The Uptown branch is nice. It is an early '90s branch but it is well kept. There's an auditorium space for events and whatnot; we've been there for story time. They have a nice children's section as well, and the main section of the library does not feel crowded. There are 10 spaces in their parking lot so sometimes you may have to find street parking. That can be tricky , especially because (in fall 2023) there is construction work being completed on the sidewalk so that reduces street parking. The children's events here are good. They have music and movement, stories, and have some programming for most ages. I like that Ms. My gave the children name tags. I also VERY much appreciate that this branch has evening programs sometimes--we went to a Wednesday evening one, which is a nice departure from most of the branches that have children's programs on weekdays at 10-11 am. read more

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Love the location, and the staff here . well kept, clean unsex/gender neutral bathrooms, awesome Library of things here and good security guard. read more

By far the worst library. I don't understand why the lady is vacuuming at 10am. While everyone is trying to study. Shouldn't this be done at night before closing. Or when they first open. It's very disruptive read more

I take my kids here to read books for them pretty often. Glad that we have a Chicago Public Library in our neighborhood. They have a good collection of books that we can pick from. Staff was not really helpful when we asked them for help. It definitely can be improved. They have kids activities and events in the summer which is good. read more

Chicago Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Love having this library in my neighborhood. They have tons of fun programs for kids and are always very welcoming when we visit!

I'm on a quest to visit every branch of the Chicago Public Library system. This branch is in a very convenient location, right off of Broadway (meaning you can take the Broadway bus...or sheridan bus!). There is a large selection of DVDs - though they're placed way below eye level- and an okay music selection. The kids' section is on the smaller side, but quite nicely separated from the rest of the library. There are lots of desks and a fair amount of computer stations, though they were all in use when I visited. I'd suggest a laptop if you're trying to access the internet! There was a section of the library that definitely smelled like urine, which turned me off. The way this library is organized makes it feel a little cramped, but it's a quiet space. It also seems they have a large selection of audiobooks and foreign language books. It's weird..the outside of the library looks pretty fresh, but the inside looks kind of dated. Anyway, it seems like a great space to get work done, and the staff was nice enough. Great resources, but the cramped-ness and smelly bit are keeping me from a better rating. read more

Chicago Public Library - me at the uptown branch - Libraries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Close to home - a five minute walk. Prairie Style architecture, with an award winning, beautifully landscaped "Not So Secret Garden," for reading. What a jewel. And, it's highly kid friendly. How great is it when your kid asks to go to the library? We're getting ready for "Read Green, Live Green," summer reads for adults and kids. I love Chicago's public resources!!! read more

Chicago Public Library - Uptown Library, corner of Buena and Sheridan - Libraries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Cute little library! It's small but they have computers, a printer, a nice book selection, and the staff was helpful the few times I went.

This place is great to study. It's quiet and kept very clean. The staff is very welcoming and helpful. On Saturdays they close at 5. The WiFi is fast and really easy to connect to. I'll be coming back to study soon. read more

This is my neighborhood library. So I've been there a few times, but the staff is rude and bad. I remember a time that is still on my head when I was done with school (my school was also close), a lot of people in my school would go there. There was this security guard who was rude, nasty, and tense to be around with. She would always picked on my brothers and me. She had accused my brother of talking too loud, it was my brother's friend. I got pissed and I went ahead and told my brothers to go home. After we were walking home, I saw the owner following us. I was shocked. I figured out she was just getting her lunch the next day I went in there again. While I was in there, she gave me a warning saying she's gonna kick me out if I'm disrespectful to the staff (security guard). At that point, I went home and stopped going when my mom told them (my brothers) to go into the library because she was going to take us somewhere. I was at home. The security guard was still rude. Mind you, I told my mother about the whole situation. Few minutes later, my mom and I were at the library, and she told me to call my brothers to get ready. One of my classmates were asking me a question. JUST 1 MATH PROBLEM! So, I helped her on the side of the table by kneeling. The rude security guard came around the corner saying in a rude way, "You can't kneel there", while she rolled her eyes. I got really mad and told my mom. My mom literally went inside the library and screamed at her. They had an argument and stuff. I went back there and I didn't see her so I was good. I remember I checked out a book and when I was done, I returned it back in the bin outside because the library was closed. I went to go check out a book the next day and they said I didn't return the book when I did. They told me to show it to them and I did but they said I still hade to pay late fee when it was there fault they did get it on time. I said no and never payed. I accidentally forgot about the book and it was about a year with that book and they said I had to pay almost $200 for the book. I got mad and say no because I turned it back and it's your fault, Not mine. You people need to check your staff and your job! read more

Smallish, up-to-date, just oh so conducive to getting work DONE (with free wifi, too). In between your study session/job search/freelance projecteering, you can sift through hallowed stacks of books. I know, big surprise, it's a library after all. Nicely done... I love free resources in my hood :) read more

I was raised in this library. It's the same set-up just different old employees. I actually moved away, and came back. I passed by to get my library cars after six years! That's the reason I gave it five stars! The system is awesome. New library cards too. What I like? It's great for children and teenagers. I used to come here for project and all of that sort. I checked out books on tapes and encyclopedias. As a teen, I came for the internet. (Duhh) The staff are knowledgable and helpful. It's what a library should be and has stayed the same throughout the years. Dislike? Nahh. Although, I do like the old library cards. Haha. read more

Well it's a Chicago Public Library :) It's fairly modern, having just been built a few years ago. Lots of natural light, several community gardens surround it. Parking lot just east of the building. Free wifi. No drinks allowed! I just had to chuck a very nice 20 oz coffee, and I am sad. Also, no cell phones...understandable. Clean, quiet, calming place to get some stuff done. Oh, and they have books...bonus ;) read more

Reading Is Fundamental!! Recently, my book club picked a book that I just didn't want to pay for. So, for the first time since I was 7 years old, I got myself a public library card. The folks at this library are friendly and helpful. I didn't have any problems finding the book that I needed and it took about 10 minutes for me to get my card, find my book, and check out. I also like that I can order books from other libraries. Public libraries sure have changed in the last 30 years! Being an architecture nerd, I also like the exterior of this building. Prairie style, bitches. read more

The Uptown branch is small and quaint. Upon first glance, it appears to be a great place to enjoy the afternoon. However, many of the library guests are very rude. In the hour I was there I encountered several screaming children, a man banging through the DVD section (who later yelled at the librarian because he could not pay his late charge and wanted to check out more items), and other noisy people. A good place to check out books and movies, but not recommended for studying. read more

It's a public library people. It has books. You can use the internet for free there if you have a library card, but be prepared to have to make a reservation and have to come back hours later at times. You can recycle your old batteries there (little ones, not car batteries) And as with all of the Chicago Public Libraries, you can check out free passes to almost every museum, at least most every large museum in the city. Good for two adults and two children on one card. You have to return the card and they say not to use the book drop outside. read more

I have a new found love for this quaint little library now that I can put books on hold through the CPL inter-library loans. This month alone I have swiped my library card more than my credit card, which is a fabulous thing! read more

What the other reviewers said, plus a few things. I went here because they have a pretty okay collection of graphic novels, but be warned: They're in the YOUNG ADULT section! I feel sort of weird shopping around the kids section for books ... and for carrying around a book with the bright yellow "YA" label on it. But whatever works. Let it be noted that the reception guy is really loud, almost obnoxiously loud for a library, but because it isn't that big, it's sort of hard to avoid. Also, the computers fill up super quick, so I'd check in online before going in. Remember: 10 free pages of printing per day! There's also free wireless, but you cannot, I repeat CANNOT print from your laptop. Maybe some day they'll fix this up, but until then ... read more

This is a very small library. However, go online and have your books shippied to it. The staff is excellent and knows the decimal system like the back of their hand (duh dump dump - thank you, I'll be here all night). Decent selection of magazines and there's always seating. Plug your laptop on the main tables and go to work. Or, you can stand and surf the web on one of the library's computers. I think they refuse to put in chairs, because the homeless guys would look at even more porn all day - understandable. On a serious note, I do enjoy this library. It feels like a library. I've studied in here many times and the staff does a good job at keeping a great neighborbood addition. read more

The library itself is fine. Meaning it has books. That you can check out. My complaints lie within the bitchy staff. A couple weeks ago I was there and my phone rang. I picked up to let my friend know I couldn't talk to her right then because of where I was and that I would have to call her back. Thirty seconds on the phone. Max. Two seconds later an employee comes up and says "Next time, please step out into the lobby." Yeah sure. Look lady, I was trying to be polite and I get harassed for it. OK power trip - chill! Today I went in and sat down in the children's section. This time another power-tripper came up and asked if I was looking for children's materials or waiting for a child. Uh no. "OK, well then you have to go to the adult section." WTF man. I understand its for the safety of the children, and yes it probably is a good policy, but damn. I just said, "Well I don't look too harmless do I?" Ugh. So annoying! read more

A small branch, but not short on quality reads. The staff are helpful and friendly, and it's always quiet enough to get some work done. The best part? As long as you have a CPL library card, you can go online and request to have books from other libraries made available for pick-up at your branch. This service is free and makes even the smallest branch a nearly unlimited resources for avid readers. There's also a vast library of electronic resources for Kindles and other e-readers accessible online. Chicago Public Libraries, you're doing it right. read more

This is my neighborhood library and it serves its purpose. Some magazines, decent selection of books, and computers if you need them. DVDs are limited and hit or miss on popular movies. The computers are slow and so is the wifi for laptops and iPad. Staff will help you but can sometimes be abrupt and rude. One weird thing - everytime I come in here I either cough from dry throat or sneeze alot. Happens no where else but here so be careful if you have allergies. I hope there is no asbestos ! read more

My neighborhood library. Oh how much of my tax dollars are being flushed down the toilet. Well certainly not the toilets of the restrooms of this place. The Mens room is always a wreck. Feces overflowing from the toilets and always wet on the floor. TP strung all over and you just don't want to touch anything. I'll go in the next day and it's in the same condition so the staff here obviously does not care. But that's not the problem. The problem I have is not that mentally handicapped from the local halfway house use this CPL branch as a place to hang out on a daily basis from open to close, it's the fact that the staff didn't even care when I alerted them to a man who was masturbating while watching porn on one of the PC's, which he had done before and does everyday that he's in there. (no joke) Now this wouldn't be so much a problem if 1) there weren't children there (not to mention people like me who don't want to see this occurrence) 2) that 90 % of the regulars that use the PC's there are watching porn while I get told to leave because I'm wearing a shirt that read HUSTLER. and 3) that the staff weren't such rude disrespectful to a tax payer like myself and others who come to use the library for other purposes than for shelter, socializing and wacking off. Some of us actually do research and read books. Of course anyone that knows me knows I have no problem with Adult Entertainment but please if for anything but the children, keep your hands off your junk while in a public place. The fact that they allow this to go on scream volumes regarding the respect the staff at CPL's Uptown branch have for decent hardworking people. On a final note, I have complained to the city to no avail. read more

This is my neighborhood library so I visit often, but I usually put the books/DVDs on hold online and just go in to pick them up. The staff is never really nice, but I only need them to check out the book. There was one time that I looked online for a DVD, the computer said it was in stock, I went to the shelf (which was in disarray), couldn't find it so I asked the guy at the checkout if he could help. It was 2 minutes before close so he said he couldn't and that I should come back the next day. Nice customer service. I did go in today because I was looking for a quiet place to study. Remember when people were told to be quiet in the library? That is certainly not the case here. As others have said, the majority of the people there are not mentally stable or very hygienic. One guy decided to have a conversation with the security guard. The guard then went outside or something for a few minutes and the same gentleman got upset and threw his magazine on the floor and no one did a damn thing. Then the security guard came back and the guy had his head down on the table and the security guard went up to him and said no sleeping in the library. I decided to pack up and go home because I couldn't concentrate on my reading with all the commotion (and the bad body odor). read more

I went in to this library at 5:25pm to quickly print a document and they said they turn off their computers at 5:30pm even though they closed at 6:00pm... pretty much wasted my time. read more

I was recently here for the first time to get a library card. I took my son here for the free story time. It is a nice library. Before story time, we played in the toddler area which had books, tables, legos and blocks for kids to play with. The story time was great. The leader read 3 books, sang songs, led a parade with instruments and gave out stickers. The only bad thing with this place is that their parking lot is super tiny. If you go to story time, go early if you drive. read more

It's an ok library. They're selection is small, but you can tap into the entire CPL network to reserve what you want, you simply have to wait for it to arrive. Also, it really irks me that it's not open on Sundays, even during the school year. read more

i stopped by at 4 30 to make a coppy coz there is nowhere i can go , there were a lady with 2 kids , and an other lady using the computer , i asked a lady named Teresa , if i can use the coppier for 1 min , she said no . and she said i need to go to another location . I asked her why , she siad social distancing . ther were omly 2 ladies and 2 kids . when i told her that am gonna put a review , she said fine and her name is teresa ... she stopped me a few months ago from using the library , and this is the second time , this is a discrimination . i drove 2 miles to 644 west belmont , the lady named Margaret showed me where the machines are and helped me , she was nice professianal ... i need some one responsible to read this review and watch the camera in both libraries . December 16 around 4 30 . 2 ladies one of them is doing her job perfectly , the other one is racist .. am gonna see a lawyer . and tell him about this situation ... zero star for teresa and more than 5 stars for Margaret .. thank you and Marry chrismas .. read more

this library can be a real pain to use. The place seems to have a problem with street people coming in and getting on computers that are reserved and having to tell these jerks that you are have reserved the computer and they seemed to be slow about giving up the computer and seemed to want to make something of it. others sitting nearby seem to want to be onthe side of the jerk causing the problem. I have had some incidents with some of these people. It is not a bad library as far as getting holds on materials or reading a magazine. The staff and security seem to have issues as well a lot of the time. read more

This is an excellent branch library with a nice selection of fiction and non-fiction, plus videos - a boon for cost conscious consumers. However, the experience is marred by one of the oddest collection of staff members! Some are oddly silent, some - especially a dark-haired librarian, named Denise who simply barks at people, "What's the name of the item" if you even proceed to the reference desk. Perhaps she is off-channeling, the Doctor on Voyager? And, then there is the children's librarian, Laura, who gives the evil eye, if you even approach the children's area without a child in tow. One wonders if a teacher came in, unaccompanied. And, also what types of desperate hidden lives these people live! read more

About 10 4-seated tables, 7-8 cubicles, and 9-10 computers. I personally don't mind background noise, so this library does well for me. If you need silence, this library might not work out. I haven't checked out the selection of books/DVDs but it seems to have a fair selection. The staff is helpful as well! Overall, if you need a place to get work done, this might be the place, especially because they have wifi! read more

This library does need to be updated but that is not the fault of the staff. If the city sent some money to update it, the library would be very nice. If you do need to do intense studying I would not recommend this place, but it is nice for reading magazines and killing some time; and of course picking up and checking out books. My interaction with the staff has been an okay one. They have always helped me and answered my questions when asked. read more

I love this library. It's so close to where I live, and with CPL's online hold request system, it's never been easier to check out media from the library. It's a smaller library, and staff is super duper nice and professional. read more

Diana R I'd right on about this place in all respects- but for the lack of urine smell on the date of my visit. ;-)

This library is ok. They rarely have the books I need, the selection is pretty small, and the staff isn't very helpful.

It's a small library that rarely have the books I'm looking for but neither does the one downtown and that one is fucking huge! The movie selection is mediocre and the staff move slowly, but its right by my house so I go there no matter what. 3 stars. read more

I like this library a lot! I find the staff VERY helpful. Yes, some staff members are more to my liking than others but that's to be expected with any organization. What I really enjoy is being able to walk a few short blocks from my house to the Uptown Branch and have the entire Chicago Public Library system at my finger tips. I can reserve books and movies at any of the other branches and be notified by email when they arrive at the Uptown for me to pick up! (I believe this is the case for music cds too but I have not availed myself of this aspect of the library's service.) AND IT'S ALL FREE!!!!!! I also like the interior design with the high ceiling and lots of natural light coming in through the many windows. Coming to and sitting down in the Uptown Library reminds me of my early days and my frequent visit to the local library in my hometown of Reedsburg, Wisconsin. Thank you for being there for me - both then and now! read more

Pretty decent library. Good book selection, decent layout, employees are moderately knowledgeable, only downfall is the wait time for the computers someti,es but other than that its a solid public library. read more

This place also has a (relatively) decent selection on African history owing to its location, good dvds, and nice staff.

Hands down one of the worst libraries I have ever been to in my entire life. I don't think I've ever walked in there and not left in a bad mood. It started when I first moved into the neighborhood and I didn't have my internet connected and the woman told me the only way to use their internet was to book an appt. But you couldn't book an appt by phone only online. When I explained I didn't have any online access she said "This was the easiest way to do it and that that's the way it was" The staff is lethargic, slow, and far from helpful. There are some nice staff members who do care about their job, but overall this place is awful. I try to only go in when I need to and avoid it at all costs. Most recently they fined me $2 a day for late DVDS. There is no posting that the fine is that severe if there was I would have just went to Blockbuster. I am surprised there are so many positive reviews because this place just has a negative energy to it, and it is a miserable experience every time I have visited. read more