This library is the best and only one in Oregon. Although it doesn't have some books that I'm…read morelooking for, you can always place holds. I love how there's a place in Oregon where you can sit back and chill.

A great small town library. All the staff are very helpful. A nice selection of books. They could…read moreuse more books on tape/CD, but with the Dane County system they are easy to get.

The library is awesome as are the people that work there. I broke my leg this summer and they went…read moreabove and beyond to help. They are more than willing to help you in any way they can even if you are not injured

Needs to be much quieter since it is after all a library and not a playground. For those studying…read moreand doing there homework to better there future. Nice Staff!! clean!

We went to the genealogy department to get some inflammation on family history in Galena. The staff…read morewent above and beyond helping us for an hour and printing out articles and pulling up pictures on line and in databases. We were so thankful that they took the time to help us.

Who visits libraries when they are in a town for vacation or a short trip? Why, I do! If they are…read moresignificant, anyway. This one is a beautiful Carnegie library from the early 20th century (1908, I believe). Galena's public library is on Bench Street just above Main. It's a very small library but mighty for sure! They have an old fashioned system for their shelves that I wish I understood but it's in great condition. There's a small reading area on the north side of library and it looks very cozy. The fireplace is beautifully decorated as well. Downstairs is the children's library and the historical collection. I wandered into that room and one of the men working there was so helpful! There was one guy working with a couple who was trying to do some genealogical research, and the other man asked me if there was anything I was looking for. Not being from Illinois, there's no particular personal history of interest to me, but I did ask about Masonic lodges; he mentioned there was a lodge just down the street and showed me something in the old records that listed the Masonic organizations that exist(ed) in Galena. He showed me some of the newspapers they still have in their collection. These are the actual newspapers that were printed on the day in question, so he pulled out some that talked about the death of President Lincoln and the aftermath. He also showed me one from when Richmond fell during the war. It was really cool! I don't know if I realized that newspapers were once printed with more of a cloth-like blend as opposed to wood pulp, and these editions were in such good condition I at first thought they were copies of the originals, not the original printing themselves. He invited me to look around at things as well, and I found a notebook that talked to some extent about the history of enslaved people in the area. They're in the midst of a project where they're digitizing the records, so at some point you'll be able to view these items online. They'll retain the original items of course, but it will be a treasure trove that will be more easily accessible to people throughout the world doing research on their families, midwestern history, or this little town home to a few historically important people. The front entrance, as you may have guessed if you looked at the photos, is not accessible. But fear not; there's an accessible entrance in the back, where the parking lot is, and an elevator that can take you up to the main floor.

One of the first things I do when I move somewhere is go to their local library and see what it's…read morelike. Coming from an actual city, and being in Janesville, I was prepared to see a few copies of a phone book, someone's yearbook from the '70s, and maybe a few old Dean Koontz novels with the jacket cover taped back on, and some pages missing. I was definitely in for a pleasant surprise. While they don't always have all of the latest books you'll have on your GoodsRead list, and they aren't open on Sundays, this is a very nice little library, and definitely the best community asset to Janesville. When you get a library card you get to choose between white or teal cards. The ground floor is a cafe, with seating where people are sometimes seen playing chess with strangers, or enjoying books that they've purchased, or picked up for free, as you can just drop off books there for people to grab, and also the "community room" which can be reserved for large meetings/gatherings. Other, smaller rooms are available on the second floor for anyone to reserve or request, as well. The second floor has a hold shelf for reserved books (you can put a hold on books online or at the library), self check out stations, an employee recommends section that lists what genres those employees are into so you know if their likes are a good fit for you to choose from, and all the the books. There's also a bulletin board with a listing of all sorts of local events going on in Janesville, and some going on in the library. There's a table with hand sanitizer and lotion. The real thing here is the events. This library hosts so many events and does so much for the community. It's truly impressive. The only thing I dislike about this library is that the return slot inside the library is not clearly labeled at all, and I wandered around like a fool until I saw other people slowly putting their items one at a time into a small, unlabeled, conveyor belt hole in the wall one at a time, and asked them if that was it. Haha. All the employees are hella nice. According to the website, there are other return sites for the books, including Woodman's, which I've also done a review on. Woodman's is open 24 hours a day, so if you're out getting your groceries in the middle of the night and need to return your library book, you can kill two birds with one stone, theoretically. I've yet to do so. I have attended a writing workshop here, an open mic event, a support group, and picked up a free craft project. I've only lived here a couple months.

This place was fantastic. Not only was the building architecture lovely you can really tell that…read morethe community cares and puts money into this place. The self service kiosks were awesome, we'd never seen those before. There were loads of tables, computers, and seats to sit in where you could read. All of the windows are fantastic and the view overlooking the river makes those reading places super idealic. Outside there are places to sit and sculptures to enjoy as well as read again over looking the river. Also the book clubs in a bag are also a fantastic idea. This place made us really jealous of the people in Janesville, we wished our local library was even half as nice.

This library is just a amazing it's Jane Normas and all the people are nice and it was a good…read moreexperience and have every single book you can think of and if they don't you can order in there it'll be there soon!

absolutely beautiful large modern library!! that actually has space for all ages!! they even have a…read morelittle store on the second? floor with very affordable books. it was actually so pretty, id def go here to do work or study

Excellent public library, a great place to find reading, listening material. Friendly helpful…read morelibrarians, there's a printing station if you're staying a downtown hotel for business or a scientific seminar. If you forgot your book at home there's a small but pleasant used bookstore here with a great selection of used classical CDs. Lots of interesting events. Comfortable and peaceful seating. Because democracy requires an informed and literate citizenry I consider this library to be part of the bulwark of American freedom.

I love the Verona Library. Excellent space for the community with many fun and engaging events…read more Beautiful, bright space. Helpful staff and of course a great selection of books, puzzles, movies, etc...

This place is so fun for babies! My son loved the outside story hour…read more In the children's section of the library there is a play area with a toy kitchen and activity tables. You can sit in a castle and read to your baby. My son was fascinated with the display of origami cranes hanging from the ceiling. What I think is really interesting about this library is that you can check out activity boxes full of supplies to do crafts or teach hands-on lessons to your kids. You can also check out other cool stuff such as American girl dolls.

The Sun Prairie Public Library is such a beautiful place and has activities for people of all ages…read more The summer reading challenge for children (beginning at 6 months all the way high school) is amazing. They have so many cool prizes like free passes to the Milwaukee Public Museum, the state fair, a mallard's game, etc. They also have an adult summer reading challenge as well as a fall one. I participate in both each year and they have gift card raffles & small prizes for adults too which is awesome! The library also hosts lots of cool events like author events, puzzle competitions, historical events, etc. There are SO many things to do and get involved with and opportunities to learn. They also have an incredible collection of books and "book club bags" complete with multiple copies of popular books and a question guide for book clubs! They're currently doing an expansion and amphitheater as well. So grateful to have such an amazing library. Check it out if you haven't!

I love this library. Love it. It is beautiful and quite large with a quiet room full of magazines…read more(you can check out the ones from the previous months), piles of documentary DVDs, quiet corners to sit/hide in, screened porches that are open during the non-winter months, four self-check stations, an open area where you can fetch your own holds (and thanks to the wonders of technology you don't have to worry about somebody snaking your long-awaited stuff away from you), bunches of computers with access to the internet (even if you had to bring your impatient 3-year-old who thinks the word 'quiet' means 'be louder'), and a great used-book store run by some very sweet retirees. And that's just the stuff I've used. There are two different graphic novel sections: one for adults and one for kids. Finally, maybe my *most* favorite thing, is the Staff Picks section. It's mostly books but with a few DVDs too; I've found some worthy stuff there. There are dedicated children's librarians, friendly people at the information/reference desk (with little plaques that say please interrupt us), and book returns both inside and out. I've always been pro-library, but this place is just unbelievable. I feel so lucky to live near it.

I've used this library during my 3 month stay in the area. I have enjoyed using the facilities, as…read moreI prepared for an additional teacher certification. It is a big space that is full of activity. I've used their scanner/copier, quiet study room, cafe, research books, and the ongoing book/dvd/cd sale. I've donated blood and taken in a concert too. The staff takes great pride in this gem of a library. Their attention to detail make this a very enjoyable place to spend your time.

For a small library in a small town I was pleasantly surprised by everything they had to offer…read morehere. I mean I come from a big city and some of our smaller libraries seemed lacking compared to BPL. I mean damn they even have a newsletter that goes out like clock work every month (which I still receive). The building it beautiful and there are benches outside in which you can take your latest read (once you check it out of course). The staff is friendly and if you couldn't find what you wanted there they had a great lending system with other libraries. Their selection of books was current and up to date, and loved loved loved their selection of movies. As a college student on a budget borrowing movies from the library was a great way to conserve cash.

I've stumbled upon this place when googling for libraries to study at and came across this gem. I…read moredidn't even know this library existed!!! A lot of libraries are closed on Sundays so I LOVEEEEE that I found CV library because they are one of two that are actually open (1-5pm!). Walking in through the double doors there's bathrooms to the right and then you have to walk thru another set of open doors and the library is split in two - on the left side is the "adult side" and the right side is the kids/teenagers side. I love how it is split up for noise level reasons and how organized it is. They also have rooms that you can rent to study in and plenty of tables and computers. At some of the tables they have community puzzles and adult coloring books, and charging stations for plug ins. I sat at a table that was propped against the open windows and had a great snowy view. I will definitely be here more often!

I would not recommend this library to parents with multiple aged kiddos, they have very nice…read moreprograms designed for certain ages but are not welcoming or accommodating when you have older or younger siblings in tow. I have had multiple experiences with staff that is rude. I have had a handful of positive experiences at this library but unfortunately the bad outweighs the good.