Mount Prospect PL continues to knock it out of the park with their programming. 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! read more

See all

Overall a nice library with kind and helpful staff. Be mindful of where the entrance is before you start 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. read more

Mount Prospect Public Library is my favorite place for the wintertime. Very comfortable. They have a wide variety of stuff to choose from. Underground garage is good if it rains or snows. They have nice events for small children. read more

The library itself is great and very well-equipped, but unfortunately it doesn't really feel like a library when it comes to noise levels. It is extremely loud - some people are even shouting. By contrast, when I visited the library in Glenview, I was pleasantly surprised - it was wonderfully quiet, exactly the way a library should be. That kind of atmosphere is definitely missing here. read more

Excellent staff. Whenever I needed help, the staff helped. If I requested a book (I heard on a Podcast) the staff was more than willing to request. As a local taxpayer I apprethe MP Library read more

It was such an easy and painless process to apply for a library card! This library is extremely clean and the staff is extremely nice and helpful too. I feel very fortunate to have access to this library as there is also plenty of parking and places to eat/visit around it. read more

Mount Prospect Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Mount Prospect, Illinois

See all

This library is in the downtown main area. Open parking is located under the building and the entrance is there as well. You take an elevator to get into the library which is on the 2nd floor. There's plenty of comfortable places to sit, read, teen and kids area as well as conference rooms. It's a small library but ample to serve its purpose. The only drawback is that people are talking on their cell phones in every area so you hear personal info that's disruptive and counterproductive if your trying to read, write and concentrate! read more

A nice local library with friendly help. They offer many different programs, I usually participate in the adult summer reading program. There is street and garage parking and it is never crowded. You can spend a decent amount of time browsing through the many options of books, videos and cds. read more

You're better off studying at a busy coffee shop. This is the loudest library I've ever been to (even in the designated quiet section). It's common and widely accepted to hear people talking on FaceTime and speaker phone. This may be a good location to complete small tasks and talk in groups, but avoid if you have to get any serious testing or reading done. read more

MPPL is my favorite place to spend my free time. Nice service. Wide variety of content to choose. I take my laptop, I look for a comfortable place to sit. The best choice if you are looking for a silent place to work too. read more

Wide variety of books. Good for kids! My daughter loves the place! Also, many international books in different languages.

A really good place to take your kids when the weather outside isn't cooperating. I remember back when I was a kid, being the nerd that I am, the library was where I went to let loose. This library totes many cool things besides books. The first floor is mainly for kids, so it's somewhat "loud". They do have a couple of fully-enclosed study rooms if the noise is too much for you, or head upstairs in the "adult and teen" section to get your study-on. They have a lot of books and a really nice kid area with tablets and even an Xbox. Ask the librarian for the game of the week and enjoy 15-min of video games at a time. No one else waiting? Keep on playing, playah! Getting a library card here is easy, just remember that they expire every 3-years... not sure why. But you can link your Mount Porpsect Public Library to any Chicago Public Library. Score! BATHROOM REVIEW: Super clean, unlike the Chicago Public libraries, where homeless people find their sanctuary (its all good, I get it, you need to be somewhere warm). They got private bathrooms near the kids area and public bathrooms near the entrance/exit. The stalls include toilet seat covers so no makeshift seat covers made of layers of TP is necessary. Sit or squat? Sit! Just do us all a favor and do NOT take a book with ya.... read more

Mount Prospect Public Library - This week's Xbox game - Libraries Near Me - Mount Prospect, Illinois

wonderful place! great staff and a perfect place for reading and studying. thumbs up!

Steve, upstairs in the adult section, helped me a whole bunch looking at medical x-rays on an Apple. It took a while too. I would have wrote sooner but didn't remember his name. I asked if I could bring something in to show my appreciation but they said gifts were not allowed. Thanks Steve!! read more

I love signing up for the summer reading program here. Their prizes are terrific and the reading challenge is always lots of fun. Very clean library with lots of parking. read more

Mount Prospect Public Library - Libraries Near Me - Mount Prospect, Illinois

Staff has always been very patient and helpful with any question I had. Highly recommended.

I love this library - the folks working here are friendly and helpful and don't bat an eye when I need to check out 40 books at a time to use for work! They even have tote bags they will lend you :) Their programs are fantastic and they have something for all ages. They also have great video games and movie selections. There are many varied seating options and I am always able to accomplish a lot of work when I go here. The first floor is the youth section and the second floor is the teen/YA/adult section. They frequently have free books and magazines on the first floor by the main entrance, as well. And a COVERED parking lot! Doesn't get much better. read more

I like this library, it's well done. I often come here and read for hours. It is cozy and quiet. Never seen these kind of polite staff in my life. I would come here every time I am bored. So relaxing read more

Very nice library! I live in Arlington Heights, but my mom now lives in Mount Prospect......so I took her to the library to get her card. When you enter, there is a desk off to the right and the check out counter to the left. We needed to sign my mom up for a card and the 2 ladies at the desk were so nice and helpful to my mom. They were very patient with her to get all her information for her card. It was very quick, but they spent extra time talking with my mom about the community and the surrounding area. They directed us to the city center and city hall next door so that we could get more information about senior services in Mount Prospect. I'd say they went above and beyond the normal library services to help her feel at home. read more

I have been to a lot of libraries (I work part-time as a tutor and like to use the local libraries), and this place is niiice. The library is fairly modern with impressive wood, stainless steel, and glass designs. However, the library can definitely use more study rooms and the underground parking is a hassle to get to. Overall, still a great place. Get your read on! read more

I love this library. I grew up in the city and my local library branch was nowhere near as nice as this place. We had to go downtown to the Harold Washington Library for good books and a really nice environment. I like the collection of books, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs (they even have some blu-rays now). I like the online search engine and if you see something you want you can call them and they will hold it for you or if it is checked out you can place a hold right online and they'll call you when it's in. They have events and little reading programs that seem really nice. I love the fact that you can download some audiobooks online from home or where ever you are. And they don't hide it - they have bookmarks and fliers all over the place and on their website. I also like the fact that you get a library card for your keychain because it is so convenient. Also, the staff here are all very nice and helpful. I don't know why people complain about parking - maybe I'm just lucky or more used to limited parking in the city. I always find parking either on the street right in front or I go inside the parking garage to the very bottom and there is always parking there and a very nice entrance to the library (it's not creepy like some other parking garage entrances). I love this library! read more

I've driven past this library hundreds of times when I used to work in Northfield. It always looked much more modern than libraries I've been to but I never had a reason to stop in. Until today! My laptop was having some issues after I did a software upgrade and it's been sitting at the Apple store until I can pay what my Apple Care + didn't cover. I have a lot of things to do for work that require a computer/internet access so I decided to come down the street to the Mount Prospect Public Library. Holy nerd heaven, Batman! This place is amazing!!! It's massive once you go inside and it looks like a modern library at a university. The woman at the reception desk was very helpful in getting me a new library card and told me about all the awesome features (online, through iPhone/android apps, and in the library) that I had access to with my card. Until I get my laptop back, and even after, I'll be coming here more often! read more

Wow...I've never been to a public library like this one before. Very organize, clean, and spacious. Bathrooms on each floor and with internet access. Only thing is, they need more private room for students and not a shared one. Parking was kind of a hassle so I parked next door. read more

Mount Prospect Public Library - 2nd fl - Libraries Near Me - Mount Prospect, Illinois

If there was such thing as zero stars I would give it to them! First of all, I was having a delightful day upstairs at a library computer until an older gentlemen sat behind me smelling like he was soaked in urine. The smell was overbearing. So, me and my friend tried to find a spot where there was a computer and an outlet next to one another so my friend could use her laptop. We had no such luck upstairs, but we found an outlet by a computer downstairs in the youth center. We sat down and immediately a children's librarian came up to us asking us to leave. I am a resident of Mount Prospect, and I have been going to this library for years. I could not believe how rude the youth center librarians were to me and my friend. I explained my situation, yet she still insisted on leaving. Worst experience I had at this library. read more

I honestly haven't been in here for a couple years since I've moved to other towns but this is THE SPOT where I basically grew up. I loved this library before it became the library we know it as. I still remember walking in the dinky doors and going through the books in the brightly colored children's section. I remember being intimidated by the thick hardcover books with too many words in the title near the adult section. I remember being really confused when the library suddenly had cardboard boxes everywhere and a limited selection of books. I remember being in awe when the 'new' location opened up -- with TWO floors! I remember being overwhelmed with the wonderful selection of materials. I remember how the library always seemed to have almost every book I wanted to read. I remember becoming a film buff and coming here twice a week to check out movies so I could complete watching all the films on the American Film Institute top movies lists. I remember walking to the library to kill some time while my car was being fixed a few blocks over. I remember the friendly staff, always willing to help you out. I remember being a little bit sad when I moved and this was no longer my home library. I still hold my card for this place. Mount Prospect Library, thank you for all the stories you have given me through the years. I will always cherish you. read more

The kids section has a little bit for all ages. Towards the back they have a play house, kitchen, small table, as well as an area for computer use. They have a large variety of children books, travler packs, and games for kids to play while they are there. Perfect for a rainy day. read more

There are a lot of wonderful things about this library (friendly staff, clean/open environment, and nice small group rooms to name a few), but one of my favorite services they offer are story times in multiple languages. My daughter and I dropped in to Polish story time, and it was wonderful! The leaders were so welcoming and engaging! The drop-in aspect was also nice, since life can be crazy and hard to plan for with kids. I hope they start a Spanish one sometime as well. read more

This is one of the best libraries around. It is spacious and has alot of stuff. The room in the middle has a chess set,fancy globe,etc. There are books and movies and the layout of the place is rather charming. The Mount Prospect library compared to others also has much art all over the place and a variety of furniture styles and seatings that make it perhaps the premier library in the area. read more

My only criticism is the Wifi and the lack of updated technical books, otherwise I'm pretty pleased with the cleanliness, friendliness and atmosphere of the library. They have all things including resources to downloads which is a bonus in my book. read more

We are fortunate to have a great public library. Anything I have ever wanted or needed, I have gotten.

Quiet and easy to get on a computer to use the internet. Use the self checkout because the front desk line can get long depending what time of day it is. read more

People whose working their seems like don't care because when teenagers come into unfortunately they are coming for a talk so you feel that you are in the street or at the zoo and no one cares. read more

I am so happy to be a resident of a city with such a great public library. Staff are nice, friendly, and very helpful. The building is clean and very well kept. The selection of books, movies, music, and video games is great as well as frequent events. It's also very nice that they have a kids area, a teen zone, and soundproof, glass study rooms. read more

I have been a loyal member of the Mount Prospect Library since my childhood. I have never lodged complaints or disliked the service provided there until today. I asked if I could reserve a study room for the day with me and a few of my colleagues. When approaching the woman in charge of booking appointments, she condescendingly look at me as if I was a child, glanced at her computer for a very brief moment, and told me that all the rooms were booked for the time being. I had a hard time believing this so I decided to take a look for myself. After walking around to observe whether or not the study rooms were being occupied, I was surprised to see that not a single room was being used. Moreover, even if they had been reserved, I am aware that there is a 15 minute waiting limit on reservations. This means that if the person who reserved the room does not arrive to claim the room, the reservation is cancelled for the patron. I made sure to wait 30 minutes after my first observation to go check if any of the study rooms were occupied again. Once again, all empty. I am very disappointed in the manner in which the employee handled this situation, and I hope that there are consequences for such actions. read more