Eisenhower Public Library District

***bookworm alert***
This library is the best thing in this neighborhood. It has the cutest café inside with amazing pastries baked right there. Some. of the library study tables are by the window as well as in the hall. There is a silent room with big windows, tables, armchairs, and magazines. They have kids room as well. I have never been inside but looks cute.
They have good selection of books. If you are a bookworm like me and around the neighborhood I’ll say give it a try.

Libraries are safe havens. The staff is nice. The librarians who work on the weekends tend to be nicer than the ones who work on the weekdays. They’re just friendlier. The guy at the front desk who helped us print a paper from our laptop deserves a medal for his patience and awesomeness.

Way too loud to actually read or focus on anything. The patrons as well as the employees appear to go here to socialize. Can’t get any studying done what’s so ever which is unfortunate because esthetically it’s a nice place.

This place is the best library ever, it is peaceful and you could print in color and it’s very cool.

Study rooms are awful!
No sound proofing — what’s the point?!?
In addition if u choose to use one — make sure to brink a parka — the temperature progressively gets colder and colder!
The hours on Friday and Sunday are also very inconvenient –

The Eisenhower is one of the best designed public libraries that I’ve come across. Separated by glass doors are study rooms, a spacious children’s room, cozy quiet room and plenty of individual work spaces along the tall windows. Although the enclosed rooms were taken, it was very still quiet in the main section. I was impressed by how well kept and clean everything looked. There is even a little bakery/​café where you can refresh or lounge in! They have extended hours until 9 pm from Monday through Thursday, and open on Sunday. The large parking lot is icing on the cake. This is truly as good as it gets!

I love this place. I am a Chicago resident and Eisenhower is way better than any CPL in my area.
I have been here almost every day for the past couple of weeks because I am studying for my NCLEX. The quiet room in the back is my sanctuary. It has three desks, a bunch of armchairs, and bookshelves with various books and magazines. The huge windows fill the room with sunlight. There is a corner desk by the window that I absolutely love.
I also enjoy the bakery. It has baked goods, sandwiches, smoothies, pastry pockets… you name it! Be sure to pick up their discount card: you get 50% off on your next item after your 5^th visit!

This library is awesome. Plenty of study tables, fast wifi, little cute café linked to this, amazing quiet study room with wide windows and ample sunlights. How can you just not love libraries.

I was in this area last week for an appointment (I am an independent free lance professional) and I am still a huge fan of this library. The staff is always helpful, hospitable, cheerful and always willing to go above and beyond expectations. I have been to several Chicago Public Library branches, and the customer service doesn’t match up to this library. If you have young children they have movies for them (free) and they also have books that are read aloud to young children (under the age of 9). If you are into useless calories, a high content of fat grams and carbohydrates you can stop in at their coffee/​bakery shop and grab a goodie (although I never have). They sell coffee and cold beverages also. During the winter time they sell hot chocolate!
Finally, if you are hungry when you are all done at this library, you can always grab a cold or hot lunch at the nearby Mariano’s. There is also a Panera Bread, Pot Belly, Noodles and Chipotle’s minutes away from this beautiful library.
I am an avid reader… love to read, so it is nice to know that the employees at this library are always willing to help and provide excellent customer service. This is so rare in today’s society. When I get «excellent» service I tend to become a «repeat» customer, because I appreciate great customer service.

Sure glad they have reciprocity with Chicago!
It is large and bright.
It has study rooms, quiet rooms and many computers. So there is never a long wait.
Staff is friendly and helpful.
There are many classes to take and things to do. Large selection of books, dvds, dvds and magazines. If they do not have it they will get it for you.
One of these days I will try the bakery.
Does it get any better?

Can’t imagine a better library… aside from everything a library should offer-​extensive book collection, movies, computers, etc., what makes me a frequent flyer is the numerous classes, activities, and children’s area available, as well as coffee/​bakery shop. Several FREE classes available in English AND Polish mon-​fri for children as young as 18months, with different times to accommodate schedule. Just show up, whether resident or not, and unless class is full, your in. Classes run 30 – 45 min and kids make craft each time. Also offer several special events for kids of all ages and adults almost very week (some require registration as space limited); most free some only $ 5. Large kids area has toys, puzzles, along with countless books & movies to rent. Coffee shop has great selection of brews as well as delicious IN HOUSE FRESHLY baked goods (scones, biscuits, cookies… Even a pancake bacon muffin!). The shop looks almost shabby chic, like someone’s home. Resident or not, check out site for details, you will find something for yourself or family. FREE registration/​card. No hidden fees ever experienced. Great service on top of everything.

I come here to use their computers! All you need is their (free) library card; you needn’t live in Harwood Heights. Unlike Chicago Public Libraries, you can EAT & DRINK at the computer terminals! — Just be neat about it!
Mariano’s just opened (16 April 2013) one block north of this library, so grab a beverage, a snack, and use the computer!
You can also use their computers virtually ALL DAY. Sign-​in for a terminal gets you one hour. If there’s not a big demand for a computer by other patrons, when there are 5 minutes left on your reservation, a message will pop up asking you if you want an additional 15 minutes and you can keep adding time til it gets really busy and someone else needs a terminal. (Btw, you cannot reserve a computer hours or days in advance like at CPLs; you must be there ready to use one.)

This is review based on my experiences in the children’s section only and the front desk.
I absolutely love this library. It’s spacious and clean. The children’s section is so kid friendly — my son has loved it since he was 18 months old. We go to story time pretty much every week and the ladies in the children’s section are awesome — so patient and very helpful when it comes to finding things for you. Their story time is great — there’s dancing, crafts, play time, reading. I believe it really helps them work on listening skills as well as developing their attention span as they get older.
The only downside to story time (and this isn’t really the library’s fault) is that many moms/​caretakers don’t speak a lick of English so they let their kids behave like wild animals, scream, run around, cry etc and the moms just sit there. The librarian has to tell them their kid needs a time out, which I’m sure puts them in a difficult position. Get some common courtesy and learn English! It’s America!

A great place to study. Plenty of desk space. Clean and quiet. Large book and media selection. Definitely helping me get thru school!

It’s nice that it is new and the staff is nice enough… well, mostly. Some are kind of weird.
Overall, it’s kind of a louder library, but it’s still nice enough to study. Most of the study spaces are along the perimeter walls and there is a quiet study room and several small private study rooms you can use, but overall it’s just a good place to go as long as it is not too cold. the desks by the windows get really cold in the winter.

Absolutely great library, and one of my top favorite suburban libraries (others include Des Plaines, Park Ridge, and Evanston). Love that they don’t limit your time insanely when you go online, versus if you go to a regular Chicago Public Library branch. Nice attached café (called the e-​Café, IIRC), and they even color code each part of the library in regards to how much you’re allowed to talk or not, from a color code to allowing most talking, to ones that allow no talking whatsoever.
Great selection of books as well, and I won’t deduct a star for the fact that video games are among the only things non-​residents aren’t allowed to check out with a Metropolitan Library System card (and btw, anyone can sign up for one, even if you live in Chicago). Quick 411 on this: it’s a network of Chicago area suburban libraries, mostly composing of west and south suburban libraries (member libraries include libraries as far north as say Norridge or Melrose Park, all the way south to like Lansing and Park Forest!), plus some community colleges (i.e. Moraine Valley, Triton, etc.). are in it too. So it’s extremely worthwhile to sign up for one.
BTW, if you’re seeing a movie at the Norridge theater, this is an extremely short walk up Oketo Ave (this is the name of the street just west of the Norridge Theater parking lot) to here. You’re missing a lot, if you haven’t checked this library out.

The Eisenhower Library is a LEEDS certified green building. Great design and energy-​efficient design makes it a showcase for how to do «green» right. Skylights bring in filtered lighting, and a lot of staff input made it a project that numerous builders and designers dug.
Visiting authors do signings. fireplace periodical room is a gem (past issues are in there: can you find them?) Wifi enabled and really fast: bring your laptop and go anywhere.
The Ike offers FREE DVD rentals and a lot of excellent classes from computer basics to botony. Some require a few dollars. RECOMMENDED: Day trips! Get their schedules.
Chicago patrons may have a few limits, but don’t let that stop you from afternoon movies (hosted by a film historian) or a treat at the e-​Café in the library: My favorite drink is a coffee smoothie with caramel and whipped cream: $ 3 plus change. Also, fresh brownies and a few decent snacks, and yes, you can take them inside or just lounge in the e-​Café and zone out.
Walking distance from cheap eats and two outstanding restaurants.
Don’t be freaked if you meet costumed staffers; they regularly do themed events for kids and the gamers who hold tournaments in their upstairs event rooms.
Bikes are «at risk» right now, so guard your seat and extras.
Staff is very good, but be really nice to them: they put up with a lot!
Kids area has separate PCs and filtered internet. Adults of the area get to sit down at computers; nonresidents or unwilling to hand over an ID patrons have 2 stations to use, standing.
Researching periodicals is very easy and very good. Materials move through the whole suburban system (NOT Park Ridge, which is a private fiefdom) so you can order online and have materials reserved and shipped to your area library.
You’re likely to meet an author or two just there for hanging out.
ROCK STAR tourneys are a big deal; they also have free game rentals.
Audio books downloaded for you!
«ASK» is key. If they don’t have something, most likely if you’re really sweet, they’ll order it.
Lots of locals have baseball, trains and history stuff here or nearby, so if there’s a living person you need to write up, they’ll help.
There’s an unmarked wall of new and/​or cool recommendations as you enter past the check-​out area. Tons of Chicago-​themed DVDs and stuff.
Big on helping with homework or projects. Area schools have some of their textbooks here (some don’t). tied to area grade and high schools as well as Triton College.