It's a wonderland of books, crafts and activities. The staff is top notch! Love this library!!!read more

This is a great library. Their online presence is outstanding. You know when the books arrive…read more The self checkout makes is super quick to pick up the hold and check out. I don't even have to pay the meter since it's so fast. You can renew the books online. I love it.

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

The staff is very knowledgeable and helpful. The programs offered help enhance my knowledge and the…read morereading material selection is wonderful. If they do not have what you want they can usually get it for you within days.

When I go here it is usually to get something in the Transportation Library - 5th Floor - and it is…read morea very nice setting. The people working the Transportation Library are very nice - and Roberto Sarmiento the Head Librarian is worth his weight in gold. While this library is owned and operated by a Big-10 University, it is open to the public. You simply sign in when you arrive, and they will extend to you all the necessary credentials and accommodations needed - whether you are a current student or an aged researcher. This place is top-notch. We were looking for a specific set of research materials that we knew were there from a cursory search of the University catalog. Besides the fact that the Transportation Library pretty much has everything one might look for in the transportation field, it is accessible and available to all. This is the place to begin your research in the transportation field. If this library doesn't have it, it probably isn't available to others. Five star research place.

This is the hardest review I will write…read more Because it's my favorite place and to adequately pay tribute through a review is a daunting task. The resources and experiences developed me intellectually, artistically, and personally so, as clay must love a good potter's hand, I love it. NU Library is the principle library of the Evanston campus with 6 floors, 4 wings, 4.6 million volumes, 2 computer labs, and inspiring views of the lake and skyline in the large windows. Some highlights are the Melville J. Herskovits Library, the largest Africana collection in existence, and the Charles Deering Library. The Deering Library is the original library, which holds the Government Publications Department, the Northwestern University Archives, the Music Library, the Map Collection, the Art and the Special Collections. Deering is gorgeous- really it looks like a old, ornate church. I spent the bulk of four years at the library, I lived off-campus without much furniture, so it was more prudent to do most work here. We operate on the quarter system, so during finals weeks they are open 24/7, and it was popularly crowded with people cramming or typing term papers. This is not a joke, several times I've spent well over twenty-four hours straight huddled up over a computer or at a desk pouring over texts and notes. When I'd finally finish and leave spent, it was the strangest mix of elation, exhaustion, and anticlimatic pride; as though I trounced a formidable opponent in battle, but already missed that foe who I invested so much in. One of the best memories- one day I absentmindedly decided to look up one of my favorite fiction writers, the late Sidney Sheldon. I found his shelf and tucked into one of his books was a handwritten letter. He related as a teen, he suffered from suicidal tendencies and he wrote that his father discovered his desire and said, "If you don't care about anything that happens to you and you've made up your mind to do it, well, there's always tomorrow." The next day, his father said the same thing, and so forth, until neither thought or mentioned it anymore. He went to Northwestern for a quarter, then enlisted in the military eventually fighting in WWII. He never attended a college after, instead becoming a successful author, but still loved NU. I put the priceless memorabilia back into his book for another to find. Northwestern University Library really is a nursery. We come to it as seeds. I like to think the knowledge contained casts a light onto the student's passions, allows them to nurture and strengthen their personal resources, and bloom when they leave.

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!

As a long time Evanston resident, I have been to both the original location and now the new and…read moreimproved multi-purpose facility. All the new amenities at current location are awesome: library, walking track, ice rink, gym and community rooms. I went to Robert Crown for their Kwanzaa Celebration, which had food, dancing and vendors. The community event was a success; it was great to see neighbors and friends there. I find the center organized and welcoming. An awesome family friendly community center.

What a beautifully modern and well maintained ice rink. I'm not sure if this place is funded by the…read moretaxpayers or what, but I've never been to a library, gym, and 2 sheet skating rink all in one building. Though the seating is bench style, there are plenty spots to go around. You can also view the ice from the lobby, but the temperature is controlled in the arena, so you won't feel as cold as in other smaller rinks. The locker rooms were really clean, I'm guessing that since this is funded by the city, they invest in keeping it that way. There's also a decent amount of parking in the main lot and automatic doors, which is good when you're carrying a bag of equipment. I like this place, but don't live close enough to frequent it. I'll be back when my son has another game here.

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.

One of the things I love about NEIU is their 4 level of library space. I really enjoy being here…read moreand appreciate all the various books you are able to read. I go here so once in a while I will just stop in and go not the laptop while doing research for a class or two. The libraries hours will change every season but you really have to be on it. I like the fact that Sundays they stay open until 9pm because for someone like me who works, having this time to research is really a good thing. They are wheelchair accessible and offer a variety of different rooms to study in, or tables that have electrical outlets in the middle of the tables if you need to charge at any time. Restrooms are also quite available on each floor so for your convenience, you can stay on the floor you are studying on in case you have to "go". There is also a lab here so take advantage that you can get tutors and information here to make sure you get the best grades possible. Wi-fi is available so make sure you take advantage of this wonderful place.

This is where the rigorous studying goes down. The library itself isn't the most aesthetically…read morepleasing. Okay that's an understatement. The inside of the library makes you feel like you traveled back to the 90's. The carpet is ancient, rusty, and beige. The dust covered book shelves make you wonder if people actually check out the books here. However, this places gets the job done. A lot of visitors don't even go to NEIU, including myself. You'll find students from UIC, Depaul, and creepy old people. If you have an admission exam that you're are studying for, set up camp here for a few months, score high, and then move on with your life. The library has 4 spacious floors plus a basement, cubicles for those who are seriously trying to concentrate, shared tables, public computers, and best of all they don't seem to mind if you bring food. There's also a cafe on the first floor in case you need some caffeine! All jokes aside, this place is a valuable resource and we're very fortunate that NEIU opened it up to the community.

This is a wonderful library that includes study areas you can book as well as the standard fiction,…read morenonfiction, AV, and new books areas. There's also a quiet reading room on the main floor if you're interested in a more immersive reading experience separate from the cozy chairs and tables in the various aisles. The main star of the show is the children's area downstairs: it's the entire floor, and the librarians do an excellent job of putting out award-winning books, different themed collections, and maintaining the various game stations. Recently, my partner visited, and I asked him to surprise me with a new mystery read. The librarians at the front desk were really helpful in his search, and offered him a selection of nine suspense, thriller, and mystery books to choose from. They really knocked this request out of the park. The ease of self-checkout is also coupled with the vast interlibrary loan program. I'm able to request any book within the system of regional libraries, which makes it so easy to get any book I'm curious about. Great parking lot out back with some street parking out front.

This little library is very cute. I stopped in with my child because they were having an…read moreinteractive story in the library, which sounded interesting. It is a cool concept, as they put different stations up throughout the library that tell the story. It's too advanced for my toddler but their publicity for this made it sound like this isn't a one-time sort of event, so I'll look forward to a future interactive story. Whilst we were here we stopped by the children's section. It's located in the library's basement. They have areas for kids of different ages though of course kids can hang out in the different areas regardless of age. In the section for littles, there's a pipe that spans a portion of the room and kids can talk to one another through it, which was kinda cool and fun. MGPL has some good programmatic offerings, and I'd like to take them to my kiddo when we can make it. They recently had a magician in their auditorium, and I believe they have an evening story time as well. The only thing I am unsure about is the parking and its relationship to the doors. I parked in the back since all the street parking out front was taken, but it doesn't seem like there was any door from that back parking lot and I'm not sure I was super comfortable with that when it was so dark and we were ack there alone. The side entrance may be open during all hours, though, so that may be the option.

Nice library, clean layoit, well organized books. Staff is friendly. Bonus, they have a puzzle…read moreexchange corner. You take a puzzle for you yo build, you do not need to leave a puzzle to check out.

This is a great little neighborhood branch. They have a couple community rooms, so they have a…read morespace for activity (most of the time I've been there it's to vote, but they do have other programs). The main portion of the library isn't huge but luckily the Chicago Public Library system is vast and they can transfer items super quick if you can't find what you need here. Staff is helpful. I had to get my library card renewed a few years ago and it was quick. It's one of the newer branches in the system; fewer than 20 years old. I think it may also have been the first in the system to be LEED-certified. It's named after Lyman Budlong, who was a pickle farmer here in the 1800s. Can you believe there was a pickle farm in this area? I wouldn't have either, but the school is named after him too so it must have been a significant chunk of land. The Budlong Woods branch has a nice courtyard out front ,and there's a small parking lot as well which is helpful. If the parking lot is full, there's plenty of street parking (paid, I believe).