Algonquin Area Public Library District – Main Library

Algonquin, United States

4.2

12 reviews

Contacts

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Telephone:
+1 847-458-6060
Website:
www.aapld.org
Address:
2600 Harnish Dr, Algonquin, IL, 60102
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Today

Today –
Local time (Algonquin) 1:16 PM Thursday, May 22, 2025

Business hours

Monday –
Tuesday –
Wednesday –
Thursday –
Friday –
Saturday –
Sunday –

Description

Specialties

Connecting People and Ideas to Excite, Delight and Inspire!

Computers, printers, copiers, fax machine and notary (available during regular business hours). Vending area with tables for socializing. Drive-​through material dropoff and pickup. Two small study rooms; one large meeting room. Youth Services Department with early literacy space and comfy chairs for caregivers.

History

Established in 1921.

The Library opened in the Algonquin Village Hall on February 23, 1921. At the time, Algonquin businesses agreed to donate $ 1 per month in support of the new library. The Library didn’t become tax supported until 1925.

In December 1973, the Algonquin Area Public Library purchased a site on Eastgate Drive for $ 37,000. Building discussions ensued, and by June 1975 voters approved a referendum to build a new 16,000 sq.ft. library for $ 595,000.

Fast forward 23 years and collection that grew to 20,000 volumes, when a $ 7.8 million bond issue was passed for the construction of a new library facility just west of Jacobs High School on Harnish Drive. Through the generosity of the Village of Algonquin, the Library leases the 4.5-acre parcel for just $ 1 per year. This benevolent agreement allowed the Library to dedicate available funds to the building itself. The 35,000 square foot facility opened October 15, 2001.

Vicinity

Near this location:
1
mi
Oakridge Lawn & Landscaping
2200 Huntington Dr N
1
mi
Target
750 S Randall Rd
1
mi
Sephora Inside JCPenney
800 S Randall Rd
1
mi
Toys R Us
826 South Randall Road
1
mi
Target Photo
750 S Randall Rd
1
mi
Target Optical
750 S Randall Rd

12 reviews of Algonquin Area Public Library District – Main Library

No registration required
Place rating: 1
Chicago, IL
Very poor customer service, other libraries in the area are much better. The circulation department has made several errors on my account and have not made much effort to correct them. I finally spoke to the manager who corrected the error but did not apologize or seem to care.
Place rating: 5
Lake in the Hills, IL
If you are a taxpaying resident and you haven’t visited this library, you need to get off of your phone/​computer right now and head over.
I grew up going to the Schaumburg Township District Library, so I have high expectations in any library I walk into. Let me tell you, where Algonquin lacks in size, it makes up for in customer service, ease of use, and community events.
Some things I really love :
* Polite and friendly staff 99.9% of the time (there was this one incident…)
* Overall decent selection of materials, and great community of local libraries when they don’t have something
* Awesome online resources (Consumer reports access, Mango language training)
* Well attended community events (Storytime, Musicans)
* Really efficient self-​check out process
* Lower level is excellent for kids to play and read
The only thing to improve is to make this place bigger and have more local materials, which is really beyond their control.
I suggest you come here and see for yourself. Its size makes it feel more accessible and welcoming. You can tell that the team here knows their patrons, and cares about the outcome of every interaction.
Place rating: 4
Chicago, IL
Attention procrastinators, slow readers/​watchers/​listeners, busy people, and scofflaws. This library has NO LATE FINES.
Ahem.
This library has NO LATE FEES. Isn’t that exciting? And a draw to use this library and its cool collection of books, DVDs, audiobooks, cd? You can utilize all that with out «Bundying a book.» To piggyback on my Married With Children reference, this system means what’s to stop… say…a person who really loves books of photography to check out 15 books and keep them indefinitely for their own personal collection and display?! Or entice people with popular items checked out that there’s a long hold list of patrons waiting — to return those hot commodities for those patiently panting to have them? But the system is actually working.
* Its Algonquin material to the Algonquin library no fee, if you return another library’s material you received and checked out from the consortium or Algonquin material to some other library that you happen to be at you will be fined.
Place rating: 5
Oakland, CA
I’ve grown up going to the branch and main library in Algonquin. I’ve gone to story times, craft days, book clubs and parties, an author signing, book sales, and have sat at one of the nice big tables to do homework for far too many hours. I worked here for the year before I left for college, as well. What a great job, seriously. The staff are good at what they do and they are great people. AAPLD has so much to offer; get your butt over there!
Place rating: 5
Algonquin, IL
Amazing that you don’t really know the free treasures hidden in your villages… well this is definitely one of the best in Algonquin! The kids resources are amazing. A great selection of books, kid and adult movies, comics and then they have a large number of computers to use, wifi, a new sitting foyer with vending machines and comfy chairs and many activities throughout the year for the whole family. Kids get book reading seasons, costume parties, dance parties and so much more. Check it out!
Don’t forget the friend of the book sale had boss for add much as. 25 cents! Amazing
Place rating: 3
Algonquin, IL
I think that, having grown up in a town with an exceptional library, I’m spoiled when it comes to libraries. Algonquin’s library is ok, albiet a bit on the small side.
The staff is very friendly and helpful, which I appreciate. The cheery woman at the checkout counter was able to help me get a library card, finally… I had been putting it off for the past 2 years. She asked if the «guy behind» me wanted a card too & then I had to explain that he already had one and that I was the procrastinator. She got a good laugh out of that. The process was pretty darn easy, and before I knew it, I was the proud owner of a brand spankin new library card, a license to read, if you will.
The biggest drawback of this library is a lack of signage. I knew where the «Adult Fiction» was, because it was the only sign that I could see. The hubs and I meandered up and down the aisles in search of their DVD collection, which we finally did find. They do have a nice selection of movies, documentaries, and TV shows, and we were each able to find something to rent.
Because the library was closing shortly, we weren’t able to wander around the rest of the place to get a lay of the land, but I’m sure one of these days I’ll have time to spend the better part of a day getting lost in the stacks.
Place rating: 4
Lake in the Hills, IL
Friendly staff, decent collection of materials, hold times aren’t drastically long. But I sure do wish they had a better way to hold/​search for e-​books, the Overdrive program is rather sucky.
Other than that, I’m a pleased patron.
Place rating: 5
Lake in the Hills, IL
This library is awesome. My son is involved with the summer reading program every year, and he loves it. They have a great children’s section and the staff is so nice. The self check out needs some work though, but that’s my only complaint.
Place rating: 4
Algonquin, IL
Background: Now I grew up going to the library — we would check out the maximum nuber of books allowed every single visit. When I was old enough to ride a bike to the library I would do that on a nearly dailly basis. The library I grew up with was the Schaumburg library — one of the finest I have EVER visited. I share all of this with you because you must understand the high standard I have for a library.
I moved out to Algonquin about 5 years ago. I was very pleased to find a library that I could enjoy and had many fo the services I was used to.
So why 4 stars and not 5? Their collection is a bit limited — thoughgh far batter than most in the area, especially Dundee (as has been mentioned).
The staff that is very good and supportive as well. I happen to love to take my boys to the story time they have each week (you can register free on the website) as well as a short educational movie time as well every other week.
The facilities are not outdated though they could use addtioanl resources to be a 5 star library much like Schaumburg’s.
Place rating: 5
San Diego, CA
Very friendly and always helpful staff, excellent variety of kids programs, HUGE kids library downstairs.
Place rating: 5
Des Plaines, IL
Adding to Tracy I’s praise of this place!
There is absolutely no comparison between Algonquin and Dundee, NONE.
This is a big library with many different authors, computers, and just in general HELPFUL staff. This staff knows their stuff. I have never been disappointed in them. (I wish I could say they felt the same about me, but in my behalf, all my fines ARE paid up)
If nothing else this place is too good. (I take out too many books, which I later find under my car seat due to seats being full)
LOVED IT! (take that Dunee)
Place rating: 4
Chicago, IL
The main/​west branch of the Algonquin Public Library is beautiful.
They have a drive-​thru service to pick up and return materials — just call ahead to request pick-​up and they’ll happily cater to your lazy wishes
The children’s and adolescent sections are downstairs, separating them from the adult collection. They have computer terminals for game playing, and lots of tables and chairs.
Upstairs is home to the adult collection, plus numerous study rooms and computer terminals.
Staff is friendly, and parking is ample.