I am not a cardholder (library hop to change my scenery), so my review is only on ambiance. I absolutely adore the floor-to-ceiling windows on the second floor; the sunlight while studying keeps me sane. The 'cafe' downstairs is a bit tinier than I would like. And I was a bit disappointed that a majority of the library is the second floor, with the first being the cafe, front desk, a little lounging corner, and a kid's space in an entirely different room. So, a majority of noise and people were upstairs, making it a little difficult to concentrate but with some nice headphones you're all good! read more

Adorable library in a quaint, historic town. I love the architecture of the building from the outside. The inside is also very tidy with a nice selection of items. read more

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I took my 16 month old son and our experience was great! It felt so nice to see him roam around and have so much to explore! We will definitely be back! read more

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To preface, this review is for the new library on Seventh Street. With much anticipation of the new library opening up, I have to say it's exactly what I imagined it would be, both good bad. First with the good. I think they did an incredible job organizing the materials and spaces for both the kids section and adult. There are plenty of private rooms, spaces to chat, and chairs to sit and read. However, despite the massive amount of space the library now has, I feel as though they did not efficiently use what they have. I feel like the selection is small in comparison to the size of the library. This may change. In addition, I just don't think the architecture style of the building suites downtown Geneva one bit. We are in one of the most historic neighborhoods in the suburbs and it looks like a library on a university campus. Beautiful and sleek, yes, historic, absolutely not. Those things won't stop me from coming, especially since I can place holds on books Geneva does not have on their shelves. So all in all, I'm happy with it. read more

I toured the new library, and was impressed with the care taken to design, and how all the areas were thought out. I was in the adult section, and found a free craft bag to take home. It was to make a sunflower pot, and included everything I needed. And look what is growing! My sunflower pots were successful. Thank you read more

Geneva Public Library District - Libraries Near Me - Geneva, Illinois

The Geneva Library is an older library, but historic and well located off State Street in downtown Geneva, IL. I do not think that a library in a subdivision or west of Randall Road would better serve the public; the schools out in western Geneva already have school libraries (so the children are more than completely served), and the public library is best in the most scenic area, downtown, to assist in the public patronizing important downtown shops and restaurants. It's one of the reasons to come downtown. Parking is plentiful. The library, itself, is tight for parking around it, but I do applaud Geneva for not making the on-street parking metered in that area. Across State Street, by the river (i.e. two, no more than three, blocks from the library) are huge open city lots that are never full, always free. Libraries will be a thing of the past in twenty years; I adore libraries, but it's a fact of the digital age. Libraries can morph into other duties (e.g. become a "Rent-A-Center" and loan our yard tools and power equipment, as a library in New York state is doing; some say a community center, but we already have those, etc.), but already we have facilities for any re-purposing one could imagine for a library. Investing in a new library, particularly when Geneva property taxes are astronomical and libraries are becoming a thing of the past, like typewriters, corded telephones and digital pagers, would not be a good use of funds. Best is to enjoy what we have in Geneva now, plus the lousy St Charles library--good for you St Charles, population 80k, for not forking over for a new library as your taxes are nosebleed, too-- or the new and overspent Batavia library, both about 3 miles away. Geneva Library is a small, tidy historic library full of dusty books for those Luddites that still want them printed on wood pulp, on musty pages with M&M sneezes from strangers and bugs hiding in the bindings. The future is digital reading and book loaning from home. Wi-fi will become (is becoming) less expensive and more ubiquitous, and even the indigent will not need a library, per se. The bums may need to find another place to nap. The Geneva library is a relic. Cherish it as it is. read more

Such a fabulous library, such fabulous architecture. Two stars is for the god awful colors they chose. Chocolate on top and the color of linoleum floor from the 50's On the first floor, so terrible that it's an identifiable color. So sad! read more

I wish I could say that my opinion of the Geneva Public Library improved over the last year, but in fact, it reached an all-time low. As you know from my first review, my chief complaint about the library is the lack of actual resources. Most recently, I went to the library in search of six particular YA books that my students were reading. The library did not have any of the six, despite the fact they were all published at least three years prior. I doubled checked on the computer to see whether these novels were simply checked out, but no: the Geneva library did not carry them, though both St. Charles and Batavia did. You would think that out of six titles, all available at nearby libraries, Geneva would have at least one or two in its own collection. What really aggravated me recently, however, was the lack of communication regarding the Cans for Fines program. My six-year-old stepdaughter misplaced a book over the summer, and despite tearing up nearly the entire house, we could not find it. She received a hefty fine, and when I went to pay it on September 10, the young librarian at the check-out counter told me to "wait until next month. We're going to start Cans for Fines." (For those who do not know, Cans for Fines allows patrons to bring in one canned good for every $1 owed.) I decided to take her advice and wait for the program to start. I checked the library's web site four times during the month of September to see if they had posted any information about the Cans for Fines programs - particularly, when it would kick off. I even ran a search on the web site, but it turned up no information. Finally, on October 1, I called the library directly to ask if the program had started. Prepare yourself for a shock: I was told that the program had just finished the day before, as it ran the entire month of September! Why on Earth was the librarian telling me on September 10 that I should wait until the next month to bring in canned goods, when quite clearly the program had already been in effect for 10 days? Why was there no information about Cans for Fines published on the Geneva Public Library's web site or Facebook page during the entire month of September? I am so angry about the utter incompetence at this library that I am contemplating writing a letter to the Board of Trustees. Get your act together Geneva Public Library. read more

A phrase small town library. Please expand weekend hours. So strange that you are closed in Sunday nights when it would be nice to have a resource available for homework. read more

This library gets four stars from me for the experience in the children's section, which is the part of the library I use primarily, and which provides excellent service. This is not a huge library, but with St. Charles and Batavia so accessible it doesn't need to be. Anything I have needed that they didn't have on shelves, I have been able to get through interlibrary loan. When I found that a resource I had been checking out occasionally to use in my classroom had been culled from the collection, the children's librarian I spoke with went to great lengths to track the volumes down for me at other libraries. What really impresses me about the children's library in Geneva is the way it has been designed to connect children with books. I moved here from Schaumburg, where the library was much larger, and much fancier with giant fish tanks, train tables, giant hide-and-seek nooks, etc. These areas were certainly attractive to children, but made for a rambunctious atmosphere that I always found distracted my children from the whole point of our visit, which was to select and read books. I would be picking books out by myself while they played in the Enchanted Tree. I also found that there was an emphasis on promoting mass-market series over classics. The computer stations were typically filled and the tables were primarily used for playing games or for homework/tutoring - I rarely saw a kid sit down and read in that library. I also have a great deal of experience with the Wheaton library. Here is an example of a beautifully updated children's library that has an excellent collection, but where the emphasis on librarians connecting with children is disappearing. No longer can you check out your books with a smiling librarian to say, "Why, if you like this Nate the Great, make sure to come back so I can show you something else I think you'll enjoy!" You are instead directed to the self-checkout or to take your books upstairs to the adult checkout. In fact, I rarely see a staff person in the Wheaton children's library come out from behind the desk. Contrast this with my experience every time I go to the Geneva library. The desks are built at a height that even a 3- or 4-year old child can approach and be greeted by an adult at near eye-level. The staff are approachable and actually get up and come around the desk to walk the child to the book they are looking for. I have yet to be in the children's library in Geneva and not see an exchange between a children's librarian and a child that is all about connecting that child to a book. Sure, the building is old and hasn't been re-decorated in a while. But it is clean and comfortable, and the children's section is cheery enough without being visually overwhelming. The emphasis is on the BOOKS. And the children I see there on my frequent visits are enjoying their time picking out books and reading. What keeps me from giving the Geneva library five stars is that my limited experience with the employees in the YA and adult section includes a very frustrating encounter where my daughter was completely put off the idea of engaging in the summer reading program for middle schoolers because the person she approached with questions didn't listen to her question at all and instead rambled on and insisted on actually reading the brochure aloud to us instead of trying to understand what she was asking. But one disappointing experience upstairs does not diminish my delight with the children's library. read more

This is a great small town library. The staff are great and you can reserve books through other libraries.

Looks old and a little cramped. Parking can be limited since it is at Downtown. But, excellent staff and service. Bottom floor is for kids. Many books to borrow from. In LINC system. The best online library system I consider. Perfect for transferring books to your library. read more

A nice library in a nice downtown. This place is small but easy to tranvserse and find stuff. The staff was very helpful and the places was not loud or crowded. A good selection of magazines and they had plenty of staff restocking materials ASAP. read more

I've always found the staff helpful, accommodating and kind at this location. Particularly helpful to my family has been the services which allow the home-delivery of books, as well as the access to books online. As my mother was in the last months of her life and bed-ridden she (and therefore we, her family) benefited greatly from these two services. In regards to the interior I've always found it very clean and pleasant. read more

The children's library is always such a great experience for us. Friendly, helpful, courteous and knowledgeable. The new areas are a great place for kids to do homework or hang out with a great read. Upstairs,the adults also have a variety of material and areas to escape and spend quiet time or for researching. read more

Hands down one of the best children's libraries I've ever been to. The staff is phenomenal and will spend as much time with your child as they need. Great programs (FREE!!) for the kids to do all year round. The adult section isn't as great as it could be but with the ability to order books online and have them sent to the library fairly quickly, it's not really an issue. Sure this library isn't as big and flashy as St Charles or Batavia, but they also know you by name at this library which is a big plus in my opinion! read more