Chicago Public Library- Near North Branch

The staff was very friendly and let me and a group of friends hang out to play a board game together. I’m not sure where the negativity comes from in the other reviews, but this definitely beats a lot of Libraries I’ve been to. Even when you hold it to «suburban library standards», it exceeds expectations especially considering the convenient location. Very cozy, and I will definitely be back!

I’m biased when it comes to libraries since I just like libraries.
The library isn’t as big or neat as the Schaumburg Library, but it has books, wifi, and computers for people to use.
–Library cards
*They don’t have picture IDs on it and is pretty fast and quick to get one
*If you are considering on getting one, bring your driver’s license/​electricity bill that shows your current Chicago address
Other things about the library
–Wi-​fi works just fine
–large tables yay! — it gives me more than enough room to spread out my arms/​paperwork when I’m working…
I didn’t really check to check out the whole library yet so I’ll be back!

Meh. I’ve experienced better.
W-​A-​A-​A-​Y better.
In fact, this branch of the Chicago Public Library barely scrapes the bottom of the barrel of what I want from a library. It is adequate. No more and no less.
I don’t think they have a parking lot. I’ve never driven there. Gosh. Now that I’m thinking about that it would be kind of annoying if I drove there and didn’t have a place to put my car. Oh well.
I actually have only been beyond the front desk once. I reserved a book online, got an email to pick it up by a certain date, and then went to retrieve it. To my chagrin, the reserved books aren’t kept at the front desk and I had to go a few steps further to get the book from a nearby stack.
Okay okay. Maybe I should explain some of my bad attitude about this place.
I used to work at a public library in the suburbs and then I was incredibly spoiled by the Oak Park Public Library main branch. Read that: *incredibly spoiled.* I’m a bit of a brat now.
So when I went to this library I didn’t click with any of the employees and kind of felt brushed off when I went in. I mean, I got what I needed but there were no warm fuzzies. The décor didn’t help either. It’s utilitarian: as if they took a concrete box and installed industrial shelving and fluorescent lighting. There is no self check out. There is no app. There is no fancy book drop that instantly checks your books back in.
Later, I got an email asking me to complete a laborious survey. The questions had to do with what I was looking for in a library and included options like, «A place to stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer.» There was a LOT of that. Like, a lot. And it made me think that the public library is operating as a sort of day-​time homeless shelter. Sorry — I know that’s extreme. Some people have a need for those sorts of amenities. I don’t know about you, but that’s not what I look for in a public library. I guess I take heating and cooling for granted.
When I’ve gone back to the library, I was on the lookout for the clientele at this branch and kinda felt validated in my inclination. People carrying copious amounts of bulging bags and wearing far too many layers of clothing rubbed shoulders with me as I entered and exited.
This branch of the library is just not the sort place where I want to hang out. I don’t want to browse the isles or use the computers. I want to reserve books online and pick them up. In and out. Quick as a bunny.

CHECKED OUT
I am starting to get into libraries again. It probably has something to do with having kids. The kindergarden teacher sent home an application for our little one’s card. We went to take it to the library to get a card and while I was there I signed up for a new card, considering I had not used my old card in 25 years.
This location has a little bit of everything. Movies, DVDs, books, free wifi, free computer access, zoo/​museum passes and a great children’s selection.
I recently discovered that I can go on line and have books sent to my library. How cool is that? I remember the days when I use to travel all over the city trying to find the books I needed. Now I can sit at home and browse through the selections and put a request in to have it sent. Then you play the waiting game. Once your book arrives you are sent a notice via email that you have to come in and pick it up. That is so cool and easy.
I can also renew my books on line too. Yes I do not have to drag in all of my books. I just sign into my account at home and simply renew them for another 3 weeks, if I need too.
I am sure I am writing all of this information and you are saying to yourself… we know all of this stuff. Well I didn’t! Like I said it has been 25 years since I have set foot in one of these places.
I also like the museum/​zoo passes but the problem is that people take them out and never return them and that is not fair to everyone else. Most libraries use to have 4 passes per location but because of budget cuts that number has been dropped to 2 passes per location. I have talked to many of the librarians about passes not being returned and it is so sad. If the person who took out the pass does not return it, they have to pay for it but the process to get the new pass takes forever. It could be several months for a pass to be replaced once it is reported as stolen and a new pass is ordered. This is my plea… if you take out a pass you have 7 days to use it… please return it within the 7 days because you are cheating out other kids that may enjoy going to a zoo or museum. In fact, when we are lucky enough to score a pass we typically return it immediately after using it instead of hogging it for the full 7 days. It is just a courteous thing to do for your fellow library goers.
I enjoy the children’s selection of books. Not for me but for my little one. I have forgotten how cool it is to read and watching your little one pick up a book and start reading it is amazing. Wow! The scary part is when you find your little one reading the subtitles of a foreign film and then realize you can not even watch a foreign film because they can read. It is just crazy. I had a lot of explaining to do after 30 minutes of «Life is Beautiful»… opps!!!
I enjoy grabbing a few DVDs from here too. I am always grabbing the kids educational stuff. I love this because it is the kind of content you do not see on regular television. Like teaching the kids about the propulsion of roller coasters. Not only does my little one love to ride them but I am sure she can now build one too.
I also highly recommend you check out the programs for kids here too. These require your children to read books and do tasks and they get prizes. For example, my little one got a free book by doing the winter break project. We learned lots of cool things about ice, snow and icebergs and she was so excited to get the free book that she did not even realize she was also learning. I like that when education can be fun.
The staff here is really helpful. Every time I am lost and can not figure out where to go, someone is always there to help me and point me in the right direction. I still do not get this due decimal thing. Why don’t we just put a GPS locator in every book and I can use my smart phone to take me there. Now that would be cool plus we can find those stolen museum/​zoo passes too.
There is a small parking lot and it gets packed really fast. I have a little secret spot around the corner but I can not share it as a tip because then you might park there when I need it. So good luck finding it. Also check the hours too. Every library has these weird hours because of cut backs. Some libraries open at 10am and some open at noon and then those hours alternate every other day. Yes it is confusing. I can not tell you how many times I walked up to the door at 10am and the door hours said Noon. The empty parking lot should have been the dead giveaway to keep driving.
So if you have not been to a library in a while, then I highly recommend you CHECK IT OUT because you will be amazed at all of the cool things in here.

a Great liitle library

I am a public library-​whore. I devour books yet don’t see the point (or waste) in purchasing them, so no matter where I move, one of the first things I do in the city is get a library card.
So the CPL would get five-​stars in my book, but this review is specifically for my local branch. It’s small and rather claustrophic, but it does have a great selection of adult fiction books, especially if you are looking for classics (what I tend to read). Of course you can always put materials on hold as well but one of my greatest pleasures is browsing the library shelves for a new great find.
Complaints: check-​out lines can get long, and move slooow. The heat seems always to be turned up unbearably hot. Is the security guard really necessary? I know it’s not the best area, but having the guard there makes me more uncomfortable.
Perks: great fiction selection, well-​organized, free wi-​fi, internet terminals & printing if you need it, and a small free parking lot.

I just relocated to the Gold Coast /​Old Town area and this library is just a couple of blocks from where I live. It was a life saver while I was deciding what Internet service to get. While it is great to work in cafes, I usually feel obligated to buy something and then feel guilty if I stay all day.
As a branch library, the book selection is very limited. The staff is friendly and efficient, however. The security guard must let you in to use the restroom. While this may seem extreme, I like that, because that means they are monitoring the facilities.
The librarians and security guards keep close watch on people, but not in an obnoxious way. It so happens that I was breaking a rule with a cord to my laptop stretching too far. When I was told, I was also offered another place to work, and in a nice way.
When some kids after school were talking on cell phones, they were told to take their conversation to the lobby. NICE!
They make adults move to the other side of the library after school — and it can get very crowded on the adult side. But that’s really no one’s fault, although, letting tables sit empty on the other side seems a bit absurd. Like empty parking spaces that are being saved for people who are not there and won’t be for hours.
I do like that the library is there — so that if my Internet is down, I have a truly free alternative. The best Chicago library — Harold Washington, isn’t that far away — so when I really want certain books I can grab the subway or walk on a nice day.

CPL is pretty good — they have a lot of branches, a wide selection of books, and they FINALLY got their catalog and reservation system online. However, this is hardly state-​of-​the-​art. In other cities, library patrons have been able not only to reserve books, but to view and pay their fines online for years. I’m frustrated to report that minors cannot get library cards unless their guardian is physically present. This keeps out a lot of underprivileged youth, who would benefit profoundly from access to the many things the library provides.

I love dealing with the CPL. They have a great on-​line reservation system, and they will deliver it to the closest library to you. However, I am writting this review because I recently had a not so great experience with an item I checked out.
I put a design book on hold and went to pick it up at my nearest library when it was in. It was a soft cover book, but had some plastic film cover over it. After checking out, I opened the book and noticed that it had a little bit of water damage and there was a note on the 1^st page saying ‘water damage’ Dec 2008. No biggy. A book that was a little soggy at one time is still a book.
However, after turning a few pages I noticed a smell… not a good smell. Couldn’t figure out what it was, until I sniffed the ‘water damaged area’ of the book. I think it was like CAT PEE or something! I immediately returned the book and told them they should remove it from the shelf because it’s kind of not good. Apparently that was the only copy of the book they had.
Come on now CPL, cat pee? Doesn’t that call for the ordering of a new $ 13 book???

For all you book worm recessionistas out there, CPL is your best bet. If you’ve lived in the city for more than a week, then it’s time you got a library card. It really is your key to the city. Any book you want, it’s yours for a couple weeks. Branches everywhere, a great and easy-​to-​use Web site – what’s not to love?
I also think that every Chicago tour should contain a trip to the Harold Washington branch (400 S. State St.). What a gorgeous building. If you’re going there to find books, go with a plan of action. It’s a huge building-​you could easily spend a day there. So many books, so little time. And holy cow, the winter gardens. My inner event planner went nuts.
Back to my original point, libraries are an incredible resource, especially CPL. I encourage you to take advantage :)

Well, it’s a little sad that it took me 5+ years in Chicago and my first day of unemployment to finally get myself to visit a Chicago Public Library, but I’m glad I trekked over here. Drove is more appropriate a verb, I suppose. Thank goodness they have a parking lot (albeit small)!
Unfortunately, the free wifi isn’t strong enough for me to take my diagnostic MCAT computer-​based test. Yes, I’m trying to see if I’m meant to be a doctor after all.
But the internet’s fine for a Unilocal review. and to use Unilocal to find a nearby café that may actually let me take this godforsaken test. And that’s really why we go to public libraries, isn’t it? to Unilocal.;)
I kid — I spent my morning reading a dog-​eared copy of the Pickwick Papers. Gotta bone up those essay skills, you know…