Port Isabel Public Library

One of my favorite libraries! We showed up with little expectations based on past reviews but it was beyond any other library I’ve been to. They had two huge kids play areas with so many different toys for our daughter to play with. The librarians even gave her a toy to take with her home and they had cookies and cupcakes just for visiting. There were free books to take home and a huge selection of books / dvds we could buy for super cheap which is exactly what we needed. Their Wi-Fi worked really nicely which isn’t what other reviews said. You can’t tell from outside but it is a gem inside so thank you!

I used the Port Isabel Library as my remote office during a recent stay, and it was truly a gem. The space is quiet, welcoming, and perfect for getting work done. I want to especially thank the librarians—Ida, Jeannie, and Lulu—who were incredibly helpful and kind. Their support made my experience even better. This library is also a wonderful place for children, with great spaces and resources that deserve strong community support. It’s a shame the Friends of the Library group is no longer active—it really needs to be revived to help sustain this valuable community resource. Port Isabel is lucky to have such a special library!

This library has been a challenging place to work. It’s by far the coldest library I’ve ever been in—so cold that I found myself needing to step outside every hour just to warm up. The atmosphere feels uninviting, as the librarians don’t really greet or interact with visitors, which makes it feel even colder in a figurative sense. There are also several inconveniences when it comes to working here. To access the WiFi, you need to sign a sheet for a code, but unfortunately, the code often doesn’t work. Cell service is spotty, so relying on a personal hotspot isn’t a great alternative either. Outlets are scarce, and the few that are available are located far from the tables, which is frustrating if you need to charge a laptop or other devices. Additionally, the library seems to use Febreze

WiFi is working great now, you gotta just ask for a login code from the front desk. The various children’s play and activity rooms are amazing though, so much for kids! Nice that you can donate books and dvds plus buy the same thing for super cheap! Great place to stop by if you’re here for awhile.

WiFi shuts off at 5 pm. Very noisy inside; i wore ear plugs in the library.