What a funky, odd yet interesting place! Approaching it from the front, it looks like one of those concrete brutalism monstrosities that makes you imagine an outdated interior. But thankfully, the inside has been updated, and an large addition extends out the back. Kids are in the lower level, but it doesn’t feel like a basement. To get there you have to walk a while to the elevator, then once at the lower level, retrace your steps back to the front, as the kids section is under the main level entrance.
Walking into the children’s department, you enter a large, tall, 6-sided space. It looks like a parking garage adapted for human activity. The ceiling has exposed HVAC, lighting and electrical pipes, huge wood cross beams and knotty pine paneling. The HVAC system is quite loud but makes for a nice white noise soundscape. Huge circular windows span both the lower and main floor levels. Outside the windows, there is an open courtyard space. In the middle, there’s a long skylight that bathes the place with sunshine. Opposite the entrance, a funky 30-foot round concrete silo houses a circular story room just up one flight of stairs.
It appears as though some slap dash solutions were thrown together to correct challenges to the odd space after the fact. A moveable, freestanding partition wall on wheels attempts to separate a sunny corner by the big windows to make it an activity room. But in the afternoon it is shut, leaving a bright space inaccessible. A small flight of stairs, that lead to a storage room in the concrete silo, is blocked by book carts on wheels, apparently arranged to prevent children from falling down the stairs.
There is plenty of space to move. So much, it seems like the shelving units and furniture could be condensed enough to clear space to construct a dedicated and enclosed activity room.
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 
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.
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.
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.