Main Library

The Archive

For appointments outside the open hours, customers can call the Archive office line: 951-826-5301

Friends of the Library Bookstore

Art at Main

At the Riverside Main Library, various local art pieces fill the library walls enhancing the experience for residents and visitors alike. See the art at Main Library.

Meeting Rooms

Main Library: There are three study rooms, one conference room and one sound recording booth available at Main Library, free to use. Reservations can be made up to one week in advance for two hours a day total. Click on the link below to access the reservation system. Study Room A seats 8 and has a television for laptop access (HDMI) and a whiteboard. Study Rooms B seats five and has a television for laptop access (HDMI) and a whiteboard. Study Room C seats five and has a television for laptop access (HDMI) and a whiteboard. The Carnegie Reading Room seats 12 and has a television for laptop access (HDMI). The soundbooth studio is located on the third floor which is available to record music. All rooms require a valid Riverside Public Library card to reserve and check out. When you arrive, you can check in at the 4th floor desk and they will assist you.

Instantly book the study rooms and conference rooms at the brand new main library. Rooms can be reserved for a maximum of two hours a day.

Main Library Rentable Spaces

Main Library offers five options for rentable spaces, including the Community Room, Archive Reading Room and Event Terrace. Click on the fee schedule below for details about room capacities and hourly rates.
For booking, please call (951) 826-5213.
Fee Schedule : Click here.
Rental Application : Click here.

Music at Main Library

Experienced piano players interested in exhibiting their talent to create a pleasing ambience within the library are welcome to reserve a time. The piano is a vintage 1936 Steinway, Model B. Must have a valid Riverside Public Library card to play. Ages 12+. Reservations are available every other Friday between 2-4pm, for a period of 15 minutes.

Main Library Tours

Join us for guided tours of the new Main Library! We offer three different tours, including a standard tour, an art tour and a behind-the-scenes tour with Library Director Erin Christmas. Click on the calendar below to view details and make a reservation. For groups of 10 or more, please contact the Library directly at 951.826.5201 x1.

The new Main Library is a 2-story library lifted approximately 30 feet off the ground to allow for an arcade space under the library building. The ground floor is activated by the outdoor arcade space, a Friends of the Library Bookstore space, a 100 seat community room and a 2-story City Archive. Total square footage for the Library is approximately 42,000

Visible from this angle is the arcade space that can be used for author signings, youth performances, farmers markets, concerts, and family festivals. Additionally, there is the Friends of the Library Bookstore space and the two story City Archive. The City Archive will bring together the majority of the City of Riverside’s archival material currently held by various departments. The Archive is a two story space with a first floor reading room and a second floor dedicated to storage of the collections.

Innovation Center

The Innovation Center houses an Oculus Rift Virtual Reality station, two 3D printers, a sound recording booth, three iMac desktop computers, and our Young Adult collection.

Children's Room

The Children’s Room welcomes families with bright colors, playful artwork, and a 30-foot-high skylight. The collection contains over 25,000 children’s books and an early learning section with toys to encourage imaginative play and tablets for interactive learning. There is seating for both parents and children, with power outlets in the tables and plenty of space to work on homework and school projects. In the middle of the children’s room is a welcoming storytime area with ample space and furnishings to share stories. The room also features whimsical light fixtures and 16-foot-tall windows that make the space bright and cheerful.