If you’re looking to join a library, below we’ve featured 10 top libraries in DuPage County and have summarized the services they offer.
1. Wheaton Public Library
Originally opened in 1891 by John Quincy Adams in memory of his late wife, the Wheaton Public Library has grown as the city of Wheaton has grown. They are integral to the community, providing adult services such as access to genealogy resources, job seekers assistance, and English language learners classes. Teens can get help with homework and applying for college, while younger children can attend weekly storytelling events and get help learning how to use the library. Businesses and entrepreneurs can reserve a room and get help launching their business in the local community.
Wheaton Public Library also provides a notary service, a café, and loads of IT services, such as copying, faxing, printing, and even 3D printing. If you’d like to see what books they have available, check out their catalog here. You can also view their events page here to see what’s happening or contact them if you have a specific question.
2. Downers Grove Public Library
Downers Grove Public Library began in 1891 by the Ladies Library Association in Downers Grove with between 600-700 books. Since then, they’ve expanded into a nearly 68,000 square foot building housing not only books and periodicals but also printing services, a fully stocked media lab, and an art collection. The library also provides careers assistance, notary services, and tax preparation help. Businesses can gain access to business-only resources and book rooms for meetings and conferences.
Children and teens can also access homework help and book-related events each week. To search their vast catalog, visit this page or contact them if you have any other questions.
3. Westmont Library
In 1925, Everett Lincoln Meservey, the local newspaper editor and printer, opened a community library in Westmont, IL. Visitors can now access hundreds of books, free wi-fi, and printing, scanning, and copying services (for a fee). Visitors can also access notary services and book rooms for meetings or conferences.
Westmont Library is also known for its large number of reading-related events and programs aimed at adults, teens, and young children. You can search their catalog here. For all other questions, contact them directly.
4. Glen Ellyn Public Library
What started in 1881 with the purchase of 100 books housed in the First Congregational Church in Glen Ellyn has become a library holding more than 220,000 printed books, CDs, DVDs, and periodicals, as well as a media lab, full printing services (including 3D printing), and even a flight simulator powered by Google Earth! Visitors can also access job seekers assistance, passport services, and local business support.
Visit the online catalog see their print and digital collection, or visit this page to reserve a room at the library. You can also check out the library’s events page to see whether you can attend one of their many book-related programs each week. Don’t forget to stop by their café to grab a hot drink and a bite to eat while reading your favorite book! For all other questions, contact the library.
5. Elmhurst Public Library
Since the Elmhurst City Council established the local library in 1912, the Elmhurst Public Library has become a cornerstone of the Elmhurst community. They provide a range of technology services, including printing, classes, and research programs; a media lab and creative studio where visitors can bring their ideas to life; and a range of meeting rooms that can be booked for any occasion. You can access social service assistance, as well, if you need to find help with food, housing, benefits, or finding employment.
You can search their online catalog for any of the print or digital items they have available for rental. You can also check their events calendar to join any of the educational and social programs they have running for adults, teens, or children. Make sure to grab a hot drink from their coffee shop when you’re there. Contact them for more information.
6. Villa Park Public Library
The Villa Park Woman’s Club started the Villa Park Public Library in 1928 with 400 books donated by the residents of Villa Park. Now, the library catalog lists thousands of books, DVDs, CDs, and periodicals in both hard print and digital copy. Visitors also have access to computers, printers, copiers, and even a digital media lab with a 3D printer. Adults can also visit the library to have paperwork notarized or get help with applying for a passport or registering to vote; while teens and children can visit the library for homework help, research assistance, and even exam proctoring.
The Villa Park Public Library also has a slew of library- and nonlibrary-related events for adults, teens, and children. If you have any questions or want to volunteer at the library, contact them using their online message form.
7. Hillside Public Library
The Hillside Public Library opened in Hillside, IL, in 1957 with 1000 books provided by the Illinois Library Association and a local resident. Since then, the Hillside Public Library has expanded its library catalog to include at least one hundred times that amount in books, DVDs, CDs, and periodicals. Their digital media collection is expansive, too, with ebooks, emagazines, streaming video, music and research databases available through their online service. They even have a collection of non-book items to rent such as games, cameras, and health-monitoring machines.
The Hillside Public Library hosts a variety of events for the entire community, such as story hour, yoga classes, and computer classes. You can contact the library anytime.
8. Northlake Public Library
Located in Northlake, just north of Stone Park, the Northlake Public Library houses hundreds of fiction books, nonfiction books, and movies available for rent from their library catalog. The Northlake Public Library also has printing services, passport application services, and even a social worker providing housing, health care, nutrition, and employment assistance.
Events for visitors of all ages are happening nearly every day at Northlake Public Library, and members of the community can invest in the library by making donations of books or funds. If you have any questions or need more information, contact the library during their open hours or using their online message form.
9. Helen Plum Library
The Helen Plum Library in Lombard, IL, began in the 1920s when Colonel William Plum willed his house to the city of Lombard with a requirement that it be used as a public library; the library moved into its own bespoke building in 1963. Adults can use the library’s computer classes or genealogy services, while teens and children can receive homework help or book recommendations. The library also has computers and printing services available for anyone with a library card.
Helen Plum Library has in-person and online events covering everything from story hour to computer classes to English language learning. You can search the catalog using the search bar on the website. To find out more about the library and what they offer, contact them online.
10. Addison Public Library
The Addison Public Library opened in 1962 after four years of concerted effort by the Kiwanis Club of Addison. The library now provides for all sorts of interests: teachers and homeschooling parents have access to a resource room which includes a die cutter and laminator; non-native English speakers can attend online and in-person classes for free; genealogists can use the libraries print and digital databases; and children and teens can get homework help.
You can search the library’s catalog to see what books, DVDs, and digital content they have available for loan. The library also has a bank of technology services available, including computer access, printing services, and even a creative studio for bloggers and podcasters to get creative. Contact the library if you have any other questions.