Chicago Public Library

The mayor and alderman should be ashamed of this place! Rude librarians and two hour wait for computers!!?
Can’t wait to vote all the people out of office! Rahmfather resign!!! Chicago the city that Rips its citizens off!!!

This library does need to be updated but that is not the fault of the staff. If the city sent some money to update it, the library would be very nice. If you do need to do intense studying I would not recommend this place, but it is nice for reading magazines and killing some time; and of course picking up and checking out books.
My interaction with the staff has been an okay one. They have always helped me and answered my questions when asked.

This is my neighborhood library and it serves its purpose. Some magazines, decent selection of books, and computers if you need them. DVDs are limited and hit or miss on popular movies. The computers are slow and so is the wifi for laptops and iPad. Staff will help you but can sometimes be abrupt and rude.
One weird thing — everytime I come in here I either cough from dry throat or sneeze alot. Happens no where else but here so be careful if you have allergies. I hope there is no asbestos !

Love that there is a parking lot, bike racks, and Divvy bikes right out front. Drop box is also helpful for after hours. They so stay open late (til 8pm) on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which is helpful for when I need to pick something up after work. It is walking distance from the Sheridan Red Line stop. They do keep their hold shelf organized, computer stations clean, they have security guard on duty, spaces that can be rented out, and it’s always relatively quiet here… I feel like other library locations tend to have children running about at all times of day. They also have fishing poles, museum passes, and limited free Ravinia classical concert passes in the summertime! They’re very friendly and helpful too!

The Uptown branch is small and quaint. Upon first glance, it appears to be a great place to enjoy the afternoon. However, many of the library guests are very rude. In the hour I was there I encountered several screaming children, a man banging through the DVD section (who later yelled at the librarian because he could not pay his late charge and wanted to check out more items), and other noisy people.
A good place to check out books and movies, but not recommended for studying.

I was raised in this library. It’s the same set-​up just different old employees.
I actually moved away, and came back. I passed by to get my library cars after six years! That’s the reason I gave it five stars! The system is awesome.
New library cards too.
What I like?
It’s great for children and teenagers. I used to come here for project and all of that sort. I checked out books on tapes and encyclopedias. As a teen, I came for the internet. (Duhh)
The staff are knowledgable and helpful.
It’s what a library should be and has stayed the same throughout the years.
Dislike?
Nahh. Although, I do like the old library cards. Haha.

This is my neighborhood library so I visit often, but I usually put the books/​DVDs on hold online and just go in to pick them up. The staff is never really nice, but I only need them to check out the book. There was one time that I looked online for a DVD, the computer said it was in stock, I went to the shelf (which was in disarray), couldn’t find it so I asked the guy at the checkout if he could help. It was 2 minutes before close so he said he couldn’t and that I should come back the next day. Nice customer service.
I did go in today because I was looking for a quiet place to study. Remember when people were told to be quiet in the library? That is certainly not the case here. As others have said, the majority of the people there are not mentally stable or very hygienic. One guy decided to have a conversation with the security guard. The guard then went outside or something for a few minutes and the same gentleman got upset and threw his magazine on the floor and no one did a damn thing. Then the security guard came back and the guy had his head down on the table and the security guard went up to him and said no sleeping in the library. I decided to pack up and go home because I couldn’t concentrate on my reading with all the commotion (and the bad body odor).

I was recently here for the first time to get a library card. I took my son here for the free story time. It is a nice library. Before story time, we played in the toddler area which had books, tables, legos and blocks for kids to play with. The story time was great. The leader read 3 books, sang songs, led a parade with instruments and gave out stickers. The only bad thing with this place is that their parking lot is super tiny. If you go to story time, go early if you drive.

Diana R I’d right on about this place in all respects– but for the lack of urine smell on the date of my visit. ;-)

I went in to this library at 5:25pm to quickly print a document and they said they turn off their computers at 5:30pm even though they closed at 6:00pm… pretty much wasted my time.

About 10 4-​seated tables, 7 – 8 cubicles, and 9 – 10 computers. I personally don’t mind background noise, so this library does well for me. If you need silence, this library might not work out.
I haven’t checked out the selection of books/​DVDs but it seems to have a fair selection. The staff is helpful as well!
Overall, if you need a place to get work done, this might be the place, especially because they have wifi!

I love this library. It’s so close to where I live, and with CPL’s online hold request system, it’s never been easier to check out media from the library. It’s a smaller library, and staff is super duper nice and professional.

A small branch, but not short on quality reads. The staff are helpful and friendly, and it’s always quiet enough to get some work done.
The best part? As long as you have a CPL library card, you can go online and request to have books from other libraries made available for pick-​up at your branch. This service is free and makes even the smallest branch a nearly unlimited resources for avid readers. There’s also a vast library of electronic resources for Kindles and other e-​readers accessible online. Chicago Public Libraries, you’re doing it right.

Reading Is Fundamental!
Recently, my book club picked a book that I just didn’t want to pay for. So, for the first time since I was 7 years old, I got myself a public library card.
The folks at this library are friendly and helpful. I didn’t have any problems finding the book that I needed and it took about 10 minutes for me to get my card, find my book, and check out.
I also like that I can order books from other libraries. Public libraries sure have changed in the last 30 years!
Being an architecture nerd, I also like the exterior of this building. Prairie style, bitches.

wah wah…
ive now been charged late fees twice when ive returned said books on time and if that wasnt irritating enough they mistakenly posted an overdue item to my account that i had never checked out (an email to cpl cleared up that matter promptly… thank u)
…but holy incompetance… ur really starting to get on my nerves uptown

This is a very small library. However, go online and have your books shippied to it. The staff is excellent and knows the decimal system like the back of their hand (duh dump dump — thank you, I’ll be here all night).
Decent selection of magazines and there’s always seating. Plug your laptop on the main tables and go to work. Or, you can stand and surf the web on one of the library’s computers. I think they refuse to put in chairs, because the homeless guys would look at even more porn all day — understandable.
On a serious note, I do enjoy this library. It feels like a library. I’ve studied in here many times and the staff does a good job at keeping a great neighborbood addition.

I’m on a quest to visit every branch of the Chicago Public Library system.
This branch is in a very convenient location, right off of Broadway (meaning you can take the Broadway bus… or sheridan bus!). There is a large selection of DVDs — though they’re placed way below eye level– and an okay music selection. The kids’ section is on the smaller side, but quite nicely separated from the rest of the library. There are lots of desks and a fair amount of computer stations, though they were all in use when I visited. I’d suggest a laptop if you’re trying to access the internet! There was a section of the library that definitely smelled like urine, which turned me off. The way this library is organized makes it feel a little cramped, but it’s a quiet space. It also seems they have a large selection of audiobooks and foreign language books. It’s weird. the outside of the library looks pretty fresh, but the inside looks kind of dated.
Anyway, it seems like a great space to get work done, and the staff was nice enough. Great resources, but the cramped-​ness and smelly bit are keeping me from a better rating.

Smallish, up-​to-​date, just oh so conducive to getting work DONE (with free wifi, too).
In between your study session/​job search/​freelance projecteering, you can sift through hallowed stacks of books. I know, big surprise, it’s a library after all.
Nicely done… I love free resources in my hood :)

Close to home — a five minute walk. Prairie Style architecture, with an award winning, beautifully landscaped «Not So Secret Garden,» for reading. What a jewel.
And, it’s highly kid friendly. How great is it when your kid asks to go to the library? We’re getting ready for «Read Green, Live Green,» summer reads for adults and kids.
I love Chicago’s public resources!!!

Well it’s a Chicago Public Library :)
It’s fairly modern, having just been built a few years ago. Lots of natural light, several community gardens surround it. Parking lot just east of the building. Free wifi.
No drinks allowed! I just had to chuck a very nice 20 oz coffee, and I am sad. Also, no cell phones… understandable.
Clean, quiet, calming place to get some stuff done. Oh, and they have books… bonus ;)