One of the first things I do when I move somewhere is go to their local library and see what it's…read morelike. Coming from an actual city, and being in Janesville, I was prepared to see a few copies of a phone book, someone's yearbook from the '70s, and maybe a few old Dean Koontz novels with the jacket cover taped back on, and some pages missing. I was definitely in for a pleasant surprise. While they don't always have all of the latest books you'll have on your GoodsRead list, and they aren't open on Sundays, this is a very nice little library, and definitely the best community asset to Janesville. When you get a library card you get to choose between white or teal cards. The ground floor is a cafe, with seating where people are sometimes seen playing chess with strangers, or enjoying books that they've purchased, or picked up for free, as you can just drop off books there for people to grab, and also the "community room" which can be reserved for large meetings/gatherings. Other, smaller rooms are available on the second floor for anyone to reserve or request, as well. The second floor has a hold shelf for reserved books (you can put a hold on books online or at the library), self check out stations, an employee recommends section that lists what genres those employees are into so you know if their likes are a good fit for you to choose from, and all the the books. There's also a bulletin board with a listing of all sorts of local events going on in Janesville, and some going on in the library. There's a table with hand sanitizer and lotion. The real thing here is the events. This library hosts so many events and does so much for the community. It's truly impressive. The only thing I dislike about this library is that the return slot inside the library is not clearly labeled at all, and I wandered around like a fool until I saw other people slowly putting their items one at a time into a small, unlabeled, conveyor belt hole in the wall one at a time, and asked them if that was it. Haha. All the employees are hella nice. According to the website, there are other return sites for the books, including Woodman's, which I've also done a review on. Woodman's is open 24 hours a day, so if you're out getting your groceries in the middle of the night and need to return your library book, you can kill two birds with one stone, theoretically. I've yet to do so. I have attended a writing workshop here, an open mic event, a support group, and picked up a free craft project. I've only lived here a couple months.

I have visited many libraries across the country but Hedberg is the best. How can a big library…read morewith so many services to assist the community can operate such a budget, including a vastly wide selection of resources on top of the books and dvds, from a small, and I really mean small, town of Janesville? It puts many others, especially those in the big city, to shame. Sorry, but I digress, that's a topic for another time in other forum. After many years in private business, I now had much time on my hands. M is a big fan of libraries and when I told her about this library from my previous recon trip, she could not wait to get here. There is ample parking any time you decide to come. However, during the winter, everyone is trying to get covered parking just to get away from the snow and be able to walk on solid ground. The 1st floor you will find books for sale by friends of the library. Volunteers work the little cafe where people can pick up coffee to keep warm or stay awake, maybe both. There are tables to sit and plug your device, whatever it may be. However, you may be asked to move if you have not purchased anything. I loved coming here to start reading a new book while sipping coffee. When you get upstairs, 2nd floor, to the left is the young readers area from toddlers to young readers. Towards the back, from the entrance is young teens area where you can find manga, comics and graphic novels along with books. Before you get to that area, you will pass two rows of current or new books, that can get checked out frequently. It made it easy to see what is hot. The dvd collection is extensive carrying everything that ever came out. If a copy goes bad, they will replace it just so they have it. You could get the latest dvd releases and it would still be free to barrow. However, there is a limit you can barrow. I believe it was 14 at the time. I made sure everyone had a library card. I tried to get the dogs one but they didn't have social security numbers. There were so many dvds I wanted to barrow. What made it more interesting is dvds from other countries. Korean, Mexican, Japanese to name a few. And they were subtitled. When I found Ran's Seven Samurai I was shocked and so impressed. Is there any other library in the United States that actually had this gem in their inventory? Not even the libraries in large asian communities have I seen this. There would be many more treasures I would find during my stay here. Their dvd collection was my greatest joy. The books were in very nice shape. And, it seemed if they could keep the hard cover they would. Not like other libraries carrying many books in paperback. I found several sets to The Dark Tower all in hard cover. I don't know if it's true for all libraries, but here if you did not find the book you were looking for you could request it and they could barrow it from another library that could be in another city in another state. They may even just buy it so it will be part of their inventory. I remember M wanted a book for a series she was reading. She put in the request and suggested it be bought to complete the series they already have. They called her in about a week to pick up the book. When she did she was shocked it was a brand new copy. They actually bought it. During the depression the library was a great resource to get retooled, find another job and study for exams. There were many computers to use for the internet. Computer classes were offerred free to attain the skills needed to get job placement. Staff could help you if you were stuck doing a resume or job application. Many signs, and information pamphlets to help guide one to resources to get a job. This area was always full right from when they opened. The young reader section was huge. That section alone was larger than all the libraries I've been to in the San Gabriel Valley of California. The programs they offerred to help turn your toddler into a reader was so extensive and free. I am so thankful for that because I do have a son that loves to read. There were also many other things there you could do to help develop your child, mentally and some physically. We loved this little room you could play games. Just have to check it out for free. Taught my son to play checkers there. I'm about to reach the word limit here. Let me just finish with... check this library out!!

I've used this library during my 3 month stay in the area. I have enjoyed using the facilities, as…read moreI prepared for an additional teacher certification. It is a big space that is full of activity. I've used their scanner/copier, quiet study room, cafe, research books, and the ongoing book/dvd/cd sale. I've donated blood and taken in a concert too. The staff takes great pride in this gem of a library. Their attention to detail make this a very enjoyable place to spend your time.

For a small library in a small town I was pleasantly surprised by everything they had to offer…read morehere. I mean I come from a big city and some of our smaller libraries seemed lacking compared to BPL. I mean damn they even have a newsletter that goes out like clock work every month (which I still receive). The building it beautiful and there are benches outside in which you can take your latest read (once you check it out of course). The staff is friendly and if you couldn't find what you wanted there they had a great lending system with other libraries. Their selection of books was current and up to date, and loved loved loved their selection of movies. As a college student on a budget borrowing movies from the library was a great way to conserve cash.

I would not recommend this library to parents with multiple aged kiddos, they have very nice…read moreprograms designed for certain ages but are not welcoming or accommodating when you have older or younger siblings in tow. I have had multiple experiences with staff that is rude. I have had a handful of positive experiences at this library but unfortunately the bad outweighs the good.

I've stumbled upon this place when googling for libraries to study at and came across this gem. I…read moredidn't even know this library existed!!! A lot of libraries are closed on Sundays so I LOVEEEEE that I found CV library because they are one of two that are actually open (1-5pm!). Walking in through the double doors there's bathrooms to the right and then you have to walk thru another set of open doors and the library is split in two - on the left side is the "adult side" and the right side is the kids/teenagers side. I love how it is split up for noise level reasons and how organized it is. They also have rooms that you can rent to study in and plenty of tables and computers. At some of the tables they have community puzzles and adult coloring books, and charging stations for plug ins. I sat at a table that was propped against the open windows and had a great snowy view. I will definitely be here more often!

With the previous reviewer doesn't seem to understand is that this is a tiny library in a Tiny…read moreTown. There's not much to Darien, I mean even the police force is run by Delavan. If you go there, just remember it is for a town that doesn't even have a grocery store that I'm aware of much less a huge book selection. It's a beautiful Library with very friendly staff, just don't go expecting a massive Chicago size book selection like some people

I guess because I've been to great libraries in Illinois I was truly taken aback at the lack of…read morebooks in this library. It is in a beautiful new building and shares the location with a Senior Center. I was looking for cook books and they had 3 to choose from. It is just jaw dropping to see the lack of reading material. What a waste of taxpayer dollars.

This is the public library for Harvard. It is a rather large building, but there is not an…read moreextremely large variety of books here, bt there is a good selection. The building itself is very impressive, with the high wooden ceiling. It has a computer lab, audio books, and movies.

I have enjoyed all of my experiences at the library and have appreciated how kind the sfaff has…read morebeen to my children. The team got them involved with the library reading program and other activities. Also, my daughter was treated very kindly by Karen when she had to proctor exams. I wish there were newer and more books on the shelf and I hope the community considers this. Thanks!

Located only about a mile away from Anderson Japanese Gardens, The Rockmen Guardians are a very…read moreunique but hard to find set of sculptures. Locations on different websites are a bit misleading, some directing you far away from the actual sculptures which are southwest of the Nicholas Conservatory along the Rick Rive Rec Bike Path. It's not too far from the Boys & Girls Club of Rockford, and you can park somewhat close to them but will still need to walk a bit. This is worth the adventure of discovering the spot though, as I'm not sure anything similar exists nearby. For me, as a big video game fan, these really gave me the feeling of being surrounded by giant stone warriors - except that you can take a picture with them. With the river in the background, you can get lots of beautiful pictures with them as a quartet, though you also want some closeups to get some of the finer details. Throughout the armor, there's definitely a mix of different colors and textures and these stand with a variety of different interesting poses. Overall worth a stop if you're in the Rockford area, but also worth a special trip to visit Rockford for other fun tourist opportunities as well, particularly during the warmer weather months.

The Rockmen Guardians statues is a fun thing to stop and see if you're in Rockford. Located along…read morethe Rock River, these statues are on the side of the Rock River Recreation Path. If you're going by car, the nearest street address is that of the Rockford Boys and Girls Club (1040 N 2nd St #1). Once you get there these 10 foot statues are impressive to see. This is a great photo opportunity. I highly recommend The Rockmen Guardians!