Calumet City Public Library

HORRIBLE! I returned a book in the same condition it was in when I received it, using the book drop located outside the library and now I am being charged $15 for "water damage!!!! Due to the pandemic, all material is held in quarantine before being checked in, therefore, anything could have happened to the book between leaving it in the drop box and it actually being placed back on the shelf! In these unprecedented times you'd think the library would be the last place that would try to snake a person out of money! I will not go there ever again!

I have utilized this library since I was a child. In fact I used to ride my bike on the property while it was being built. My entire family has partaken in numerous programs offered there throughout the years. Always top notch facilities with even better staff. This library cares about the citizens of their community and continues to offer top notch services even through all the difficulties the area now faces. I hope they continue to hold their high standards. I'll always think fondly of the many great times I had there, and the many great learning experiences I was afforded at this library!

I love this library! It is a place of peace and learning. I always look forward to my visits. Here are the things I love best: helpful staff that are always pleasant and friendly, an excellent selection of new books, the book sale items when they prune their collection to add new books, the community activities, the comfortable seating areas. I just wish it was still open on Sundays. To the one star reviewer put out by the fact that he couldn't bring his bottle of water into the library, I will simply point out two things: paper and computer keyboards simply don't mix and accidents do happen. The staff members were right to protect taxpayer resources in this way. And there is a drinking fountain in the lobby, so you won't die of thirst. Enforcing reasonable rules is part of a librarian's job, and we all benefit.

I went to this library. When I got pass the front door; three feet inside they told me to read the sign outside about food and drinks. I informed them that the sealed container held only water.
They said that it did not matter. I asked to speak to someone in management. I was directed to Library Director--Jane Rowland. She told me that is a strict policy that would always remain. I told her that other libraries in this area had no problem with water containers. She said that her library was different from others. After speaking with her I returned to front desk where i place my water. Lisa (employee) had moved my water to another area. I informed her she should not touch someones personal container that it was a sanitary issue. She told me it did not belong there. Where she moved it to it did not belong. This has to be my worst experience of any library in the past. I have been going to libraries for more than 50 years.
Sadly, in the future there will be no need for libraries. There is no need for this location. This is a public place that will refuse to allow someone water.

While the selection is great, the staff is rude and less than helpful in both the children's section and main library. This was a really unfortunate experience for our first trip to this library.

I too had a very unpleasant experience when I went to this library for the first time since living in the Calumet City for over 25 years. So, I needed a library card because I wanted to check out learning DVDs for my 5 year old niece who is learning her ABCs. First, this is the only library I have ever been to that charge $1 to check out DVDs. This is the most money grubbing township I have ever seen! Calumet City charges for everything, even things that should be free. I pay lots of taxes to use the library and for these school systems, and still have to pay when I am ready to use any services in this town. The Front Desk attendant informed me that I need mail that is at least within 60 days old in order to get a library card. I drove home, got mail out of the mail box, brought 3 pieces of mail back, and that lady said, my name on the mail doesn't match my driver license exactly, because my middle name is spelled out on driver license but mail only shows middle initial. What idiots working in the library! I made her go get management, and manager tried to say that was a strict policy that the name on mail match driver license, so I explained that I am the same person as the picture on my license, and if they cannot see that, they must be blind. I was so loud at this point that they gave me the card to silence me! How do you get a library job and be so incredibly stupid??