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.

It's a lot smaller than the main branch but it's a nice place to go when you don't want to deal…read morewith the sheer size of the main branch. This branch is often underutilized but carries the most popular materials and therefore can sometimes be more convenient and faster than going to the main branch. Alike the main branch they too have funding en route to expand the collections and update the building which is much needed. My main qualm with this branch is how outdated it looks next to the main branch. They offer many of the same services that the main branch offers and it is disappointing that it is so underutilized. So if you are a Palatine library cardholder, go and use it! Pro Tip:This location can take back books & materials from any other Palatine branch so if you are in the area of it but don't have the main branch on your route that day you can dump your books off here!

This library is not too far from home and has been a great place for me to work when I just need a…read moredifferent environment to be in every now and then. With a huge field outside and a playground a lot of the kids play out there in the summer. But when you walk inside there are 2 floors with large windows making it bright with natural lights, plenty of seating and computers for folks to use if they need. The staff is incredibly kind and willing to help if you need it. They also have tons of activities for families.

For now I will be rating this library 3 stars because of the noise level on the second floor. I…read morehave been going to this library at least 2x a week on the weekends since August and had interesting experiences. My husband loves the collection of DVDs and books this location offers. It also seems like a great library for children. The playground next door looks amazing and there seems to be many activities offered. It's nice that there's also ample parking. I will be sharing about two specific experiences in this review. First, I had a situation where I was sitting at one of the booths and was approached by a stranger. At first I was trying to be friendly and allowed them to say hello. After they passed by they suddenly sat next to me and touched my feet. I was so upset and alarmed that I immediately got upset, yelled at him and then went to the librarian to report what happened. I appreciated her help and soon after on the following weeks I noticed there was an employee that patrolled around the second floor. Now today, I was at the library between 12pm-2pm. There was a man near the copiers who was on his phone with the speakerphone on. Even with my noise canceling headphones on I wasn't able to hear my lectures online with his phone blasting and him talking. After 30min of continuous phone usage, I went to the librarian and asked her if she could ask the man to take his phone off speakerphone and take his call outside. When I meant outside I meant just not the second floor where right behind him there were many people studying. Couldn't he be asked to go downstairs at least? I was told that this is a "social library" and that if I needed quiet that I should move to the back corner of the library or get a room. Or if I need earplugs they can provide some. I'm sorry but when did it become acceptable to have long phone conversations on speakerphone inside a library? And what's a social library? I expect the first floor to be louder because there's many children activities that go on throughout the day. But why can't the second floor be a space respected for people who want to get some quiet reading or studying done? What if I don't want to go to the back of the library where it's not as brightly lit or don't want to be secluded in a room? The noise on the second floor has been complained about from previous reviewers and I wish this library can really hear us out. It's understandable that certain parts of the floor have different voice levels but if someone's behavior is being bothersome to others around then please do something about it. I don't feel like it was appropriate to tell me to move or wear earplugs when I specifically went to the study section at the booths. I go to the library making sure my actions don't bother others. I walk, use a whisper level if I am with someone else, use headphones, respect the space I'm in and I take my phone calls downstairs by the front entrance or outside. Why can't I expect the same from others as well especially in a library environment?

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.

We don't live in the area, but one of things I love about the northwest suburbs is the extensive…read moreconsortium of libraries that share material and allow you to use your home library card at member libraries. The Barrington Area Library (BAL) is what you would expect... large, modern, and technologically advanced. The staff is super friendly. The materials are new, updated and vast. The youth play section has a lot of activities for the kids. My youngest daughter likes the puppet show area with costumes. There are plenty of places to sit and camp. My middle daughter had a harp recital here and it was a great space for the event. Lastly, the book return area behind the checkout counter is a fun place for the kids to watch their books getting sorted on the conveyor belt. So much to like!

Beautiful clean spacious and wonderful staff Nice quiet…read moreplace to focus on reading or work

There are a few reasons why we don't go to this library anymore…read more First and foremost, we're not as proud of the people they're proudest of in Hoffman Estates. If you're not proud of or for them, we've noticed that kids have been ostracized to the point of crying. This affects them in school, and they "get into trouble". Or worse, people tell others "trouble follows them around".

Schaumburg library has the complete collection of videos that are educational and audio books…read morethat I have seen. The staff is great, very knowledgeable. I love to work at this place.

Small and newer community library branch of the main GB library in Elgin-located within a…read moremulti-purpose complex. They have a few study rooms, a small selection of books (mostly children's and teen books) and a decent sized kids area. Definitely a nice change of pace to visit a smaller scale library because it keeps the crowds away.

This one is a smaller library for sure but don't let that deter you…read more We love the different board games available for play and you can check out other toys to use around the open areas. My daughter and I did the scavenger hunt and it was relatively challenging. We had to do a few loops to find them all. Eventually we ended up finding the last one in an unlikely location and we got to pick from a basket of little trinkets. This is also the only library I've been to that carries American Girl dolls. The only problem is that you have to be a resident in the district to borrow them. Unfortunate.

First, the good…read more This a newer, beautiful facility that's easy to navigate. My 7yo still likes to come in and do the scavenger hunt. Books that I request usually arrive pretty quickly, and having a library van drop books on my front door is absolutely spectacular. The library summer reading challenge has been a great way to show readers how to access resources like audiobooks, e-books, Library of Things, and research portals that many of us don't even know exist. Now, the ugly. I have two issues. First, I assume the collection is based on what patrons request and what circulates. If it is a reflection of our culture's tastes, it's saddening. There is so much poor quality, tasteless literature in this library collection, especially the YA section. If I'm looking for a classic, it usually gets shipped in from a library outside of Dundee. It makes me sad that our taste in literature is so trashy that we don't even carry high-quality, enduring classics (especially children's classics) at this location. I am not a book burner. I do not favor censorship or banning books. But I DO want high quality literature for my family. That isn't visible amongst the junk and the twaddle. The other issue is the fact that, consistently, when I walk into the library, whether I'm alone or with my kids (who do behave), not only are we NOT greeted, but no one even makes eye contact. There are two librarians that are friendly, but I rarely see them. The librarians that are usually there do not look up, do not smile, do not say a word when we walk in. If we need help with something and approach them, I get the impression that we're interrupting whatever it was that they were doing. Please, librarians. You WANT citizens to want to come to your facility. It has so much to offer. It is a wealth of resources for the unemployed, for researchers, for the curious, for kids, for anyone looking for information (and knowledge -- and maybe even wisdom). Please act like those people are actually welcome. Please, administration, be more discerning when you hire and train your staff. Please hire people who love their neighbor, who want to help, who approach patrons, who want to form relationships with local families looking for good books, who are excited about story time and read-alouds, who love kids.