Downers Grove Public Library

Love it here! Best atmosphere. I love having an entire little table to myself next to the windows up stairs. Outlets everywhere. Everybody is friendly & bathrooms are also nice. Such a character to this place. Love going here to study, I don’t dread it when I know I’m coming here!

I’ve used the public library for years. It’s seen me through high school projects, college papers and independent research. They’ve reorganized it through the years but several things remain consistent: the staff is always very well trained, very friendly, and very helpful. The variety that the downers grove public library has is fantastic. Furthermore, as part of an exchange program with other libraries in the area, if they don’t have the book but another location in the system does, they can get it for you.
A caveat: A few of my more obscure research papers were challenging due to the lack of publications out on little-​known historical events. While they do have a fantastic selection, be reasonable with expectations. I’m not going to quibble with the fact they didn’t have literature on a very genre-​specific topic that’s almost completely obsolete.
Other things of note, they have quiet rooms, study rooms you can book for group projects, a fantastic kids’ area, a growing selection of DVD rentals, and always had a nice selection of audiobooks.

I adore my library! The employees are wonderful, more than a few of the employees know my name.
Excellent and diverse selection of books, movies, and music. The programs and workshops are stellar and a good way to meet your fellow Downers Grove neighbors. Children and adults alike appear to enjoy this library.
My only complaint is that this library seems to be perpetually «under construction». The dust, unavailable equipment and construction tape is getting old.

I really grappled with my star rating. Is it unfair? Is it too generous?
Overall, I’ve enjoyed checking out many items (probably over 100) from their library. As a reciprocal borrower, their size and selection is impressive, if not daunting. The fact that they allow reciprocal borrowers to borrow up to 100 items at a time from the SWAN system of libraries is very generous. Most of the staff there are friendly and very knowledgeable. There are at least five self check-​out machines. There are plenty of places to park. Yes, their parking lot IS generally packed. However, there is street parking before the entrance to their lot, and there are also plenty of spaces in the lot across from theirs.
My one complaint is that I was told that I could request/​hold items even though I am a reciprocal borrower from a non-​SWAN library. I was told this by an Adult Services staff member, and that individual requested the items I desired for me. (How nice, right?) I had already been able to request materials from other SWAN libraries at both Westmont and Hinsdale, so I didn’t think it would be a problem, but I know every library can be different. Anyway, several days after I had requested the items, those requested items were removed from my requests (holds). I was wondering how or why that had happened. Was it some kind of glitch or error? My Hinsdale requests were still all there, only my Downers Grove ones were missing. Curiously, I called Downers Grove Library. The woman who answered the phone informed me that they’re not able to place requests for reciprocal borrowers and that I should request them from my home library (through an interlibrary loan). I asked why the Adult Services member was able to initially place the request, and she didn’t have an answer and put me on hold for a moment. When she came back on the line, she just repeated that they’re unable to place a request for me and that I should talk with my home library if I want those materials. I informed her that I would not be doing that since Hinsdale IS able to accommodate requests; I would just go there instead. It certainly seems strange that some smaller libraries within the SWAN system coordinate and fulfill requests for reciprocal borrowers but not Downers Grove, a larger library, with a larger staff size.
I was disappointed. This seemingly perfect library was flawed. It wasn’t even the policy that frustrated me so much as the fact that not all of their staff know this policy and that I had to find this out from looking at my account. This had wasted my time having to ask someone request items for me and I had now lost my place in line for those holds. Considering that two of the items were newer, there are more holds on them, and losing my spot was frustrating. Also (and perhaps my biggest peeve), there was neither a courtesy email apologizing and explaining that my requests had been cancelled (I checked my Spam folder, nothing) nor a phone call letting me know this had happened. If I had not logged into my account to check on my SWAN requests, who knows when, how, or even if I would have found out that they had cancelled those requests. I probably would have kept waiting like an fool, wondering why my requests were taking so long.

The wireless internet here is sooo frustrating. I can hardly stay online long enough to check email. Or write this review. And I remember having similar experiences here from last year even.

I am a usual customer to the library because it is all together welcoming. As a kid, I went to the Woodridge Public Library and while it was good, it didn’t come anywhere near Downers Grove’s. The Downers Grove Library is very well organized and is very well lighted. The librarians are extremely friendly and I can tell that they like their job. They are always willing to help if needed. I have become a regular customer to the library and, because it is so well organized, can go in, get a book, check it out, and leave within six minutes. The library has a huge variety of books, movies, and games. Also, I love the new self checkout kiosks. This has greatly reduced the long lines in the front of the library yet the people who prefer to have their books manually checked out still keep the librarians busy enough.

Clean, well-​organized, friendly and well-​trained staff. Part of a
Decent book selection, magazines are a bit lacking. Usually get newer popular books and highlight them in a special section.
Lots of events, from one-​offs like concerts to weekly storytime for the kids.
New self checkout and hold pick-​up move things along more quickly, but staff are available if you need assistance.
Become a part of the library’s history by purchasing a personalized brick outside.

Get a card, sign in online and explore the awesomeness of the library. You can search for books, movies, music and magazines; old and new. The best part is if this library doesn’t have your items, chances are it is within the network. That other library will ship that book or whatever to your library and send you an email that it’s ready for pick up. An absolute no brainer.
Why not 5 stars you ask? Because they now have self-​checkouts. I detest them for the fact that those things are taking jobs and replacing humans. I will not contribute to a robot uprising.

A nice big library that has good off seating throughout the library for private reading or internet. Plenty of computers and various sectionas all over make this one of the better modern big suburban libraries in the area. The staff is very helpful and take their job seriously helping the public in what is a public library.

I appreciate this library, I really do. Having lived in underdeveloped countries, I know what a great free community service it is. However, today was the last in a series of strange interactions I’ve had with the staff (mostly much older women) in which they were just downright rude; all because I dared asked to renew an interlibrary loan book twice. I told the DG librarian I called the lending library and they told me to tell them to just check it in, then check it back out to me. Apparently, this is tantamount to robbery in her mind and she continued to question me about why they didn’t renew it over the phone. Maybe most patrons already understand the intricacies of library renewal polices, I don’t, and didn’t know. She then told me I was «stretching the rules.» She kept asking (loudly) as other librarians (and one patron I’ll call the library violation police) stared and shook their heads at me. If you can’t, simply say that but don’t interrogate me… geez. It was very odd and somewhat humiliating. I think I’ll go to Indian Prairie from now on, that was completely ridiculous.

I am a life long DG resident and since having kids renewed my library card! I am so glad I did! The kids love the library and ask to visit often. We’ve dropped in on one free story time and I’m sure will go again as the weather cools off!
My latest find and favorite is that I can borrow books for my Kindle! I commute and spend a lot of time with my Kindle, so this is HUGE! The best part is I can load them to my kindle from my computer, without making a trip to the library! There is a wish list so I can add books to remember for later and the wait list is great. Simply put your name on it and receive an email when a copy of the desired title is available. You then have 72 hours to log in and claim it! Seriously it doesn’t get much better!

Love my library where people are extremely helpful. I can usually always find the book or audio CD I’m looking for and if not, someone always tracks one down for me to get in rather immediately. They have an array of audio books I can listen to on my commute to and from work, a great selection of stuff I love reading and it’s great b/​c the operating hours always work with my schedule.

The Downers Grove Public Library has a great collection of books, compact discs, and videos. It is a fun place to browse or sit down and read a book. The layout is nice – circulation desks and children’s department on the main floor; adult services on the second floor. The adult services floor is fairly quiet and peaceful and there are study rooms available.
There are a few reasons I would not give this library 5 stars, however. Perhaps some are beyond the library’s control. First of all, the drive-​up book drop is located in an inconvenient spot. The driver of the vehicle cannot drop his books into it, as it borders the passenger side. So, basically, you need to get out of your vehicle to drop off books, climb into your passenger seat, or bring a passenger to toss them in. Secondly, it is almost impossible to get a spot in the parking lot. If you do, be prepared for someone waiting for your spot when you back out. Parking is a nightmare at this library. Lastly, the library could really use a self-​checkout machine. It can be irritating waiting in line, especially if you are behind someone checking out a hundred children’s books.
All in all, it is a pretty good place though. Just some quirks.

I love talking books! I went to a discussion here on Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast as part of the Big Read.
It was fabulous! The people there were all smarter than me and knew tons about Hemingway. They inspired me to learn more. What a fabulous group and discussion leader this library gathered together.
I have signed up for their event updates and hope to meet more book geeks in the future. We will recognize each other by our glasses and goofy literary based t-​shirts. If they served snacks, this place would be heaven on earth.
Downers Grove Public Library, you have great books and know how to use them.

The best public library! Excellent children’s area and programs. Great service with online catalog, research, holds/​reserations, reminders and online overdue fee payment.
Excellent online database access for home users.

This is such a fantastic library hidden in the Village of Downers Grove!
It carries all new releases (if you are lucky, you can get it right away; otherwise, your wait time is not long at all) and showcases a «New Exhibit» section each month that displays the new book releases
for check-​out.
Their online renewal and requesting system is so easy to use. If they don’t have a book or movie, they will order it for you with one click of your mouse. Their movie selection is mediocre, but I always request the movies I would like to see through SWAN. I may have to wait a couple of days to get it, but it would take just as long through Netflix.
They offer many classes for free (taxes, computer based learning, etc.) and they also have entertainment throughout the month (music and guest speakers).
Lastly, I would like to mention their children’s area. WOW! There is a section for infants, toddlers, and tweens (the teens is upstairs). Everything is organized and there is so much you can check out for your little one (audio books, puzzles, board books, CDs, etc). There is also a «theater-​type» area in the corner where there are tiny sized couches and chairs for kids to read and play.

two words — great. library.
what i really love is how this library carries a large assortment of progressive books. also, because this library is so huge they almost always have what you’re looking for. if they don’t have it, you can request it from other libraries and the delivery usually only takes a few days.
and holy crap! their magazine/​dvd/​cd section is really impressive too! hubs and i can easily find a few good things here and never leave empty handed.

I was never a big fan of libraries growing up (has ANYONE cracked the Dewey decimal system yet? I certainly haven’t.) but the DG public library has changed my mind. Free wi-​fi, movies, frequent author readings, live musical performances, a nice play area for kids, lots of CD’s…
None of this is a shock to anyone who has been a patron, but my son and I are there every week now. Nice job, DG!

being from westmont and having a pretty small library there, i used to spend hours at the downers grove library. in jr. high i used to rent cd’s and burn them for myself since i couldn’t buy them, and they have a great selection of anything you could be looking for.
i’m an avid reader, and love just wandering down a random aisle to find a book i’ve never heard of, check it out and see if it’s good. there’s nothing more relaxing.

For the area, this is definitely better than the Westmont or Clarendon Hills branches.
Large, bright, clean, new and friendly staff. I am not familiar with the kid’s section, but it looks fun! The adult books are well organized and everything is very easy to find. There are a bunch of computers both for library use (i.e. looking up titles) and for personal use. Cheap printing is definitely a plus if you’re doing any work at the library. They also now have free Wifi for those who bring in their laptops — genius!
They also have a weekly and monthly book section that showcases different titles, authors or themes. It’s always well chosen and the suggestions are almost always great.
Convenient to downtown Downers Grove shops and restaurants, as well. It’s a great place to get your books and then hang out in town afterward.