This summer, some students might want a cool place to read and hang out to beat the heat. Look no further than the Huntington Beach Public Library.
The Huntington Beach Public Library has been around since 1909 and since it’s opening has been constantly expanding to accommodate patrons of not just Huntington Beach, but all of orange county. What makes the Huntington Beach library so special? For starter’s the library is a beautiful place to visit. Nestled inside the Central Park of Huntington Beach off of Talbert Avenue, this library is truly a work of art. Inside the building students and visitors are greeted with a huge structural fountain in the middle of the library. The water from these fountains cascades and flows through the various levels of the library. The library sits on a man made lake and has glass walls so depending on which spots students pick to read and or study they have a beautiful view of the scenery. There are multiple levels and sections in the library, truly something for everyone. What the library is most known for however may be that the largest selection of books in Orange County. Librarian Janette Judson has been at the Huntington Beach Library for thirteen years, and says “It is a professional environment, with an amazing collection and a beautiful location”. The selection of books turns into a labyrinth of shelves displaying every genre one could imagine. In addition to the libraries extensive book collection there is also a massive media section housing anything from, dvds, cds, to books on tape. The library offers free WiFi to its guest and free access to any of the books, as well as the media and there is a fun magazine section as well. To check books out however, a library card will cost twenty five dollars, it is free for Huntington Beach citizens. Librarian and Huntington Beach resident Christine Moore has worked at many libraries before calling the Huntington Beach library her home for twelve years, and thinks that it is “the biggest and the best library I have ever worked at”, says Moore. There is truly something for everyone at the Huntington Beach library including an area for students with small children. The children center at the library offers fun crafts and story times for a parent that needs to check out a book can bring their kids along. For students needing that extra pick me up during finals there is also a cafe and coffee shop called One Fine Blend located on the bottom level of the library offering up tasty snack and drinks. Computers are available for use, most require a library card, but there are a few guest computers offered as well. Also on the top level is a study area filled with desk tables equipped with cable plug ins and lamps for students who have devices to connect. Cypress College student Kevin Pham, 20, a Psychology major has been to the Huntington Beach library and thinks it is a great place for other students to check out, “When you first walk in you see this big fountain and the whole place is really cool looking, plus they have pretty much every book you would ever need. And you can’t beat free Wifi”, says Pham. The Huntington Beach Central Library is open Monday through Saturday, is open from 9 A.M. to 9 P.M, with the exception of Friday and Saturday it closes at 5 P.M. Whether a student needs a quiet place to study, or a nice view to read a book by, like the books at the Huntington Beach Central Library, it’s worth checking out.