Such an inviting and organized library. The workers are so inviting and helpful and usually…read moresmiling. The activities hosting here for kids are amazing. The organization of the books in the library works well for book searching.

I am LOVING this library. A friend mentioned a while back that they do a story time in the evening,…read moreand I have been meaning to look at their schedule to see if it was still something they offer. So happy to find it is still on their schedule! We've been a couple times now and will continue to go whenever we can. Most libraries have a story time in the morning, which is not something I can ever get to as a working parent. But family story time starts at 7, and I'm willing to let my kiddo go to bed a little later in order to attend this particular event. It's really well attended; there have been 5-8 kids there when we've gone. The librarians set it up with little rug tiles, individual ones for the kids to sit on. Most adorable of all the librarians have a variety of stuffed animals placed at each place for the kiddos to hug and play with during the story time. Great idea and great way to stick with the theme! This story time lasts around 30 minutes (though the first time we were there, Ms. Mary went 45-60 minutes) and includes stories and songs. I don't have a library card for this branch, so I haven't explored any of its books or other offerings. However, I believe that they offer passport appointments, which is a nice alternative to having to go to the post office to do it, though I'm not sure if they only do that for residents or not.

We've been coming here regularly and it's been such a reliable community resource…read more The space is clean, organized, and easy to navigate with kids. The children's section is especially well laid out, with a good mix of books, toys for the kids to play with, and places to sit and watch them enjoy! The staff has always been kind and helpful when we've needed assistance. It's the kind of place that makes everyday outings easier and more enjoyable. And it's free! I'm so grateful to have it nearby, especially during the long, cold Chicago winters.

The Skokie Public Library is highly impressive both in terms of scope and beautiful, modern design…read more I went recently on a busy weekend, and I was still able to land a convenient free spot in their parking lot. The turn in gets a bit busy, but just be careful of vehicles turning out as you turn in. Once entering, you are greeted by a veritable alcove of beautiful books laid out in gorgeous, grand, minimal aisles. As you walk in, they have outdoor sculptures viewable from windows encased around them like a glass column. I went upstairs to explore after viewing their enormous children's collection from a distance, mainly to find a quiet place to write. Along the way, I passed some individual study rooms, a huge makerspace, and a variety of seating: some super comfy to cozy up with a book or some at wide or tall tables to get your productivity on. I would say this library was bustling but still quiet. It led to a very productive writing session for me. I didn't have any questions to pose to the librarians, but upon brief observation of other encounters, they seemed kind and knowledgeable. Check it out if you're ever in the area!

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...

Ooh, this library is really lovely and seems to be pretty darn new. It's large, airy, and…read moremulti-story. Unlike some libraries with the kids section in the basement, the children's area is on the second floor here. They have a good selection of children's programming, and we were here for Family Story-time. I only learned of this the day that it happened (and it also happened to be the last date of the series) which was a bummer because it was great! I'm really hoping they continue this series next month. It's really kind of a bummer that most libraries have children's programs (particularly for the littlest ones) almost exclusively in the early morning on weekdays, so I was so happy to see this one that although geared toward kids 2+ they specifically state that children of any age are welcome and my on one year old was having a lot of fun. Though the story time took place in one of their meeting rooms, they also have a section on the east side of the floor that has some toys and play space for kids. We didn't get to check that out this time but will in the future. I also picked up some information about a program they're doing with the Forest Preserve District, I think--I love this type of partnership and hopefully we can attend sometime. There's lots of parking around this library, since it's in what might be downtown Des Plaines. I'm sure it's hard to find parking during some times of day and I think the lots around here are a little odd sometimes, but there's surface parking that is good for up 90 minutes which worked well for us. It's right across from the Des Plaines Metra Station as well.

Hmm, I thought I reviewed this place. Oh well, maybe not, but I sure have utilized it quite a bit…read moreover the 12 years that we have lived in nearby Park Ridge. It's actually closer to our home than the Park Ridge library, and it's a great library. I have mainly used it for movie DVD's and occasionally a book. Years ago, we used to take the kiddos here to putz around and also take an occasional kiddo story-time reading class or what not. They have 4 stories with lots of inventory, and it's a modern and comfortable place to hang out if you wish. All of the staff are also knowledgeable, helpful, and just great. They have their own convenient and covered parking lot also. I used to physically putz around the movie section and search their library from a kiosk. Nowadays, I just go online at home and order up some movies or a book, and after a day or so and an e-mail notice, the items are sitting on a shelf for quick pickup and I waste little time in picking up or returning anything. The other nice thing about their online search is that it will include a search of 7 local libraries for availability of an item and it will be delivered if necessary to the DP library for pick up. So nice! Recently, even with all of the online streaming, Apple TV, etc, some prime movies have not been available (for free anyway) and I have gone back here to pick up some good movies. I usually try to watch the Academy Award winners in the major categories every year, and this year was no exception except that I used the library more this year it seems. Big thumbs up and thank you for your excellent services!

I'd like to visit this branch again sometime to give it another chance. We came here for story…read moretime... but it wasn't actually story time. We were indeed late by about 10 minutes, but when we went into their community room there were a bunch of kids/families doing some crafts or something, but no story taking place. I'm not sure there was a librarian in the room--if there was, I couldn't easily identify them and they didn't bring attention to themselves. We left because we didn't know what the craft or whatever was and there wasn't really space, and I'm not really sure when the story time is actually story time because this was called story time... I'm definitely not opposed to a craft activity, but if there are not stories and it's a craft event I just want to be prepared and be there extra early. The branch is one of the smaller of the branch libraries, though not unusually small--many of the branch libraries are about this size, especially those from around the same era (I think this one was built in the 1960's). It has a nice kids/children's section which takes up a significant portion of the library, and the children's section is located in a great spot since there's a huge, unobstructed window that provides tons of light. A cool piece of branch trivia is that it was named for Carl Roden, a CPL librarian who lived in Norwood Park and started his career at the library as a page in the 19th century! Interestingly given its location, parking at this library is almost nonexistent. There is a lot behind the library, which may have an accessible space since there's a ramp to the entrance from this lot, but there's only about five spaces and two were taken up by library/city vehicles. Your better bet is to use the free parking along Northwest Highway in front of the branch. It's also directly across from the Norwood Park Metra stop, so that's another option.

This is definitely one of the smaller CPL branches. People here have been very nice and helpful. Im…read moreglad I'm able to reserve books I want online and pick them up here. One day I will take advantage of some of their programs.

It has a small parking lot and there is a small collection of dvds. Despite the size, the library…read moreis not short on neatness and organization. And the librarians know how to catch your attentionand invite you to read or peruse something more.

The Edgebrook branch is a nice little one. It opened in 2000 so it's been around for over two…read moredecades, but still looks brand new. Throughout the years I've lived in Chicago I've never lived terribly far away so I've been by lots of times, but have never had an occasion to stop in. However, the Northwest Chicago Historical Society hosted a program here a few weeks ago called Distilled in Chicago. There's a community room up on the second floor where it was held and it was a very good space for it. Also up on that floor is a very large study room up there as well, and some tables in the open space as well. There's some artwork here through Percent for Art, part of the City of Chicago Chicago Public Art Program. They're mostly various pastoral or landscape images. I think it's really cool to stroll slowly through the community room and view the 15 or so photos they have of early Edgebrook, showing the original school, the train station, and so on. Pretty cool. The branch has a dedicated parking lot but there's also street parking along Devon and, if necessary, the neighborhood streets. The entrance facing Devon does not have a button to automatically open the doors for some reason so if you need that you'll enter through the parking lot. On the west side of the library there's a little garden area with several park benches as well.

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.

Over the past year, I have become a regular visitor and patron of the Winnetka branch of the…read moreWinnetka-Northfield Public Library. I have conducted a large quantity of advanced genealogy research and Chicago and Winnetka history research through this library. This library has provided outstanding customer service, excellent research resources, excellent research support, and has helped me tremendously in my own genealogical research work and Chicago history research work. This library has enabled me to discover some very important new stories and facts about my own family history. I would like to thank this library and its excellent, friendly, and very professional staff of employees for being a wonderful part of both the Winnetka community and the Chicagoland community. I look forward to being a long-term patron of the Winnetka-Northfield Public Library. God bless!

This branch might be small but it's mighty. I had some time to kill with my 3 year old and was…read morepleasantly surprised. The toddler section has a tiny table for reading at and a puzzle table as well -- a major hit with my boy. I liked the selection of books too. Despite having a small selection, the librarians have done a good job choosing what to carry. And they are so helpful and friendly as well! There is a young readers section with booths for kids to gather. When we were there there were a couple of groups of kids studying together. There's an open reading room with magazines and newspapers and a fireplace. It looked so inviting I've been back for a quiet break. The library has a limited DVD section but has a decent selection. The audio cd section is very small. There are multiple computers to use and an adult fiction/non fiction section. Considering this is a branch library, the librarians have done a great job maximizing the space so people can feel invited in and making smart choices in the items they'll have. Kudos to them. So next time you're in the area, be sure not to overlook this little gem.

I have many wonderful memories from my time at Winnetka Public Library. This library has helped me…read moretremendously with my genealogy work and with my family history work. The reference staff workers at this library are always kind, helpful, professional, and enjoyable to talk to. The library has a great atmosphere, and has excellent reading and work spaces. Winnetka Public Library has helped me discover and locate historical records that have been immensely important for my Illinois genealogical and historical research and writing work. Thank you to Winnetka Public Library and its wonderful staff of librarians for being a superb helper and advisor to me in my work. Thank you all for being a wonderful part of the Winnetka community and of the Chicagoland community. I look forward to many more great times with you all! God bless.

Mostly a review of the kids section. It's not huge but has a good selection. The children's books…read moreare lined up facing outwards which makes it easy to browse. There is lots of natural light and plenty of nice cozy areas to read together. It does get loud during busier times. Also the bathrooms are nice and clean. The parking lot is smaller but I've never had an issue getting a spot.