Balboa Branch Library — Attraction in San Diego

I'm giving this place 3 stars, because 2 stars means I dislike it, which isn't all true. 3 stars for "it's okay" in that... It's okay because I get the books I've been looking for at this location... so it serves its purpose for me, without any of the frills, I guess.

PARKING: When on Mt Abernathy Ave, the building is easy to miss because it's small, but on a street corner so it's somewhat obvious. There's very limited parking around their tiny library building, but for the times I've went, there's always been a space... showing how this library location isn't as popular as the others. Whether you park in their parking lot or park curbside, hide your valuables so they're not visible from your car windows... and LOCK your doors. This is not a safe location, and it's best to err on the side of caution when parking in this area.

FIRST IMPRESSION: Very small, and smells extra musty. I mean, libraries always carry a light "musty" smell I love smelling, but this one far exceeds the musty level of enjoyment for me. There's even a spot I had to walk through to get to a book, and you can totally tell someone farted nearby. Ew. LOL. :D It feels particularly stuffy in here because the library is so small! I can't imagine bringing my laptop in here to work on stuff.. it's not a good environment to do so (unless your tolerance level is different). Yeah, when I come here, it's only because the SD Library app says there's a book available at this location that's not available anywhere else close to my place. It's happened to me and my husband twice now. :)

LAYOUT/DEMOGRAPHICS: Small. All of shelves are strategically placed around some tables you can sit at. Families with young kids. The last time I was there, there was a guy who wreaked of body odor, and was mumbling every other word with F-bombs to himself... very loudly. So loud that I know the young kids can't help but listen. We all can't help it. He was that loud. The librarians didn't do anything about it though. They just let it happen. LOL.

RESTROOMS: The restroom is a single room with 1 toilet, so it immediately locks once someone is occupying it. It's not locked to the point that you need the keys from the front desk to unlock it or anything, so I imagine random, non-library members can just walk in and use the restrooms any time they're open.

STAFF/VOLUNTEERS: Incredibly helpful. I have no complaints here. :) They're friendly, and that's all I need. Someone to help me find the books I saw on the mobile app, and to check...

I have never felt so disrespected and humiliated in a public setting. I walked in, simply wanting a library card, with my service dog, and was immediately questioned on my medical condition by the man working at the front. I gave an answer and offered to show my letter for my service animal, but he continued to press me. People were beginning to stare and I was beginning to feel uncomfortable sharing my medical condition in such a public space, and disclosed this. I stated "I don't think I'm legally obligated to disclose how specific my medical condition out loud like this, could you please just read my letter?"

That's when ANOTHER man quickly rushed over to "handle this" situation. He loudly declared that I am, in fact, legally obligated to answer his questions of what my medical condition is and what tasks does my dog help me perform.

Not wanting trouble, I went ahead and explained my conditions to him. That's when he (still loudly) clarified that my dog did not count as a service animal by their standards, that I wasn't welcome in here with him, and would not be served as long as I had him here. The tone he used was very hostile, made me feel like I had some something extremely wrong when I really just didn't see any rules against bringing service animals.

At this point, everyone was staring, and I immediately left, not wanting more trouble. I could've easily tied my dog outside and returned for my card. But the hostile language and extra attention used towards us made me feel unsafe leaving my dog outside by himself.

Although there's no issue with not being allowed in with my service animal, that accusatory, aggressive tone and treatment used against us was unreasonable. I simply wanted a library card and it was my first time inside a SD library, as a recent resident. A quick Google search led me to believe there were no rules against bringing service animals inside the library. Never once raised my voice, I only questioned the legality of their detailed asking once.

I am extremely saddened and disappointed as a lifelong lover and patron of the public libraries. Safe to say, will never return to this place of accusatory language and unkind vibes known as the Balboa Branch Library. Even if I were to return without my dog, there's no need to interact with such unkind and resentful people who clearly don't care about the noise level or emotional comfort of the library...

This library has very few books on hand that are interesting to an adult population between the ages of 20-50. Therefore I usually have to request and wait for my desired books. Upon recently returning a book that did have mild water damage, I was told I would need to replace it at “full cost of $27.99”. This book is $14 for hardcover on Amazon. When I asked if i could buy this brand new copy of the book on Amazon to replace the “damaged” book, I was told no, it is “city policy” to charge the full cost and they would not accept the brand new copy to replace it. Ah, San Diego library system, I know inflation has hit everyone but it feels like they are trying “recoup” costs rather than actually replace the item. So you will get my $27.99 and buy it for $14 on Amazon…. Below, the book that is “so damaged” that they had to remove it from circulation and...