Pico Branch Library

Smaller selection of books than the library on Santa Monica blvd but this one is so conveniently located with a cute kids section. Thankful for having multiple libraries in our city. Also, staff is super nice and friendly at this location.

Chris was very welcoming and had awesome spirit! Processed my new library card within the fove minutes he said he would. Great individual to have a conversation with and his movie critique is always spot on.

There is a prolonged two week break during the holidays where they are closed. This is precisely when it should be open. I just tried to go with my son and was commiserating with other people trying to be there with their kids too. Weird move by city and/or this branch.

Ugh, this library sucks! There’s never any parking, since the two available lots are shared with the super busy and crowded park next door. On Saturdays, parking is essentially nonexistent because the city has the stupid farmers market set up right out front for nearly the entire time the library is open, taking up ALL the spots and street parking. The city _really_ needs to find a better place for the weekly farmers market, because nobody can use the library on Saturdays unless you live nearby and can walk. Also, on Thursdays the city does food giveaways for the homeless right in front of the library and of course they start RIGHT when the library opens, which takes up all of the parking for 2+ hours as well. Why they don’t do it a few hours earlier, who knows? Other than that, this library has too many homeless always being belligerent or muttering to themselves for no reason. So many get kicked out yet come right back the following day. And the overall atmosphere is LOUD, because people are inconsiderate and don’t talk using an inside voice, because most people in this city either don’t care or lack common courtesy. I only use this library because I live nearby, otherwise I’d find a different one to frequent.

Cozy local library. No more late fees and on auto-renew, but the Golden Rule applies - you would want the book you are looking for to be available too. If they don't have the book you are looking for, you can request it from one of the other Santa Monica libraries.

LOUDEST Library In Town. Remember when the Library was a quiet place you could read and concentrate? Not any more. Pico Library is the LOUDEST. No consideration, everyone yelling and shouting, including staff. No respect for people trying to read or study. Even staff are so loud you can hear them across the place.

Used to go here for anime Pokémon books during the pandemic(COVID-19), used to use the computers

I recently visited the local library in Santa Monica for the first time, despite living here since 2015. The atmosphere is pleasantly quiet, with an extensive collection of books in a spacious, kid-friendly environment. Situated at Virginia Park, the library offers the added benefit of a nearby playground and picnic area. While there were homeless individuals around, they didn't seem to be causing any disturbances during my visit. Overall, it is a peaceful and well-appointed library with convenient amenities. Free easy parking.

Fantastic public library. Parking is free in the lot for the park. Lots of seating and outlets. I love the work stations along wall with the high chairs. 3 study rooms. Walk to the right of the check out desk to go to the restrooms

This library is a hidden gem in Santa Monica. It has a great selection of books and resources. Computer time is sketchy because it's a very small library but if you come at a decent time you're good.

Tried to get some work done here on a Sunday afternoon, but there were no seats available and it was incredibly loud. The staff at the front desk were shouting for some reason. The library seems too small to serve the population who wants to use it.

The library is clean, with ample seating and free wifi. I was able to get a new library card easily and begin using it right away. Parking at the park was also easy and accessible. I highly recommend coming here for some productive working or studying.

Before Starbucks and Coffee Bean there were indy coffee shops and diners, and before them, and actually, still in existence are things called public libraries. Having a lot of time to kill on the Westside today, I visited a new one to me... This branch of the SMPL... On Pico Blvd. I sat at a counter, overlooking a park, on a comfortable seat, and wrote and wrote and wrote. WIFI and an outlet. Free parking. Even a vending machine for a bottle of fluid to stay hydrated through plot points was close enough by. Can't vouch on the computers here, policies, hours, or even selection of books... but it's pretty quiet... it's chill... clean... the two staff members I interacted with were pleasant, and there's no pressure or overhearing of wannabes pitching each other ideas for web series. I'll see if I can attach pictures of my view...

Wait a minute! Is this a library or a happy hour? Bibliothèque at 4:00pm was jumping with peeps of all ages taking advantage of what this still smells new, ultra modern space http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/pico-branch-library-santa-monica#v-DmI4CjtHsjdYE05wCkJA designed by Koning Eizenberg Architects (KEA)* has to offer. Think free city wifi, computer work stations with outlets, individual LED light fixtures http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/pico-branch-library-santa-monica#FROidybBWES2GPJuZJ_tFQ, helpful staff, community room space via The Annex http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/virginia-avenue-park-santa-monica#sY06aaCi4qy6OjTEptYhTg ultra clean restrooms AND a great view of Virginia Avenue Park's playground, playing fields. Branch has only been officially open since June 2014 but it's clearly a welcome, much needed addition to the neighborhood. Full branch history http://smpl.org/PicoBranch.aspx Park free within Virginia Avenue Park for 2 hours 8am-3pm or on Virginia Avenue for 2 hours 8am-8-pm Monday-Friday. Are you thinking virtual office? I am! * http://www.kearch.com/

This location is very modern and has an exceptional set-up. There are large tables to sit at, which allow me to have space for my all my books, notebooks, and laptop. Additionally, there are study rooms available for check out. However, students grades K-12 have priority of them after 3:00 pm. Parking? Free for up to three hours. Cool! I must say, I was impressed by the plethora of books that this library is able to fit into it's compact space. One can find a book here on almost subject! Although bearable, noise level would be my only complain.

Never thought I'd write a review on a library but I hate this library so much I had to. I had not one but two annoying experiences here. First, I went there to print literally ONE page and I was refused. I was told I needed a library card to print, ok that's fine, I tried to open one. I started the app and then was told I couldnt get a card because my license didn't have a Santa Monica address. I just moved to Santa Monica from out of state so I haven't gotten a new license yet. I inform that of my address change and they tell me I can provide bills in my name going to the SM address. I then tell them the lease and all the bills are in my partners name but I can show them those. Nope, apparently that wasn't enough. Providing proof of my partners bills and CA license wasn't enough to get a fucking library card.....like are you kidding me. It's a library card. Second, I went to the library to get some work done while my car was being worked on nearby. All the tables were taken so I sat in the children and teen area. Had my entire laptop and monitor set up, and 20 minutes in a security guard comes and tells me I can't work at a table in the EMPTY childrens area because I am not with a child. I tell him that there are no open chairs OR tables available in the other section. He tells me that's just policy so I literally have to stand and wait for an open seat at the adult section even though there were 3 open tables in the children section. I then find a seat after waiting and after working for one hour I am informed of their 1 hour time limit policy....they literally asked me to move to another seat where my next 1 hr time slot could begin. I had to unplug and pack up all my stuff literally slid over to the seat next to me. I'm sorry but how ridiculous is that. Stupid bureaucratic rules and the employees take it way too seriously.

This Library is a great place to study or read a book. Relatively quiet and the Librarians are helpful. You can sit by the window looking over the park while enjoying a nice book or magazine.

This library is awesome, primarily because it's modern and built with the mindset that people come there to actually study and work. There are tables everywhere with easy access to electrical ports and wifi that's easy to connect to. Plus you can't beat the fact you're right in the middle of the park and sunlight coming into the building. It also has self check-out and check-in machines, which makes it super easy to return books. Also, Santa Monica got rid of the fee for non-SM residents to use their library system. It's been that way for several months now, and a call to the library confirmed this (or at least I have yet to see a bill from them!)

All Santa Monica libraries require non SM residents to pay a fee for library card. I just paid a visit because I lost my library card, the person working there was super friendly and helpful, much nicer than some of the librarians at the main branch location. As it is somewhat hidden inside the Virginia park, the library is never crowded. It is much smaller in size compare to the other branches but maybe that's a preference to some people. I would definitely come study here, or just hang back and look for a good book to read. They also offer selections of videos and magazines.

Big, beautiful new library in a nice park area. But it's also a loud, noisy library. The staff does not control the noise or distractions. People shuffle through bags of food, play loud music on headphones, make excessive noise at the computers while patrons are trying to concentrate, phones ringing, etc. In the study room you can hear loud people through the room next door. Otherwise, it's very nice, spacious, with a lot of materials and services.

Works for me. When your not paying for something, do not expect a perfect atmosphere. I get to bring my laptop and phone, connect to the WiFi, and do what I want. I can work, study, and watch entertainment. It's also fairly quiet most of the time.

4.5 stars I looove this place. It's super modern and new. The staff is great. I usually just get in and out quickly to pick up my books, but sometimes I'll stay to read or write a bit. This place is really popular so it isn't super quiet. And sometimes you might see all the seats taken, but I guess that just comes with the territory with a small library. They do offer some study rooms, which is nice. I took off a little bit from the rating because the hours are weird. It doesn't open until 12. It would be great if it opened at 8 or 9 am. I'd love to go sometime when the students are in school since it gets busy after school. The library is still pretty new, so here's hoping that earlier hours are coming in the near future.

It's a nice little library but didn't live up to expectations. Staff is is nice and helpful and they deserve 5 stars. Seating is plentiful with outlets. But what let me down was the selection of books. I expected medium to big selection of books (not expecting the main library size) but asked about a few types of books they only had 1 or 2 of that type of book. Hopefully they get some more in soon. The Wi-Fi is free I believe but when I tried to enter the permission page it stopped on a blank white page. And don't know if it was just my phone or others had same experiences. Parking is pretty good also. If they added a few more of the books they have and if it happens a lot to is fix the Wi-Fi and I would love to give this nice little library a 5.

this is a small library, but there is free parking! and it's very up-to-date with the technology. the self check-out machines, scanners, and case removers all work! (unlike some of the other branches like fairview).

Staff are friendly and professional. Amazing space for anyone of all ages. Love the return/takeout feature, less time. Can't say enough positives about this branch.