Brook Hollow Branch Library — Attraction in San Antonio

I've occasionally visited this library for decades and have always enjoyed its charm and selection.

However, this past week I was caught in a bind and needed internet to meet with a student for online tutoring. After the online session, I had an in-person session which was closer to Brook Hollow, and driving back home would cut the time too close for comfort.

So I went to the library, found a secluded area, opened my computer, and put on my headphones to join the session.

The session was scheduled to end at the same time the library closes (6 p.m.). Fifty-two minutes later, a librarian came around to tell patrons the library was closing in ten minutes. I started collecting my belongings. Two minutes later, another librarian came around to tell me the library was closing. My belongings were packed, I was standing behind my chair, and doing a last visual sweep of the area before grabbing my computer and secondary screen to sit outside and clarify a misconception my student had.

At that point, the second Librarian came back and repeated that the library was closing soon and that ordinarily "that" library location doesn't allow recorded Zoom tutoring sessions. However, since I had already started, they let me continue for the duration of the hour.

I was focused on helping my student who needed clarification. So I grabbed my computer and secondary screen and went outside to clarify their misconception before formally ending the session.

During the session, I didn't have time to think about the second librarian's comments. I was focused on the education of my student. After the session, I was perturbed but not angry. That changed when my student's parent texted because their learner was worried about me because they heard the librarian's comments and tone, then I became and still am angry.

The Zoom wasn't being recorded that day because I was in a public location.

My environment was obscured by Zoom with beautiful picture of a Villa I visited in Spain, so other patrons and my surroundings couldn't not be seen.

I put on headphones that are noise cancelling and talked low so I would not be a distraction to other patrons.

I've seen other patron's tutoring students in the same library on multiple occasions.

Finally, and most importantly, a proper emotional state is important for learning. I do my best to create a calming welcoming environment for my learners. The second librarian's comments and tone disrupted that learning environment. That upsets me more than anything else.

I’m fine with being told the library is closing. I’m not fine with being scolded on unsubstantiated grounds in front of a student. One interaction doesn’t erase years of good experiences, but it has changed how I see...

If I could give zero stars I would. Today was a horrible experience, my daughter and I decided that we haven't been to the public library in a while, and wanted to go and enjoy our time there. My daughter is Autistic and stims when she is happy, which includes spinning herself in a circle or running, etc . Those who know it it is nearly impossible to get someone to stop stimming. As there wasnt alot of children in the kid area, my daughter was running in circles, I was watching like I always do. She was being careful and safe. The librarian came into the kids area and announced in front of everyone " boys and girls no running in the area." My friend and I looked at each other, and I was embarrassed, that is not the way she could have handled it. She should have walked up to me, and asked me to redirect my child but she didnt. So instead we left. My daughter upset and screaming, as we were leaving I tried to check out the books we did manage to pick out for at home reads, and because we were leaving without a gentle warning, my daughter was upset, screaming and had to be carried out. The librarian told me " oh no mom, you dont have to. I just wanted her to be safe" I told her that she has autism, and is still learning. I left the books there instead of checking them out. Safe to say I am glad I didnt grab those books, because ive decided that this library isnt a good fit for us. We have vist here multiple times and never had a problem, I have seen alot of other kids in the past jumping, running and judt being kids in this area for them and never once did the librarian make a...

I paid to reserve a meeting room at the Brook Hollow library, just to try it out since my best experiences have been at the Carver Branch and Parman libraries here in San Antonio. The staff at this particular location were extremely rude, short and unhelpful. One staff person had the audacity to walk into the meeting room during my event just to close a door to a cabinet that had shelved books. I asked another staff person to simply borrow a sharpie for a couple of minutes and she replied "bring it back in a few seconds." I will never return to this particular location and don't encourage anyone to either. There is no diversity among the staff there and the attitudes are...