Directions/Parking

The library is located at 1501 Ellinwood Street in downtown Des Plaines .

Google map of the area of Des Plaines that includes the Des Plaines Public Library

Ellinwood Street is just south of, and runs parallel to, the Metra Railroad tracks. The library is located between Lee/Mannheim to the west and Pearson to the east and between Miner/Northwest Highway to the north and Prairie Avenue to the south.

Parking
Public Transportation
Driving Directions

Parking

Parking is available in the municipal garage behind the Library and in Library Plaza. PLEASE read and comply with all posted parking instructions (below).

1st floor, part of 2nd floor: 3 hour parking only.
Underground, 3rd floor, part of 2nd floor:
- Monday-Friday, 6 AM - 5 PM, permit parking only.
- All other times - unlimited parking.
Library Plaza lots - follow posted instructions.

If you are staying more than 3 hours, please be certain you are parked in an appropriate area. Need a longer parking time? Use the commuter lot with meters over at Metropolitan Square, on the other side of Northwest Highway.
Problems with parking? Call Parking Enforcement at 847-391-5367.

Public transportation

It is easy to reach the Library from the Metra's Union Pacific Northwest line - the Des Plaines stop is directly in front of (north of) the Library. Six Pace bus lines also stop at the Metra station or across Miner Street from the station. Those Pace lines are: 208, 209, 226, 230, 234, 250.

Driving Directions

From Northeast:

Exit I-94 (Edens) at Dempster Street west. West on Dempster to River Road. Turn left (south). Take River Road south to Prairie Avenue. Turn right (west) on Prairie to Center Street. Turn right into Municipal Parking Garage at Prairie and Center.

Driving Directions

From North:

Exit I-294 south at Golf Road. This exit actually lets you off at East River Road – turn left (south) on East River Road, then right (west) on Golf Road. Golf Road west to River Road. Turn left (south). Take River Road south to Prairie Avenue. Turn right (west) on Prairie to Center Street. Turn right into Municipal Parking Garage at Prairie and Center.

From Chicago:

Exit I-90 (Northwest Tollway) west to Lee Street. Turn right off the ramp. Veer right at the first light. Continue straight on Lee Street. At the next light turn left to stay on Lee Street. Turn right on Prairie Avenue. Turn left into the Municipal Parking Garage at Prairie and Center.

From South:

Exit I-294 north at Touhy Avenue west. Take Touhy Avenue to River Road north. North on River Road to Prairie Avenue. Turn left (west) on Prairie to Center Street. Turn right into Municipal Parking Garage at Prairie and Center.

From East:

Take Dempster west to River Road. Turn left (south). Take River Road south to Prairie Avenue. Turn right (west) on Prairie to Center Street. Turn right into Municipal Parking Garage at Prairie and Center.

From West:

Take Northwest Highway (Rt. 14) (which turns into Miner Street) to River Road. Turn right (south) on River Road to Prairie Avenue. Turn right (west) on Prairie to Center Street. Turn right into Municipal Parking Garage at Prairie and Center.

Des Plaines Public Library