Month: March 2016

Westchester library exceeds expectations. There is much to do and plenty of space to do it. This library looks tiny, but is deceptive. It’s a split level. You enter from the right rear side into a ground level mezzanine comprising of the checkout desk, new collections and a sitting area. Go down half a flight for kids, or up for adults.

The children’s department is huge. It’s an L-shaped space, only 3 feet under ground, with large south and west facing windows. You don’t feel stuck in a basement because you are only subterranean up to your waist and there is sunshine aplenty.

The initial area has a puzzle table and a large white board. Ask for markers at the front desk.

Walk back past book shelves to the end and a big, bright play zone beckons you with colorful couches, tables & chairs and a funny animal mural. Play items include five different “wire and bead” sets, stuffed animals, plastic dinosaurs, and a collection of Fisher Price toys featuring a castle, pirate ship, cars and a Cinderella carriage, which constantly played Angela Lansbury’s rendition of Bibbidi–Bobbidi–Boo.  An hour of that is almost enough to contemplate doing a little “Murder She Wrote” on the toy, or at least a scramble for the off button.

On the other side of the L shaped space near the stairs, the library has recently installed a very hip 30 x 30 feet teen lounge with booths, high tables, vending and TV/video game area. Quite impressive.

Westchester is a town of humble post war brick homes. Their library’s space commitment to children rivals and often exceeds larger, more fancier towns near it and is to be commended.

The library is on Canterbury street. You’ll find it in a neighborhood southwest of the intersection of Roosevelt road and Route 45. Worth a visit.

 

 

This library’s greatest feature is the floor-to-ceiling windows which are the perfect antidote for wintertime seasonal effective disorder. Sit in the comfortable red love seat or faux leather chairs and soak in the bright southern sun. A great spot for you to read, relax or just sunbathe while the kiddies play.

We haven’t seen it crowded. With the exception of times near their story time sessions or other classes, we are often by ourselves on weekdays, or with just one or two other kids. Oak Brook is a wealthy community with huge homes and a median age 17 years higher than all of Illinois (54 vs. 37). Most patrons there seem to be retirees keeping their minds stimulated, or college-aged studiers. So yeah, heads tend to turn when we roll in.

The library is one large space, a single floor that looks like one of those flower shaped butter cookies you can put on your finger.  As with all “one big room” libraries, the potential for causing a noise distraction for others is a concern. You may have to shush the kiddies if they get too crazy, as the magazine reading lounge space is just 40 feet away from you.

The recent addition of a “choo choo table” changed this nearby library from an occasional visit to a go-to regular for us. The Thomas the Train railroad table has many buildings, ramps and bridges. Ask the friendly librarian at the nearby desk for the tin box of trains. In addition to the train table, there’s a quirky doghouse condo for little stuffed animal dogs with fabric store crafted beds. Plenty of puzzles and over-sized books, and a large storage bin of stuffed animals.

The entrance of the library reveals a cafe-like open seating area with vending and a bronze statue of Ronald McDonald accepting a flower from a child. (McDonald’s headquarters is next door.) A colorless, all bronze Ronald without his usual white face, yellow suit and red nose and hair seems to have the misplaced nobility of a firefighter or war hero.

Main bathrooms are in front so parents, pee first! There is an unlabeled children’s bathroom in the kid department that you need to ask to get into. But you can’t go by yourself, I tried once and was shut down! The potty is kid-sized and in retrospect, would have required considerable aiming accuracy.

Grown-up magazines and books are at a reasonable distance. You could dart off and collect materials for yourself with your kids still in earshot. Do so at your own discretion, please.

Beyond the windows is 31st street, followed by forest preserve. Across 31st is a walking path that leads to the Fullersburg Woods Nature Center and Graue Mill, great places to bring kids as well. Probably best to drive to them. Just take 31st east then turn right on York Road. You could definitely combine these places and make a great day of it.

Hi!

I’m a home parent with 3 boys living in Chicago suburbia. Touring libraries is our thing. Why do you ask? Well:

• Libraries are free. You don’t have to buy anything to hang out there.
• Each library is different.
• You need to get out of the freakin’ house!!
• Librarians love having you. Your kids can crash any story time classes that you stumble on.
• There’s much more stuff to do at libraries than when you were a kid.
• Other parents with kids are there if you’re the social type, or:
• Some libraries are often empty and you can have the whole place to yourself. Tune out while the kiddies go nuts with new stuff.
• You can turn a library trip into a daycation. Pack a lunch, explore a new downtown, combine it with other fun like a nearby park, interesting lunch place or McD’s Playplace if you’re desperate.
• You get to enjoy new spaces and see things other than the perpetually crappy mess that is your own home.
• There are magazines and books for you too. I often read Family Handyman magazine, or home decor “HGTV” books with pictures of perfectly ordered and beautiful living spaces, the kind you have before children. (See above bullet entry.) These books are under 747 of the dewey decimal system by the way.

I’m sure there are more bullet points to ponder but for now let’s get to the point of this blog. I’m going to review the children’s department of individual libraries and give you the scoop. I may throw in thoughts about any sites and attractions near them. If you live in Chicagoland or are visiting this may be useful. If not, enjoy and be inspired to go to libraries near you!

So please stand by as I will be posting reviews soon!