Portola Branch Library — Attraction in San Francisco

The staff sometimes tries to keep the patrons quiet here, but it's usually a losing battle and they give up.

Kids crowd around the computers and yell as they play games. Old people sit across from each other and shout as they read newspapers. Eventually the staff has no choice but to speak loudly to be heard over the din.

It's unfortunate that some people have never learned how to behave in public or proper library etiquette. Maybe some "Quiet, please" signs (in English and Chinese) would help.

Update (7/26/17): I don't know why, but the library seems to have gotten quieter. Perhaps the patrons, who might not have spent much time in libraries, have finally learned to speak quietly. Good work...

Can’t understand the lack of empathy when talking to one of the Asian ladies at the library, I went to the library to return a library card and key I found at the park, the lady at the desk barely move her face and just took the keys without saying a word. First thing I do when entering a building, any building or business I say hi! I say thank you, I say have a good day, while we promote the use of books and reading, education or good moral habits should be exemplary from the very people working at the Portola Library, call me old fashion, but, that attitude just demoralized me returning to that library, poor...

$0.20 copies w coins( no pennies) and select dollar bills made printing scanned paper copies easy. I learned I can send from home too. Re: noise, once children are in, slight noise to occasional flares. Librarians typically tell them to Quiet down. I like the individual chairs on margins by windows. It's a nice place to "get away" to...