Billington Library – Johnson County Community College

This rating is for the Johnson County Community College Billington Library’s culinary arts collection. JCCC has one of the largest and best-​regarded culinary arts programs in the U.S. and the library reflects that. They have quite a large cookbook collection! Not very well-​known is that non-​college people can check out books at the library, especially if they’re Johnson County residents or business owners. (More info on the library’s website.) The circulating collection is on the library’s second floor, but there is also a large non-​circulating culinary arts reference library in OCB 153. Ask at the library for directions and hours the reference collection is available.
The online catalog is easy to use — you’ll get great browsing results if you’re making a general search by entering the values «(nationality/​ethnicity/​style)» and «cookery», like French cookery or Brazilian cookery or Jewish cookery. You can also use terms like «desserts» or «baking» or «vegetarian.» Of course, you can also search by a book’s title or author if you already know them.
There are quite good cookbook collections at the Johnson County Library (I know they’re pretty extensive at the Central Resource Library and Oak Park branch) but when you can’t find the cookbook you’re looking for at your local public library, JCCC’s Billington Library is where to look next! Especially if it’s an older, expensive or out-​of-​print cookbook! Thumbs up for a great local culinary resource! Professional chefs and curious home cooks will love this library!