It's been a longggg time since I visited a library. Have found a new appreciation for it as an…read moreadult. First time back was for craft night making paper puffs from tissue paper. We've been back to a few other adult craft & game nights since, and really enjoy what the local library has to offer. Different activities are hosted monthly by the library and they are really fun! Christina is so creative with the monthly crafts, and such a lovely person to be around. Everyone gets a good laugh and gets to unwind. A few other librarians, like Gabe and Cat, go above and beyond to answer any questions you may have. Sorry I can't remember the rest of the librarians, but you are all so great! Love visiting my local library! Also, can't wait for the remodel of the library to be done next year.

Lovely facility, newly renovated, with really friendly, helpful staff…read more Unlike other libraries in the area, they are an official affiliate library for LDS FamilySearch genealogy research where you are able to access records that are restricted from general public access on their website. I have visited a couple times and staff has been exceptionally helpful in getting me up and running. The negative reviews here seem to come from Grumpy Old People who don't check facility hours before coming or expect them to provide income tax service.

Brand new library in town with 5 study rooms plus meeting rooms you can reserve. Love visiting here…read morewhen I need a quiet space to study and read. It's a beautiful space! My local library is currently under construction and Brookfield is a great alternative to visit.

4 and a half stars for an excellent library! Although tiny, Brookfield Public Library is very…read moremighty! The staff are exceptional, always available to assist and help you find something. If you want to inter library something, staff will help and make sure you get it. They also have dollar forgiveness Sunday's which will allow you to pay only $1 if you have a ton of late fees.....but of course, I would never have to utilize this deal! Hint, hint, wink, wink. The children's programs are great here, and I have proof as all three of my children have attended Book Babies, Terrific 2's and 3's, and Fabulous 4's and 5's, and all 3 turned out fairly well....for the most part. They also have other community offerings such as kids craft sessions and Mini Musicians with Ms. Clara, which is also an excellent asset to the Brookfield community in itself. This library recently had the Taste of Brookfield, which was absolutely great! It was a ton of fun with various local vendors such as Burger Antics, Irish Times, Brookfield Ale House, and other establishments providing both food, beer, and wine tastings at one price per person. All of the vendors were very liberal with the food and booze, that I can remember since the beer was definitely flowing. Ha, ha! The proceeds went to the Friends of the Library, very beneficial for them. This is my local library and I continue to utilize their great programs. Definitely a wonderful asset to the Brookfield Community.

Compared to the other libraries that we frequent, this is one is a bit smaller. However, we really…read morelike the location and historical exterior architectural design. There is also a fun choo-choo train in the children's section that is easily Instagrammable however space is a bit tight and it could be a bit tricky to try to capture the whole thing in a shot. Our family of four spent 1.5 hours there coloring and reading. We noticed a few toys sets that consisted of cars, trucks, Lego, and magnetic tiles. But most of them were preoccupied so we did not get a chance to explore much. The location is incredibly close to a few eateries that we enjoy so we would definitely make a return trip when we are in the area.

there time when I loved the library and the system and used both often. Then they started getting…read morerid of any books that are not constantly taken out. They replaced books with more meeting rooms. Now I look up a book I want to read, and it's hardly ever anywhere in the whole system let alone at my local library. I am back to buying a lot of books because that's how I can get them. Really discouraged about what has happened to the United States library system, and to my local library, that is now mostly meeting rooms.

I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my…read moreship... Louisa May Alcott lovely library... Thank You All.

A wonderful library in North Riverside. A very pleasant and warm decor. For a medium size library…read morethough, it has all the amenities. Including nice views of a small golf course, and a section of library activities. Whoever thought you could borrow cake mold pans, golf clubs, fishing poles, and lots more. Very pleasant, helpful staff. Look them up for all they offer.

Westchester Library serves my needs. Nice quiet library in a residential area. It has wifi, A/C…read moreand work space to spread out and work

This is my new local library. It looks small and kind of creepy on the outside. But when you walk…read morein it feels very home like. They also have an incredible selection for a smaller library as well. Pretty much everything I want to check out is there and if it isn't it will be there soon. The other nice thing is since Westchester is such a small community 9 times out of 10 you don't have to wait for the hot books. Actually to me it feels like what the old Oak Park library felt like before they remodeled it and turned into the taj mahal of all libraries. LOL!. I digress. If you haven't been check it. It's quaint, small and gets the job done.

Beautiful library. The lower level just underwent an extensive renovation and has many study and…read moreconference rooms. The staff is friendly and goes out of the way to provide excellent service. They regularly have fantastic events and seem to genuinely care about engaging the community. Thanks for all you do!

We came here to copy my husband's aunt's obituary. The staff is very helpful, copies are very…read moreinexpensive, $.10/page for black and white and $.25/page for color.

Big library for a little village!! Usully able to find newly…read morereleased books here when there's a wait at other libraries (think: Harry Potter series), just a hidden gem. Great staff, always happy to help you locate something or order it for you.

What a wonderful library to deal with! I am a teacher and the staff goes overboard to help me out…read morewith videos for my class. This library is truly a hidden gem. Thanks Gloria for all your help.

nice library but the staff closed themselves into an office and there was no staff at the desk…read more they were very unhelpful when we asked if my kids could use the computers. sorry to bother them at their jobs!

My kids and I have been visiting the Lyons Library (they also frequent Riverside library but only…read moreare vocally disrespectful at Lyons because they are buddies with the director) for about two years. There's a particular group of nannies that often gather there, and I've noticed some behavior that feels unkind and exclusive. Today, one of the nannies used a slur to describe my child to another nanny, right in front of the children. I decided to approach the director about it, as I believe it's important to address these situations. Unfortunately, this isn't the first time I've experienced issues; there have been instances where nannies have allowed their kids to hit my children or take things from them, and my attempts to speak to them directly haven't been very effective. When I spoke to Dan, he mentioned that he doesn't see this as a problem and suggested that since these nannies have been coming for longer, I should consider going elsewhere. Even when I tried to express that Mr. Rogers or Daniel Tiger would be disappointed by such behavior, he didn't seem to recognize the reference. It seems like a gentle reminder about kindness and compassion could really make a difference. It's important to remember that children are innocent and impressionable. If the adults around them display unkind behavior, the children may mimic that. Segregation and exclusion in a place like the library can deeply affect kids, especially those who may already feel different or marginalized. When certain groups are treated as outsiders, it can create feelings of isolation and inadequacy. Children are very perceptive; they notice social cues and the dynamics at play. When they see some groups being favored while others are overlooked, it sends a message that they aren't valued. The library is meant to be a safe space for learning and exploration, and it's so important that all children feel included and accepted. I have a degree in Early Childhood Education, have been a caregiver for over 10 years, and run a nonprofit that teaches inclusivity and kindness in children. As a mother, I feel deeply for my kids when they are hurt, and I simply want to ask everyone to be mindful of their words and actions. A little kindness can go a long way in creating a welcoming environment for all.

One of the many Frank Lloyd Wright houses on our list, we bought tickets while in town…read more I will say apart from the house being somewhat contradictory to many attributes that make up a Wright design, the house was very nice. The tour however was probably one of the weakest I have been to. Our guide was forgetful and really didn't go over the basics with the house as we are accustomed to with Wright tours: commission of the home, Wright himself, change of hands with home, and while walking thru it- design aspects chosen inside the home. There's three levels - you only get to see two, and the second floor is currently an office so it is hard to get a real feel for the place. Easily the weakest tour we have been on

I love the work of Louis Sullivan and Frank Lloyd Wright, so touring this house made perfect since…read moreas both were involved in its design. The mansion is located in a gorgeous corner of the Gold Coast and represents an important part of the city's architectural story. That being said, it's not the most impressive historic house I've ever been in. In fact, it wasn't the most impressive one I went in on that day. For me, the things that made this tour worth doing were the small details like the windows, doors, wood screen in the hallway, and the fireplace surround. There aren't many rooms and the furnishings are not original. The textured walls seem odd and the lighting has been altered in several places (like he sconces). The tour guide was very knowledgeable, but they don't know much about the original owners due to their private nature. The building is now used as offices, so the upstairs bedrooms contain desks and bookshelves rather than being set as they were intended. It takes some imagination when you walk though them. The house is only open two days a week - Wed and Sat. I bought tickets I advance, but you can probably get them in person most times. I'm glad I went, it the friend who accompanied me thought it wasn't as impressive as the other houses we toured that afternoon.