Throughout the San Mateo Public Library, a calm ambience helps promote a good homework and study environment.
All three floors of the library welcome studiers and readers alike, providing a multitude of relaxing seating arrangements. Offering an abundance of non-book items for check out, a used book store and a fun downtown close by, it’s easily one of the best libraries in the area.
Overall, the library is almost completely silent. Even in the lobby, most people whisper to maintain a calm library setting so people can focus on their book, homework or studying. Should one of the countless seating areas be too noisy, the Study Room on the second floor is always open. The Study Room doesn’t allow talking, phones must be turned off and studiers must type quietly so as to not disturb the rest of the room.
My favorite place to work at is the Teen Lounge. At the Teen Lounge, tables can comfortably accommodate up to five people, making it perfect for a group study session. While they are typically a tool only available in private study rooms (which are also available at this library), whiteboards line the walls of the Teen Lounge, which are especially helpful when studying. Not to mention, the Teen Lounge and every other seating area in the library has a personal charging station. This area is a little more secluded than other areas yet maintains the quiet environment the rest of the library keeps.
On the first floor, there is a used book store full of coffee table books, children’s books and many other genres for low prices.
On the first floor you can borrow Chromebooks, hotspots and ukuleles. Along with that, you can get State Park passes with over 200 participating state parks. Should you get a park pass, you can check out backpacks full of outdoor and camping supplies for your trip.
The area surrounding the library is really nice for an after-studying snack. Downtown San Mateo is a ten minute walk from the library and includes a lot of boba spots, good restaurants of all prices, multiple bakeries and ice cream shops.
Despite all of this, the library is almost 20 minutes away from Woodside. There’s a good chance most students are closer to another library or study space, and it would be a lot more convenient for them to just go and study there. However, this library has an atmosphere that makes it so easy to focus on whatever needs to be done. The library is worth the haul for me. Taking a trip to the library will justify the drive.
