Woodson Regional Library Review

One of the overall best libraries in the City of Chicago.

Ample collection of Black authored books on wide ranging subjects. Also has a large PC Commons area if you need to use a computer on-site. Two one hour sessions allowed but during coronavirus pandemic currently only one per day. Many opportunities to find quiet reading area.

This library has many books to choose from and is always a delight to visit. I enjoy there comfy reading area and friendly librarians.

It is open that's the good thing I'm grateful for that I was able to use the computer and print copy only thing you get 60 minute a day so you better work fast. To get all you need done or you have to come back the next day but i all i am satisfied thank you woodson

Library has good seating, book variety, many computers and "friendly staff". my complain is that the staff is usually loud and causes disturbance more than the visiting people. The Security & their loud radio as if we were in the Pentagon. too many security staff and their radios always around you causing distraction. cleaners clean around you and always talking to themselves loudly about how they do most of the work in the library. other library staff just sit and chat loudly with each other for long times with no regard to the people and have nothing to do. when people ask them for something, 80% of the time they ask them to go downtown because they only provide few services. I was looking at them when a customer called they kept passing the phone to each other and putting the person on hold frequently because they don't want to deal with it and then they ended it by asking her to call the downtown branch.

Great facility but the staff ruins its reputation.

Dropped in to check out the renovation and get some writing in. You can see the difference in comparison to the 'old' Woodson. The place seemed modernized, and I saw a couple of classes being held for community members. One was a home buying class I think. Thumbs up there. I was very impressed seeing that and even more impressed with the class being full. The chairs...gotta talk about them. The old school wooden chairs are not comfortable. Surprised that they went with those vs something with a little cushion. One thing I wasn't a fan of was the constant patrolling of security. I get you wanna keep distractions and nonsense to a minimum, but it got to a point to where I felt I was being watched just for working on my laptop. The security walking with the radio volume up is a distraction too. The area has a open design, so you can get away with a central post and the use of cameras. That's probably my biggest complaint, but I'd rather have that as a complaint vs a dirty place with unprofessional staff. I'll be back for sure. We have a great regional library on the south side.

Amazing service! Librarians are extremely nice. I can easily get in and get out!

A treasure trove of information and resources !

Really, Really like this library compared to others in black communities....However, cldn't give 5 stars because I also have experienced attitude AND laziness at the main entrance desk PLUS there are a lil too much security acting like we're suspicious about something. You don't see that in other libraries, not that many

My experience the powerful presence of team work. Thank for helping me and my son.

Outstanding......my favorite library, been my favorite for years, staff is very helpful, I started out in my teens coming to this library now my kids are also enjoying this wonderful library! Keep up the legacy of doing great things Woodson staff!

Love this place for my kids... The rebuild is really nice in the kids part..

My favorite library. I come here often to check out material or study. Clean and quiet, helpful staff.

The security guards, at least three on each floor, walk around like it is a jail institution, and the clean-up lady walks around like she doesn't have nothing else to do but to sweep around your feet all day. They now act like nobody is good enough to come into their new, clean library.

Friendly staff and i can always get on computer without a reservation

Just thought I would share this...I had my bluetooth earbuds in and on entering and exiting through the detectors I hear a tone from them.

I enjoyed my time at The Woodson Library but it was just a bit cool after I set there for 40 minutes reading otherwise a pleasant atmosphere. There was some very nice relaxing music playing on the 1st floor and I commented to the security officer that I wished you could hear the pleasant music on the 2nd floor where you can actually sit down.

I have been going to Woodson Library for years, and have yet to see "friendly staff." They seem cold and evasive. Can never locate the people you need for events. They tell you the AV guy is coming, but he never shows up. Hope they get a new staff during the renovation. The young people deserve better. What good is a new facility with jaded employees? Don't believe it? Check it out yourself.

While the place has been renovated, I would have to say that the staff ruin the library experience. The ones I dealt with were condescending and rude when I was trying to locate where a file saved on the computer. Other than that, the computers are very slow when you need to use the internet. The renovation is nice, but the staff ruins it.

I literally just walked in, received unnecessary attitude and walked right back out. There were flyers posted on the main doors stating the computer system was down. I asked one of the front desk agents, what exactly does that mean..just the Internet or word processing? She gave me nothing but attitude, saying "well it means exactly what's on the sign." Stating no clarity while continuing to hold a conversation with a patron standing behind me. Extremely rude and disrespectful. So I'll take my business downtown where I don't have to deal with the ignorance of an employee waving their long nails with excessive colors in my face. Completely unprofessional. I'll never return to this library.

Thank you to the staff for being so helpful and hosting the Lilydale Abbott Park Historical Society.

Great Library! Great People Are Not Only In The Books! Great People Work Here and Great People Live Here!

I love the nice computers but they need to upgrade there computer preformence

I bring my Granddaughter weekly because she isn't old enough for school. Miss Annette is a BEAUTIFUL LOVING person and Ms Bing . BRITTAN enjoys STORYTIME and ARTS and crafts. Playtime is a must .THANK YOU

I came today to get my taxes done. I'm 76yrs.old and on oxygen 24/7. The security staff Jennifer and Serena helped me walk to my destination.
They went over and above to help me, which I am so thankful for. Also the AARP staff that took care of me were wonderful also. I want to give my heartfelt thanks to all at this location.
Keep up the great work, see ya next year.

Largest collection of African American literature in the MidWest area

A Very Clean Facility. But the staff is very cold & distant...

Love the new look..it's real comfortable and lively..so much to do everyday of the week.. librarians are so knowledgeable..great social atmosphere!

One of the better libraries on the south side the Chi.

I've always enjoyed coming to this library in my youth. I enjoy it more now in my adult years. The atomophere is very calm, the facility is very clean, it's spacious and staff including security is very pleasant.!!

Mainly because my friends and i had the honor of designing the mural for the children's library back in 1998. So whenever you see that mural just know that i was one of its creators.

Staff is nice but like every library it's always a smart ass at front desk until you politely put them in check.. overall great library with a great black history section

The staff was so helpful and knew of the people and books I needed. Since I didn't have the correct ID to get a Library card they said I can bring in proof I reside in Illinois. We do.

I remember coming to this library as a kid and to visit just recently for a workshop. Life is full circle. I love any library that you can walk in a smell the use of books instead of ppl...lol anywho the people quite friendly and the location is big. Kudos to the renovation.

Was a really great library with very helpful staff. Unfortunately it has been closed since Nov 2016 with almost no notification. And its supposed to be finished & reopened in Nov 2017. Google really needs to update their records.

I love this library. I enjoy the historical exhibits in the Vivian Harsh Collection. The image of Dr. Carter G. Woodson on the front of the Renovated library is so beautiful.

My favorite library. The staff is always helpful and friendly.

As a small business owner, it's very convenient to have a place to go while in the field and in between appointments where there's wi-fi and printers.

It's run like a prison. Way too many guards with nothing to do but walk around constantly looking over your shoulder. Makes you feel like you're an inmate. Too many guards for a library. It's a waste of tax payers money. Go check it and post your findinds. Atleast 8 guards t