Glenview Public Library

I’m not going to repeat all the accolades for the new Glenview Public Library others have already listed, except to say that I, too, am a user who travels from a nearby community to use this well-​designed, attractive, comfortable, well-​lighted space for serious work.
Why? All the foregoing, of course, but most of all because the designers and staff of this new library had the foresight to create a large, open, attractive room – the entire second floor, in fact – for QUIET work.
I so, so appreciate this!
Short of heading off to a college or university library – which are not always open to general users – it is becoming increasingly difficult to find quiet library space within which to read, write, research, study, whatever… The reasons for this I’ll not go into. Suffice to say, it’s a distressing, puzzling phenomenon, and for someone who does the work I do, very problematic.
Three cheers for Glenview and the Glenview Public Library! I do wish other local libraries would take a few cues from you!

This is one of the best libraries in the Northshore. I have very fond memories here and remember what it used to look like. There were major changes done to this library. The library is large. It’s also aesthetically better-​looking. There’s nice new wood panels, large windows, automatic doors. There’s also a lot of areas for sitting and reading or studying. The parking has also gotten better. There’s underground garage parking, and so far I haven’t had to go searching for a spot. There’s always a spot open. The library is also near the NW– Metra line, off the Glenview stop. I’ve ran into a few people who come from Chicago in order to use this library. I’m glad the library is being used by more people. I think it’s a great place for the community.

I love this library– the kids section is huge! There is also an abundance of toys and games that kids can check out, and a play section with puzzles and legos which is perfect for my 2.5 year old. When my kids are both older they can take advantage of the media room where they show movies on random nights. I like the fact that they serve coffee too. The parking lot situation sucks, but it’s one of the nicest libraries I’ve been to– I wish I came here when I was still in school!

I have been coming to the Glenview Public Library since literally birth. It is the library that I compare all others to. I have seen the building grow and change over the years. Their A/​V selection is very good. I use it as an alternate to Redbox. For $ 1, you get either a 7-​day rental of a movie (out sooner than Redbox/​Netflix) or a 2-​week loan of a TV series. The staff has gotten way friendlier over the years as well. You can tell you loves their job.
My biggest complaint involves their parking lot. Their parking lot has improved greatly with the new building, but it is still too small. Also, it feel like I am playing «dodgecar» all of the time in the lot.

This library is awesome! Doing my work here is also a good idea because it’s nice and quiet. I also love how many different seating options there are. Super place.

Who writes a bad review for a library? Who write a review for a library at all?
Place is brand new and thus clean. Could use a larger area for quiet study, plenty of private rooms tho. Since everything is so scattered, if its busy, I have to walk around the whole place looking for an open table. Make it simple, designate an area. Otherwise I’ve spent the last year here studying for my LSATs. Got a lot done. Keep it up.

I am very impressed with the Glenview Public Library. They have a historical room that has all the suburban city directories so nicely organized. The reference desk was very helpful assisting me with everything that I needed. Beautiful library. Thank you.

In the movie cheesy sci-​fi movie Time Chasers (which was featured as an episode of Mystery Science Theater 3000) the evil corporate villain’s office looked like the lobby mezzanine of a library. This the kind of memory that I find myself with when I’m at the Glenview library. It’s a very modern, but cold and prefabbed look and feel. I haven’t viewed the collection in great detail but I was brought here for a few titles that weren’t available at my usual library in Northbrook. There is lots of chairs, tables and reading space which makes it an easy place to come to for study, but the style and feel of the building just isn’t very cozy the way I like a library to feel.

Great place to get your study on (not sure on the book/​dvd selection, though).
This library is gorgeous!
–many open windows — so you don’t feel like you’re in prison when it’s your 20^th day straight studying
–new clean dark wood tables and chairs with tabletop outlets and lamps
–free wifi
–clean bathrooms
–quiet study space on the 2^nd floor with individual cubicles, a couple of couches, and a large table tucked away behind a glass encasement for silence
−5−6 group study rooms on the 2^nd floor — can be booked in 2 hour increments
–abundant parking
Beware, they are very, and I mean VERY, crazy strict about their no food policy. I was treated as though I had committed a crime against humanity for eating my dinner while studying. So eat your snacks/​dinner/​food at the hallway tables inside before entering the actual library. They are fine so far with coffee and bottled water.
I wish they had longer hours, but, I guess it just pushes me to be extra productive!

An amazingly clean and modern library. It’s only a couple years old. They have a nice children’s area with a lot of games to check out. The coffee machine is also pretty good quality. My only criticism would be the floor plan for being able to get a table to study or work. Most of the tables in the front are only for two people. They have only about five tables for multiple people. Unless you reserve a study room. You need to be a Glenview resident and have a Glnv Library card to do that.

Very nice and clean newly renovated library.
Not quite the extensive fiction selection of the downtown Chicago library, but still pretty strong.
DVD selection is impressive: Lots of foreign films, art films, classics, and new releases. Music selection is also very good, with tons of indie rock, punk rock, etc. to complement more mainstream selections.
Self-​checkout kiosks are also very convenient.

I used to come here all the time. I love how there are study areas and the overall selection at the library is very good.

As a person who might as well pitch a tent in the library parking lot (because i am at one 95% of the time) this place is the mecca of libraries in my opinion.
Two floors of library goodness and the study space is amazing. Lots of open tables with outlets attached to them, a handful of private rooms (you really have to get lucky to snag those), and a quiet study area that has 4 desks and a few chairs. I love coming here for that reason. There are so many spaces to read/​study and it’s always dead quiet.
Plus! amazing wi-​fi, drink and snack machines, and there are a few restaurants right across the street in case you need some munchies. Love.

a few words to describe this library:
warm
inviting
polished
beautiful
bright
open
techy
i love the dark wood everywhere. there’s also a double-​sided fireplace near the entrance, which i’ve never seen before and i imagine is pretty cool when it’s got a fire in it. self check out is a plus. beautiful art in the entryway.
the teen room was very impressive – comfy booths, appealing book displays, and even a flat screen with video game systems at the ready. i would totally hang out in there after school. i just don’t quite understand the logistics of how they can restrict access to only hs students, but have parts of the collection housed in there. what if i’m in 7^th grade and i want a copy of the hunger games? can i go in and get it?
a couple of other, what i might call «missed opportunities» in this building were the «green» terrace and the youth space. don’t get me wrong– both are beautiful. just, perhaps underutilized. they have this gorgeous terrace, but there are no chairs out there. there’s nothing to indicate that you are even allowed to go out there. it seems a shame to me that the space is not being constantly experienced, enjoyed, and loved. and the youth department seemed kind of small for how big the library (and i assume the community) is. where do the little buggers hang out? it seemed a little sparce in the preschool area. they did have a ginormous collection of toys and games available for checkout, though!
overall this is a lovely building, with lovely, dedicated staff, and many modern library conveniences, like a media lab and self checkout stations. the kind of library that makes me a little jealous, but also reminds me of what i love about my own library.

After all that work Glenview… and here’s your new library. Fresh digs, nicer building, bathrooms on the second floor, study rooms, more nooks and crannies for bookworms, students, and nappers.
While I had practically lived in the library as a child (nerd i am, i am), and would at this age most likely be jubilant that we have a new library… I do miss the fact that this new building isn’t as well arranged, inside and out. The map can suffice for the indoor confusion, but outdoors… the drop off box is on the side of the building in a dead end driveway, and parking is (at this time), sparse and hard to find. Hope it gets better before Dairy Bar opens and we lose the parking across the street.
A few nice additions: there are open community movie nights, children activities, a nice warm fireplace in the front, computer lab and a complete separate area for the used bookstore. (Worth a trip if you want a good deal)

Many a brainstorming and planning went into the building of the new library. Not to mention, $ 28 million dollars. The plans changed from moving the new library to the Glen, renovating the old digs, and plans changed architects hands before the unveiling back in October/​2010.
I am happy that the library did not move out of downtown Glenview but I have not been able to fully embrace the changes. I have come into the library for quick run through and quicker pick ups and drop offs.
The parking lot when finished will stand where the old library was torn down. Street parking directly across the street on Harlem is 30 minutes or else the 5 – 0 will ticket your car. The old parking lot still curves along Glenview road and Lincoln. Book and AV material drop off bins line Prairie street.
The library now houses proper seated areas for movies, a used book store, and a fireplace for lounging the day away. The staff at the front check out are patient dealing with my over due fines.

I can’t wait until they tear down the old building so that we can finally park next to the new building. I recently moved to Glenview so I didn’t experience the old library. My fiancé worked there when he was younger and said it was very small and «not much to think about.» Now, I believe it is one of the best libraries in the Chicagoland area! I study here frequently and the amenities are always accommodating. Plenty of desk/​outlet space, which is key for me and the ambiance and décor is homey and welcoming. There are a lot of programs that run through the library and the Multimedia/​Meeting Rooms look amazing. I haven’t attended a Book Club meeting or lecture yet, but Glenview did a really great job revamping their library. I feel lucky to have this library close by!

I can’t believe they are tearing down the old building for a new parking lot. But the new addition is nice. It is huge. Just went to the ribbon cutting ceremony today. It is a welcome addition to Glenview and is one of the best libraries in the area. I highly recommend visiting in a couple of weeks when when the celebrating is over and the crowed has thinned out.

I spent several hours in the library today, and felt as if I had travelled back in time: partially because I saw a girl who was the spitting-​image 12-​year-​old version of my ex-​girlfriend, who happened to grow up in Glenview, and partially because the library reminded me strongly of my hometown public library. In size, selection, and amenities, it seems to compare to a medium-​sized CPL branch. It doesn’t hold a candle to the Evanston Public Library, but they’re constructing a new building next year, so one can hope.
I fled my office in search of a quiet place to concentrate on some project documents, and the library filled that need nicely. They have study tables on both floors, but I found the second-​story tables more to my liking, as they were off the beaten path of most library patrons. There is a large central skylight which gives a lot of great natural light to the entire space. The second floor is open in the middle so that it essentially forms a thick square balcony above the main floor. I like the design.
During breaks in my work, I perused the stacks out of curiosity, since my usual library needs are strictly books, and found the selection expectedly sparse; they have a LOT of crappy recent fiction and pop non-​fiction. However, they also sport a large collection of foreign-​language volumes, especially Korean. Downstairs is the A/​V room, and they offer quite a large number of CDs, audiobooks, and DVDs. I saw a lot of recent, popular stuff, so this must be a real convenience for the people of Glenview.
The library runs a small book-​sale area on the second floor, and if you can happen to dig up a gem in here, you will pay next to nothing: most paperbacks fifty cents and hardbacks one dollar.
There are four free internet computers on the ground floor, and the place was swarming with staff, so you ought never fail to find someone to answer your questions.