Riverside Public Library

Staff and patrons are extremely loud at this library. People enter the quiet study rooms to speak on their phones. Children are allowed to run around and be disruptive. When you approach staff with your concerns, you are brushed aside and ignored. I thought libraries were supposed to be quiet and peaceful. I guess this location is more for social gatherings. I will not be returning. Definitely not a good place to study. I’ve never been to such a loud library. It’s a shame because there is plenty of parking, the building itself is quite cozy, and there is a beautiful view of the Desplaines River.

Unfortunately, I did not have a very welcoming experience in the children’s department. They are quite stuck on the «Riverside residents only» stance, even though I live less than a mile away. I thought libraries were supposed to be an inclusive place for all?

This is a classy small scale library not a ghetto Dupage county library. The place is small and antique looking and I guess rich people don’t get stuck with a trashy library like us in Addison and Glendale Heights. This is worth the drive to study and avoid the riffraff at other libraries.

A true gem in the village of Riverside. This library is incredible. It is located in a gorgeous building along the Des Plaines River and you can enjoy those views in the Quiet Reading Room on the main floor. Nice seating next to the fire place available. They do a ton of programming to appeal to both children and adults. The staff is very knowledgeable and always willing to help. Our family does a ton of requests thought interlibrary loan and they have always been able to find what we need. They have a «green» focus and attempt to be as earth friendly as possible by recycling items like fluorescent bulbs. Nice to see them at the Riverside Farmers’ Market each week.

I did not have a good experience at this library. The lady at the front desk was misinformed on the partnership between Brookfield and Riverside townships. Both towns share a public school system and our children rightfully need to utilize the amenities of one another’s libraries. When asking about the children’s programs today I was abruptly asked where I lived as if I did not belong in the library due to my Brookfield residence. I was then told that those activities are for the tax paying residents of Riverside. The whole interaction was unprofessional, offensive, and even worse in a quiet library where everyone can hear each other. I will not recommend this library to my friends and family who reside both in Riverside and Brookfield. I will continue to go to the Brookfield library were all are welcomed.
Statement of Purpose:
The Brookfield Public Library is an institution for the general education and recreation of the citizens of the Village of Brookfield, the citizens of Illinois, and of any person who requests library services.

The Riverside Public Library is my favorite library. It has beautiful historic architecture; there is even a gargoyle that sits at the tip of the building! Inside, the ceilings are high and it evokes the feeling of a lodge or cabin that has stained glass windows through which light pours. It is really quite stunning.
The book selection is quite good, and if the library doesn’t have a certain book, you can use the Swan catalog to request it from another library in the system. Even though certain books have a lot of holds on them because they’re so popular, there are often several copies of the book in the system, so it won’t be too long before the book is in your hands. Non-​fiction and DVDs/​videos are upstairs and the fiction, children, and young adult books are downstairs.
The employees are always so pleasant and incredibly helpful. I have had the reference librarian on duty help me find several books, as well as find books on a certain subject I was researching. Interacting with the RPL staff always puts a smile on my face!
The young adult and children section programming is always excellent; there always seems to be something going on. When I was young, I participated in both programs, and I even volunteered for it when I was in high school. There are a bunch of comfy chairs and tables in the young adult section, which creates the perfect reading or homework nook for young adults.
What I love the most about this library is that it’s the perfect place to sit down with a good book (or laptop). My favorite places are in the quiet reading room, which overlooks Swan Pond, and the fireplace (which has real fires in the winter).

My favorite study spot! I recommend studying over in the sunroom, where there is a very nice panoramic view of the river bend. Facilities are pretty clean and staff is helpful.

A wonderful and beautiful library! While there isn’t much parking and sometimes when there are events in the children section, you can hear them from upstairs, but besides that, it is a place I would recommend if you need to spend someplace quiet and warm (for the Winter). The people working there are nice and helpful and they have a big collection. It may look small on the outside, but it is big inside. It is one of the best library in the Chicagoland.

Nice. Great children’s department and programming.