Elmhurst Public Library

Yep a 5 star… as good as it gets. Why? — Simple! The people. The staff are so knowledgeable. I like that you can book a room. Now you can eat and drink at the Library… seriously? My how things have changed since I was a kid.
Love this Library
Kathy Repsis

I thought that library staff was also responsible for noise regulation and making sure that the environment actually runs like a library rather than a hang out spot for high school kids and a place to make business calls. Kids will talk and I really don’t mind them, but I can hear them through my headphones! This is literally happening throughout the entire library, even in the «quiet areas». It’s been a couple hours and not once have I seen any staff member try to get a little control over all the NOISE! Goodness. It’s a nice sized library, they even have a café, but its really not worth the trip for someone trying to get any actual studying done.

Hands down, the best public library! This place has something for everyone. A sunny corner to study — check! A place to relax and read — check! The latest movie — check! A laptop to borrow — check! A meeting room to talk about the next great big idea — check! I can keep going on. really a great place to come, regardless of whether you are a resident of Elmhurst or not!

This my favorite library to come to. It’s a beautiful building; clean and calming. I come here to study everyday and it’s always quiet with plenty of places to sit and lay out study materials. The staff is friendly, they have a great coffee shop and other things (worth checking out their website). I would warn though, that after school hours (3−4pm) the library gets flooded with teenagers. I wouldn’t say they are there to study… they hang out, talk and gossip and walk around all over the place. It can be very distracting so that would be my only warning to people is to watch your timing if you are coming for some quiet time.

Haven’t been in a while, but I used to go all the time while in college. This was the perfect place to study with lots of space, wifi, and a little coffee shop. I would also rent a lot of movies from being tired of studying so much!
The atmosphere is like that of a Borders and the staff was always friendly.
I believe they changed the rules for non-resident’s checking out. You can only check certain things out if you’re a non-​resident. Sucks, but at least I can still use the SWAN system to check things out from other libraries. I don’t think they are a part of SWAN either.
It’s funny because I did my own research project while in college on the friendliness of staff at different libraries. Elmhurst and Oak Park received the best while less affluent suburbs did not have the best attitude. I concluded it was based on the environment where at Elmhurst and Oak Park, it’s bright, large, and a nice atmosphere while at less affluent suburbs, it was a smaller, out-​dated, dark with sometimes no light at all causing a bad demeanor is staff. Again, this was my own research project and own conclusions. Very interesting though! I miss college!

I love this library. They have excellent programs for babies to seniors: learning, bookclub, etc. Ps. The library bookclub has an amazing off site, Flight 112 wine house.
I can spend the whole day here. Checking out books, doing research, drinking/​eating something from the café, computers, Magazines, newspapers, movies.. even video games!
And lets not forget the great look this building has! Well kept grounds, well lit.
Oh, oh, oh! Almost forgot drive through window! You can call ahead and pick up. Great for when you don’t have time and know exactly what you need.

Best library I’ve ever been to, and a beautiful one too. The staff/​librarians are super friendly and helpful. The book selection is enormous, I hope you all manage to stop in.

Great staff and great selection! Has an awesome coffee shop and the library itself is so spacious! I can always find a quiet nook to study in. Their courtesy email system is super helpful and keeps me organized with what is due. I also love their hold process, I get my books in a reasonable amount of time, they email me when it’s in, and they hold it for several days until I am able to go get it. Best library I’ve ever been to and one of the best parts of my move to Elmhurst: P

What a shinig jewel of a library! The new building is only (or already) 10 years old and is contionually evolving. It is a place to foster literacy — supporting lifelong learning with diverse resources and programs. The well-​qualified staff always has the answer I am looking for — or can get it quickly. And they are always finding new ways to be of service to the community. Check it out.

Full disclosure: I worked here for nearly nine years.
Over my time working with EPL, the library embraced a significant amount of change. They experimented with policies, equipment, services, staffing structures, and countless behind-​the-​scenes efforts. Many of them worked splendidly and others were not so popular. What remains true, no matter what EPL changes or implements, is the level of care that the staff has for providing the best possible library experience to patrons. Now, I’m not going to lie, some of the staff are not so enthusiastic and lead to a bad experience (for patrons and employees alike). But what my time there taught me is that the majority of people are there because they love libraries and they want others to love them (especially EPL) as well.
So, really, my review here is for the people and the behind-​the-​scenes efforts. That unseen work is what continues to make this a great library. I honestly haven’t found anything that can match it here in New England, yet.
Also, a little shameless former public servant advice here:
Pay your fines!

Bets library I’ve been to. our kids love it and it has a great book selection (obviously), as well as movies, music and technology center. You can even borrow digital copies for your kindle/​ipad through their website.
Only suggestion would be to make some of their kids activities available on the weekend. They seems to be scheduled mainly during the week which limits our options to enjoy them.

I wish this library was in my district — it is HUGE! It even has a coffee shop. Lucky Elmhurst residesnts!

BEST LIBRARY. Need I say more? Not really, so I’m makin this short… I’ve been to a lot of libraries and this is really my favorite. Modern, high tech, a café inside, a drive threw drop off, an amazing children’s section. I’ve only came here to study so I don’t really have much experience with checking things out/​the staff. But they have tons of study rooms, desks/​nooks to study at that are upstairs and quite. Lots of computers available. I like how they have a silent study room and a silent computer room. Awesome!

Okay, I’m a public librarian in another town so maybe my expectations are too high but I haven’t found the staff here to be very nice. I just moved to Elmhurst and my experience hasn’t been the best.
First, the good. The building is amazing, the collection is pretty excellent, and their website/​facebook page/​chat are all great. I love the drive up bookdrops and the drive through pickup window. There is a gentleman that works at the circulation desk that is super nice, always has a smile, and has something nice to say. In addition to that, the greeter at the information desk always says hello and goodbye! The chat people I have dealt with have always been prompt and friendly and, since my first experience, I have had no issue with circulation.
I didn’t have that great of an experience getting my library card. The lines were nuts (okay, not the staff’s fault) but when I told the woman I needed to sign up for a library card, she rolled her eyes at me. ROLLED HER EYES. I realize sign up is more intensive than checking out but come on. I want to use your library and, even if your issuing me a library card is going to cause more of a backup, keep your eyes facing front.
A week later I visited upstairs and being that I had never been there before I asked one of the librarians to help me find a book that I had seen was on the shelf. First, she didn’t think I had the right author (which I did) but she wouldn’t bother to double check if she thought I was wrong. Then, when I showed her the Amazon listing on my phone and she located the book she didn’t bother to walk me over or even point me in the right direction. She kind of just gave me a half nod towards the back of the room and that was it.
I visited the youth department to check out a video game and was asked by a staff member where my children were. Ummmm, don’t have any, thanks. I’m just going to check this video game out and be on my way. I understand that youth librarians can be protective of kids but I was obviously an adult there for a specific item. I was not loitering or milling around. I walked in, headed right towards the video game, grabbed my game, and was on my out when I was approached.
I surely hope that Elmhurst used its recent staff development day to discuss customer service because most of the staff haven’t done much to make a new patron feel welcome.

GREAT library.
Staff amazing. Not terribly fond automated book return. Prefer having real people to check items in and out. Parking also can be an issue at times. But the staff is very helpful and always willing to help with anything you ask of them. Great windows, lots of light. Very cool.
Drive-​up otion is the best! Plus it’s nice having a coffee shop on premise.

This library has a DRIVE-​THRU WINDOW!!! How much cooler can a library get?!
Once in awhile, I tutor here. I was a bit concerned about driving all the way from Chicago to Elmhurst to tutor, but this library is so cool, I can’t stay away. I’m really glad I have a Metropolitan Library System card, because I can actually browse and check things out!
This library is HUGE and recently remodeled. The children’s section is huge and looks like a giant play area (I’ve never been in, but it looks super cool). Books for kids are so important, especially when a lot of kids nowadays hate reading.
There’s a nice café on the main floor with seating for studying, computing, reading, etc. The prices are cheap and the coffee is pretty decent. They also have a small selection of food items.
Upstairs is a bibliophile’s dream. The fiction and non-​fiction stacks are amazingly organized and large. If Elmhurst doesn’t have it, they’ll get it for you. There’s also a ton of really nice study/​conference rooms and the newest technology available for your personal use. There’s iPads for rent, computers to use for work and a human librarian around if you actually prefer that kind of help.
Oh, and did I mention all of the great programs available for patrons? There’s all kinds of weekly classes to teach you how to do things like cook, sew, use new technology, bake, etc. I think it’s really awesome that this library has the capacity to host so many things for the numerous patrons in the area.
If you love libraries and reading, you need to visit Elmhurst, especially if you have the MLS card. Definitely worth a visit, especially if you use that drive-​thru.

«Without libraries what have we? We have no past and no future.» –Ray Bradbury
Seriously, have you visited the Elmhurst library lately? If you are long overdue for a trip to the library, prepare to be AMAZED. A few library highlights:
1) The librarians are friendly and are excited to help you research topics, find books and other sources of information. They are also very computer savvy and can help you with your Kindle or other technology.
2) They have a drive through book drop off and window where you can pick up materials without entering the library (must request drive through pick-​up in advance).
3) Self checkout and return kiosks! Kids love returning books and watching the kiosk «eat» them. Think Redbox return, but for books.
4) FREE movie rentals!!!
5) Summer reading program with prizes for children and adults.
6) It just feels good… lots of sunshine, hardwood floors, high ceilings. It’s warm and welcoming just like the librarians.
7) Coffee shop, study rooms, etc…
8) If they don’t have the book or movie, they will request it from another library and notify you by email once it has arrived!
«The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.» Dr. Seuss

Okay is it wrong that I stopped her to go to the bathroom here?
I will tell you that I was really impressed with this library. Not living in Elmhurst I decided to walk around and check out why this parking lot was full at 6pm on a Wednesday Night… I do not think everyone had to go potty here.
This location is impressive. There is a coffee shop on the first floor which is really nice but you must finish everything down there and not walk around. What really caught my eye was the drive thru outside the building. Yes this library has a drive thru… like McDonald’s has a drive thru. You can drop off books and pick up books. This is a great feature for older people, lazy people and handicap people. Hey lazy people get out of your car… there is a bathroom in here.
Later in my evening I met two people who happened to work at the library and I informed them how I snuck in to use the bathroom. They informed me that the women at the front desk was tough and she survived WW II. I felt lucky to make it past her now knowing here resume. I also learned that this library was the 6^th best in the country and the 2^nd best library in Illinois. Now I am really impressed with this location and not just for its bathroom.
I do not live in Elmhurst but if I did I would use this gem of a resource in Elmhurst. From the full parking lot and the 5 cars waiting in the drive thru, I can tell that this place is not an undiscovered location but a pillar of the community!

Prospect Ave. on the south side of the Metra tracks is your route to much of everything of cultural significance in Elmhurst, Illinois: the campus of Elmhurst College, the Wilder Mansion (and Wilder Park), Lizzardo Museum of Lapidary Art (opposite Wilder Mansion in the Park), Elmhurst Art Museum, and the modern Elmhurst Public Library.
This library began as the first municipal resident of the Wilder Mansion, but soon outgrew that classical space. So this new, L-​shaped, two-​level stone building was opened in Fall 2003. It is part of the Metropolitan Library System which is made up of member libraries in northeastern Illinois counties. So if you are already a card-​carrying member of any of those libraries (such as the Chicago Public Library), you can probably get a reciprocal lending card here.
Because it was designed from scratch, many exceptional reader and community amenities abound on the library’s two floors: private group meeting and study rooms (keeps the main rooms quiet), a coffee bar (named «More Than Mocha»), a children’s department designed just for little kids, a computer training lab, accommodations for the physically and visually disabled or impaired, and (very unusual) a drive up window for pick up, check out, and returns.
I’m sure I haven’t seen or tried everything there is to experience at this great library. But I plan to be back for more!

Best library in the Western Suburbs by far. Clean, quiet, great staff. The amenties and study rooms are great. The windows let in the right amount of light and the seating is great to settle in and read.
One caveat, they have a A LOT of regulars. I spent a week studying here for an exam and noticed there were people who are very comfortable being there. And by comfortable, I mean kick off my shows, not bathe, and hang out watching DVD after DVD comfortable. So yeah… other than that A+