Champaign Public Library

4.3 (49 reviews)

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Closed • 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

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Champaign Public Library - Second floor, North side. - Libraries Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

Champaign Public Library - Champaign Public Library is among the top 100 public libraries in the U.S. (HAPLR 2010). - Libraries Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

Champaign Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

Champaign Public Library - The spacious children's section. - Libraries Near Me - Champaign, Illinois

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Champaign public library is a great place to go. They have two floors.The first floor almost sets up for children .Many small size book shelves and colorful books in there.The library even makes a space for children to have fun. The second floor is a space for adults reading. There stores different series of books and CD/DVD . I saw some readers sitting by the table or on the couches . The hall is quite quiet. If you come Champaign, I recommend you to go Champaign public library ,you will have a nice time.

Jason F.

I've been a loyal CPL goer for many years. The library has so many benefits for families and individuals. As the parent of a five year old, I've been amazed at how much stuff they have for children. The children's book selection is enormous. We often borrow five to ten books at a time, grab a few DVDs from the large collection there, and come back a week later for a new batch. The library is a sleek, modern design with many different nooks and quiet places for you to sit and read or study. They have a large computer area on the second floor, but I cannot speak to the use or abuse of those. There's also a children's computer area next to the play area for kids. The checkout is a breeze with the electronic tags found in every book. You toss them on the electronic mat, wait for the title to appear on the screen, and off you go. Nothing difficult about that. There's always been someone there to ask questions if needed. I've recommended CPL to family members and other parents, since they have so many quality resources. This library is truly awesome and the staff should be proud of the work they put in there each day. Hopefully budget troubles can be figured out and the library will stand when my daughter grows old enough to take her own children there.

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Nate C.

12 years ago

a great library with great dvd selection. the staff in overall is nice and friendly. i love the quiet study room and the private group study room. the check-in system is easy to use and assistance is almost immediate from a staff nearby. read more

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Bimbi P.

16 years ago

Love this place. Great ambiance to read, pick books, surf the internet, grab a cup of nice coffee. Their patio is a cool place too.

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Katie W.

15 years ago

This is the best Library I have ever been to. The first time I step in I thought it was a bookstore.

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Anonymous A.

11 years ago

Great library. Terrible staff. They are rude to their customers and act way more important than they are. I had my foot barely touching their chair and was asked to move from the chair. I explained to them that due to a condition I could not sit differently. They again asked me to move. read more

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Liana M.

10 years ago

Didn't the city raise property taxes to build this thing? I guess when you have unlimited capital to work with you can make the building as large, inefficient, and with as much empty space as you want. The used bookstore in the basement is a great place to pick up withdrawn books for $1-2, though they probably cost taxpayers $25-30. I dream of the day when libraries are run like the video rental stores of yesteryear. read more

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Jasmine B.

10 years ago

this place is huge!! not ur regular library size...and the best part...ITS QUIET!! IMAGINE THAT! A quiet public library!!...the upstairs part is for adults and the entire downstairs is kids/teens..they even have a cute little patio which ive never seen in any library...u do have the occasional talkers but they keep it down...its very spacious...ill definitely come back, and theres also a quiet room on top..win! read more

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Dobie L.

16 years ago

I absolutely love this library. There's so many things I enjoy doing there - studying, reading books, checking out movies, drinking nice coffee. No doubt they are one of top 100 libraries in the country. read more

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louise p.

15 years ago

They charged me $24 for a $10 book. I wonder if they're choking people for money to pay for their high energy bills due to the ridiculously high ceilings, etc. read more

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Ann S.

14 years ago

I love the Champaign library. They have access to tons of books, videos, audio books and more. The staff is always eager to help in locating items or with research questions. The checkout procedure is the most efficient system I have ever seen. In addition to great books and more there are many quiet study places and even a little cafe to visit for refreshments. I regularly check out ten or more books at a time and devour them all before borrowing more. Their renewal system is helpful along with the reminder emails sent out for materials that are due. read more

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More info about Champaign Public Library

200 W Green St
Champaign, IL 61820
Directions
(217) 403-2000
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.champaign.org

Hours

What time does Champaign Public Library open?

Champaign Public Library opens at 9:00 AM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.Champaign Public Library opens at 12:00 PM on Sunday.

What time does Champaign Public Library close?

Champaign Public Library closes at 9:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Champaign Public Library closes at 6:00 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Thu 9:00 AM - 9:00 PMFri-Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PMSun 12:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Other Amenities

Does Champaign Public Library have free WiFi?

Yes, Champaign Public Library has free WiFi.

From the Business

Specialties

Step into our light-filled, open spaces and see our wonderful Peter Sís murals, colorful TeenSpace, quiet meeting rooms, Latte Da! Cafe, and FriendShop Bookstore.

History

Established in 1876.

A large library that is open to all started out as a small collection for a small group of readers. In 1868, about 300 books plus periodicals were assembled in a modest reading room on the second floor at No. 7 Main Street in Champaign. Forty members of the private Champaign Library Association paid dues to use the collection. After several years of ups and downs (and a move to the second floor of No. 26 Main Street), the association voted itself out of existence in 1876 and gave its assets to the city of Champaign, with a vision of creating a library open to everyone.

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Review Highlights - Champaign Public Library

“They have a massive amount of DVDs---everything from your favorites to various television series and more.”

Mentioned in 6 reviews

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Grainger Engineering Library

4.7(6 reviews)

1.0 mi

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is known for having one of the biggest university…read morelibrary systems in the world. Grainger Engineering Library is UIUC's cornerstone library. Grainger is filled with thousands of science and engineering volumes, which are available to all UIUC students. The library is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and library staff are always available to help locate books. Grainger is populated with students, primarily engineers, at all hours of the day. The library provides a quiet, comfortable place to study. When final exams are approaching, there isn't an empty chair to be found in the whole library.

A really nice library with a ton of computers and other resources. I spent a good chunk of my time…read morehere, and know plenty non-engineering students who did as well.

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4th floor

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University Library

4.0(3 reviews)

1.0 mi

My husband has been trying to get me to see the University of Illinois University Library for a…read morewhile. His name is on the bronze tablet, used to recognize the highest honors graduates. We got his picture next to his name and his brother's name as well. I hear that they also have books here but we didn't see any of those.

A great place to study! There are lots of little nooks where you can get studying done, but the…read morereading room on the second floor is the best spot. It's usually very quiet and relaxing, with huge windows and plenty of room. The Espresso Royale in the basement tunnel is nice for a caffeine fix if you're on a studying bender. The stacks are only accessible to students and staff.

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Mahomet Public Library

5.0(1 review)

8.6 mi

The best public library! The staff is friendly and really helpful. Even has an app that allows me…read moreto download books and audiobooks to my device.

From the owner: Public Library in Mahomet, IL. Free Wi-Fi and public computers, copy/print/fax services, notary…read morepublic, eBooks and eAudiobooks for download, and standard library programs and services.

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Children's area

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Champaign Public Library

5.0(1 review)

0.0 mi

The Friendshop Bookstore is located in the basement level of the Champaign Public Library. It…read moressells used books that come in through community donations or from the library proper. Since this is a University community, the selection is diverse. Most books are $2. Most childrens' items are 50 cents. Anyone can purchase books here; you do not need to live in Champaign or even Illinois.

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The reviews below are not factored into the business's overall star rating.

Robert D.

12 years ago

It is still worth a trip to see the building, the exhibitions, the staircases and the other rooms.My friends and I take a holiday walk every year to see all of the festive Christmas trees. If you visit during the holidays, make sure you view their tree. read more

Gene J.

16 years ago

Best mid-size city library you will find anywhere!! You can even use your card in Urbana. Great DVD and CD selection. The Juvenile department is huge!! Awesome place to hang out with your kids. read more

Alice K.

13 years ago

I love this library! They have the greatest selection and the kids section is AMAZING! I am also in love with the Latte Da! cafe there. Their coffees are great! read more

Guoping Z.

11 years ago

It's very close to my apartment and there are a lot of books. I normally spend my Saturday afternoon here.

Riley B.

209

8 years ago

One of the best public libraries I've ever been to

Champaign Public Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

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