Bloomingdale Public Library — Attraction in Bloomingdale

Edited July 2024: Raised my Stars rating to 4 Stars, and I have added this comment: More recent experiences, post Year 2023, have been more pleasant and welcoming. As well, and it's possible that my presence, my voice even prior to my Yr. 2023 Review, and my Review makes a difference, but BPL has opened and broadened its perspective in the Age of this New Millennium, at least, and has hired different Black American and Ethnic groups, in recent years.

Year 2023 & beyond: Review Update - Bigotry, plus I have been a patron of BPL for about 17 years. In the early years of my patronage, I noticed what is the "Hot Topic" issue of present years - systematic discrimination, in all government, local government, and sub-government, as police department and library -- of which I have a lifetime of knowledge and experience. It was attempted to be "Hidden," which is the supposed manner of systematic discrimination. Years passed, and I let some of it slide, because it was not a prominent. I would address other forms of it with appropriate library authority. This year, 2023, arrived, and the so-called hidden discrimination reared up and proudly and prominently displayed itself. I won't give details, but I will say that BPL showed and proved that it is and that library personnel (staff) are bigoted, discriminatory, and/or out-and-out racist. I have reported it to the library director, Jim, who has been an issue in these matters, particularly as pertaining to the matter that sparked what is now ongoing harassment, plus being unfair and unequal practice, by much of the library staff, particularly librarians and Tech. staff.

Behavior: one librarian (young-ish, plump, wears eyeglasses, usually works the Free Comic Book Day event & other juvenile events), is a juvenile. It's befitting that she works with the juvenile/teens area of the library. She has behavior of a toddler, which, if she is in her early twenties, could be the case. Otherwise, I told her to her face that her behavior is abominable and deplorable. She treats me horribly. She should be ashamed. Her behavior is unprofessional and unlawful, because she DENIES FULL AND EQUAL SERVICES to me, she treats me with partial rudeness, and she outcasts me, as does BPL as a whole, including the director. I have reported some of these issues to the library Board, but without improvement. That tells me that the Board must be racist too. Do not be fooled by the two Black employees that were more recently employed, after the Social Reform, Equity, Equality Marches, of the COVID-19 Era, in about Year 2020 and beyond. At least one of the only two Black employees ever there, the young male who was a Tech., is no longer there. The other was in the young children area of the library, so I have never seen her.

The staff and director doesn't seem affected by my claim that I shall report matters to the Board, and the Board has not been receptive nor having shown regard for patrons. The next steps could be one or both of two options. (End Updated Post)

(Original Post) Friday, August 12, 2022, Bloomingdale Public Library Summer Concert Series - The Stingrays

This was a pleasant and enjoyable event, that they organized. I missed the other two shows, of this summer -- The Jolly Ringwalds; Horizon -- so I am glad to have been able to have caught The Stingrays. They are an entertaining and fun group that plays a varietal mix of 1950s, 1960s, 1970s.

It is good to see public facilities, as libraries, parks & recreation, and village hall utilizing the tax payer dollars, for giving back to the public, as enjoyable and entertaining events, rather than everything being organized through charitable social clubs and other, such as Lions Club and/or V.F.W. Ideally, a broader range of diversity is something to be worked on, but the events tend to offer just about something...

When I lived in the village boundary I enjoyed the library, but now my experience is limited because I live in unincorporated Bloomingdale without the ability to get much use out of the library anymore. I do appreciate the free notary service that they provide. My low rating has to do with the renovation of the courtyard that they recently completed. I bought 5 memorial pavers for my family before the renovation was ever mentioned and expected them to be installed in the original courtyard layout. The renovation of the courtyard makes it look like a classroom with high top tables and chairs scratching the tops of the memorial pavers that people have bought for their loved ones. If the library wanted an outdoor space for activities, they should have chosen another section of land and not ruined the courtyard. Memorial pavers are also scattered in a messy pattern. I also don't understand why they could never re-arrange the parking lot with the gazebo right off Bloomingdale road since the gazebo should be closer to the library and cars should be closer to the road instead. Really unfortunate that they demolished a peaceful, respectful memorial courtyard to turn it into an outdoor activity area...

Nice library with a cozy, familiar feeling to it- maybe due to its large open wooden beams ceiling structure and unique shelving layout upon walking in. The upstairs was super helpful for me as I needed a lot of table space for a project and was told I could use it. I was happy with the helpful staff who were friendly and kind whenever I had a question too. Lots of children could be heard coming in all afternoon. Their voices projected due to the open concept of the building, but were not distracting or disruptive. Upstairs (where I sat) had a bunch of historical info featuring some awesome iconic past times once famous in Chicagoland, along with some memorabilia. On display was a doll in the corner. Several children came up the open stairs to sneak a peek at it then giggled or whispered about its mysterious and spooky nature. Funny how antique dolls still spark that eerie, curious effect on people. I ended up going over to it myself when leaving and chuckled too. Very down-to-earth feeling here for sure with a safe, comfortable, and quiet atmosphere to work in without...