Semmes Branch Library — Attraction in San Antonio

This Library once was a GEM and source of great pride in the community... AESTHETICALLY BEAUTIFUL and built in concert with the natural surroundings which included direct access to a public park (Comanche Lookout) with walking trails and natural flora. While still beautiful, the library no longer is a peaceful place for reading, study, contemplation. It has essentially become an INDOOR PLAYGROUND...loud, rambunctious children running throughout the building chasing each other amidst the racks...wailing infants, the constant chatter of teachers/tutors helping students speak/read aloud English language or working on some other academic subject... people engage in cell phone conversations aloud, have volume turned up on their personal laptops, even the staff engages in excessively loud talking and laughter. Not even a SEMBLANCE of Libraries as a QUIET place. There is a 'Quiet Room' but it is very small, perhaps occupying less than 5% of the facilities total space...and often there are people in there not adhering to the 'quiet rules.' The beautiful PATIO area...once the PRIDE of the facility has been out of use/access for YEARS now...with signage that says 'under evaluation for remodeling/repairs.' That sign has been on the portal leading to the PATIO for YEARS now! There obviously has been NO progress made on such 'remodeling/repairs.' I actually believe the library directors/staff simply dont want to maintain it, so they dont open it. I will no longer bother to visit this library except to perhaps take out a book....and VOTE (it is a designated Early...

Julia Yates Semmes Library is a first class library.  My former boss at Judson Storage worked in concert with the Library using our marquee board to promote their periodic  book sales.   Since i am  totally digitally in this electronic age access all my books, movies,  and music on my tablet.  Confine use of this neighborhood library for printing  tax instructions and forms,  early voting in state & federal elections.   The staff has always  provided excellent  reference service and go  beyond to  help me  accomplish  my objectives.  It has an outdoor reading area, as well as an outdoor classroom.  .    Ample parking.  Nice Children's playground.   Adjoins Comanche Lookout Park and on the Library Circle Trail are nine outdoor exercise machines, picnic benches,  several poop bag dispensers for your pets,  and a water fountain for man and beast.  To me the most beautiful of the three  entrances  to Comanche Lookout is from the ...

Love this branch... suggestions: Restrict children from using computers in the adult area. Note this happens often even when there are available computers in the children's area. Adults aren't able to use children systems...tables and chairs are too small. Speaking of computer use, if there are open usable system allow more than 3 hrs access time. This can be done either with an override in the software that adds additional time now or proved a software panel for one of the workers to grant an extension for user at the 3 hr limit...see suggestion 1...there have been times when I am logged off after 1 hr due to down for repair systems and/or numerous systems in the adult section in use by kids! If the other activity rooms aren't in use allow customers to go in there for quiet study. The room currently set aside is small and often one of the 3 tables has one person seated at the table with numerous books...