Sulzer Regional Library, Chicago Public Library — Attraction in Lake View Township

5/20/24 This review is a long time coming. I meant to write one about Sulzer Regional Library a while back, but never got around to it. I guess I just got caught up in a litany of personal, numerous health care appointments. At that time, I particularly wanted to center the review on Amy, Sulzer's main cyber navigator.

Although Amy doesn't work here anymore, this review is a testament to her. I apologize for droning on now that she's already gone, I MEANT TO DO THIS while she still worked here, but my testament is just as heartfelt. I'm sure many of the staff feel a sense of loss, to varying degrees, and hope this testament helps fill the gap and bring a sense of closure....

I learned Amy left Sulzer May 7th. Upon learning this, I slowly hung up the phone, and tears welled up in my eyes. I watched the sun slink behind the shadowbox of buildings nestled below the Irving Park horizon. I wasn't concerned about my petty, insignificant future cyber navigational issues, but rather, felt a Hugh blow to the North Center community. While I don't blame her for leaving (the hours weren't there), it's a grave loss of help to thousands of people who relied on her expertise and skill. She had a lot to offer, her skills were valuable, and she mattered.

Amy was a jack of all trades, and Sulzer is the second largest library in the city (second to Harold Washington). Her expertise came as a gem, blessing, godsend, miracle, prayer, and treasure to hundreds, if not thousands, to the North Center, Edgewater and Irving Park Communities. She was the best of the best. She has such a wide, varied scope of knowledge. From cancelling Amazon and Drop Box accounts, to adding another person's phone number to your email account (in a manner where you could access YOU'RE emails on their phone), to setting up a mobile hotspot on a laptop. (That last one may seem simple, but Amy had a unique set skills. My laptop was 15 years old. It literally ran on steam and my old phone near obsolete. She STILL got my laptop and phone to synch to get the signal to pair). That takes brains, and she pulled it off. That's what made her so top notch and special.

This is just a brief summary of the different tasks Amy knew how to do, and then some. And these are just basic tasks. She had knowledge of phones, computers and technology far more sophisticated than this if you needed help with it.

Additionally, there were a few times I got to the library early, prior to appointment with her. I was within earshot of her appointment with a couple of clients on at least two occasions. Not to pry, but you couldn't help overhear. The conversation was five feet away. These were difficult clients who were quite persnickety, telling her everything she instructed them was "wrong" and not up to par. Amy, however, still kept her cool and professional demeanor. She still helped them in a pleasant manner and with a dignified smile. That impressed me.

On a separate note, I want to point out that Sulzer also has other great help. There are other staff on hand to help with the computers. Not to the level that Amy knew, but they do know some things to a moderate degree. A shout out to them as well. They are pleasant and professional, and great at filling in the gaps when you need them. They are just as valuable, and I appreciate their help as well. The library is clean and organized, right down to the washrooms. The security guards are pretty good at keeping the noise down most of the time, too, and people off phones most of the time. The computers are slow, but...there are many computers to make up for it.

But the biggest thank you goes to Amy. Rise of the torch flame, a salute and symbol of gratitude. As the sun sets on North Center's Sulzer Regional Library, we say thank you in unison for the valuable help that you have given to thousands over the years. Tears will be shed over the loss of your departure, but tears of joy will be celebrated by whoever reaps your help in the future. God bless and take care. We...

I had visited this library a number of times before and recently went back to visit as I was excited to learn about the study room I could reserve.

Staff: My excitement dwindled as I walked into the main lobby encountering staff and taking the now dreaded walk to the study room. Every staff member we encountered seemed to have all joy and hope sucked out of them. The man assisting patrons with checking out books was extremely disheveled and dirty! It was like stepping into a twilight zone. That is not a great way to represent your location. Every library scornfully asked “can I help you?” As if we were bothering them. We’re simply patrons trying to utilize space and make the most of our time.

Environment: The study room we were supposed to use was not available. It too was disheveled. They put us across the hall to an even more crappy room. We got a glimpse at the study room that was supposedly in use (lie). The paintings on the walls were nice but it was a mess. All rooms appeared like storage rooms. No love and care for the facility.

The highlight, however, of the whole experience was the second floor (aesthetically). My husband was nervous as he thought it’d be like the rest of the library, but it was completely opposite! It was bright! Clean! Welcoming space (not staff...again). They now had LOTS of computers to use beyond basic internet. This is why I bumped my rating from a one star to two.

Sure the library is a free, public business but all the more for the city to care for it’s representation especially a Regional location.

Enter at...

As a young Chicagoan, raised on the Northside in uptown. I often had to come to this library to find material for school projects that weren’t otherwise available at other branches, besides Harold Washington. It was also open on Sundays which was a big plus for my procrastinating ways then. As an adult with young children now, this branch often has items not available at my local branch(Mayfair, which itself is a great, yet smaller branch). Today I called in the children’s section for help on locating available, but labeled online “not shelved” items. A gentleman by the name of James(asked friendly, front staff for name) was extremely helpful! Not only did he locate the books(Over the garden wall), but he also took my library card over the phone and by the time I made it to the library(30 mins later). The books had already been placed in the holding section! On behalf of my son and I, thank you James and Sulzer...