oak park public library

I am a volunteer and patron at the library. As a volunteer I have observed staff as they assisted library patrons. Staff is so kind, so patient, so knowledgeable,and so available to everyone who requests help or even just looks in need of assistance.There are so many services available besides the typical lending of books. I often download audio books onto my phone.I have also been to a number of very fascinating lectures. The library is a true gift to the village of Oak Park.

I am a regular user of the Oak Park Public Library, mainly the Maze Branch which is within convenient walking distance from my apartment. The main library is open seven days a week, the Maze Branch is closed on Fridays, but open on Sunday. The Dole Branch, closed Mondays, open Sundays. As a matter of fact, when other libraries were reducing hours and services, the Oak Park Libraries were expanding theirs. They continue to expand offerings. An excellent web site were you can reserve books and are notified when they arrive for pick up. The librarians at Maze do run the gamut from disinterested to very helpful and pleasant. Luck of the draw, so to speak.Unfortunately, most of the activities at the library, movies, discussion groups, book clubs, etc, do not fit my schedule or I'd likely take advantage of them as well.The Maze Branch is a re-purposed large private home that works quite well as a library. As with many buildings in Oak Park, age does not mean obsolescence.

This is a terrific community facility. Particularly impressive is the childrens section where there is all manner if interactive experiences available. In addition to a huge range of nooks, there is music, movies, computers, story time, the list goes on.

Great diverse staff-very friendly and helpful.Excellent kids section. If you love old black and white movies like I do,you won't be disappointed!

Out-of-towners probably aren't going to put this on their list for a visit. However, any resident is a fool not to use this facility. Having moved out-of-state and into a public library system that can't even compare, the OP Library has a plethora of offerings. I always found every book I needed. DVD and CD collection may not be the best, but I have not yet found another library that can hold a light to what OPL has in-house. Great computer access and places to sit, study and read quietly.

a good place to take kids for a visit. things for them to do. a very pleasant building on the main road. computers available.

Sad but true, homeless people milling about the front of the building smoking and loitering for hours. They use the bathroom facilities for showering and the like. I would not send a child into the bathroom alone here. Homelessness is invariably a product of mental illness and putting these poor folks on the streets to fend for themselves is a blight on the community. The library itself is great and a public building to boot but it's not a place I choose to hang out or have my kids hang out because I don't feel it's a safe haven. I get my books and leave and it is a shame.

The absolute perfect place to study on the upper levels with soundproof rooms you can book for intensive finals studying. Because of their great, open spaces and free wifi, I was able to study for my GREs nonstop for over 4 hours. Lovely view of the park from the east facing windows. Book collection is extensive and with inter-library connection to other branches and counties, you can find any novel or reference book your heart desires. Read on!

We visited Frank Wright Home and Ernest Hemingway Museum and returning to train station we found this beautiful place.We could take pictures and watched a place with children playing.

Oak Park Public Library is so nice, so clean, and has such a nice selection that it's almost hard to believe it's a public library. Generally, government is never as good as private, and in the case of libraries, I've always found book stores better equipped to the task.Since moving to Oak Park however, I've begun going there for all my reading needs. They've got plenty of computer stations if you need to use the internet, wi-fi too, and a great, well-lit atmosphere that makes you want to stick around.

Very good selection, very helpful staff, beautiful building with many multi-use sections, across from lovely park. A real asset to the community.

What a beautiful library buliding with its huge windows overlooking Scoville Park. The Oak Park library staff is amazing. They are so helpful and will always go the extra mile without asking.

I happened to be in Oak Park and decided to come to library to find the way out of Chicago to go to Kentucky. I suddenly realized how the Greyhound system worked while there and the staff are nice. As a visitor, not even an American citizen, I was able to use the computer at no cost. One man who was working told me which was closest to the library, he picked that 7-11 location, I left my luggage(s) to go there to get my ticket and returned. :) I'm very impressed.It's a nice library, not just books. I enjoyed my visit there.

They have a lot more than just books at this library. You can learn software use thru classes, they have musical presentations, they have DVD's, CD's, books and magazines of all types, and study and meeting areas. If you are unable to come to the library due to age related problems, they will bring you books if you ask, and pick them up. It is a great asset to Oak Park, and they can access books at other libraries to find a book they don't have on hand.

If you're visiting with younger kids or tweens they will like this library. It's next to a park that has a tot lot on the north side.