Chicago Public Library

Chicago Public Library. The Chicago Public Library is the public library system serving the city of Chicago, administered by a mayoral-appointed Board of Directors and funded through a combination of city appropriations and private support. It operates a central library, the Harold Washington Library Center, and over eighty neighborhood branches, holding a collection of millions of books, periodicals, and multimedia materials. The system is renowned for its extensive special collections, innovative public programming, and commitment to digital equity and literacy across its diverse communities.

History

The establishment of the library was championed in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, with a foundational donation of books from the United Kingdom, spearheaded by A. H. Burgess and supported by Queen Victoria and Thomas Hughes, author of Tom Brown's School Days. It officially opened in 1873 in a water tank at the intersection of Adams Street and LaSalle Street, with William Frederick Poole serving as its first librarian. The system grew rapidly, and by 1897, it moved into its first dedicated central building, a grand structure funded by a grant from Andrew Carnegie, located on Michigan Avenue at Washington Street. Throughout the 20th century, it expanded its neighborhood branch system significantly, culminating in the 1991 opening of the current central facility, named for former Mayor of Chicago Harold Washington.

Locations and branches

The system's flagship is the Harold Washington Library Center in the Loop, the world's largest public library building when it opened, featuring a distinctive postmodern design by the architectural firm Hammond, Beeby and Babka. Beyond the central library, the network includes regional branches like the Sulzer Regional Library in Lincoln Square and the Woodson Regional Library in Washington Heights, which houses the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American history and literature. Other notable facilities include the historic Chicago Bee Branch in Bronzeville, originally built for the Chicago Bee newspaper, and the modern Chinatown Branch designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill.

Services and collections

It provides extensive circulating collections, digital resources including e-books and online database access, and free public Wi-Fi and computer access across all locations. Special collections are a hallmark, such as the Chicago Municipal Reference Collection, the Chicago Theater Collection, and archives related to World's Fairs and Chicago Blues. The system offers robust educational programming, including the Summer Learning Challenge, One Book, One Chicago citywide reading initiative, and maker spaces with 3D printing technology. Digital services are centralized through its website and the CPL app, allowing for remote access to Lynda.com tutorials, Mango Languages software, and streaming media via Hoopla.

Governance and funding

The library is governed by a Board of Directors appointed by the Mayor of Chicago and confirmed by the Chicago City Council, with day-to-day operations managed by a Commissioner appointed by the board. Its primary funding comes from the city's Corporate Fund within the annual municipal budget passed by the Chicago City Council. Additional financial support is provided by the independent Chicago Public Library Foundation, which raises private funds for innovative programs, collections, and capital projects, and through federal grants administered by the Institute of Museum and Library Services.

Cultural and community impact

It plays a vital role as a community anchor and cultural institution, hosting author talks with figures like Sandra Cisneros and Studs Terkel, and exhibitions in partnership with organizations like the Art Institute of Chicago and the Chicago History Museum. The library's YouMedia digital learning spaces for teens, pioneered at the Harold Washington Library Center, have been modeled nationally. It actively partners with the Chicago Public Schools and city agencies on literacy initiatives and serves as a critical resource hub for job seekers through its Workforce Centers in collaboration with the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services.

Category:Chicago Public Library Category:Library systems in Illinois Category:Buildings and structures in Chicago Category:1873 establishments in Illinois