Knowledgeable staff. Bright, clean, great atmosphere. This library provides a nice balance of…read morecommunity activities, services, and resources across the continuum - from children to teens to parents to seniors.

I love this library. It may be small, but the staff is helpful and friendly. The library has great…read moreonline options (Libby, Hoopla, Axis360) and is quick to get any special orders. It's also a library that works with other libraries in the state, so you can check our books throughout Illinois.

Mount Prospect PL continues to knock it out of the park with their programming…read more They have some signature programs, I'd call them, that take place throughout the year apparently, in cooperation with the MPPL Foundation. The first of these that we attended was the Teddy Bear Walk. Apparently this is a program that has been happening for something like 60 years and it's become a family tradition--grandparents are now coming with their children and grandchildren to the event. We were running late this day so we missed the "walk" part of the program--not sure what that entails. But the children are encouraged to bring a teddy bear and there are some great activities: times tickets to visit Santa; craft stations in the children's section; rotating story times; costumes characters outside, in this case a bear and the MPPL mascot, a duck; and a children's music drop-in session. I was so pleased with the event b it I didn't realize it was just one of many. Most recently we went to the Lunar New Year celebration they host. Again, many fun activities, with the craft tables again (making a sparkle dragon and a Lunar New Year sign), a dragon set-up in one of the program rooms for photos, a scavenger hunt, and the pièce de résistance: the lion dancers. This was a timed entry ticket, and we were amongst the first people to arrive at the library for the LNY celebration (score one for putting the start time for this in my calendar 15 minutes earlier than it actually began) so we were able to get in. Whilst waiting for the performance to begin, they gave us little tissue paper rings and said to wait until we were told to use them. To prepare the crowd--particularly the large number of small children--the librarian led us in a a song or two, including a fun call-and-response, and explained a bit about the pillars of Lunar New Year. And at the end, just before the dancers began, she told us to rip open our tissue paper rings to let out the "fireworks" inside. I feel like I must be a child myself because I was gleeful at that myself, though the room did erupt in oooh's and aahhh's so I wasn't alone there. (And you can guarantee I'm going to find and order some of those paper confetti pouches.) The company they hired to do this performance was phenomenal. I have never seen the lion dance in person and I was enchanted. My daughter was fascinated too, and I was actually worried she might be frightened. The performers did most of their dance up near the front but did wander through the audience for a bit, during which a lion stopped in front of my daughter, who promptly plucked an orange from its open mouth. I later learned that means good fortune in the year ahead. I left this event in such high spirits, having had so much fun, I couldn't stop talking about it to friends and took tons of photos. Their events just keep getting better. Never change, Mount Prospect Public Library!

Overall a nice library with kind and helpful staff. Be mindful of where the entrance is before you…read morestart walking (if you drove for the first time like me). I was in the area and needed access to Microsoft office suite and a printer- so incredibly thankful for our public libraries and free resources! At first I was told I could access the computer using my park ridge library card and PIN but I couldn't recall my PIN for the life of me. They provided me with a guest pass that allowed me to use the computer for 1h45m. That's 45 more min than PR guest which is a plus. Color copies cost .25 and B&W .10. I got what I needed and was in and out in less than an hour. Only one less star because as others have stated, it's a really loud library. Babies crying, people whispering, slamming keyboards lol, etc. But it seems the staff works hard to manage it between their work and borderline ridiculous calls- they do it all! Again, very grateful and only first world problem complaints.

The staff is what makes this place! Yes, the library is small but it does still offer quite a bit…read more They have events for all ages. My little one loves coming here and playing. I love the book selection and they have quite a few movies too. It's always clean. There's parking out front, to the side, and street parking up and down the block. Bathrooms are always cleaned and stocked. I love the museum passes they offer! It's a great deal for community residents!

I just moved into Hampshire last July , I have never felt such a warm welcome from any community ,…read morethese gals at the Ella Johnson library are the best , very helpful , friendly & will look on line for you if you are having problems searching for a special book. They also know what the surrounding communities are hosting ...they are my 'go to ' gals ... Thank you so much for making me feel so welcome to your community

Very impressive library in the Town of Cicero! Very large facility with a nice big private parking…read morelot to the west of the building. There is also parking in front of the building. There's a bicycle rack out front as well and benches to sit also. Impeccable building and nicely landscaped; well maintained. You'll find community posts on the boards to either side when you walk in. There is Reception to the Right as you walk through the inside double doors. Just ask; they guide you. Public Libraries are for everyone to use and enjoy; respectfully and with care! Your knowledge is your power and your literacy is that path. Not all communities can offer such nice facilities , as such here and it's wonderful to see it available. Nice job Cicero. Com mon ; the Dewey Decimal System! So much fun to learn and explore. My adult kids still remind me of the Summer Book Reports I dished out; they remember the Books as well! Words on the pages are what open our minds. Residents; you need your Cicero ID to get a Library Card; So you can check out books. Join Book Club. Read to your kids! Parents:Guardians; your kids need their picture taken for the computer system, to get the card. They issue the card with their name, no pic. The pics are for the receptionist to know if it's the correct kid checking out the book/items. Different areas of the library to explore. They have their Calendar Posted as well. Fantastic place to get a break out of the sun this summer and really enjoy reading ! Celebration of Literacy

One of the best, if not the best library, in the suburbs of Chicago. I've been to many libraries…read more The place is really modern. Everything is clean and well organized. There's even a chimney place in the quiet reading room. And, there's a café and bakery if you feel like snacking. Terrific!

This library gets an "A" for effort. With the COVID shutdown, they take orders over the phone and…read moredeliver the requested books & videos to curbside service. They also have home deliveries to Norridge & Harwood Heights residents. Really good service by the staff.

The library is enormous and well kept! The staff is knowledgable and friendly. It is nice and…read morequiet and has a vast selection of books and movies. My kids and I love it!

this building is M.O.D. like 60's mod. but simultaneously futuristic…read more i was completely taken aback as i entered. i have never seen a library quite like this one. kinda made my mouth hang open. i got lost trying to find the ladies room because the black & white circle patterns were making me dizzy. no joke. (so while i was totally awe-inspired and impressed overall, of course i have to nitpick. that's what happens when you're "in the industry." meet me in the next paragraph if you're not interested in this little rant.) i did not like the youth desk; i felt like the staff were hiding behind this weird green panel. kids would have to go to either side to see them. and when standing in front of the desk, all you see is the green panel, oddly positioned, and noticeably NOT covering the many, many wires protruding under the desk from the computers. i really do not understand this design. some things i loved about this library: --the storytime room looks like the bottom of a rocket from the outside. totally cute. (nitpick: is there a way to get in without taking the stairs?) --they have a sort of enclosed outdoor space right near the storytime room. jealous! --wide, open spaces, likely with lots of little nooks and crannies to get yourself cozy in. --wonderful, helpful, knowledgeable, talented staff.

The library is beautiful. It was established as a Carnegie library back in the day. They have a…read moreHUGE children's section--honestly, the children's services department puts most of the CPL libraries to shame. When I was here I saw some advertisements for some really cool programs. Children, teens, adults can all find something interesting. There are in person programs as well as hybrid ones, and some of their book clubs meet both in person and virtually, which is pretty great. Interestingly, they don't seem to have a checkout desk--from what I can tell, it's all self checkout. There's a patron services desk when you enter, but that's more for help and information. To the right of patron services is a self checkout and there's also one in the children's services department. There's a large meeting room on the first floor, where various events are held. The children's services section is one we haven't fully explored but they have an all-gender toilet with baby changing station, as well as a calming room. The calming room requires access from one of the librarians. There is a portable baby changing station here (be sure to bring your diaper changing pad since it's fabric, and you know there's a baby who pottied as their diaper was being changed). There's also a sink, which is helpful. And there are some toys and materials that help children to be calm, breathe deep, sit and decompress. It's a great idea. Outside there's a little courtyard with a sculpture and they (sometimes, at least) have some Adirondack-style chairs out to kick back and relax. There's also an area that has some chess tables outside of the library. There doesn't seem to be dedicated parking for the library. Instead, you'll find parking on the street or in the public lot to the west of the library. It's public, free, three hour parking but it's shared with any businesses in the Uptown district. The Park Ridge Metra Station is also directly to the west of the library. In the outside as well as inside there's a sensor where you can wave your hand to hehe the door open, rather than one of the push-button ones. Although it's in general accessible, there are detectors when you enter the library so I'm not sure if someone with a wheelchair or other mobility device would be able to easily enter.

While I find generally the person on the first floor front desk to be kind and welcoming and the…read morelibrary to be well lit and quiet, the staff on the 2nd floor is another story. Many times as the other reviewers say, I always find the lady to be cold, and on this particular day quite rude. Reminds me of those children who always had to tattle tale on people, the way she watches and makes sure no one does anything wrong. Goodness, lighten up, it is a public library for goodness sakes. This particular day was on a Thurs. morning in March, so whoever this lady is with the light brown hair and glasses...all I have to say is it is sad. It is a shame when one bad egg can cause people to feel uncomfortable.

I am LOVING this library. A friend mentioned a while back that they do a story time in the evening,…read moreand I have been meaning to look at their schedule to see if it was still something they offer. So happy to find it is still on their schedule! We've been a couple times now and will continue to go whenever we can. Most libraries have a story time in the morning, which is not something I can ever get to as a working parent. But family story time starts at 7, and I'm willing to let my kiddo go to bed a little later in order to attend this particular event. It's really well attended; there have been 5-8 kids there when we've gone. The librarians set it up with little rug tiles, individual ones for the kids to sit on. Most adorable of all the librarians have a variety of stuffed animals placed at each place for the kiddos to hug and play with during the story time. Great idea and great way to stick with the theme! This story time lasts around 30 minutes (though the first time we were there, Ms. Mary went 45-60 minutes) and includes stories and songs. I don't have a library card for this branch, so I haven't explored any of its books or other offerings. However, I believe that they offer passport appointments, which is a nice alternative to having to go to the post office to do it, though I'm not sure if they only do that for residents or not.

Such an inviting and organized library. The workers are so inviting and helpful and usually…read moresmiling. The activities hosting here for kids are amazing. The organization of the books in the library works well for book searching.