As my nickname here in Yelp is "The Transcendental Bookworm", you would be right in assuming that I have a love for literature and books. As this library is right up my alley, I love coming here to both browse and read, and while it isn't a good as UNLV's Lied Library back when I was a student, it's still a very solid and nice library.
For starters, the actual "library" is just part of the facility itself. There is a used bookstore, meeting halls and they occasionally have (albeit small" art exhibits. The place is very large for a Clark County library.
They have not just a wide selection of books, but also of other multimedia like music and film. Way back when, the only kinds of movies you could find would either be very old classics or documentaries, now you can find anything from blockbuster films to pro wrestling DVDs (yes, you read that right).
When I first started coming here in middle school, they had a physical circulation desk. Now, everything is automated. This can be a good or bad thing based on your personal preferences, but it's a good display of evolving the library. There are quite a few study rooms for when you are cramming for exams, and there are several good reading areas that are relatively secluded from the high traffic walkways. This is where I usually go when I want to do some reading outside of my house, and there are few things more relaxing than going here and plunging into a good book with some jazz on my iPod.
Unfortunately, due to the recession and cuts to public institutions, the library has severely cut their hours. It used to be open until 9 Monday through Thursday, now it's until 6. By comparison, UNLV's Lied Library is open until midnight Mon-Thurs, so I am a bit spoiled by it back when I was a student. Secondly, the Wi-Fi in the library moves like Rush Hour traffic on the 95. If you're coming here to do work on a laptop, be patient, or find a Starbucks to work at.
The West Sahara Library is one of the better Clark County Libraries, and it's a great place to not just check out material but to just read inside.
PROS:
Large, contains more than just a library
Automated checkout and book returns
Cozy reading areas
Very little annoying cell phone use
CONS:
Very slow Wi-Fi
Cut business hours
THE VERDICT: Great library, will consistently use it.