Chicago Public Library – Roden Branch

Roden sounds like a video game or Star Trek type of name, but this library is quite modest and down-​to-​earth. It’s the smallest that I’ve ever been to, but as the far northwestern outpost of the CPL it does its job. I stopped by because I was in the neighborhood and they happened to have a novel that I wanted that was not in stock at my two regular locations.
Most of the smaller branches have a strip of at least eight or ten parking spaces, but Roden has only three – that’s how wee it is! But on a weekday there is plenty of street parking, either on Northwest Highway (pay the meter) or behind the library on Newark (free).
As I said, Roden gets the job done; if they don’t have your title on the shelf, they can receive your hold just like any other branch. It’s a trip to look at the fiction section and see a single shelving unit labelled «L-​W». However, I appreciate that more than half of the entire facility is dedicated to children – books, activity areas, computer terminals. It must be a great asset to families in the neighborhood.
Trivial but charming detail: the goldfish bowl on the circulation desk.

I love my local library. You can order books online and have them shipped to Roden which is very convenient. The librarians are all friendly and welcoming. The building could use a makeover though.

CPL are libraries no matter which one you go to.
The staff is friendly than the Jefferson Park location.
They definitely could use a grant to upgrade each of the Chicago Public Libraries.
Not found of the cut back in hours but that’s the city for you.
Love the FREE Wi-​FI, but I like just about anything free.
It’s nice that you can check out up to 6 cds at a time for free and movies are a buck I believe.

My local neighborhood Chicago Public Library.
Probably has not been remodeled in at least 25 years… but I still love it.
Cozy.
Nice librarians. If they don’t have the book in stock, ask them to order it. No problem.
They have a front and a back entrance with a tiny parking lot in the back, but there is always plenty of street parking.
Fond memories of joining the Mother-​Daughter Book Club here.
As mentioned in my «Quick Tip» they do not open until Noon on Tuesday and Thursdays.