I typically love Chicago public libraries because the buildings are so ornate and full of History. The same could be said for this one, but when I walked in the front door it felt very fragmented and bleak. I attended a book club meeting at this location and we had a meeting room in the basement and it felt very forgotten. It was a room that was obviously being used for storage. No care was taken to make it more of a meeting space. This is definitely low on my list of Chicago public libraries. read more

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Adorable library!! Small fiction selection, but I'm sure there are inner-library loans. I will definitely be spending some time here. read more

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Beautiful facility. Helpful staff. Parents: consider taking your children to this location to enjoy the architecture and teach them the pleasure of reading physical copies of books. read more

we only visited the children's section. most staff were enthusiastic and helpful. it has a few wooden toys out to entertain the toddlers. expected it to be a little better but it's decent! and clean read more

This place is an architectural gem. But I never expected a library branch to be so noisy.

What a beautiful library. I have lived in the neighborhood for many years and heard great things about Blackstone Library but had never been. I wanted to show my mom this library and check out the free passes to museums. We got there and were immediately greeted by a young man named Mark who inquired about what we were looking for. He was helping a library patron already with the museum passes so we joined him and the other patron and he explained how the museum passes worked. Then we meandered around and when we got to the kids section, the children's librarian asked if we had seen the glass floor. So we went to the second floor to check out the unusual glass floor. We had a great time. What a treasure this library is. read more

Ms. April totally changed my son's experience at this public library. Before, when they didn't have a dedicated child's librarian, my 4 year old son would say this library was depressing. However, Ms. April's story time is my son's favorite and she really does a wonderful job in uplifting this library. I can ignore the blatant disrepair of the library because she has taken a genuine interest in the children that come here every week to join story time. read more

Chicago Public Library-Blackstone Branch - Ms. April now has a microphone! She's totally changing the story time game. - Libraries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Wow what an incredible old library. While much of the library is very dated the architecture is exquisite. The building is designed in a neoclassical revival style reminiscent of the Colombian exposition. The building, which was designed by Chicago architect Solon S. Beman. The Construction began in 1902 and was completed in 1904. The building has a carved granite portico that serves as the entrance. The exterior doors are a pair of very ornate metal doors about 7' tall followed by a beautiful pair of bronze and glass interior doors. As you walk through the doors you enter a beautiful area with a Tiffany style dome; marble columns and walls in the rotunda and foyer; four overhead rotunda murals painted by Oliver Dennett Grover, who was a mural painter for the World Columbian Exposition; square Italian marble mosaic flooring. There are also beautiful mahogany shelving, cases openings and wainscot throughout the library. As you come in to the left is the checkout desk and beyond that are 2 levels of ornate bronze book cases w a beautiful bronze rail at the mezzanine level overlooking the checkout desk. The bookcases line up with each other vertically & are made entirely of bronze, how cool is that? The entire mezzanine level floor is glass set on bronze angle supports below. (Check out the photos). Unfortunately this type of architecture and craftsmanship is part of a bygone era so it's especially comforting to know that this building has been given landmark status read more

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I haven't really just sat down and been in the Library but I have had many DVDs and Books sent to this location. They are very well organized and they also have DVDs that you can checkout inside of the Library and that is a plus. I also have a great experience with the staff when I couldn't find a few books I had on hold I swear the Librarian looked in every spot until she found them. I was so surprised because although I couldn't see her face because of the mask but I could see her determination and smile in her eyes. She was not going to let the disappearing books win...lol This is my Library and I like it! as always... Enjoy and be Safe!!! read more

This Branch is nice, has a lot of character. The staff is friendly and eager to help. I was able to find the books I needed with easy. Very organized also. They have a huge selection of DVD's and Books on Audio. I'd definitely recommend this branch. I checked out several books and can't wait to trade them for more. read more

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I have all of my books sent to the Blackstone Library because my children attend school in Hyde Park. I love the fact that I can always get street parking, it is easy to drop off books in the overnight box, I can walk right in and locate the books I've ordered. One of my favorite things about this location is that the librarians know the kids and security doesn't play with the kids so kids get out of line and they will not let you hang out here. read more

Chicago Public Library-Blackstone Branch - Libraries Near Me - Chicago, Illinois

Great library with helpful people. I come here every week Kids library portion 10/10.

I became a member of the library as soon as I move to Chicago. It's great that you can use passes to the local museums. I think that the architecture is nice and staff are friendly. However it's not too quiet. At times you may want an item and it can not be located. Overall I would recommend the place. read more

The building is nice enough, and you can find all the relevant sections more easily than you can in some north side branches I've been to. However, some of the folks who work here seem to have trouble checking in my books. This isn't speculation, there have been at least two instances where I handed my book in IN PERSON and three days later, it's still showing up on my online account (for once I'm glad I check this stuff obsessively). I went in to ask someone about it, and after spending 30 seconds or so looking absolutely clueless, he went ahead and just marked on my account that it was turned in. I've seen one of those books on the shelf later on but not so sure about the other one. To be fair, this isn't the only location where this has happened... okay, actually that's just more depressing. I will point out that this never happened in Southern California, and our libraries are hardly shining beacons of knowledge and learning. What gives? read more

I used to hate to come to this library when I was a kid because all that was in the Blackstone...was Blackstones. Plus the library ladies used to be mean as hell, yelling at all the unsupervised bad-ass little kids in the children's section. Coming back as an adult, the library appears completely transformed... The atmosphere is no longer ghetto-gray, and now one is aware of the Blackstone Library in all its glorious detail: The murals, the ornate bookshelves, the decorative brass fixtures. I find myself happy to wait patiently in a long line behind parents and their little ones (mostly black but also white and Chinese) who stand already reading their colorful children's books with the impatient eagerness of Christmas morning, gradually inching towards the stern clerks who will scan the books with gravitas, as if they were in some glorious scene out of Dickens... These clerks turn out to be quite helpful. I need to find on online literary journal, and the librarians are nowhere to be found. After searching high and low, they turn one of them up, who also turns out to be quite helpful, patiently and painstakingly walking through the multiple steps required to find the article I need, and then just as carefully writing them down. All kinds of people come here, from all walks of life, to quietly read or use the computer. The people using the computers are respectful of each others' time and property. I really enjoyed the experience. read more

Great place to get good books and just study in peace and quiet, but stay away on school days when the kids from Kenwood Academy get out of school. They are rude, loud and downright disrespectful. The only reason why I come here is because it is 3 blocks away from my house and I can always get really good books when I have placed them on hold. read more

Easily 5 stars, it's sad that more Chicagoians haven't visited this star of library branches at least once. Go to admire the beauty of this place, and to admire its unique second floor w/an opaque glass floor, it's domed area, or the elegant-looking bookshelves, and anything else I know I've forgotten. :) Selection is above-average too for a branch library, from what I noticed of its book selection. And a final note: this branch is not very easily noticeable, due to the fact its hidden behind a parking garage off of 49th Street, and is located just to the west of Lake Park Ave. But IMHO, it's worth making the trek to at least once. read more

Really nice and really clean. Have a wonderful children's area. Some of the workers may not be to friendly

I understand that this was the first branch library of the Chicago system. It certainly is a lovely old building. I use it simply for checking out books, not internet or events. The collection is limited (I haven't visited other branches for comparison), but you can always request books from other libraries. Anyway, it's a lovely place, although it's seen better days. read more

You need to check out this library for the architecture alone. The (GIANT!) fiction section is up a set of old-fashioned wrought-iron stairs and the floor is glass block. And as I said, the fiction section is giant. The librarians are polite and helpful, but they are clearly understaffed so there is usually some wait-time at check-out. But it's not like you don't have something to read while you wait, right? read more

Really cool old library in Hyde Park, with a fine selection of titles. Upper level stacks has a really neat opaque glass floor that is really cool to walk on. Has a large children's department and a nice reference area with magazines,computers and internet access. Wonderful place to go when you want to get out of your house and do something relaxing but worthwhile. read more

One of the most beautiful branches in the city it has a wonderful children's area and adult area well. The staff are very friendly and the librarians go out of there way to help you. read more

This is such a nice neighborhood library. You can tell that this library is a popular fixture among residents (young and old) in the community, and the architecture is a real treat to experience. My only two complaints are that I wished the lines moved quicker and maybe the check-out desks and computers were placed further away from the front door to avoid all the congestion. For such a small space, it definitely has a lot of materials and events going on. If you don't find what you need among the stacks, the hold option online is pretty quick . . .maybe 4 days. read more

Calling on the phone today I was able to quickly find out whether my library card account still existed (it does) and how I can easily replace my card (bring i.d, fill out short form, pay $1.00). That gentleman passed me to a librarian to check a reference (book) I was seeking. Even though it was her lunch period, she kindly located my book and put it at the checkout desk for my easy access. Excellent! P.S. I love seeing my hard earned tax dollars working so efficiently and professionally!! read more

Beautiful architecture, but the staff is absolutely incompetent. I have been charged for overdue books multiple times after having returned them on time, only to find them on the shelf where they belong but not checked into the system. This is no surprise, as there are piles of books and DVD's strewn about the shelves, floor, etc., behind the counter. The clerks are also impossibly slow, so lines literally inch along while the clerk lazily checks books in and out, making mistakes all the while (One time the clerk forgot to log out of the previous client's account when I checked out some books, so I had four worthless true crime novels on my account when that client failed to return them on time). I go here anyway because it's the only public library in walking distance from where I live, but if anyone from the CPL reads these reviews: Please, please, please fire some people. If you do use this branch, I recommend waiting in line every time you return materials and watching them scan it in. The drop box outside is somewhat reliable, but the inside slot is quite a gamble. read more

Very small compared to other branch's I've been to in the past. Good selection of material but again not as much as other branches. Alright overall. read more

I would give it zero stars were that an available option. The desks on the main level were occupied so I attempted to use the empty classroom to study for an upcoming exam. Not long after I set up my study materials the janitor popped in a few more times than could be chalked up to coincidence. Shortly after that I was told by the librarian that I needed to be part of a class to use the room. I checked the library schedule and the next class wasn't for another 3 hours. No harm no foul right? Wrong! The librarian then began moving desks in from another room while obviously waiting for me to leave. The bar wasn't high, all I needed was quiet and to be left alone. Epic fail on the most important of the two. I could see if I was using the room in a manner inconsistent with its purpose but the fact of the matter is, I wasn't. Maybe, once you're firmly in line regarding where learning is allowed in a public library it's a decent place to study, unfortunately for me, I will never know. read more

I grew up frequenting the Blackstone branch and I thoroughly enjoyed the place as a child, but now I recognize that this place is a relic staffed by some of the rudest and incompetent "librarians" I've ever encountered. I long ago gave up trying to find any books I wanted here because the selection is so paltry, but I will still route any books I have on hold to this branch because it is conveniently located just off Lake Park Avenue which I use for much of my commuting. But I've had so many hassles lately even with this simple task that I will now go out of my way to route my books to another branch. The problems: Checking out and renewing books is a process that moves at a snail's pace due to the employee's seeming lack of familiarity with such newfangled devices as computers and scanners. I swear things moved quicker when they simply stamped the books and sent you on your way. There's also a problem with the attitudes on display. I'm always greeted with a scowl when I step up to the desk and I'm made to feel as if my presence is an imposition, as if I'm interrupting whatever it is they'd rather be doing at the moment. Also any concept of customer service is absolutely non-existent. Even though I can pick up books there, I apparently cannot ask any of the people behind the counter to place a hold on an item for me. "The head librarian has to do that," is what I'm told. I don't understand this because at every other branch I've ever visited, the person at the counter has always been more than happy to perform this simple task. Actually, if I have any question about any subject at all, I am directed to the "head librarian" because apparently no one else who works at this branch is willing, able or qualified to do anything besides mumble and stare with confusion at their computer terminals. And of course the "head librarian", who if you're lucky is actually in her office at the time, always seems to resent being bothered with your petty requests for service. Luckily, the CPL has revamped their website so I can handle most of my business online (placing holds, renewing books, checking inventory), but I still have to physically go and get my materials. Most recently I placed a hold on a book that has been listed as "in transit" for almost a month. This means that the book has been sitting in a pile somewhere at the Blackstone library all this time waiting for one of these quasi-librarians to finally get to it and check it in. I went there yesterday in an attempt to light a fire under them and perhaps persuade someone to check the stacks because they clearly didn't look like they had anything else to do. The man stared blankly at me and said I'd have to talk to the "head librarian". The head librarian wasn't in her office. I left empty-handed but armed with the firm resolution that once I get my hands on this final book, it'll be the last time I set foot in the Blackstone branch ever again. read more

This library has a decent selection of books and is fairly large. There are a lot of computers that you can get on the Internet with which is nice. From what I hear this is one of the oldest library branches in Chicago. read more

beautiful bldg -helpful staff-always find current reads

Nice place. A little restricted in space. Great Wifi fee of charge. I was not able to find any water to drink...

Maybe this has changed in the last 5 years, but on over 6 occasions I would return a book & staff wouldn't check it in, so they'd say it was overdue. I got tired of having to take care of this, so stopped going there. Nice architecture, though. read more

NIGHTMARE. if there is any place in the world that exemplifies lawlessness, it is the blackstone branch. Immediately upon entering the what-used-to-be-nice building, you will be greeted by shrieking kids, people blabbing on cell phones, people listening to music without headphones, people who reek of piss asking you to borrow your library card, and people just hanging out with any regard for the 2-3 people who are actually trying to accomplish something. The security guard and the library staff do nothing about it. There are signs that say quiet placed on the tables, which are just straight up ignored, especially by the woman whos phone rang at full volume for 3 minutes until she answered it, screaming. Or the woman who literally yelled at the computer.Or the one man who chats on the computer with all the sounds on and everytime he receives a message we all have to hear the loud whistling. There are no rules in this library, which is a shame for the few people there that have nowhere else to go to get stuff done. Not only is the main rule of the library (quiet) never enforced, basic social rules are also just completely disregarded. Exhibit A, the man who sat across from me pretending to text but instead just took pictures of my chest. If you have real things that need to get done, you're probably better of studying in a war zone- at least it'll be quieter. read more