Chicago Public Library

I give it 4 stars because it’s quiet, convenient, and when I need to use Windows/​PC for work then I can just walk over here and there’s almost always computers available. Not a huge library, but they have a decent sized collection of books; most of the space is desks/​computers.

Free parking and only took 5 mins to get my library card. Not a huge library but you can have your requests sent here from other locations. CPL website allows you to requests stuff online and you can do it at the comfort of home. Very convenient.

This is where the husband and I do our early voting, ever since 2010!
Easy to get parking, no lines during the day! Perfect!!!
We never visit the actual library, just the conference room across the hall.

I came here to print out a couple copies of my resume. I like that you don’t have to reserve a computer station. I’m so used to doing it at my local library that I felt like an idiot when I walked towards the computer desk for help.
It’s definitely cleaner and more open compared my local library (Daley library in Bridgeport). I wasn’t able to walk all around the library, but I liked what I saw.

This is a great branch of the CPL.
Pros: very clean, very quiet, nice expansive space, free wifi, friendly staff, PARKING LOT woohoo
Cons: the security staff of the building (which also houses offices or something) is not especially nice and sometimes treat you like a criminal, but hopefully now that I’m a regular they’ll start recognizing me. Other than that, nothing!
*** Also: they have a great study room that you can reserve that’s pretty much never busy that’s always stocked with dry-​erase pens and a white board and a huge conference table

I’ve always been a fan of the library since I was a little girl… I like this library… convenient FREE parking in the back for days when I don’t feel like walking there from my apartment. Friendly staff and I’ve never had a problem picking up my books that I reserve online. Plenty of dvd movies available to borrow as well.

huge library at the old location of goldblatts. great addition to the library system!

I’ve been to many libraries and this has to be my favorite. I’ve even debated coming here after work, even though there are a few others closer to me. I’ve only once had an employee show obvious annoyance, but I think that’s because I had a baby with me and she just assumed he was going to be loud. Her attitude changed because I killed her with kindness. ;-)
Museum passes used to be easy to get here, but people have caught on. Still, it’s definitely easier acquiring one here as opposed to some of the other branches. As others mentioned, the library is very, nice and bright (plenty of windows offering natural light too!) and the book selection is much larger than I anticipated. The children’s section is great and every time I’ve been there, it’s been quiet. I know, it’s a library, shouldn’t it be quiet? You would think so, but other libraries, especially those that see LOTS of children daily, aren’t as quiet. I’ve actually seen more teenagers and adults doing work here than I have children with their parents.

This is a very clean, close library to my home. I love it!
Pros:
I’m afraid to share this next tidbit on-​because I want to be able to park in the back when I go, but there is FREE parking in the back of the library, you just have to be aware it’s a one way street behind the library. Otherwise there is pay to park street parking, but it gets REally full during the daytime. A great selection of books on cd, dvd’s, Large print books, etc.
Wish list:
The children’s section is not in a closed off area. I go to the library during the day, and think it would be better for all, if they were in a room with windows and a door, so they can have animated story time or parent-​kid meet and greets, without disturbing other library patrons.
I wish you could have more than 5 items out at a time, I wish they had magazines you could check out, I wish you could pay your fines online, (this is a con against all CPL libraries, I guess). I came from a very large city-​that you could do all of these things, so moving to a bigger city-​it just surprises me.

I’m on a quest to visit every single branch of Chicago Public Library.
According to the CPL website, this is the West Town branch. It’s a newer library, very clean, a great environment (lots of light, quiet, enough tables and computer terminals). This is a GREAT branch to look for museum passes! And the staff here is some of the friendliest, happiest I’ve met in the CPL system.

I finally made it over to the newest addition to the Library circuit of the near– west side today. I went there tonight, to drop off «the bluest eye» and pick up «some girl». The place is clean, neat, stocked with good books, and plenty of room to add to their collection. Tons of computers, which are important to have, as the digital divide is alive and kicking in this area. The security was totally on point– making sure the local wanderers didn’t take the place over, while not completely barring them either. The staff seem a little– cagey– perhaps its the newness of the space, or the team??? Over all, I’m glad to finally have a solid alternative to the ever– busy Bucktown branch.

I Love this Branch
–Brand New Books
–Brand new Computers
–Helpful Staff
–Super clean and organized
–Free movie rentals for kids & adults (7 day rental)
–Awesome programs for all ages
–Great addition to the area

I love this library. I love working in this library, reading in this library, BEING in this library. The new branch in the historical building is gorgeous, and I am very impressed with the renovation job that was completed.
This library has a great selection. I was pleased to see such a extensive film, graphic novel, and fiction sections, and felt comfortable asking for assistance from the kind and knowledgeable staff. Their periodicals are also very extensive, as well as having very comfortable and ample seating.
I am so glad that this library is in my neighborhood, and not somewhere far away– though I would go there even if it was out of the way. I love this library, and hope it continues to get the funding and resources it needs for years to come.

I’m so glad that a CPL has moved into my neighborhood. It is now so easy for me to get my library books that I read too much (if that is even possible).

Somewhat odd hours, opens at noon on Monday.
You walk into one big spacious room. You can get lost in your work for a few hours without feeling claustrophobic because it’s so roomy and the ceilings are high. Thanks to the revamped Goldblatt’s building. When buildings were made like real buildings once upon a time.
Many of the tables are equipped with outlets, even in the middle of the table. EASY to connect your laptop to their wifi.
But if you come computerless, many of the library’s terminals were available. So you didn’t have to wait long to get on. Drawback is that you cannot print anything off a USB. You can access and print anything off the internet, which means that you can print something that’s attached to your email. But the terminals don’t have word, so the formatting might be a bit off.
Printing requires having money on your card. This is a bit tricky because you need to send a print job before you can put money on the card. But it could be hard to figure out how much you need to put on. You need to go to the front desk to add money. There’s no machine.

I am writing this review from my comfy chair at this library. I am so happy to see the branch libraries have given birth to this great library. There are tons of empty computer stations, lots of electrical outlets, and while they are getting in books (hey why not donate some?) I am happy we have a great wifi friendly library here in West Town. A few of the electrical outlets located on pillars don’t seem to work, but other than this I am very happy with the library.
Room for improvement: The city did not install a bunch of bike racks out front, so request these from the city. I googled it, and you should too. Other than bike racks and a few unconnected electrical outlets this is great. It would be nice if it were open later a few extra days a week. Car drivers have to feed meters.
Also: Historical information on this place makes it cooler. This was the ORIGINAL Goldblatt’s Department store location. This store was founded in Chicago and this is where it all started. I am old enough to have actually shopped at a Goldblatt’s and it is cool to see the city save a historical landmark building and put it to a good use.
Request bike racks:

I was passing by so I stopped in. Oh my goodness — this was sorely needed in the neighborhood. The old library was located where Branch27 is now. It was cramped but constantly in use by school children and senior citizens.
Amenities at this location:
BOOKS. Books are obviously the mainstay of a library even in this digital age. Looks like they are still stocking the place. But the good news is that there is plenty of shelving to fill up. I perused some of the young adult titles and some of the scientific and historical tomes were quite interesting, even for adults.
DVD and CD rentals. Spans the gamut from educational to classic to action films.
CHILDRENS LIBRARY. This separate section seemed to be amply stocked.
WIFI (Free!) So the next time somebody posts on Unilocal Talk looking for a place with WIFI, this is their place. And it seemed like a lot of people were taking advantage of it.
INTERNET And if you don’t have a laptap, they have sixty computers for public use.
It is great to see a new public space open up in this time of fiscal austerity. And what a space it is! Spacious, clean, shiny and with that «new library» smell.
If I remember correctly from my childhood, this area was the women’s department at Goldblatts…

This newly opened branch of the CPL is a wonderfully modern and spacious library in a the historic Goldblatt’s building. I was surprised to learn they have a very extensive DVD collection, basically free movie rentals for 7 days including some good recent movies as well as old classics. My only wish is that they had a parking lot.

this is GREAT!!! i am going to return my book club book there tonight and hopefully get a new one tomorrow since they’re open until 8pm!

I am so happy to that they have built the new West Town Branch of the CPL, ON TIME! wow.