We were in the middle of packing for a trip in southern Illinois to leave the next day! I wanted a book to read, but didn't have time to go to the library! In order to save some time I called our library, the Crystal Lake Public Library, to see if they had the book(s) I wanted to take on our trip! A lovely staff member named Katy was so helpful! She found the books and held them so I could pick them up before closing!! I wish all employees could be as patient, helpful and professional as she is! read more

Crystal Lake's library offers a nice selection of services. Of course they have books, and large section of both DVDs and CDs (really, I thought it was quite impressive for a small library). They have computers for patron use, lots of chairs scattered about and at least 10 tables in various areas. They also offer free WiFi (awesome), and they have charging station set up in several different areas of the library. They also have a selection of board games for folks to check out as well. I expect the aforementioned services require a library card; I live in the city and just happened to be in town and needed a place to hang out while a friend attended a funeral. But it was a comfortable, quiet place to get some work done and remain undisturbed for several hours. read more

I love the Crystal Lake Library! It's in an excellent location and it is the perfect size for our community. I would like to see them carry more books as MP3s, and either make them available online (which would be ideal) or through data CDs that may be checked out. The only issues I've had with this library is really the sorely outdated Internet book reservation system and website. It might have been acceptable in 2000, but almost 10 years later it really needs to be scrapped. read more

Crystal Lake Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

I love Crystal Lake Library!! I love the layout of the library. Everything is organized really well and I usually can find what I am looking for pretty quickly. They have a lot of computers to look up books and their locations. If you still have trouble finding what you are looking for they have a lot of people to help you find it. The librarians are always very nice and helpful. If they do not have what you are you looking for you can place a hold and will received the book within a week. I have lived in a few different places and this is one of my favorite libraries. Their selection of books is pretty impressive as well as their DVD's. I have also joined in their adult young adult book club a few times and I really enjoyed myself. It got me reading books that I wouldn't normally read. The library has a ton of activities for kids and adults of all ages. I look forward to going to the library every time! It is a no hassle, get your book, and leave if you want or chill out and read there. read more

Crystal Lake Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

Pretty good library. They have a decent schedule of educational and fun activities going on every week. The selection is somewhat limited in some areas I browse (e.g. the technology section) but with the interlibrary loans, this is really almost a non-issue. It's typically nice and quiet here and the librarians at the checkout counters are usually pretty friendly. I've never ran into a situation where there's not enough parking or interior space to accommodate me. +1 on the other persons warning about the steep hill on McHenry ave. Gotta take that one slowly or at a bit of an angle. read more

Decent. My kids like the play area with all the wooden puzzles, puppet show stage, and the two computers with marginally educational software on them. Usually I wind up nodding off on the couch while waiting for them to finish playing. The other thing the kids like is being able to check out DVD movies here ("I love Toy Trains","Bill Nye the Science Guy", and so on). They let you take as many as you want but you have ot bring them back within a week. A couple years back there was a vote on whether to give so many millions of dollars to build a newer, bigger library but it failed. So instead they have been rehabbing the current library for the past couple of years. read more

Employees are really helpful. Signs that indicate what the self is (fiction, nonfiction, etc) are hard to find. The label on the music cd racks are small white label tape. It would make it easier to see if they had signs on top of those racks. Really good collection of video games! Best in the NW Suburbs. Nice movie collection too. Seems like there is always about two computers that are down every time I visit though. All in all, this is a good library. read more

I never really knew how nice the library was , until I left. I guess I was spoiled, because the library I use in Tennessee has such a limited supply of everything. Now that I am back, I will not take you for granted Crystal Lake Library! read more

Absolutely the best library that I have ever seen. Besides the expected selection of books, they get new DVDs and Blu-Ray DVDs. I check out Xbox 360 games from here. They have hundreds to choose from and all current titles. They will ID kids for "M" rated games. The selection of audiobooks and downloadable MP3 books and audio is more than I can listen to. The CD music selection has thousands of titles, but can seem somewhat limited for a serious audiophile. Fortunately, this library is a member of a consortium that includes dozens of area libraries to share titles and items. I use their website to reserve my items, get an e-mail when it is ready to go and go check it out. The employees are all polite and helpful. I have lived in Crystal Lake for about 9 years and use this library at least once a week. This is a resource that everybody should know about and use. I give it my highest recommendation based on my literally hundreds of personal experiences here. read more

Crystal Lake Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Crystal Lake, Illinois

Pretty decent library - good selection, not bad in that regard. What I don't understand is why do the librarians need to be so rude? If it was just occasionally I would think nothing of it - they're just having a bad day. But repeatedly being treated poorly by crabby irritable people can really sour a place. It's books people. Library's are suppose to be fun and good for the community. Maybe try and lighten up and be kind the your patrons. read more

Decent library, kinda small though. Parking is alright, but watch out for that steep hill on the McHenry Avenue entrance. This library really lacks tables and chairs. Come 3 o'clock, everyone has grabbed a chair and table. Same thing goes for outlets, but I know that's not a quick fix. Almost all of the librarians are crass people who try to exercise their "authority" over you by citing ridiculous rules, like not having your charger's cord "obstruct" a walkway. They're quick to scold you so be careful. Huge selection of DVDs and tons of fiction/nonfiction. read more

Not a bad library. They have a pretty good selections and unlike some other libraries the materials are where they are supposed to be. However this library needs to get into the 21st century. There are no locations around town to drop off materials. You have to go to the library. They don't even have a drop off location there, you have to go inside to drop things off inside. Crystal Lake is a huge town so it's unacceptable that they don't have a drop off box elsewhere. Also whoever owns this library is very sexist considering the ladies can go to the bathroom when ever they please but men must ask for a key. I thought discrimination was illegal... read more

The employees are very friendly and the ladies in the children's dept are wonderful. I have nothing but good things to say.