The library is beautiful. It was established as a Carnegie library back in the day. They have a HUGE 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. read more

We returned here after a long ~5 year hiatus with my oldest grand-darling. She had another school day off and we dropped in to putz around a bit in the children's department. It was a perfect place to visit, and she did a little art project that was posted on the wall with contributions from other kids, she played an educational video game, and she picked up a complimentary DIY make a kite kit, which was this month's library promotion for kids. The children's department is still top notch and there is plenty to do here with some free time, and we'll visit again sometime. Along the way, we were very pleased to have a reunion with Mrs. Mary Mason who was manning the children's department desk. I remembered her from her wonderful toddler story-time sessions with this same grand-daughter, and she is now an 18 year veteran. It was a delight to see excellent staff like her stay with this also excellent library and that there was mutual loyalty in this day and age of jumping around. My grand-daughter honestly didn't remember a thing about this place or Mrs. Mary, but who does when they are only 2 years old. Oh well, c'est la vie, but we shall return. read more

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While I find generally the person on the first floor front desk to be kind and welcoming and the library 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. read more

Always helpful. Great selection of books, DVDs, CDs, and current releases. Reference department very knowledgeable. Excellent experience.

They will never modernize to be friendly or hospitable to anyone but 1950s nuclear family. If you look young, poor, or anything of the like... expect to be stared at like they're just waiting for you to leave read more

Very excited about the renovations going on here! The staff here are also very friendly. Parking can be tricky if they have a popular program going on, but that only speaks to how appreciated their events are. read more

This seems like a very nice library. I don't have a library card here as I don't live in the area, but they have a really nice lawn area with tables and chairs to enjoy nice weather outside. Inside they seem to have quite a lot of selection and space, I think I even saw that you can rent paintings, which I thought was interesting. They have nice little study rooms to use if you can manage to get one. All in all a very nice library! read more

Located in the heart of Uptown Park Ridge across from the Pickwick and the strip of shops along Prospect Ave., this is quite a distinguished landmark building in itself. Now I'm not a big library-goer, but I got my son into it this summer. You gotta love their summer reading program for the kids. I've been taking my 6 year old to the library every week to participate. They made the pitch a week before school got out by visiting his class and telling them about all the prizes and coupons. And there's a raffle ticket he receives each time, which can go toward a number of great prizes like computer games or even an entire Wii system. Then they got the support of local merchants and shops all over town. For the little kids, every 100 minutes you read with them, they get a sticker and some freebie coupons. Each week a different promo. Get 400 minutes and they win an iron-on patch for their jacket and literally a booklet of freebies. We're talking some great giveaways this summer: 1. How about 3 free pancakes and a glass of milk at Original Pancake House? 2. Free scoop at Lisa's Italian Ice. 3. Free cookie from all of these places: Subway, Potbelly, and Baked By Betsy. 4. Frozen chocolate banana from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. OK, so he doesn't like a frozen banana, but daddy gets it (hey, I'm the one reading the stories to him). No better way to instill a love of reading from a young age than to reward the kids this way. The Children's Library is right on the first floor. On a summer day, it's packed with kids of all ages. Lots of wonderful, award-winning books to choose from. And the staff is so nice and courteous to their little customers. One cool thing to check out is their monarch display. There's cocoons and caterpillars and the occasional butterfly about to emerge. We check it out on every visit. Truly a great and happy place to visit. read more

Friendliest and cutest library (and I'm not just saying that because it's in my home town). The staff is always friendly and courteous and goes out of their way to help you. The library itself is extremely organized and well kept. It also feels homey and inviting so I can work on homework or study for hours without feeling out of place. If you need a quiet and cute corner for solitude, this is the place to be! read more

Gosh do I love this library. I love the way the building is designed, both inside and out. Hands-down, this place is a great place to take kids, rain or shine. The children's section is the best!! I also love the adult's section too. Really, anywhere you go here you can't go wrong. I wish more libraries could be like this. If you've never gone here, it's worth a trip! read more

This is so far one of the best libraries . It has an entertaining area for kids. The employees are nice and try to help you as best as they can. The books are very well organized. They also have many places to sit down. It is overall very clean. They have a wide selection of books to choose from. They have a nice amount of DVDs. I have had many enjoyable experiences at this library. The only reason I don't give it five stars is after they added the self-checkout kiosk there's a lot of librarians doing nothing. Given the crazy amount of property taxes we pay this is a great opportunity to cut costs by reducing staff. read more

Pretty good library, and I like the selection of magazines and newspapers it has. I prefer the Des Plaines Library slightly over this one, mainly for the fact it has later Friday hours(till 9pm). Automatic minus 1 star, for the fact they've started to charge non-residents to go online on their public computer. Why the heck is any library stupid enough to do this? I haven't heard of a single Chicago area library that does this, other than here and in Oak Lawn. At least there are several nearby library alternatives someone who lives slightly out of the area can go to and bypass the non-resident internet surcharge, such as Des Plaines, Niles, and the Roden and Oriole Park branches of the Chicago Public Library. I think Roden(which btw is on Northwest Highway, right by the Norwood Park Metra stop) is a little closer of those 2 CPL branches, IIRC. read more

Clean, quiet (as expected!). I could see a use for more tables, but then again, that would detract from space for BOOKS! It is not as expansive as my (much newer) town library but all together sufficient. I'd go back. read more

There is a lot more going on than reading at the Park Ridge Library. Park Ridge is lucky to have such an interesting library filled with fun ways to learn. Admittedly, I am not a big reader and usually only come to the library to get books for the kids. Today I decided to look around and see what they have besides Peppa Pig books. There are tons of things to do here for children all the way up to senior citizens. Aside from the robust selection of books there are many other forms of media you can rent out. There is a large selection of video games, current DVDs and tools to help you pick up some new skills. For kids, there is a giant section with sitting areas, iPads, a 3D printer and more. The staff is all very helpful and patient with kids or adults who are new to the library. You can reserve the bulk of items online and just pick them up. This is a great place to hang out and pick up a little knowledge - even if you don't find books that exciting. read more

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A well-used, very active library, with a good kids library. Self-checkout, free fast WiFi, good range of magazines, and space to spread out my MacBook Pro and papers at the handful of tables. And it's busy enough to make people watching interesting for us freelancers. The only thing I'd want more of is tables, because it can get pretty crowded at times. And maybe a wandering masseuse, who patrons can pay for back rubs :D read more

Of course they have books here:) But they offer a place of solice right in the downtown Park Ridge area. They also have many computers you can use for internet or Microsoft Word.These stations are often very busy and I recommend making a reservation first. They have lectures here by famous and semi-famous people around once a month. There is even some private study rooms and work stations. read more

Park Ridge Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Park Ridge, Illinois

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This library is awesome!!! Lots of clean quiet space! Older crowd so no chatterboxes! PC station and wifi are all aces and best of all free!!! Parking is time regulated but free and ample!. Study rooms are never available and there is a climate control issue on the second floor sometimes, but otherwise this is my favorite library for doing my research and studies. Even though we finally got a parking "O" plenty joint here I still had to lock down the 5th star. This was solely due to the fact that they are not food or beverage friendly nor can you get a Library card if you live in the adjoining area. The Harwood Hts Library in my area allows them and Chicago secondary pref take out privies,,,so lets get quid pro quo and I might pop on that fifth star!!! Cheers! read more

Park Ridge Library charges a fee for non Park Ridge cardholders to attend a program.

Old library with backwards thinking. While most others will attract patrons with free usable services here you may only use the computers if you're a member of this specific library. So if you're part of the library consortium you still cannot use the computers here. The free wifi will log you off every time you close your phone as well. Needs to be more in tune with the times but unfortunately seems far from that goal. read more

I love this place. It is a very nice looking library and the staff is the best. I hate that now, they charge you to use a computer if you don't have a Library card number. I think that since it is a public library, it should be free for the public. read more

A critical component of a good library is reliable wireless internet. Their wireless internet disconnected every five minutes, rendering me unable to take an online practice standardized test (that registered all the timeouts as time elapsed...I only finished half the practice test that I had to pay for). If Park Ridge residents would look elsewhere, they would quickly realize that the only thing the PR library has going for it is location and a nice children's section. Go to any other suburb for a real library. read more

It's not a big library, but I like this (Park Ridge) library because the Internet speed is where it should be. It's obvious to me that the person running this library knows how to keep up with the times rather than being stuck in the "old" way of thinking like so many others. read more

I love this library. The staff here is wonderful, and eager to please. I am a teacher and this is a great resource for my students. The staff makes great recommendations. Great use of tax money, thanks! read more

Decent library, terribly rude while closing. 8 minutes before closing they shut off the computers and all I needed to was print something out which takes less than 2 minutes. read more

This library has a wonderful, very kind and helpful staff. The one time I asked where a section was, the librarian walked me to it. The selection of new books is vast, as is the music and DVD collection. Alas, the same kindness cannot be said for the patrons, especially in the parking lot. I have nearly been hit several times by SUV drivers racing through the lot. Other drivers carelessly block the sidewalk entry, where a sign is posted clearly asking them not to. I do also wish the library was organized better to offer more study areas. The computer users get annoyed by students studying together at the tables. read more

Really bad place to do work. Loud and people are not very courteous. Even the librarians were talking loudly to each other which makes it difficult to focus. read more

Love the selection here. It's peaceful, well organized and have a great selection to choose from. THe only downfall is that they don't allow sister libraries to utilize their Kindle program. Fooey! read more

I just love the smell of this place, it reminds me of when I was little because I lived in the kids sections, playing computer games on the computers they have in there. I love the young adult loft and the grand windows. Oh yeah the books are good too! read more

I like the Park Ridge Public Library but for a few noted exceptions. The library is too loud. There are too many people speaking in outside voices. Even the staff speaks way too loud. There are the groups of kids after school that never get told to quiet down. The library staff needs to learn how to Shush people in a good old fashioned way. I know this is a "Get off my lawn" moment I am having but they have to tell people to STFU, it's a library. There always seems to be 20 people working there at any given time so I feel that this isn't too much to ask. read more

I've been studying for a big exam and I tried out three libraries in the area. Park Ridge was the worst. If you're in similar shoes, don't count on the Park Ridge Public library for the environment you will probably need. First of all, it's like there was no thought process going into the layout. Tables are scattered next to the magazine section, the catalogue and net computers, and right next to the reception. Most of them have NO nearby outlets. There are tiny, old carrel desks in the back if you don't mind sitting below vents that blow out really warm or really cold air and nasty curtains right next to your face. Des plaines and Mt. Prospect have tables (with lamps and outlets!) going along the parameter of the library meaning less noise and other distractions. Park Ridge has three study rooms, two of which are very small and with lighting that will drive you mad. The ones at Des Plaines and Mt. Prospect are roomy and bright. Although, the cursed 2 hour limit applies in all the libraries, your chances of having to give it up are a lot higher when there are only three rooms. As for the noise level, it's the same at any library these days, pretty loud. Whats funny is that it tends to come from the librarians, themselves. Bottom line is if you need a place thats more accomodating to the studious, head over to Des Plaines or Mt. Prospect. Even the librarians are nicer there. (No sour, "omg I have to get up and actually unlock a door" face when u ask for a room.) And if all of this suits you fine, then go for it and good luck! read more

Love the children's library here - tons to do and often have free or low cost after school programs you can sign up for online.

I absolutely love this library!!! The staff is super sweet and friendly, always willing to help out and this alone just goes such a long way because my family stands out as the very few muslim south-asian families in park ridge so their kindness really means a lotttttt!!!!! The library has this really cool loft for tweens and this amazing children's library. They aren't huge in any way, but the library is always hosting different programs for the youth, parents and generally everyone to get involved in. My siblings and I love visiting the library and taking advantage of their really useful online system to hold books and keep up with current events. The library is also conveniently located in the middle of downtown of Park Ridge, right across from the cinema, the bus stop and the metra station!! read more