A+ storytime. I had some time off and wanted to get out with my baby girl so with my handy dandy…read moreCPL app I started looking up events for the day. I have an informal goal of visiting each Chicago Public Library branch (20 down, 61 to go) and since Dunning had story time (at 11, which is atypical for the CPL branches we've been to before) we headed over. This branch is a relatively new one, having opened in 2011 on land donated by the Chicago Board of Education. It's one of the smaller branches, with one large room and then a meeting room, but there is a fairly large park-like area next to the branch (not an official city of Chicago park, but it is a well-kept green space with paths and lots of benches). The story time was fantastic, truly. I'm not sure if there were two librarians or one plus a volunteer mom, because there was a woman who played a couple songs on her guitar. (My kiddo may want a ukulele for Christmas because she was super into the guitar.) The place was packed, too--about two dozen children, plus their adults. They need to get this branch a bigger room! There was a full 30 minutes of songs, stories, and games. All that was followed by another 30 minutes of playtime, where the librarians brought out different toys for the kids to play with. My little one is just starting to walk, so I think she enjoyed the extra space to wander and jump and crawl, kids to play with, and lots of toys she's never seen. The librarian(s?) were enthusiastic and friendly. The one who is definitely a librarian since she was running most of it introduced herself to us during the play time, which was really nice and made me feel super welcome. I haven't felt that way at all library story times, and I very much appreciated it. There's a dedicated parking lot, though it's not too big; maybe a dozen spaces or fewer. Luckily there seemed to be plenty of street parking and then some folks seemed to be from the neighborhood because they walked to the library. (Public transportation is probably nonexistent this far west--definitely for trains, but could be busses too.) I wish that some of the library branches had email lists you could join or something for their specific events, because with 81 branches it's easy to miss things. This is a branch I will be keeping my eye on and though unfortunately I'm not usually home on the days they host story time, I will look forward to bringing the wee one again for stories or another event.

Friendly helpful knowledgeable staff. Great location. Great selections. Small but ample parking…read morelot. Many programs for adults and children. Collection box for homeless veterans collected by the brownies

Another great public library, located in the circle of Elmwood Park. Wonderful decor, great helpful…read morestaff. Plenty of parking and easy to get to. Photos show display honoring the military. Great Field House too.

I love this library! I have a 7 year old sister and they are…read morealways REALLY kind to her. There's always fun activities for kids and adults. They are free to join. I'm a college student so often they have text books that I need. They also always offer to order me books I need from other libraries which is supper helpful.

A wonderful library in North Riverside. A very pleasant and warm decor. For a medium size library…read morethough, it has all the amenities. Including nice views of a small golf course, and a section of library activities. Whoever thought you could borrow cake mold pans, golf clubs, fishing poles, and lots more. Very pleasant, helpful staff. Look them up for all they offer.

I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my…read moreship... Louisa May Alcott lovely library... Thank You All.

I've finally visited the Northtown branch! It feels like this has been a long time coming because…read moreit's relatively close (though at the very least the Sulzer, Bezezian, Budlong, and Uptown branches are closer) and pre-pandemic I was on a quest to check out different libraries (though it leaned heavily toward the suburban ones). I never even visited this library when I lived in West Ridge, though this is the newly constructed iteration. Today we attended family story time hosted by the children's librarian. This branch is very modern and is a mixed use space. It looked like there was a green roof so I asked the security guard about what was upstairs and that's when I learned it's a shared space--the bottom floor is the library, and the upper floors are apartments. This branch is using windows to their greatest advantage, as most of the outer walls of the library are almost entirely glass. I think that's great since it makes it a bright welcoming space instead of dark and dank as some of the branches can be (and especially here, where the apartments overhang the library, it could make it dark). The huge mural (nearly floor to ceiling) just past the entryway was created by a Rogers Park native, and I love that they're keeping it local. In the center of the library there's an outdoor courtyard space with a few tables which is a lovely addition. When we were here for the children's program (August 2023) they had free COVID tests available for folks to take (one per person). They also have narcan available at this branch (though it was kind of hidden away, unfortunately, so here's me letting you know you can find it here). There's a family bathroom in the children's section, which I think is a great and smart idea, though you have to get buzzed into it by staff at the circulation desk (luckily the desk is right by the children's section). The parking lot is small, but ample.

Ok so a brief history of this library when I lived in this neck of the woods on Devon and…read morecalifornia this is where the library was located there and the staff some of them knew what was going on and sometimes not. I know that I visited the north town branch in 2002 and aside from the assorted new books everything looked the same as it had back in 1988 minus the old book smell :) Fast forward to yesterday.this new location was built and opened a few months ago...I can state that despite the local hubbub about being a "new library " this has less books in the nonfiction section then the library it replaced. The employees are doing a good job. No one looks majorly lost. There are lots of computers to chose from. The library seems to have most of it books at the harold Washington library and at Sulzer. Maybe that wont change. It's also good that you can access the library online now.

So far my time in Park Ridge has been fine. I've used the park district a few times and it's been…read morevery good; I've taken a class with my little one and will be starting another one in a couple weeks with the Wildwood Nature Center. The park district also has a preschool program, including a nature preschool, which has really piqued my interest. They did a leprechaun hunt that was kind of easter egg hunt but make it leprechauns, and I also signed up for their thing where residents can put out a leprechaun trap and a park district employee will come to leave fun stuff from the leprechaun. I signed up for the easter egg hunt at home that they have too, and that will be fun for my little one. The schools are excellent; one of the elementary schools has recently been deemed the 20th best elementary in the state. And there are some famous Park Ridgians (none who live here any longer, of course): Hillary Rodham Clinton and Harrison Ford are probably the two most famous. Park Ridge is bordered by three Chicago neighborhoods: Edison Park, Norwood Park, and O'Hare. The plane noise isn't too bad, given its location to the airport (which can be quite a convenience). There's ample access to public transportation as well; the CTA blue line can be found in Chicago just across the street from the border to Park Ridge. There's a large parking lot there for commuters. In addition, there's both a Dee Road station and a Park Ridge station on the Metra line (currently called the Union Pacific Northwest line, though Metra is planning to change the names). The Dee Road station has a lot of parking (I've never had a problem finding a spot, though it may have been different pre-Covid) and I think there's probably plenty of parking for the Park Ridge station as well. The farmers market is really great. I have been to several neighborhood markets in Chicago, and only the North Branch Market in Edgebrook is better. That's including the Green City Market, in my opinion. Last year they started a night market that took place once per month during summer and it was a lot of fun as well. There was a band and adult beverage vendors, as well as quite a few food vendors. Parking wasn't bad for either market. Overall, it's not a bad suburb nice that it's so close to Chicago.

Park Ridge City Hall is a stately building located in Uptown PR. City Hall is the home to most of…read morethe governmental offices for Park Ridge. The city council meets here, so this is the place if you want to attend a meeting and voice your opinion. If you are a resident then you will likely need to come here for a variety of reasons - to pay City bills in person, get vehicle stickers, dogs tags or bike tags. During elections this acts as a voting place. The lines are typically shorter than the local schools and there is ample parking by the attached police station. The City does a great job of decorating the building for holidays and really adds to the community feel. They also host a variety of summer concerts on the steps of City Hall. Hodges Park is located in front of City Hall and is the home to many grea community events.

Easy access. no steps. interesting activities for adults. friendly staff. pleasant and…read morecomfortable and bright interior. Curently playing MAH-JONGG once a week. New activity beginning on Thursday, Jan.22, SCRABBLE, 1-3pm. Once a month until core attendance is formed. Then maybe will meet more often. Looking forward to it. Posted 1-7-26

I've done an unofficial library tour of all the libraries in the Chicago northern 'burbs including…read moreSkokie, Lincolnwood, Niles, Evanston, and Wilmette (as well as a bunch of City of Chicago libraries) and I have to say I'm surprised there aren't as many reviews on this one. Lincolnwood Library is on the smaller side but there several modern touches that make it stand out. Note: I'm a booknerd who is always in search of the perfect study room for when I tutor students (as my side passion project when I'm not working in corporate during the week). The Lincolnwood Library shares its network with fellow northern Illinois libraries so I was able to use my Skokie Library card there! This is convenient because the Lincolnwood Library is super clean and has a "one-stop shop" feel. It is only one floor so it has a certain ease of access. They have a variety of computers, a nice children's area and newer study rooms. I rented a room and did not have to go through the computer system like at the Skokie Library which I found super convenient. The reason why I dislike booking a room through Skokie is that you are only allowed a certain number of hours per study room. I always end up having to stack library cards from my friends and family to achieve the amount of hours I need to study in a private room. I understand the logic behind that policy but in practice it was just a lot of extra work and I felt bad that my friends had to help me with their cards. The Lincolnwood library has the nicest study rooms because each includes a table, chairs, and a huge flatscreen television. The room is made of glass which gives it a modern touch and you don't feel claustrophobic. The rooms are very clean and the chairs are very comfortable. The staff at Lincolnwood are very polite and warm. They are helpful and a few of them are really cool! They seem to have a great selection of books as well. Note: limited parking spaces and an overall smaller feel.

Good morning everyone, We have been coming to the Hanover…read morePark Library since the past 20 years and Mrs. Tamara and the entire staff have always been very kind and considerate and they all welcome you with a SMILE! Excellent and a very welcoming atmosphere! Thanks to Mrs. Tamara the branch manager and all the staff members at our local Hanover Park, IL. branch location, for providing us with outstanding customer friendly services.

Wonderful library! Excellent dvd/blu-ray selection! The librarians are super friendly and…read morewelcoming. My favorite part? There is a castle with a dragon!!! Kids can play inside and sit on the throne. It's an amazing piece of art with sculped figures in the windows. I love this little library! Definitely coming back. :)

We've been coming here regularly and it's been such a reliable community resource…read more The space is clean, organized, and easy to navigate with kids. The children's section is especially well laid out, with a good mix of books, toys for the kids to play with, and places to sit and watch them enjoy! The staff has always been kind and helpful when we've needed assistance. It's the kind of place that makes everyday outings easier and more enjoyable. And it's free! I'm so grateful to have it nearby, especially during the long, cold Chicago winters.

#1/ Best library in Chicago suburbs. Plenty of parking, even across the street. Calendar has a wide…read morerange of activities for all ages. I have borrowed countless books, videos, camera accessories and more.