Chicago Public Library Reviews

by ChicagoCloud

ChicagoPublicLibrary seems like it was designed without the user experience in mind. The previous version made it very easy to see what locations your book was available in. This version will show you that a book is available, but without a location. It is ok if you just want to put a book on hold and wait until you are told the hold is ready, but if you need to go to the library that day and get a book, ChicagoPublicLibrary is useless.

by Mdrxb

Not sure where to start...the incoherent layout, limited functionality or the abysmal design. Even something as simple as a Passbook version of the library card is missing. Regardless, CPL, would suggest firing the current developers and starting from scratch, rather than trying to fix ChicagoPublicLibrary. Can't believe that after 5 years, we get this piece of junk.

by Pulpmountain

Borrowing ebooks or audiobooks requires multiple apps to synchronize, with little instruction on how to make that happen. This is especially opaque with audiobooks. Open ChicagoPublicLibrary , and try to guess where you go to download the audiobook you just checked out. 5 clicks to find, non-intuitive naming, and buttons below the fold. Finally!
Click on it, it downloads a file in the browser app, but that file has no link to Libby nor syncs with Libby automatically. (That’s 7 clicks, 3 apps so far)

by Pattom75

I use to be able to see if book available at my library or other locations near me ChicagoPublicLibrary does not have this so I have to either check at my library first then if not there put a hold on it I rather have the availability back so I can see if other libraries near have it Bring the old app back

by Nonfiction Geek

I got an iPhone 12 mini 8 days ago and I am still waiting for ChicagoPublicLibrary to update. I can see everything on my laptop, but not in my phone.

by KarenBog

It’s hard to imagine a good reason for rolling out a major redesign before designing and implementing all of the heavily used pre-existing features. If you need to show progress on a project to higher-ups, show them an in-house demo; don’t roll out an app that isn’t ready for prime time. I would have preferred to keep the old, functional app!

by CleoChicago

I want to love ChicagoPublicLibrary but I can't use it. It crashes every time I try to login. (I tried all the basic problem solving). I have an iPhone 4 with the most current OS. The features that don't require logging in seem nice, but I wanted an easy way to manage my library holds and checked out books and I'm disappointed that I can't access that.

by Seabrooke999

The display might work for a phone but it is awkward in an iPad. You have to hold a large iPad in portrait instead of landscape view.

Another problem, it is slow to respond. You have to watch a spinning circle for almost a minute before the screen opens when you are trying to look at what you have checked out and what you have on hold.

by Mp7984

Nice update to the UI. However, I cannot seem to locate the feature where it shows the exact location of a desired book. The old version would populate a map showing libraries with available copies.

Please bring back!

by Zombielife Reviewer

Few suggestions for later updates:
- add notifications feature for book due dates
- improve interface/design of app

by Cpblr

Love ChicagoPublicLibrary . Super easy to use… EXCEPT it logs me out constantly! Sounds like other people have the same issue. Feels like this should be an easy fix, CPL.

by Timmy Tommie

Love the upgrade but I wish I could see call numbers and locations of books. I have to go to the website to find that now. Please bring back location and call number info! Without this information ChicagoPublicLibrary is almost useless unless you are putting a hold on a book!

by LuciusVeradis

Awesome App!

This new app, along with the new BiblioCommons CPL website, is a tremendous improvement. Its so nice to access my hold list right from my iPhone.

I do have two suggestions to make ChicagoPublicLibrary even better:

1) to reiterate mdrxb’s previous suggestion, adding a Passport version of the CPL Library Card could prove to be an extremely helpful and popular addition, especially for younger generations. We always have our phones with us. Adding a Passport version of the CPL Library Card would really make things a lot easier for CPL patrons;

2) I’d also like to suggest allowing patrons to reserve computers using ChicagoPublicLibrary.

by Helper-j

Great simple features, works if you just want to know when your books are due. Probably best on an iPhone. When opened on iPad it looks like a blown-up and unscaled version on a mobile app, with the narrow screen and blurry text.

by SeasonsReading

I ry like ChicagoPublicLibrary. But it could be even better if it provided notification alerts via badges, sound, etc. I missed the email regarding an item that I had placed on on hold and the hild expired. Now I will have to wait another 3 weeks.

by Really More Accepting

But it's insanely frustrating that the "accept" and "deny" buttons in all of the option screens are reversed from standard convention. Meaning "deny" is on the right. Very frustrating to instinctively deny everything I want to accept.

by Meme1232114

I love the Chicago Public Library. Their app has always been functional and did everything you needed. Even though the previous app version was visually outdated, I was happy to see that there were never any issues with how ChicagoPublicLibrary worked. Now with this new redesign I’m in love all over again!! The only request I’d like to make is to have page counts displayed for the books, but that’s probably a big request. Either way thanks CPL!

by Jaszojj

App has everything I need and look for at the library. No more signing into safari to renew books or search for library hours.

by ⲞⲔ

Cannot recommend enough. This is the most seamless public library experience I’ve ever had.

by Éophur

I love being able to keep track of everything I have checked out and renew all right from my phone. It also makes searching for books super easy, and tells you which library the book is at