Chicago Public Library Review

I would come here plenty of times while studying at Depaul University right across the street. This is a really cool place to explore and just walk around. It s also a very good community center. There are several levels and it s easy to get lost but the signs point you to where you need to go. My favorite part about this place is the winter garden room on the top floor. It s one of the best places to eat your lunch or even study or read a book. The architecture on the outside is pretty well known and is a staple in Chicago. The security guards are also very kind and do a good job answering your questions.

Fantastic library, and the YouMedia section is both visually and mentally stimulating, but many of the staff are often short or passive with people.

This is a very large library in Chicago. It is an historic building and worth a walk through. It has nine floors, all of which look more or less alike. The first two floors are worth seeing with the water fall and pool. The library was surprising quiet, and well stocked with books (if other people still read).

You have become a big part of this Newcomer to the South Loop's life

My customer service experience via phone was horrible. I called to check out a book, they didn t have it at this location. However, I was steered towards the library on 95th & Halsted? I asked about other locations, she stated the other one was far north. Not sure why she assumed I lived south as opposed to simply asking me but it felt very racially charged. I actually live on the northside in Lincoln Park. So, I disclosed that information to her. She then placed me on hold while she contacted that library and then hung up. Beautiful library, horrible phone rep.

The is a very Beautiful well kept ,well ran Library. Impressive.

It's a pleasure to visit it, sit around in the quiet and read. They have computers and if you are a student you can use them for as long as you need.

Fantastic library in the middle of the city with a wide array of books. Easily accessible from the red and brown lines. Expansive collection of hundreds upon hundreds of books spanning multiple floors. If you love reading, this place is paradise.

Great place from top to bottom. Just watch out for the thuggery

What a great place. Along with books, computer access, CDs, DVDs etc., There's a lab where you can learn about 3D printing, there's a repository for government documents, place to practice musical Instruments, the ninth floor is the best space in the city, there's a place for exhibit at the top, librarians who will assist you with searching, youth center for multimedia, auditorium for author events ..... Just fantastic .

Quiet, clean, and friendly atmosphere. The reference desk was of great assistance. The environment is perfect for studying and they never run out of resources!

We've worked at Harold Washington Library many times over the years and are so fascinated with the space! The Winter Garden Room has a gorgeous vaulted ceiling, beautiful trees and greenery grown in and exquisite architecture. The space has an outdoor feel and vibe, without having to worry about the weather. The venue staff is always a pleasure to work with and are dedicated to the success of every event we partner on. Kim Reynolds is an ABSOLUTE pleasure to work with!

I envy Chicagoans having such a nice library where they can study, have fun with puzzles, enjoy lunch or dinner in eating room, talk friends at top-floor winter room. As a tourist, I'm amazed by their fast internet speed - uploading 100+ SLR pictures around 1 minute.

I want to support and like the library, I really do. But with a 3 month back-log of books the online catalog is useless and finding a book is impossible.

They actually suggest you browse through the carts and carts of books waiting to be shelved to find something that has recently been returned.

They are seriously understaffed.

Tip: If you are searching online and says a book is available, go ahead and put a 'hold' on it so they pull it from the shelves for you. You can spend 45 minutes trying to find a book that is supposedly checked-in otherwise.

What a magnificent library for people craving for knowledge and peace of mind!

Great place to enhance your mind and keeping up with the times.

The children's library is very good. That also have a maker space with friendly members

A huge library with a lot of useful information. Librarians aer there are very knowlegeable and friendly.

Well stocked. Plenty of rest rooms. Many quiet nooks for reading. Loads of computers. Love this cpl. It's way overheated tho

This is a massive building of books. I love this place. It has all the books I need and the children s section is very nice. It has a quiet environment.

I come here before work every other day. On the 8th floor they have free private practice rooms with a piano in each. It's one hour per room, once a day.

I completely get lost in this library but its so detailed and it's amazing also!

Good place.Very quiet and well organized library.Friendly atmosphere, most staff members are helpful & understanding to library visitors & guests.

I love going to the library, and this is one of my favorite ones. MY favorite part is the U-Media section. I can feel at home with other teens. The only thing I don't like is the service. I don't always get friendly people,but it's not a huge problem. I love the programs and author signings.

Really like the fact that this library has music practice rooms.

Large library with a wide selection of books and resources. I had trouble scanning a book at one of the machines. A friendly staff member was able to help me check out 2 books. Thank you!! I will be back again.

Staffs were helpful and kind. Good ambiance and always clean. Organized too.

Awesome library! If you can't find it here.....
Make sure you go to the top floor.

Greatest library in world
Take a tour. Go to top crystal room

There are so many resources here - from computers, to resume and financial help, maker space with lasers and 3D printing. It's also in a stunning space which is quiet and has nice long hours.

It's one of the best places in Chicago.

Too restrictive now. Access to 3rd floor only. Otherwise I would rate 5 stars. Great library with very good staff.

One of the best City Libraries I have visited in the Country. If you have time, go to the top floor and relax in the beautiful atrium or take in the exhibits they have. Also pay attention to the list of speakers they have on a monthly basis.

They have helped millions with their careers, myself included.

One of the most spacious, expansive libraries I have been to. The staff is very good and helpful. Their website is very good and you can extend the time that you have to bring back a book that you checked out. Their website makes this very easy to do.
The vast volume of books and the amazing variety of books are awesome. Getting a library card here is very much worth it. I needed a scholarly article. To save space, they didn't have the periodical, but they had it on microfilm. I was able to copy the article on microfilm for no charge.
The library isn't perfect. They have goofy people who want to hang out there, smell and make noise (so go to another floor if need be). One morning this month, security didn't allow anyone to use 3rd floor computers until noon for no apparent reason.
But, again, the staff is very good. The book, periodical and magazine selection is excellent. There are exhibits that are historical............Harold Washington Library is a library that you can be proud to hold a library card from!

Excellent facilities, access to a huge collection, a staff that goes above and beyond.

The most comprehensive library in Chicago, including new and popular titles. Easy to navigate, check out, return, pay fines (oops), and any other logistics online or with friendly staff. Reachable by all 'L' trains and a few major bus routes, e.g. 147. Plenty of study/work space with access to power outlets.

Beautiful! 9 stories and more books than I could have ever imagined. Clean and organized. When you reach a new floor there are handy written guides that tell you what books are on that level.

By far best library in Chicago!! I live in Chatham and when I visit my nearby library they never have the lastest book and DVDs, but HWL always does!! Expansive career center section for job seekers to spend all day on the latest resume and interview techniques.

Very impressed by this grand historic library. Great selections. Quiet places to read and work. Love the lobby!

I's a very nice library but there are very little power outlets. A lot of of the study areas are underutilized because there are no power outlets near the tables.

This library is amazing. Beautiful. Quiet... all TEN floors!! Wonderful resources and events.

Well it is the main Public Library in Chicago. I went there last week and became a member, an easy process thanks to friendly staff. The books I was looking for were reference, which means there is only one of them in CPL system and you cannot check them out, the bad news is that you cannot see which book is reference through their website, but the good news is that they are all kept in this Center. Nice building, nice spaces for reading. However, you can find all different kinds of ppl walking around since it's a public library!

This is an awesome library, the staff helped me with some research, they were very knowledgeable. The 9th floor has a gallery of Harold Washington's achievements

Love coming here brings back memories. Such a nice cozy place to read a book!

For completing piano lessons 8 rooms with donated pianos. 1 hour to practice once a day. .good place to study Sunday School lessons and bible study as well as class work.

4 stars only because of 1 hour rule. Maybe 10 people on computers. I'll return.

This is a beautiful library with something for everyone. Obviously the books rule, but the meeting & studying spaces, as well as the special exhibits, are worth the trip.

The only downside can be the smell, since it's a homeless haven. I've gotten in a few elevators after a very ripe smellin' person and it's not ideal, but it shouldn't distract you from using the all of the FREE resources this great library has to offer.

It is not a good library for studying. It is super noisy. Downtown is noisy. You can only have a study room for two hours which is located my the noisy street and people don't respect silent libraries. It's like a meet up spot.

Persoonel are really helpful. They ease information research. A place to look for!

Fabulous teen center filled with wonderful activities such as computers and video games for the kids. There's also a huge selection of teen books full of adventure and heartbreak covering the wide experiences of a teenagers life. I always enjoy chilling here with my friends.

The CPL is an amazing institution and this building embodies it so well. They have a great collection of books themselves, and, amazingly to this resident alien, can scare you up a copy of just about anything from their network. A great part of the American tradition and one I hope will endure. Don't ever change CPL!

Top notch circulating and reference book collections, and the computers are a lot more functional than most branch libraries.
Downside: toilets are always a mess, and the number of loud or even violent patrons getting thrown out of the computer section by armed security guards gets disturbing after a while.

The 9th floor is a fabulous place to see the special exhibits or to relax in a open, airy, bright space. Plenty of seating and spaced out enough to really feel like you are sitting in your own living room/study. The interactive innovation lab space set up on the third floor has interesting projects and free classes available. Great library.

Great library, the best in Chicago. It really has something for everyone.

Everything about this library is amazing. The books, the views, the silence. It's what a library should be.

This is one of my favorite modern library designs as it takes new construction techniques and applies them to neoclassical building styles. The result is a vintage look with a modern twist. The red brick base perfectly balances the glass rooftop adorned with seven massive aluminum adornments. Best of all, the designers took their inspiration from other famous Chicago buildings, ensuring the whole structure fits in perfectly with its surroundings.

The new normal all the computers is tape up and sign up for computer in the new normal or social distractions

As far as libraries or architectural sites go it's okay

I love this place. Delight your mind with knowledge !!

A great library with numerous resources and lots of space to sit and get work done.

Nice library. I go here to study sometimes. The staff is friendly and helpful.

Another library that I always enjoy visiting! The Lib is really helpful. I saw a lot of other individuals from different ages visiting this lib and it was really amazing that a lot of us still wants to learn more and more and more! Keep the good work and keep supplying us with new and fresh information

The library is pretty good. I really like the architecture of the building. The people that work there are pretty courteous and they are always willing to help you.

I did not enter the building, the outside difference was enough for me. Mixed with a variety of architectural styles and artistic references, this building is a wonderful curiosity

Tuesday January 3 time 7:29 pm
on the 2nd floor, there is writing on the wall that reads "What journey of mind and spirit are there for the taking with a library card." (David Mccullaoug) A women is acting drunk, unpleasant, and disruptive. A man, who she was targeting threw his gloves on the bench and held up his hands. He looked like he had homicidal tendencys due to the verbal abuse.

My favourite buildings in Chicago. Built surprisingly in 1988, free entrance, and open from 8.30 to late. Looks like a 1930 s Art Deco style architecture. The Library named after first African American to be Chicago s mayor in 1983, died in office in 1987. A Conservatory winter garden at the top of the building, with beautiful murals in the hallway. The childrens library has different areas for challenged learners. Halls in foyer and stairs areas with quotes on walls by Harold Washington speeches, and writers like Kafka.

I can lose myself for hours. Services are a breeze. Staff are knowledgeable, helpful, and courteous. Online account is easy to set up, use, and has great services.

Breathtakingly grand library with many levels of books, exhibits and computers to take advantage of. You could probably spend an entire afternoon here.

While returning from overseas I stayed st Pacific Garden Mission and walked to the main library. Did much research, joined aa boo club and was recruited for a help in a parade. Large with accessable music, computer rooms, historical documentaries and performances. Best one I've seen yet.

The biggest library in Chicago. You will always be able to find the book that you need there. Enjoy!

Awesome library. A very cool building to walk around just to see the architecture. Make sure you go all the way to the 9th floor.

What a library should be.
It brought me joy to think of ALL the knowledge housed in this building.
8 floors of greatness. Music and arts located at the top floor. They have vinyl records for borrowing on shelves just like you'd have books.
All the media labs are great too.
The largest children's area I've ever seen in library, ANYWHERE..on the second floor.
THIS PLACE IS GREATNESS.
!!!

Been at this library couple times now only for getting on the computers and just passing time doing things so I don't know much about the other parts of the library. The library structure is very nice and its conveniently located near buses and the L stops for those who get around by public transportation

A beautiful place. Pretty massive building that has more than just books as a library and the computer is always open. The best in Chicago. Best place to study and learn. I would love to come again.

The children's library is amazing! My 4 year old loved all the different free activities!

I Like the Harold Washington ibrary one of the most thing that really like about the library the Art work, Thank God for the elevators, they need to upgrade the computers,and I like entire Library.

Very nice library with great safety standards during the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff was attentive and helped me in printing documents.

Friendly staff, abundant resources of informatoin. The pride of Chicago!

I love the winter room, but make sure to bundle up in the colder months and charge your electronics. This area had like 1 outlet. So when I need a charge, I go elsewhere in the library. But I just love this place overall. And the person that it's named after, makes it that much more special and inviting.

Chicago's representative public library. Public libraries in major US cities are quite architecturally beautiful and clean. Anyone can come in and read or borrow a book and it is less crowded than in public libraries in Korea. There is even a high garden at the top of the 9th floor.

This is such an incredible library! The largest public in the US and it is one of the best! The children s section is amazing and the staff there are extremely helpful! I thought the best part of the library was the top floor! Simply stunning! The glass, and architecture and atmosphere are breathtaking. If you are in the area, do yourself a favor and check it out

This library is absolutely beautiful and the employees are so helpful and nice