Why you should visit
One of the newer public structures in the city, The Harold Washington Library has only been open since 1991. Upon his election in 1983, Mayor Harold Washington was dedicated to opening a new Public Library in Chicago, and it was named after the then-deceased mayor when it opened in 1991. The building itself is enormous, totaling 972,000 square feet when including the rooftop garden penthouse.
First and foremost, the building is a library, meaning that you’ll find the usual books to read, computers for research, and librarian help if needed. What sets the Harold Washington apart is the size and exceptional services offered. You’ll be able to find a ton of books here (literally), and the library offers constant educational workshops and services to help students and anyone else willing to learn more. The building is 10-stories tall, and there is an entire floor of study rooms, audio/visual rooms, and music practice rooms to take advantage of.
- Free Wi-Fi Internet
- Events and Workshops
- After-hours Book Return
- Private Event Rentals
- Study Rooms
- Patent and Trademark Resource Center
- Homework & Computer Help Offered
- A Part of the Federal Depository Library Program
Links
Prices
Free
Location
Harold Washington Library
400 S State St.
Chicago, IL 60605
Phone
(312) 747-4300
Hours
Mon-Thurs, 9:00 am – 9:00 pm
Fri & Sat, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sun, 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm