I spend a lot of time in libraries. I can recharge my computer (which I use a lot every day), get free wifi Internet access, keep out of the weather, and have access to a bathroom and fountains. I also sometimes print something, read a book or use other library services.
I try hard to follow the rules and not call attention to myself. I have sometimes been asked to leave in a manner that is pretty clearly prejudice and discrimination. So I highly recommend that if you are going to use the public libraries while homeless, you try hard to downplay the fact that you are homeless. Classism is alive and well.
City of San Diego system: There are many libraries in San Diego county in this system. I have only been to a few of them. You can get information about locations and hours here.
Much to my surprise, there are other libraries in San Diego county which are not part of this system. They have different hours from the above libraries. Below, in no particular order, is a list of some of the libraries I have been to and a review of some of the features and locational benefits I found personally relevant.
- Oceanside Library on the Coast Highway: It seems huge and inviting from the outside, then has this very intimidating security-conscious entrance and really isn't all that big. It also isn't very clean. I have very serious medical problems. Staying well is my only hope of getting off the street. I stayed one afternoon and moved on.
- Rifford in La Jolla Village:This is a lovely little library. It is usually open seven days a week. It is not far from Pizza on Pearl but there are no grocery stores nearby. There are tables with plugs. They are limited. The second floor bathroom is private. The bathrooms have hand dryers instead of paper towels.
- Solana Beach:This is a lovely library though the power outlets are somewhat limited and kind of hidden. Also, it is part of their middle school. It gets crowded and noisy at lunch and after school. It is a couple of blocks from a pizza place. The bathroom has paper towels and the water is motion sensor controlled.
- Geisel: This is part of UCSD in La Jolla. It is pretty far from the Rifford. It is open seven days a week when school is in session, from 7:30am to midnight Monday through Thursday with shorter hours the other three days. It closes for 11 days in December and has more limited hours between quarters. It also closes for three or four days at Thanksgiving. It is open to the public. The bathrooms are frequently trashed by the students.
There is a public food court (with public bathroom) around the corner at the Price Center. But it isn't very budget-friendly. A thirty minute walk away are three shopping centers with three grocery stores, including a Ralph's, and a Chipotle and a Dominoes. These are more budget-friendly places to try to grab a bite to eat. - Dove Library in Carlsbad: This is a great mid-sized library with lots of tables and desks with outlets, good bathrooms. Open seven days a week. It is a short walk from two shopping centers, one with a Dominoes, the other with a Von's grocery store.
- Del Mar:Tiny library with limited electric outlets on the main drag. The bathrooms are private. It is two or three blocks from a pizza place.
- Central Library: I have not been to the new central library. I was in downtown San Diego while it was under construction.
- Cardiff-by-the-Sea: Award-winning library. The bathrooms are great, though kind of hidden. There are plugs at a long desk along the wall. It is across the street from a shopping center which contains a grocery store and a pizza place.