around outside sometimes, and inside, but I think there are many lessons for others to learn from seeing those less fortunate and how they struggle. My children witness them and have questions and they also see how I behave and treat them. Many lessons to be learned at the library that don’t involve books:)

richard colato

Its always great because there is enough computers to do what you need to do.. And lots of room to write and accomplish your needs.

CEM

well, I live in herndon which has a lovely library but an almost nonexistent colection. Reston has a Desert Island amount of popular fiction for which i'd have given three stars. i'm dropping a star because of the almost always sweltering conditions. it's always uncomfortably hot, summer or winter. it's an effort to spend time there. as with herndon, very nice staff/volunteers.

Ruby Mare

I cannot take my little ones to story time. There are age restrictions that make it impossible for them to go together. This is beyond ridiculous! We use to go every week before we moved here. :( I had checked many times and the story times are full. I saw an opening. I called to ask if my kids could go together and they said they cannot unless we want to go to monthly events in the evening or on weekends. No thank you!

Wan Valdez

There’s a decent selection of books and the staff seems helpful. I can only give one star though and here’s why - the homeless people there. I can’t believe anyone takes their kids to this library. Half naked in the bathrooms, defecating outside, fighting with each other. They are out of control. Some of them are very pushy asking for money and even if you tell them no they don’t leave you alone. Constant foul language being shouted back and forth to each other, they truly ruin the atmosphere.

Bungheng Taing

Friendly librarian

annabethie

Really nice library. Lots of children's books, lots of resources and programs.