The Harold Washington Library Center (aka the BIG library) is a pretty amazing place. It has lots of work space, hangout space, archives, art exhibits, loads of books and some really special programmed spaces.
It's an amazing library system.
Chicago spends ~$117m on its library system, mostly on staff and also on their collections.
AND ALSO a lot of the programming and those really special things are funded by the library foundation which has $4m in revenues.
The children's library has tons of open space, is partly zoned by age and is full of toys. There's a whole area for programs, lots of fun and cozy furniture, a family bathroom and the rare (and comfortable) public nursing/pumping room.