Mission Hills - Hillcrest/Knox Branch Library — Attraction in San Diego

The noise level at this San Diego library is astonishingly high, largely attributed to the library staff. They slam metal doors when handling periodicals, drop books into the metal book return with loud thuds, create a commotion while rustling plastic bags, generate printing noises followed by the crumpling of newly printed receipts. Astonishingly, neither patrons nor employees make any effort to maintain a whisper or an appropriate library-level of noise.

I observed a father walking through the library, hand in hand with his young daughter. Ironically, the only one who attempted to maintain a hushed tone was the little girl, who jingled with more bells than Santa's sleigh. The cacophony continues with constant phone notifications, voices echoing throughout the space, plastic bags rustling, doors slamming and opening, conversations traversing the entire building, various electronic beeps, the low hum of air conditioning, the clicking of keyboards, creaking chairs, pages being turned with frustration, the jingling of keys, wrappers being crumpled, the thumps of frustrated technology being tossed aside, flip-flops flopping, buzzing sounds, traffic noise from outside, the clacking of computer keyboards, the grinding of lawn equipment, the closing of book covers, items rubbing together, feet dragging, incessant computer notifications, high-pitched door alarms, and even the distant sound of air traffic overhead.

The lack of consideration for maintaining a peaceful library environment is truly remarkable in this establishment, making it a challenging place for those seeking quiet and focus.

All this noise, I observed in less than an hour…. Then I left, seeking a quiet...

This library is an incredible gem in the neighborhood. The children's story times are magical and always make me smile from across the room. The computers are old and not the fastest, but they still work. The staff is friendly and knowledgeable. The head librarian, Steve, does so much with grace and knowledge. (He even expertly manages a diverse group of library users.) For me, he's been an especially terrific reference librarian. For example, he answers all my detailed questions about the academic journals in the electronic resources of the library.

There are 2 other ways the Mission Hills Library is so valuable to me. The ability to reserve books held at the Main Library, and then delivered to Mission Hills is a godsend. I even get an email when they arrive. Very cool.

Even better, the San Diego Public Library system cooperates with the libraries at SDSU, USD, UCSD and other cities in a remarkable inter-library loan system. I sometimes need a book that the public library doesn't have, but I usually can quickly reserve it through the "Circuit" system. Like magic, the book is delivered to Mission Hills, and I check it out there. Steve and his staff are the friendly, competent neighborhood faces of this world-class library...

If only I could give them zero stars. I have just had the rudest encounter imaginable with a staff member who refused to help me. My car was stuck in the garage because I needed validation to exit, and she refused to even listen. All she said was “Monday!” (today was Friday) and hopped in her car and left. Shorter anglo woman, not thin, wheat-colored hair, neck- or shoulder-length. Then she LIED about the encounter to other staff. Unfortunately for her, I have a witness to encounter.

We’ve been waiting for decades for this new library, and this is the staff? Rude, rude, rude.

Many thanks to the security guard, and the Ace Parking guy who heard the...