This is the best library I've been to so far in the Chicagoland area, for sure!!! It's huge! It's literally two floors. There's soo many rooms that host events, crafts, exhibits, you name it! There's a huge parking out front & then across from street. There's a cafe here as well! It does have elevator. Right now is Dino exhibit and my one year old enjoyed it! There's so much for kids here including babies! Extremely baby friendly! We'll be back! read more

I love this library! Great for kids and great for studying. The river room is my favorite.

We've been coming here from Lake in the Hills since 20111 or so, when our first child was a few years old. And now, two more kids later, and it's still one of the best libraries in the area, if not the state! Every time we're here, it seems like there's some new and amazing addition or exhibit or performance. The teen area is filled with a ton of great literature. There's a toddler area with a little fort and some toys to play with. There's also plenty of parking. You need to stop in! read more

They definitely do not have libraries like this in the city! I brought my sons here for the Wizard of Oz event that they were having and was surprised that the fun did not end there! It was a great way to introduce one of my favorite movies to my kids. As we kept walking into the library we saw a play area and a mini aquarium. There was also a scavenger hunt and art & crafts. The kids did not have to be super quite and we stayed for almost 2 hours. It was very interactive and my boys wanted to come back and we definitely will especially as the weather gets colder!! read more

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My in-laws live in Elgin, and every time we visit them one of the first things we do is visit the library! Simply put, it's one of the best public libraries I've ever visited. Tons of great books, interactive displays all over the place, a beautiful building, an extensive movie collection, many languages represented, and probably a bunch of other features I'm not even aware of! read more

Excellent library! So many programs...There is something for everyone. The library also really promotes engagement out in the community. We love the summer scavenger hunt. During COVID-19, the library is taking so many precautions. It feels very safe to be in the library for longer amounts of time if you need to work or do research. The seats are every other and the librarians are constantly walking around and cleaning. There is even sanitizer for the bathroom seats. I enjoyed that measure. read more

This is a great library. Very spacious and has so much for so many. My wife and I joined the Gail Borden Library last fall and it's a destination for us consistently. 50% of the first floor is all about the kids and they put on great displays and have great programs and resources for preschool, elementary, middle school, and teens. We like to browse the other half of the first floor for new selections. There is always something there that catches my eye. The second floor is pretty much where the bulk of the books are, with stations conveniently positioned around the area for you to look up specific selections/topics/genres. The second floor also has resources for license plate renewal, passport services, early voting stations for different elections as well as their robust digital media lab and computers for your use. Also on the second floor are a good number of small conference/study rooms that you can schedule and a large, serene reading area facing a huge bank of windows facing the Fox River. Stunning. My wife has gotten into the habit of checking out books online, then once notified via email, she runs over and picks them up in a special section near the front doors on the first floor. Very, very convenient. The staff has always been friendly, helpful, and gracious. I strongly encourage you to check out the Library's website. I am sure you will find a number of resources and services that can be of value. They have so much more to offer, but I don't have the patience to write about it, as I'm sure you don't have the patience either to continue reading my prattling. Enjoy the rest of your day. read more

Oh, I adore this place. Since moving here, I was pretty nervous to get a new library card. I was very used to the Bartlett Public Library, and my boyfriend encouraged me to get a card here. The staff was so friendly and accommodating. They knew I was nervous, and made the process quick and easy and now I have a library card! The library has so many resources, and I am especially grateful for their spanish-speaking services. I love the DV pamphlets, job listings, and technology help. One of the best libraries I've ever been to, and I am so lucky to have found this gem :) read more

Gorgeous library, huge upgrade from the old one. Currently they have the wizard of oz exhibit going on. Very clean, nice, friendly staff and nice cafe. read more

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I am blown away by this beautiful library! The inside is gorgeous and incredibly spacious. They have a fantastic selection of items and are in a great part of town. I was also delighted to see a little coffee shop cart set up and ready to take on some customers. What a great idea! read more

What could beat being curled up with a good book next to a fireplace, overlooking a great view of the river, and sipping a hot cup of tea? For this girl, not much! (OK, if Johnny Depp were sitting next to me, holding my hand, that would be the icing on the cake). But really, I LOVE this library. It's large (my favorite spot is the quiet reading room with the view) with different departments and a great selection of materials. I also enjoy the self-checkout stations. The staff is also very friendly. You know what else is fantastic? The drive-thru! I've been to other libraries with a drive-thru, so this isn't new to me, but the layout and location is very convenient. I used the drive-thru very often. The cute little coffee shop was another reason I was drawn to this place. However, I had the chai tea from the cafe and was very disappointed. It was bland and not very hot. Most items seemed overpriced and under-flavored. You're better off going elsewhere if you want the coffee shop experience. Great library. Five stars, despite the unimpressive cafe. read more

This is by far one of the best libraries I have visited since we move to the suburbs of Chicago. It has it all, it is big and the kids section, where we spent most of the time, was amazing, they had something for every kid, games, art, toys, a playground, a rocket and of course tons of books in English and Spanish, my kids were so happy here, they played for hours they didn't want to leave. The view from the playground window is really beautiful, you can see the river and a little bridge. We visited costumer service to get our card and they were friendly and nice. Now I want to come back to the other sections to see their variety of books. read more

Gail Borden Library - Libraries Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

While there are several good things about the library, they have some issues that make them less attractive than libraries in neighboring towns. Multi-DVD sets (like a season of a TV show) can only be checked out for one week at a time. How do you watch 25+ 1 hour episodes in only 1 week if another person stops you from renewing the set? Other libraries offer 3 week or longer checkout for such items. There is no online video streaming/ rental service like many other (and smaller) libraries offer. This library is focused on things like offering a credit union, but cannot keep up with basic things that other libraries offer. read more

They provide the kids a cool sea education interactive meusem kind of thing. Upstairs they have desks where you can see the river front. The staff are nice and the security guards don't yell at you when you do something wrong they just let u know the protocol and give u an alternative. They also are very helpful. When sitting in front of the windows they asked if we wanted the shades down. I wish they were opened later read more

Does your library have a drive thru? Mine does. Yup I can go online and select all the books, movies, and music I'd like, click "reserve it" and select pick up at drive up window.. Wait a day or two and they email me that my materials are ready for pick up. I drive on over to the library drive thru and they slide my materials out the window to me. Brilliant. When I am done with my materials I can also drive up and drop them off. I never have to set foot in the library, but I WANT TO GO IN. It's super nice inside. They also have a big selection of new and old movies and they buy multiple copies so they have enough available. They even have Xbox 360 and PS3 games! I no longer need Netflix. I have the Gail Borden Library. read more

Lovely library. Spacious and huge selection of books and media. I also noticed that they have a lot of activities going on for children. For me the historical section was very helpful and well managed. Employees are helpful and knowledgeable. Great customer service. In addition, I like how they decided to organize their outside parking; the spaces right in front being for 15 minutes or shorter for people just returning books or picking something up quickly. I think they also offer curbside assistance! read more

The drive up window at this library is amazing. I have made a habit of ordering my books online and picking up through the drive up window. As a student, this is so helpful and saves me a lot of time. The reference librarians are also very knowledgable of exactly where to find the materials needed for all of my research papers. Also, one of them showed me the inter library loan system which has proven to be invaluable this semester. I have had the ability to get several books from the Skokie library within a week. Also, there are wonderful resources for families here. The children's center is beautiful and well maintained. There are reading sessions offered for each age group to promote early education. This place is such a nice addition to the city. read more

A fantastic library with all of it and then some. Don't underestimate this place. Decor: Very clean and high tech. When you walk in its big ans has plenty of light. There is a cafe when you walk to your left and a bunch of nice looking benches on the sides. Service: Staff is always friendly and curteous. They have always been patient and down to earth. Could not ask for a better service team. I never get the "I don't know" response from any department. There is always someone at the front greeting you and directing you for whatever you need to know. They have a nice drive thru which you can pick up and drop off digital media and books. Very convenient Food/Resources: They have a cafe section which looks very comfortable, clean and convenient but unfortunately I have not eaten there yet. They have an array of coffes, beveragrs, bagels and muffins there. They have a ton of open computers and it's rarely ever congested in there. It's fantastic. Internet speed is out of this world blazing. There are self check out counters for your media and books and their online systems are on par. I'd usually search and reserve something quick snd it's available right away. Just make sure you set up an online account and you're all set. Also one of the BIGGEST gems of this place is there mediabank. It's literally Red Box heaven except it's better since you don't pay for anything. They always have brand new titles available for which you can only rent for 3 days and then return back to their MediaBank. Can't beat that! Price: You have to pay $0.10 per page to print something, make copies and fax but that's it. Unless you accrue late fees then you have to pay for those. So try to return things on a timely manner. Overall experience: This place is a second home for a lot of people and holds a special place in my heart since the people are fantastic and the place is a true community experience. read more

LOVE this library! Not only is it a beautiful library, it's huge! Here's what I love: -incredibly helpful & friendly staff -obviously a big selection of books (duh!) -computer center -quiet study rooms, large & small -lots of comfy big chairs to sit in and also tables & chairs -quite an extensive selection of DVD's (new & old), video games & music CD's -coffee shop with an assortment of beverages, muffins & sandwiches near the entrance -variety of programs going throughout the year for all different ages (things like job search/resume writing workshops, book readings by the author & discussions, tons of kids programs, etc...check out their website & newsletter for more info) AND: -your library card gives you access to Freegal where you have free access to downloadable music...huge collection to browse & you can download 3 songs a week -your library card also gives you free access to an online program to learn another language (I think there are like 5 languages available - I'm currently using it to brush up on my Spanish & it's very user friendly). People & schools actually PAY to use this program so to have access to it for free is fantastic! read more

This is the best of the best when it comes to libraries! As other reviewers have mentioned, the library has a DRIVE THRU! I go online, select the books/movies/CDs/etc. that I want, the staff pulls them, emails me, and then delivers them to me via a drive thru window! How much more convenient can it possibly be?! Not only do they offer such a convenient way of renting materials, they have convinced me that there is virtually nothing that is not already in their collection or that they can't get. They are "linked in" to other major libraries (Arlington Heights and Skokie to name two) where they can get materials that they may not currently own. Typical wait time for these items is only a few days, so chose this option without reservation. In addition to an endless collection and the drive up window, they have about 62 gajillion things going on in the library as well! I have a 3 year old son who adores every facet of the library. They have family story times, tot story times, an AMAZING summer reading program, lady bug releases, movie days/nights, a teddy bear sleep overs, a great children's reading center with a play and craft area that rents everything from books and puzzles to finger puppets and Lego like sets. Finally, one of the true treasures of the library are the magnificent views offered upstairs along the windows. The view is beautiful and peaceful, and by choosing a seat there you can relax, soak in the quiet, and enjoy a good book. Alternately, the building does offer free wi-fi and small meeting rooms/offices along this same wall of windows, so if you need a quiet place to think, study, or do small group work, these spaces would be shoe in! Without a doubt, Gail Borden Library is one the brightest jewels in Elgin's crown! read more

This is one of the best libraries in the area- and one of the most wonderful features of Elgin. The library is always hopping and full of patrons. I have not gotten to experience nearly all of the features yet, but have enjoyed my few trips in. I love that they send a monthly publication so you know all of the upcoming events which they offer free to the public. We recently attended a very informational meeting about the adoption process- and there was a nice crowd. Numerous technology classes are available as well- I look forward to experiencing some of the other events and offerings of the library in the future. read more

Very well done library. It's clean and the librarians are nice. Their collection is extensive and easy to access. They have a large computer room and a nice selection of second hand books for purchase. There is a lovely quiet room that over looks the fox river with a four sided fireplace. Very cozy. The group rooms are available to use, and only require your initials, but they are very popular and you can only get them for 2 hours at a time. During the school days, they will come and kick you out at the 2 hour mark. There is nice cafeteria located on the main level by the entrance, and you are allowed to take drinks into the library as long as they have a lid on them. Food is prohibited. They also participate in the E-book check out system which is very convienient. The major drawback is the parking. It is really too limited for the size of the library and the number of patrons. There is parking to the side, but it is very inconvienient. Over all a nice library and we enjoy coming here. read more

I challenge you to find a better library. Do it. Try. You cant. Ive been going to this library since I was a little kid back when it was across the street on the old govt building. The interior looks amazing, like a state of the art college library and very modern sleek designing. Excellent Dvd and Cd selection. But what I truly enjoy is the manta and comics section. Some libraries have some comic books. This has hundreds of comic books AND hundreds of manta. Only the undergrad library at the university of Illinois in champaign has a comparable sized collection and that's three and a half hours south and not nearly as nice. Fantastic place for parents totals their kids and expose them to more reading. People always told me well comic nooks aren't real books. To me they are real. Even more real than some whack play someone wrote hundreds of years ago. As long as kids are reading that's what's important. As a currently registered CPA in the state of Illinois I can thank this library and my mom for taking me here for my success in school and work. Reading comprehension and speed are probably the two most important actual skills that will drive you in school and I'm very grateful I had this place growing up read more

I really enjoy this library! My playgroup comes here quite often for play dates. They have a fabulous kids area with a kitchen, chalk board, puzzles, fish tank (which my daughter loves!), a nice sized play area and several other activities. The staff is great and friendly there as well. It does get a bit busy mid morning during the week, so be aware of that! They do have an outdoor play area as well with picnic tables but that is only open when staff is out there. For the kiddos they have several storytime a throughout the week to keep you busy! My family and I went there a couple weeks ago for their black history festival. Just the fact that they have a black history festival was dope in itself! One or my girlfriend was doing an african dance during the festival so we checked it out! So cool...I was very pleasantly surprised! I will definitely be checking out more events that they have there!! read more

We moved to Elgin, because of four reasons: 1) Gail Borden Library 2) Elgin Parade & family events 3) nice people & awesome government 4) Gail Borden Library Notice the library was mentioned twice. I have been to many libraries across this nation. This is the best library in the nation! Go visit! read more

Very immaculate!! From the external architecture to the spacious study rooms to the extensive book titles, NYC could learn a thing or two about library design from this place. read more

Gail Borden Library - Libraries Near Me - Elgin, Illinois

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Awesome library. They have everything. We moved to west side of Bartlett a few years ago which made this our new library. Happy it worked out that way. Tons of thing for the kids to do, games, learning areas, kids library huge. read more

We live in the neighborhood near the Gail Borden Library and it was one of the draws for moving to where we did, since we can walk there. This library is a gem with amazing views and many helpful resources. One of our favorite weekend activities is walking to the library and reading in the River Room. The staff are very nice and helpful. read more

An absolutely gorgeous building, seemingly built without a care in the world about cost, as if Andrew Carnegie were reincarnated and donated millions of dollars to this bastion of reading, just as he did at the turn-of-the-century when books were all the rage. A guilded-age beauty, bequeathed upon western Chicagoland by the generous taxpayers of Elgin. An expansive--while not in the least bit utilitarian--foyer and open rotunda greets you, and serves no purpose other than to allow one to stand and marvel at the ability to heat and cool such a cavern. One might wish to fly a homing pigeon in such a space; were there a breeze, perhaps loft a colorful kite. But, as pets are forbidden and there is no wind (or books or desks) in the sterile vaulted, entry expanses of the Borden library, one just views it with awe, followed rapidly by questions of "why?". The hard digital media space on the first floor is like walking into a Borders bookstore, with racks and racks, aisles and aisles of old school media. When hard media discs were in vogue, twenty years ago, one could see similar racks at Tower Records or at the local Best Buy. It is that impressive, a true nostalgic memory-jogger for anyone born before 1998. Alas, as Borders Bookstores and Tower Records are now shuttered, and Best Buy's hard media section is no larger than one's own bedroom closet, it is wonderful that the Borden Library has erected a museum to largely-obsolete hard media. Thank you! The second floor has a reading room, circular and glassed, that is quite beautiful. If one can get over the solarium heat in the summer, and the glare on their computer screens and mobile devices year-round, it certainly is a treat to look out onto the Fox River--as if one is Cornelius Vanderbilt himself, in a millionaire's arboretum--and ponder the meaning of life from your private, padded chair in a room as dead as a mausoleum. Lincoln's tomb in Springfield holds not a candle to the quietest room at Borden Library. A joy to spend hours here, bothered only by a handful of people passing through to look out the glass for but a moment or two--to perhaps consider the songbirds striking the giant windows, or maybe an upturned shopping cart in the river--and then heading back into the functional, air conditioned parts of the building. The desks and study rooms are fabulous for the studying student, despite the absolute lack of feng shui. Your study desk will be in the middle of the floor, with patrons walking around you, spying your work, no sense of coziness, no sense of quiet isolation; just a desk in the middle of an odd layout, as if one were in a coffee shop where the seating arrangement was intended to discourage loitering. The chairs add to this sense as they are, undeniably, contemporary-looking back-breakers, more fitting for an art museum than a public space. Any librarian should sit in these chairs for even two-hours before submitting their "chair request" under the next capital budget. All-in-all, a lovely space that welcomes all comers from Illinois--an absolute gift from the taxpayers of Elgin to all communities within 20 miles of the Borden Library. Why a gift? Those towns (West Chicago, Geneva, St Charles, S. Elgin, Algonquin, Dundee, etc.) may disband their "new library" special task forces; just keep the current libraries (or close them) and have townspeople saunter over to Elgin's library for a day of mirth in a large public space akin to the Chicago Field Museum; missing only is Sue the Dinosaur. Find books you like while in Elgin? No sweat. Just order online using Borden's public wi-fi and, at your own library, pick them up in a day or so. Elgin will ship them over to your local library in the library exchange borrowing program on a magic carpet of good intentions. Perhaps save the Borden librarians a step or two and just bring the books to any librarian--there's one around every corner, it seems--and tell them "I've just borrowed these books online for my home library and, to save you having to find them, here they are. Just ship them over on the next bookmobile, please." Of course, as everything moves to digital downloads over the next decade, and you will not have a local library in your own town (just a town-funded online media account for the townspeople), you will soon only need to cyber-request the book, music, etc. and they'll be on your device before you even leave the Gail Borden Museum to Past Media. How cool is that! Borden Library is an absolute Godsend for the people within driving distance of the Fox Valley. A great place to go and think about things. A true reason (the only reason?) to venture into downtown Elgin. Thank you, citizens of Elgin, Illinois. It is an extremely unique building, like no other publicly-funded space in the state built in the last three decades, and your sense of taste-- if not efficiency of funds--is second to none. This library is highly recommended. read more

This is by far the biggest library I have ever seen. Plenty of seating and private study rooms. A large number of recent books in circulation makes this the premier library in the fox vally area. The have a number of events daily and tax dollar and casino money was really well spent in making a world class library. read more

Most beautiful library in the midwest. Best view. Plenty of meeting space. Very helpful staff.

There's a person playing a piano just past the main entrance. Why? Music in a library is unnecessary and horribly distracting.

Great library, 3rd largest in Illinois. Tons of activities for the kids and even adults. Classes, meetings and a coffee shop what more could you want from the public library. read more

This library was named after the man who invented a way of condensing milk. This is the biggest library I've been to outside of Chicago. They have everything and in nearly any language you can think of. They have a large music selection. They also have other services and a little café in the entrance. read more

A quiet, beautiful place to relax, read, bird watch, and do a little research. Good parking, right on the Fox River downtown Elgin. Walk on the Fox River Bike Trail, work out at the near by Elgin Center, see a show at the Hemmins auditorium, walk around on Walton Island, then rest with a good book. read more

This is literally the nicest library I have ever seen. The people who work here are always so nice and helpful and it is kept very clean. I love all the stuff they have going on for kids. I took my son to baby rhyme time and then to wonderful ones and he loved it. I can't wait to sign him up for another group like that. I love the study rooms they have upstairs and just the general layout. read more

This is the most amazing library I have ever been too. I can't believe it took me 6 months to actually go. It is more like a discovery center for the children with so much to do. I go a few times a week and never get sick of it. Even if it is not in your district to take out books, it's worth a visit for free fun. They have a little cafe inside also that has delicious sandwiches. And they have a beautiful view of the Fox River. read more

Gail Borden is a great library. The children's play area and activities are wonderful. They often don't have the books I am looking for, but the librarians are always extremely helpful in doing an interlibrary loan for me. The coffee shop is a nice addition for meeting people but the prices are too high. Their used book sale section is amazing and has some really great deals. A Great addition to Elgin read more

Great place for young and old. Has lots of space to walk around .Fun exhibits always changing

I visit lots of libraries and thank goodness Gail Borden is my home library - well worth my tax dollars. Great service, selection and the drive thru allows me to get books for the family when we only have a minute. The programming has really grown over the years and I highly recommend this place! read more