Alsip-Merrionette Park Public Library

Coming from Chicago, then previously Oak Lawn (like another reviewer), I was not expecting a lot from this small town library. BUT I was happy with the results! This library is amazing! Yes you have to pay to rent movies, but that really doesn’t bother me because I know the money goes to making the library better. I’ve used the library for personal books and books for teaching. Whenever I’ve needed a book, even if it’s from another library, it’s usually available within 2 days.
The kids area is amazing! I bring my 2yo daughter there every week and I’ve never seen anyone be disrespectful to any kids! And mine is really loud at times!
I’m extremely happy with this library!!!

horrible, horrible, HORRIBLE!
Honestly if I knew Alsip would be run this poorly, I’d have never moved from Oak Lawn. (yeah…no need to inform me, I already know… POOR decision).
I’ve been volunteering for years (former bus. college teacher) tutoring kids & mentoring — all charity work— & can honestly say I’ve never worked in a venue with less basic manners & appreciation. Particularly enrages me when the children are treated less than respectfully (and believe me, I’m OLD school so IF they warrant admonishing, I am the first to recognize & address & am behind constructive discipline. If not, leave them alone, let them LEARN. Here’s a newsflash to them, learning CAN be & is often fun. Was for me).
Just too much to chronicle here but word to the wise, if you have a choice, GO elsewhere (I sorta do NOT, in many cases, given I unfortunately live here).
Moving on.
I have to say I was so excited when they built brand new venue, somehow suspecting it was going to be a whole new ballgame… this new exciting horizon.
NOPE.
And call me crazy but having spent large part of my own life in libraries (researching for my degrees & such), I expect plethora of current reading material. At minimum!
That is NOT found here. I am continually having to travel elsewhere (oh yeah… OL! Thank GOD they also take my library card. What I can’t do however is order material THERE where I prefer to now go due to utility alone).
And I wish Alsip would answer WHAT the heck they are doing with our TAX money. I moved in 10 years ago & unbelievably, my prop. tax bill has nearly doubled since then but of course my house depreciated (as has many others, I get that) almost half. How does that make ANY sense?
They offer virtually NO services here, the park district — if you want to be generous & call it that– is a good laugh. They put down PLASTIC-​grate floor on outdoor tennis courts so NO ONE can play, who would WANT TO? That had to cost a pretty penny.
And then, frustratingly & without thought, they leave lights on virtually ALL year round with no one using them. But yeah, I can only compare to OL again… where they have solid options. I don’t think I was spoiled there, I speak to others & can compare quality of living in many towns.
But BACK on point here… and now they build a handsome but wholly poor functioning library.
Oh and also… to my knowledge this is the ONLY library I know where you even have to pay to rent movies. Yeah, a buck (I THINK) but still… they are free in Oak Lawn, Chicago & all suburban libraries I know of (oh of course I & other Alsip residents, can’t reserve them there).
I mean, they can’t even grant Alsip residents THAT? Think about it, that speaks volumes about this town.
So to sum up… a 6K tax bill, a house that is worth close to HALF of what I paid & yep… IF I care to rent a DVD, I have to pay them MORE.
WHY? Seriously?
It’s a matter of principle too, they are either insanely mismanaged or just greedy, dunno which. I’m betting both.
Worse part is no one cares, certainly no one related to library board. They all need to go, as I imagine, do most of those in charge if this represents their business acuity.
Use the TAX money wisely and you won’t have to nickle & dime us at every turn. For godsakes, make your movies FREE to residents, at least the KIDS here.
Shameful!

Good library, clean, friendly/​professional staff, has restrooms, nice selection of books, movies, music CD’s and some video games and has computers with internet/​Wifi access too.