Cancel

    Open app

    Search

    Des Plaines Public Library

    4.0 (59 reviews)
    Closed 9:00 am - 9:00 pm

    Des Plaines Public Library Photos

    More like Des Plaines Public Library

    Recommended Reviews - Des Plaines Public Library

    Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
    Yelp app icon
    Browse more easily on the app
    Review Feed Illustration

    Reviews With Photos

    Jack G.

    ** Nice Ambiance ** ** Super Kind Staff ** It's been forever since I had the pleasure of going to a public library. I was very impressed by the technology now in place. From automatic book check out to the automated book return (this one is so cool, I'll have to upload a video in the future). Everyone working there is super kind and knowledgeable and always with a smile. The smiles I have to say makes us feel awesome. We found everything we were looking for and then some. I only wish there were more comfortable seats but understand why they probably don't. Thank you Des Plaines for a wonderful treasure!

    I love using the "hold" option

    See all

    1 year ago

    Helpful 5
    Thanks 1
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    10 months ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jickles H.
    4
    198
    117

    10 months ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jack G.
    158
    151
    1481

    2 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 7
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Angelo S.
    11
    305
    0

    6 months ago

    For truly a good service to the public, staff and many resources , books,etc available to our public.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    8 months ago

    Today, on the 4th floor Thomas helped me print from my lap top. 3rd times he's helped. He is helpful and patient.

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    2 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    3 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 1

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    17 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1
    Photo of Stephanie N.
    240
    98
    124

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    5 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 7
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Doug W.
    34
    39
    24

    9 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ericka A.
    1374
    1607
    3207

    18 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 2
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Christian M.
    181
    214
    447

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    12 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Soni Z.
    77
    174
    79

    10 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    9 years ago

    Helpful 4
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 1

    7 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    10 years ago

    Helpful 3
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Ren S.
    0
    126
    13

    12 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 3
    Oh no 1

    19 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    21 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Jan E.
    1
    16
    2

    15 years ago

    Helpful 1
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Andy M.
    289
    2560
    34

    13 years ago

    Helpful 2
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    13 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0
    Photo of Tamara N.
    209
    40
    9

    15 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    7 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    16 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 0
    Oh no 0

    11 years ago

    Helpful 0
    Thanks 0
    Love this 1
    Oh no 0

    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Des Plaines Public Library

    Review Highlights - Des Plaines Public Library

    It has great views of downtown Des Plaines and has easy to find designated areas covering four floors.

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

    Verify this business for free

    People searched for Libraries 423 times last month within 5 miles of this business.

    Verify this business

    Mount Prospect Public Library

    Mount Prospect Public Library

    4.3(34 reviews)
    3.0 mi

    Mount Prospect PL continues to knock it out of the park with their programming…read more They have some signature programs, I'd call them, that take place throughout the year apparently, in cooperation with the MPPL Foundation. The first of these that we attended was the Teddy Bear Walk. Apparently this is a program that has been happening for something like 60 years and it's become a family tradition--grandparents are now coming with their children and grandchildren to the event. We were running late this day so we missed the "walk" part of the program--not sure what that entails. But the children are encouraged to bring a teddy bear and there are some great activities: times tickets to visit Santa; craft stations in the children's section; rotating story times; costumes characters outside, in this case a bear and the MPPL mascot, a duck; and a children's music drop-in session. I was so pleased with the event b it I didn't realize it was just one of many. Most recently we went to the Lunar New Year celebration they host. Again, many fun activities, with the craft tables again (making a sparkle dragon and a Lunar New Year sign), a dragon set-up in one of the program rooms for photos, a scavenger hunt, and the pièce de résistance: the lion dancers. This was a timed entry ticket, and we were amongst the first people to arrive at the library for the LNY celebration (score one for putting the start time for this in my calendar 15 minutes earlier than it actually began) so we were able to get in. Whilst waiting for the performance to begin, they gave us little tissue paper rings and said to wait until we were told to use them. To prepare the crowd--particularly the large number of small children--the librarian led us in a a song or two, including a fun call-and-response, and explained a bit about the pillars of Lunar New Year. And at the end, just before the dancers began, she told us to rip open our tissue paper rings to let out the "fireworks" inside. I feel like I must be a child myself because I was gleeful at that myself, though the room did erupt in oooh's and aahhh's so I wasn't alone there. (And you can guarantee I'm going to find and order some of those paper confetti pouches.) The company they hired to do this performance was phenomenal. I have never seen the lion dance in person and I was enchanted. My daughter was fascinated too, and I was actually worried she might be frightened. The performers did most of their dance up near the front but did wander through the audience for a bit, during which a lion stopped in front of my daughter, who promptly plucked an orange from its open mouth. I later learned that means good fortune in the year ahead. I left this event in such high spirits, having had so much fun, I couldn't stop talking about it to friends and took tons of photos. Their events just keep getting better. Never change, Mount Prospect Public Library!

    Overall a nice library with kind and helpful staff. Be mindful of where the entrance is before you…read morestart walking (if you drove for the first time like me). I was in the area and needed access to Microsoft office suite and a printer- so incredibly thankful for our public libraries and free resources! At first I was told I could access the computer using my park ridge library card and PIN but I couldn't recall my PIN for the life of me. They provided me with a guest pass that allowed me to use the computer for 1h45m. That's 45 more min than PR guest which is a plus. Color copies cost .25 and B&W .10. I got what I needed and was in and out in less than an hour. Only one less star because as others have stated, it's a really loud library. Babies crying, people whispering, slamming keyboards lol, etc. But it seems the staff works hard to manage it between their work and borderline ridiculous calls- they do it all! Again, very grateful and only first world problem complaints.

    Photos
    Mount Prospect Public Library
    Mount Prospect Public Library
    Mount Prospect Public Library

    See all

    Glenview Public Library - Innovation Center, Aug 2025.

    Glenview Public Library

    3.8(51 reviews)
    4.7 mi

    On my last visit here, I learned about GPL's used book store. Thanks to my two grand-darlings who…read moreare somewhat regular visitors, they told me about it. I never even noticed it before, but it's located right by the main entrance, in a somewhat easy to miss nook (that's my official excuse anyway lol). All of the materials are donated, and they are organized and priced by volunteer staffers. All of the proceeds go to the library. I picked up a fun hard cover book on baseball humor for $4. They also had a March 1/2 price sale going on landscaping, gardening, and cookbooks. One of the grand-darlings picked up a cookbook and I paid $1 for it, and then she gifted it to grandma, duh! They also have music CD's and even some vinyl records and I'll check out the music selections on my next visit. Thumbs up!

    While the study rooms are a nice touch, the overall the experience left a bad taste. Far too many…read moreusers of these rooms simply are possessive and rude. Booking a room results in a confirmation email, but when you show up it turns out someone has jumped your reservation demanding the room for themselves and you are bumped to another room without notification. How does this happen? Seems too weird for a software glitch. Instead human intervention is more likely...

    Photos
    Glenview Public Library - Innovation Center, Aug 2025.  Working on arts and crafts.

    Innovation Center, Aug 2025. Working on arts and crafts.

    Glenview Public Library - The Joe Policastrol Trio (Joe in center), performing Sun Jun 23, 2024 as part of GPL's Sunday concert series.

    The Joe Policastrol Trio (Joe in center), performing Sun Jun 23, 2024 as part of GPL's Sunday concert series.

    Glenview Public Library - Innovation Center, Aug 2025.

    See all

    Innovation Center, Aug 2025.

    Park Ridge Public Library - Hot ticket for this popular program.

    Park Ridge Public Library

    3.5(33 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    The library is beautiful. It was established as a Carnegie library back in the day. They have a…read moreHUGE children's section--honestly, the children's services department puts most of the CPL libraries to shame. When I was here I saw some advertisements for some really cool programs. Children, teens, adults can all find something interesting. There are in person programs as well as hybrid ones, and some of their book clubs meet both in person and virtually, which is pretty great. Interestingly, they don't seem to have a checkout desk--from what I can tell, it's all self checkout. There's a patron services desk when you enter, but that's more for help and information. To the right of patron services is a self checkout and there's also one in the children's services department. There's a large meeting room on the first floor, where various events are held. The children's services section is one we haven't fully explored but they have an all-gender toilet with baby changing station, as well as a calming room. The calming room requires access from one of the librarians. There is a portable baby changing station here (be sure to bring your diaper changing pad since it's fabric, and you know there's a baby who pottied as their diaper was being changed). There's also a sink, which is helpful. And there are some toys and materials that help children to be calm, breathe deep, sit and decompress. It's a great idea. Outside there's a little courtyard with a sculpture and they (sometimes, at least) have some Adirondack-style chairs out to kick back and relax. There's also an area that has some chess tables outside of the library. There doesn't seem to be dedicated parking for the library. Instead, you'll find parking on the street or in the public lot to the west of the library. It's public, free, three hour parking but it's shared with any businesses in the Uptown district. The Park Ridge Metra Station is also directly to the west of the library. In the outside as well as inside there's a sensor where you can wave your hand to hehe the door open, rather than one of the push-button ones. Although it's in general accessible, there are detectors when you enter the library so I'm not sure if someone with a wheelchair or other mobility device would be able to easily enter.

    While I find generally the person on the first floor front desk to be kind and welcoming and the…read morelibrary to be well lit and quiet, the staff on the 2nd floor is another story. Many times as the other reviewers say, I always find the lady to be cold, and on this particular day quite rude. Reminds me of those children who always had to tattle tale on people, the way she watches and makes sure no one does anything wrong. Goodness, lighten up, it is a public library for goodness sakes. This particular day was on a Thurs. morning in March, so whoever this lady is with the light brown hair and glasses...all I have to say is it is sad. It is a shame when one bad egg can cause people to feel uncomfortable.

    Photos
    Park Ridge Public Library - Children's department.

    Children's department.

    Park Ridge Public Library - Calming room.

    Calming room.

    Park Ridge Public Library - Aug 2025.

    See all

    Aug 2025.

    Northbrook Public Library - Kids' artwork on a lobby wall.

    Northbrook Public Library

    4.4(40 reviews)
    6.8 mi

    I've been a regular at the Northbrook Public Library for 20 years now, and honestly, it's been a…read morejoy to watch this place grow alongside our community. It has evolved from a quiet spot to grab a book into a true hub for creativity and connection. I like that Kate Hall, the director, is always looking for input from the patrons on how to make the library even better. One of the many things I love about NPL is their 'Library of Things.' Over the summer, I used their recording technology to digitize a bunch of old VHS tapes from the comfort of my home. Last night, I participated in a virtual glass fusion workshop. The materials pickup and drop off, and the class itself was all well-coordinated and user-friendly. I thoroughly enjoyed that class as well as others I have taken in the past, such as book-making. Additionally, I love the fact that I can put books on hold, and that either the NPL staff will pull the books for me, or other libraries will send them over to NPL. It's super convenient to then be able to just walk in the door and grab my books off the shelf. I seriously could go on and on about all the things I love here. The Northbrook Public Library is easily the best resource in Northbrook!

    In the recent years, the reason of we going to the Northbrook Public Library is to watch movies in…read morethe auditorium. The library has showings of Oscar contender movies every year for card holders for free! My hubby and I saw La La Land and A Star is Born (Lady Ga Ga's version) from there. Other than Oscar contenders, they also have classic and even first-run films! Last Sunday, I heard that the library would be showing the movie Everything Everywhere All at Once on March 15, as I was very curious about this movie, I immediately went on their website to register. It used to be very easy, however, after several unsuccessful trials, I called the library and talked to a friendly lady named Liz. She checked and told me that since I had not used the library card for more than 3 years, it had mysteriously disappeared from their system. She suggested that I went to the library to get a new card with my drivers license. So, I did. It was the first time that I went to the library in years! I had noticed that the long checkout table had been replaced by 4 self-checkout stations, and there were 2 small "front desks" at both sides of the library. The young man, Nolan, at one of the front desks was friendly and polite, and it was a short wait for him to process a new library card to me. My hubby and I went to see the movie on Wednesday, since it had become an Oscar Best Picture winner, it was a full house. The auditorium is on the first floor, it had been renovated in 2015, and has 212 stadium seats. Like the rest of the library, it is always clean and comfortable. Food and drinks (except water) are not allowed inside the auditorium. Since it is not a review of the movie, I would not get into it, but I would highly recommend it! The Northbrook Public Library was a very important part of the growth of our daughter. Since her kindergarten years through her childhood, my husband took her to the Northbrook library to borrow 7 books every Saturday. He read one book to her a day, later she read by herself, that were 365 books a year from the library! I remember that our daughter's Second grade teacher once told us that her English "blossomed", and I believe all those story book reading helped a lot! Before we had Google and the Internet, my hubby used to borrow travel books and local maps of our destinations from the library as well! He couldn't have done his travel planning without the library in those years! I saw exhibitions of artwork inside the lobby, it also brought back memories of my daughter having her artwork exhibited in the library through her school as well. I feel thankful for an excellent public library in our town. Our property tax money has been put to good use!

    Photos
    Northbrook Public Library
    Northbrook Public Library - Entrance to the auditorium.  Lift with an open-top on the left side.

    Entrance to the auditorium. Lift with an open-top on the left side.

    Northbrook Public Library - Lobby by the front door.

    See all

    Lobby by the front door.

    Des Plaines Public Library - libraries - Updated May 2026

    Loading...
    Loading...
    Loading...