Glencoe Public Library

Super friendly staff and great to bring the kids here on the weekends

I have a lot of issues with what Glencoe has (or hasn’t) done over the years with its downtown, but the library remains one of the town’s main positives. It’s not a giant library, but there have been some expansions over the years given the space that they have to deal with, Additionally, the library has done an excellent job in modernizing the facilities over the years, with more than a few substantial renovations. Again, this is a small library, but it offers an excellent selection and the librarians are often very helpful. Despite all of the little upgrades that have been done over the years, this library still retains its charm and atmosphere — it’s really a cozy place to sit and read quietly.
The book sale is a real plus and certainly draws crowds.

This place is super adorable, and if I lived in Glencoe I’d be here all the time. But, I don’t, and in fact I live one town up the shore, so perhaps that’s why my experience here was only A-​OK.
I needed to rent a movie for an event I was having that night. I reserved the movie over the phone and popped in to pick it up, thinking it wouldn’t be a big deal. I waited… super patiently for the woman ahead of me who had a ginormous stack of books she was checking out while chatting away. Finally an additional person stepped over to assist me, and she went to check me out and told me it would be $ 1. What? Take note, if you check out a movie here and aren’t a resident you will be charged. No big deal, except for the fact I only had a debit card with me and a bill that was too big to change. So, I had to leave, go across the street and stand in another line to get my bill changed, and then I came back 10 minutes later. Meanwhile I’m running out of time, and I end up standing behind yet another woman with a ginormous stack of books. Of course, I told the librarian earlier I was in a huge rush, and I could see the movie sitting right there, but they made me wait… and wait… foot tapping… sweating…freaking out now… wait. Finally she asked me if I was there to get the movie and I told her, «yes, I’m freaking out a bit since I’m in a huge rush and would really appreciate someone checking me out.» S-​L-​O-​W-​L-​Y another women made her way behind the desk and assisted me. Thankfully they didn’t have to open up my account on the computer again and just handed me the movie.
All in all, and approximately 20 minutes later, I checked my movie out. I’m a huge supporter of the public library system, but I am not a fan of slow service and for that fact I’m giving my experience three stars.

Glencoe has a small, but comprehensive library. The librarians are extra helpful, almost falling all over themselves to help you. Every new book I wanted to read was on the shelf. The building is old and cute as well with a second floor.
Every couple of months the Glencoe Library has a book sale that is not to be missed. It is held in a special basement room near the rear side of the building. This is one of the best book sales ever! If you miss it, make sure to check out the two shelves of books for sale inside the library, by the stairs.