This library is top notch: new, clean, nice colors, open space and many things to do. It’s hidden away in a residential neighborhood off of Harlem Avenue on 125th street. You can’t see it from Harlem. Turn east onto 125th and have faith, the library reveals itself two blocks in.
The children’s department is on the second floor, and has three bay windows with wrap-around benches, each paired with a nice armchair. The upholstery and carpeting have hip polka dot and stripped patterns. North facing windows fill the space with plenty of soft, indirect light and look out onto oak trees, giving you a slight tree house sensation.
The colors are different than most kid departments, which often have bright and bold colors that tend to scream “THIS AREA IS FOR CHILDREN!” Palos Heights has a dark blue, muted orange and brown wood color scheme more akin to a Courtyard by Marriott hotel lobby than a library, making it quite relaxing.
What also aides the relaxation is the fact that it isn’t too crowded. We’ve been in there alone or just one other family, a pleasant alternative to the uber busy circuses some other libraries can become, where you have to constantly monitor toy sharing, lose visual sight of your kids, or ask yourself if the child crying is yours or not.
The library has a combo train/Lego table, puppet stage and costume area, and a couple of iPad stations, plenty of puzzles and activities with cute tables and chairs to enjoy them.
It also has cute little display cubbies for exhibits built into the wall next to the bay windows, one featured a collection of The Wiggles toys last time we where there.
Because it’s in a residential area, there isn’t much around the library to visit if you’re traveling from far away. There are some chain restaurants just south at 127th street. With plenty of parking and a cozy tree-lined setting, the Palos Heights Library is a gem worth checking out, especially those of you in the south burbs.