Farmers Branch Manske Library — Attraction in Farmers Branch

There is NO regards to quiet WHATSOEVER.

Kids screaming and running around and parents just don't know how to teach their kids the quiet library etiquette. YOU WANT A PLAYGROUND, STEP OUTSIDE! THIS IS NOT A DAYCARE CENTER!!!!!!!

Loud COMMUNITY events where DISRESPECTFUL and INCOSIDERATE adults have no concept of the quiet Library etiquette.

PEOPLE, IF YOU WANT TO CARRY OUT CONVERSATIONS, THEN, STEP OUTSIDE!

There are people on their phone, phones ringing, and chiming ALL THE TIME AND ALL DAY!

WHERE is the Library etiquette that is COMPLETELY DISREGARDED???????????????? IF YOU WANT TO USE YOUR PHONE, THEN STEP OUTSIDE! OUTSIDE the Library!!! Inside the Library is QUIET!

The Library is for research, reading, studying, Internet Access, etc.

The Library is NOT A DAYCARE CENTER for the INCONSIDERATE and the DISRESPECTFUL parents that allow their children to run and scream and act as though the Library is their own backyard or outdoor playground!

The Library is NOT for the INCONSIDERATE and the DISRESPECTFUL people that want to be on their phones, allowing their phones to ring and ring, have loud conversation, for those that want to use the computers for playing ONLINE GAMES! Where are the policies and controls against that?

The staff does NOT WANT and will NOT address ANY of these loud and inconsiderate actions. THE STAFF POSITION IS THAT THIS LIBRARY DOES NOT OFFER ANY QUIET AREAS - AGAIN, THIS LIBRARY DOES NOT OFFER ANY QUIET AREAS! IMAGINE THAT COMING FROM THE LIBRARY STAFF.

Next Topic - WIFI is AWFUL

INTERNET ACCESS IS HORRIBLE with constant freeze, drop off, and poor bandwidth (upload and download)! See the Photos (12.63 Mbps Download, 2.77 Mbps Upload, and 215 ms Latency). THE LIBRARY STAFF IS UNABLE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!!!

Our taxpayers' dollars SHOULD PROVIDE this BASIC necessity for ANY AND EVERY LIBRARY; THERE MUST BE A RELIABLE HIGH SPEED INTERNET ACCESS AT ALL TIMES, and not 12.63 Mbps Download Speed with 215 ms Latency.

ATTENTION MAYOR Lynn: Use our taxpayers' tax dollars to UPDATE AND MODERNIZE THE INTERNET CAPACITY AT THE LIBRARY to the 21st Century Standards!!!

STOP PEOPLE FROM GAMINING ON OUR TAXPAYER'S COMPUTERS AND DRAIN THE BANDWIDTH OF THE INTERNET.

USB outlets are NOT even a 2.0 charging port. It took One Hour and 50 Minutes for my phone to charge from 8% to 37%. I then used my 20W/3.1 Amp adapter and it charged fully in 52 minutes from 37%!

EVERYTHING in this Library is outdated!

Extra Small library and VERY VERY limited selection on resources.

The Library CELL PHONE RECEPTION IS NON-EXISTENT! It is downhill from the closest tower and there is NO DIRECT SIGNAL into the ABYSS! Why doesn't the City Mayor's Office and Manager's Office contact the Cell Phone Providers and DEMAND that signal reach this DEAD AREA! Isn't this a SAFETY CONCERN when you do not have PHONE Signal??????

This is one of the WORST Libraries that I have...

The Farmers Branch Manske Library is located about 1/2 mile north of the Webb Chapel / Valley View intersection, adjacent to Rawhide Park. It’s next door to the spectacular new Fire Station No. 1 and exterior comparisons are not favorable to the library. With a fading 80’s-ish brick exterior, boxy shape and unspectacular entrance, I prepared myself for the worst. And wow, was I pleasantly surprised!

The library looks to be fairly recently remodeled. Oak and beech bookshelves, chairs and accents; dark multicolored carpet to unify all the disparate colors and elements; plush burgundy leather chairs. Only the ceiling remains original, thank goodness.

To the left as you enter is a nice little gallery - yes, a real gallery with nice displays and good lighting. Just as you pass security are the new arrivals. A nice selection, not very large. Straight ahead are about 20 PCs for internet access. Next to that are the digital offerings lumped under the title “Media.” The selection is so large it reminds me of video stores back in the day. The Adult Fiction selection is large enough that it’s split into Mystery, Sci Fi, Romance and Fiction (other).

Exploring the Fiction Dept I stumbled upon the Periodicals section. Not only was the selection greater than most other libraries but they were in a fairly large space devoted to reading/hanging out. Six tables seating four and four very comfy overstuffed chairs. The windows here overlook the park and river. There’s also a patio where food consumption is allowed.

On the opposite side of the library is the kids’ zone. It’s well separated from the rest of the library so all I can say is that it looks great from afar.

Going downstairs at the quarter landing there is another patio overlooking the park and another hang out space, about half the size of the one in the Periodicals section. There are eight more PCs and small sections for Spanish language books and graphic novels but most of the lower level is devoted to Nonfiction. As large as the Fiction selection is, the Nonfiction is about twice that size.

This is really...

I’m so sad to see the new renovations to the library. As a kid, I basically grew up at Farmers Branch library and now live elsewhere - visiting the library everytime I was in town always made my trip worthwhile. Seeing the soul sucked out of the architecture and space for a bland modern look is so disheartening.

I miss the warm wood finishings and how the dark carpet kept the place quiet and how it contrasted with the big bright windows. I miss the practical use of space and how the galleries at the front door retained a museum like-feel. I’ll always miss how the outdoor theater perfectly blended in with the park/nature while matching the overall aesthetic of the library.

I don’t know why or how the changes to farmers branch library were made, but I’m so disappointed that such a beautiful piece of Farmers Branch architecture has been destroyed. I hope one day, the space can be restored to its former glory and that the library once again can feel like the cozy neighborhood alcove that the inner kid in me yearns for.

[pictures from before...