Fresno is the fifth largest city in California, which places it as an important source of information. The city consists of numerous libraries available to a defined community for reference or borrowing. I will try to name the most important ones for this community. If you are looking to expand your knowledge while you are in Fresno, you should be able to find what you are looking for.
1. Fresno County Public Library
The Library allows Fresno County residents a wealth of information and materials, completely free, in a variety of formats and languages. In addition to a various collection of books, e-books, magazines, movies, and video games, there are also a variety of Library programs. Today, this library represents the Headquarters for the Fresno County Public Library (this includes 32 branch libraries, the Literacy Center, the Talking Book Library for the Blind, Senior Resource Center, and the California History and Genealogy room) with a budget of approximately $24.7-million.
Information:
- Name: Fresno County Public
Library - Address: 2420 Mariposa St, Fresno, CA 93721, United States
- Phone: +1 559-600-6594
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 10 am – 7 pm, Friday to Saturday 10 am – 5 pm Sunday 12 – 5 pm
2. Talking Book Library for the Blind
Source: European University Institute
Talking Book Library for the Blind provide books and magazines in digital audio format and in Braille to people of all ages who have physical limitations, who are blind or visually impaired, preventing the reading of standard print. The library serves the counties of Fresno, Kings, Madera, and Tulare.
Information
- Name: Talking Book Library for the Blind
- Address: Ted C. Wills Community Center, 770 N San Pablo Avenue, Fresno CA 93728
- Phone: (559) 600-3217
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm
3. Fresno County Public Library Literacy Services
Fresno County Public Library offers free literacy services for individuals and families. Fresno County Adults who use these services meet with specially trained tutors one-on-one at least once a week to develop skills in writing, reading, spelling, and math. As an addition to the Adult Literacy program, the library offers specialized activities and education for adults who have children ages five and under. Participants get resources to help them prepare their children for Kindergarten. For English Speakers of Other Languages, in extension to one-on-one tutoring, conversation circles are formed. The Aprendo Van is a mobile literacy unit that travels to community sites in Mendota, San Joaquin, Tranquillity, Five Points, Oro Loma, Halfway, and Cantua Creek. The staff of the Aprendo Van is bilingual in English and in Spanish. The goal is to help the parents and caregivers in preparing their children up to age 5 for school admission and success.
Information
- Name: Literacy Services Center
- Address: 2420 Mariposa St. Fresno, CA 93721
- Phone:(559) 600-9240
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 10 am – 7 pm, Friday to Saturday 10 am – 5 pm
4. Henry Madden Library
The Henry Madden Library serves as the main resource for recorded knowledge and information encouraging the research, teaching, research, and service duties of the California State University in Fresno. The library contains 1.13 million volumes, placing it among the biggest libraries in the California State University system. The library shelves amount to over 20 miles in length. It is the third biggest library in the CSU system in terms of square footage, and among the top ten biggest in the CSU system based on the number of books. It also is the largest academic building on the Fresno State campus.
Information
- Name:Henry Madden Library
- Address:5200 N Barton Ave, Fresno, CA 93710, United States
- Phone: +1 559-278-2174
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8 am – 5 pm
5. San Joaquin Valley Library System
The San Joaquin Valley Library System (SJVLS) is an organization that includes several other groups of libraries. SJVLS is made of 114 individual libraries including the Fresno County Library, the Kern County Library, Merced County Library, and the Kings County Library. SJVLS headquarters are co-located with the Fresno County Library. It is here where Network Engineers maintain the network that interconnects all the branches in the system.
Information
- Name: San Joaquin Valley Library System
- Address: 2420 Mariposa Street, Fresno CA 93721
- Phone: (559) 600-6283
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm
6. Senior Resource Center Library
The purpose of the Seniors Program is to provide library materials and assistance to seniors and caregivers. The Program aims to improve the large print and nonprint collections for seniors, and will continue to improve library services by scheduling programming and special events. In addition to that, the Program will continue to cooperate with area agencies assisting seniors and caregivers in order to employ community resources more effectively.
Information
- Name: Senior Resource Center Library
- Address: 2025 E. Dakota Avenue, Fresno, CA 93726
- Phone: (559) 600-6767
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday 10 am – 2 pm
7. Kauffman Library
The Kauffman’s Library goal is to meet the special curricular and research requirements of all academic programs on Alliant’s Fresno campus. This specialized library puts emphases on reference and research services. The library provides access to a collection of electronic sources that includes course reserves, electronic books and many internet based research databases. Psychological examination materials for the Fresno campus assessment classes are run by the library and include testing materials, electronic databases and a collection of test reference materials. The library is also the archive for the San Joaquin Psychological Association.
Information
- Name: Kauffman Library
- Address: 5130 East Clinton Way, Fresno, California 93727
- Phone: (559) 253-2265
- Opening hours: 10 am – 7 pm
Okay, guys, some of you fancy quiet areas for studying and some of you are just looking for some quick access to the electronic resources in Fresno. Either way, I hope this helps your cause. You will get unlimited access to information in multiple formats and from many sources. Remember, “There is no shame in not knowing, the shame lies in not finding out.”
Have a good Trip and Travel!
