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.

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!

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.

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.

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...

When I had babies/toddlers we took advantage of all their storytimes and other activities. I…read moredefinitely killed many winter hours in this library with all 3 of my little ones. These days they aren't interested in the library programming, but I find myself stopping here often to pick up books for them. I typically reserve the book ahead of time and then they have it waiting for me by the front desk to check out. It's beyond easy and never takes more than a few minutes to check out the latest novel on their wish list. And the best part- it's free! Returning the book is even easier since they have a drop attached to the outside of the library so i don't even have to go inside. While I"m a big reader myself I prefer to ready on my kindle so I borrow all my books thru the libby app, but love having this amazing library nearby for my kids!

I absolutely love going to this library, the books are amazing to select from! I got this manga and…read moreit was pretty cool. Whenever I go to the library on hangouts, it's always a fun, quiet, and relaxing time. I would go here everyday if I could!

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.

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.

Easy access. no steps. interesting activities for adults. friendly staff. pleasant and…read morecomfortable and bright interior. Curently playing MAH-JONGG once a week. New activity beginning on Thursday, Jan.22, SCRABBLE, 1-3pm. Once a month until core attendance is formed. Then maybe will meet more often. Looking forward to it. Posted 1-7-26

I've done an unofficial library tour of all the libraries in the Chicago northern 'burbs including…read moreSkokie, Lincolnwood, Niles, Evanston, and Wilmette (as well as a bunch of City of Chicago libraries) and I have to say I'm surprised there aren't as many reviews on this one. Lincolnwood Library is on the smaller side but there several modern touches that make it stand out. Note: I'm a booknerd who is always in search of the perfect study room for when I tutor students (as my side passion project when I'm not working in corporate during the week). The Lincolnwood Library shares its network with fellow northern Illinois libraries so I was able to use my Skokie Library card there! This is convenient because the Lincolnwood Library is super clean and has a "one-stop shop" feel. It is only one floor so it has a certain ease of access. They have a variety of computers, a nice children's area and newer study rooms. I rented a room and did not have to go through the computer system like at the Skokie Library which I found super convenient. The reason why I dislike booking a room through Skokie is that you are only allowed a certain number of hours per study room. I always end up having to stack library cards from my friends and family to achieve the amount of hours I need to study in a private room. I understand the logic behind that policy but in practice it was just a lot of extra work and I felt bad that my friends had to help me with their cards. The Lincolnwood library has the nicest study rooms because each includes a table, chairs, and a huge flatscreen television. The room is made of glass which gives it a modern touch and you don't feel claustrophobic. The rooms are very clean and the chairs are very comfortable. The staff at Lincolnwood are very polite and warm. They are helpful and a few of them are really cool! They seem to have a great selection of books as well. Note: limited parking spaces and an overall smaller feel.