Harold Washington Library
Neighborhood: Loop
Nearest Train: Brown Line, Library stop
Phone: +1 312 747 4300
Website | Map | add to Travel Bag (NEW)
Audio Guide
Massive is the first word that comes to mind when describing Chicago's central public library. The building, named after Chicago's beloved late Mayor Harold Washington, was built in 1987 with the goal of giving Chicago the largest public library in the world. Five design teams consisting of architects and builders submitted their design plans in a widely publicized competition. In the end, Chicago got a library that combined the latest in construction innovations with an old-world flavored architecture that fits right in with the classic Chicago buildings. Despite being largely understaffed, operations here run fairly smoothly. The collection is huge, encompassing 756,000 square feet and 10 levels, not including a rooftop winter penthouse garden. Among its more than 13 million pieces are innumerable rare manuscripts, books, art and sound archives.
M-Th 9a-9p, F-Sa 9a-5p, Su 1p-5p
Huge city library
Neighborhood: Loop
Nearest Train: Brown Line, Library stop
Phone: +1 312 747 4300
Website | Map | add to Travel Bag (NEW)
Audio Guide
Massive is the first word that comes to mind when describing Chicago's central public library. The building, named after Chicago's beloved late Mayor Harold Washington, was built in 1987 with the goal of giving Chicago the largest public library in the world. Five design teams consisting of architects and builders submitted their design plans in a widely publicized competition. In the end, Chicago got a library that combined the latest in construction innovations with an old-world flavored architecture that fits right in with the classic Chicago buildings. Despite being largely understaffed, operations here run fairly smoothly. The collection is huge, encompassing 756,000 square feet and 10 levels, not including a rooftop winter penthouse garden. Among its more than 13 million pieces are innumerable rare manuscripts, books, art and sound archives.
M-Th 9a-9p, F-Sa 9a-5p, Su 1p-5pReviews
Amazing library for an amazing City
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Reviewed by:A Yahoo! Contributor from Paris on Jun 29 2006
My Passport to the World
My Chicago Public Library card is my passport to the world, and the Harold Washington Library is one...
Reviewed by:A Yahoo! Contributor from Chicago on Oct 28 2005
Majestic
Take a ride on the "L" train. You'll gasp at seeing its gargoyle-festooned roof. It's a re...
Reviewed by:tdslatton from on Sep 20 2005
