Edgewater Branch Chicago Public Library

This library was clean and well-​stocked but it was packed on a Tuesday afternoon! Of the CPL branches I’ve visited, this one was hands-​down the busiest (which is probably a good sign!) All of the computers were being used during my visit so I was glad that I had my own computer.
While I wouldn’t recommend this branch as a quiet study spot, I’ll definitely be back when I’m in the area to check out their nice selection of books and other media.
Also for anyone driving to this branch they have a small parking lot that you need to take the alley to access. I was able to snag a spot but there was also lots of street parking nearby!

Whether it was the ghost of Christmas past, or Uncle Scrooge’s bellowing, the staff attitude improved and the atmosphere lightened to match the gem of a building, strictly euro-​modern but bright and cheerful. A welcome change.

This branch has become a convenient stop some nights when traveling home. I haven’t really ventured throughout this location. I usually know what I’m getting and go right in, find it on the shelf and check it out. The few times I have asked for assistance, however, I was given prompt, courteous service.

I’m glad it finally opened up, though I basically only use it for picking up reserved books or returning, so the bus was adequate. Interlibrary transfer takes forever and the lines are always slow, but it’s not like I’m going to drive to another one when this is 3 blocks from me.

I was so glad this place re-​opened shortly after I moved to the ‘hood. I was going to the Rogers Park branch and frankly the checkout staff there was not only slow, but so, so unfriendly.
I would give the Edgewater branch five stars, but the checkout has been painful the few times I went there. There are only two terminals and unlike Rogers Park, the people are really nice. Really nice, as in, chatty. If a patron feels like talking about non-​library related stuff, they hold that conversation even if there are 15 people waiting in line. I know they don’t want to be rude, but come on!
Regardless, I’ve been happy going there and will continue to do so. Yay libraries!

I was loving the Book Mobile, but I’m back to hating this library. New library, same staff and slow motion speeds. Unbearable.
The manager needs some serious training. Here’s a tip: don’t staff the checkout, which requires typing, with a dude who types with his index fingers.

Welsun C. and Bob B. have done most of the heavy lifting about the space. Go! Read! Elbow the masses out of the way to get your hands on all those FRESH, NEW BOOKS!!!
Here is my 2 cents:
I’d give it 5 stars b/​c it’s in my hood and now I won’t get late fees for being unable to return boks (no– the book mobile had no book drop) and because Rita is one of the best librarian I’ve ever met and I’ve been haunting libraries for 40 years SOLID.
However, I took a star off for the flimsy shelving on the second floor, (seriously, the thing rocked when I re-​shelved a book. I’m scared of the future torts I see), and the general sense that, yes, it’s green, it’s new, it’s sort of airy– but it has all the soul of Target and feels like a Walgreens. Not «bare bones» elegant, but more like Ikea furniture– it’s cute today, but will look like crap and feel worse in about 10 minutes with the kind of use that place is going to get.
Don’t mean to harsh on it– just doing my job here in attempting to be rational and honest while still appreciating my blessings.

On opening day, June 29, 2013, the newly rebuilt (from the ground up) library was beautiful and ready for business. The no-​charge parking lot next door (only for about a dozen cars) is viewable from the street, but only vehicular-​accessible by the alley entrance. Attendance was fairly typical for a Saturday afternoon, including about 2 dozen in line for check-​out and new library cards, etc., at the front desk. Since the place is still so new, a lot of books, media, and reference materials have yet to be shelved (probably some late nights for the staff).
New for this facility is the second floor (the previous building never had one). This is where the full length of the south wall is devoted to computer workstations. About a fifth of the large room holds their A-​V (CDs, DVDs, etc.) collection, and the major part for sit-​down reading and work at long tables. If you will have trouble using the nice staircase, there is an elevator at the north wall to make this floor fully accessible.
And as confirmed on this first visit, you can always count on a public library for a clean bathroom. Fascinating to read that this has a green rooftop. I hope they open that up for viewing soon.

This library building update was a long time (about two years) coming, but really worth the wait! The formerly cramped space has almost doubled to around 1600 sq. feet (it’s supposedly the largest branch library in the city), with a new 2^nd floor, lots of windows, community meeting space and even a teen studying center. The building is even LEED Silver certified, with a permeable paved parking lot, recycled materials used throughout construction and a green roof.
It’s filled with new books, and what looks like more than twice the computer stations than were there before construction, which is great, because this branch is supposedly one of the busiest in the city. I can believe that, since there was actually a line of over 20 people checking out books on opening day, even though the line was moving fairly quickly. The same great staff is back, so, get on down there and say «Hi!». I know I’ll be using the other nearby branches less, except when the local branch doesn’t have the book I’m looking for. The inter-​branch book delivery system is still pretty slow.