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?

I'd like to visit this branch again sometime to give it another chance. We came here for story…read moretime... but it wasn't actually story time. We were indeed late by about 10 minutes, but when we went into their community room there were a bunch of kids/families doing some crafts or something, but no story taking place. I'm not sure there was a librarian in the room--if there was, I couldn't easily identify them and they didn't bring attention to themselves. We left because we didn't know what the craft or whatever was and there wasn't really space, and I'm not really sure when the story time is actually story time because this was called story time... I'm definitely not opposed to a craft activity, but if there are not stories and it's a craft event I just want to be prepared and be there extra early. The branch is one of the smaller of the branch libraries, though not unusually small--many of the branch libraries are about this size, especially those from around the same era (I think this one was built in the 1960's). It has a nice kids/children's section which takes up a significant portion of the library, and the children's section is located in a great spot since there's a huge, unobstructed window that provides tons of light. A cool piece of branch trivia is that it was named for Carl Roden, a CPL librarian who lived in Norwood Park and started his career at the library as a page in the 19th century! Interestingly given its location, parking at this library is almost nonexistent. There is a lot behind the library, which may have an accessible space since there's a ramp to the entrance from this lot, but there's only about five spaces and two were taken up by library/city vehicles. Your better bet is to use the free parking along Northwest Highway in front of the branch. It's also directly across from the Norwood Park Metra stop, so that's another option.

This is definitely one of the smaller CPL branches. People here have been very nice and helpful. Im…read moreglad I'm able to reserve books I want online and pick them up here. One day I will take advantage of some of their programs.

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.

Parking lot in the back. Librarians are helpful and friendly. The building and bathroom is clean…read more They only have bathrooms on the first floor. They have an upstairs community room and it was spacious for the event I attended. There are more tables and books upstairs for an ideal working environment.

It has a small parking lot and there is a small collection of dvds. Despite the size, the library…read moreis not short on neatness and organization. And the librarians know how to catch your attentionand invite you to read or peruse something more.

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.

Great little neighborhood Library! The outside makes it look a lot bigger than it actually is. I…read morecame here on a Friday afternoon to get out of the house and get some work done. There are lots of kiddos here (I'm assuming through a summer camp), plus a dozen or so adults, working, reading, doing puzzles, etc. The wifi works great making it a perfect spot to lock in for some work with minimal distractions. I can't wait to come back with my 2.5 year old. He looooves reading, and I know he would absolutely love to look through all the books they have here!

Nice library, clean layoit, well organized books. Staff is friendly. Bonus, they have a puzzle…read moreexchange corner. You take a puzzle for you yo build, you do not need to leave a puzzle to check out.

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!

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.