Libraries Archives

Near Me

Chicago Public Library – Near North Branch

Opened in 2010, located in Old Town. This branch offers a diverse collection of books, digital resources, and community programs. The library’s modern design and community events celebrate the cultural heritage of the neighborhood.

Chicago Public Library – Sulzer Regional Library

Opened in 1985, located in Lincoln Square. This regional library offers a broad collection of books, digital resources, and community programs. The library features a large children’s area, study rooms, and a garden reading space.

Chicago Public Library – Albany Park Branch

Opened in 1963, located in Albany Park. This branch provides a broad range of books, digital resources, and community programs. The library is known for its multicultural services and strong community ties.

modern building architectural model gardens

Obama Presidential Center

The Barack Obama Presidential Library is the 14th Presidential library administered by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), a federal agency. Unlike other Presidential Libraries administered by NARA, the Obama Presidential Library is the first fully digital Presidential library. An estimated 95 percent of the Presidential records of the Obama administration were born digital, such as photos, videos, word-processing documents, tweets, emails, and other standard digital formats. NARA also received approximately 30 million pages of unclassified paper Presidential records.

The Obama Foundation is constructing the Obama Presidential Center on Chicago’s South Side in Jackson Park. The Center is a privately operated, non-federal organization. The National Archives does not have a presence at this location. However, NARA and the Obama Foundation will work together to have records and artifacts on display at the museum at the Obama Presidential Center.

Chicago Public Library – Austin-Irving Branch

Opened in 2001, located in Portage Park. This branch provides a wide range of resources, including books, digital materials, and community programs. The library’s modern design and community events make it a local favorite.

Loyola University Chicago Libraries – Cudahy Library

Founded in 1870, with locations in Rogers Park and downtown Chicago. This library system supports the university with diverse collections and resources. Key branches include the Cudahy Library, the Klarchek Information Commons, and the Lewis Library.

Chicago Public Library – Humboldt Park Branch

Opened in 1996, located in Humboldt Park. This branch offers a diverse collection of books, digital resources, and bilingual programs. The library also features a dedicated teen space and a community garden.

Chicago Public Library – Logan Square Branch

Opened in 1989, located in Logan Square. This branch offers a broad collection of books, digital resources, and community programs. The library features a large children’s area, study rooms, and public computers.

Northwestern University Library

Established in 1856, located in Evanston and Chicago. This academic library offers extensive collections, including books, journals, and digital resources. The library’s highlights include the Herskovits Library of African Studies and the Music Library.

Chicago Public Library – Blackstone Branch

Opened in 1904, located in Kenwood. This historic Carnegie library offers a wide range of resources, including books, digital materials, and community programs. The library’s beautiful architecture and community events make it a local favorite.

Harold Washington College Library

Located in the Loop, part of the City Colleges of Chicago system. This academic library supports students with extensive collections, study spaces, and research assistance. The library also offers community programs and events.

University of Chicago Library

Established in 1891, located in Hyde Park. This academic library system supports the university community with extensive collections, including special collections and digital resources. Highlights include the Regenstein Library, the Mansueto Library, and the Special Collections Research Center.

Pritzker Military Museum & Library

Founded in 2003, located in the Loop. This research library and museum focus on military history and literature, featuring extensive collections of books, manuscripts, and artifacts. The library also hosts lectures, exhibitions, and educational programs.

Gerber/Hart Library and Archives

Founded in 1981, Gerber/Hart Library and Archives seeks to collect, preserve, and make accessible the history and culture of LGBTQ+ communities in Chicago and the Midwest to advance the larger goal of achieving justice and equality. Three core purposes define our work: We operate a free, public, lending library of books, ebooks, and audiovisual media that document and represent the richly varied histories and cultures of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities in the United States, with a geographic emphasis on Chicago and the Midwest. We acquire, preserve, and make accessible, both at our physical location and online, an ever-growing archive of primary source material, in a variety of formats, that documents these histories. And we offer a broad range of accessible public programs that explore and celebrate this history and culture, including exhibits, lectures, panel discussions, film screenings, and more.

Open to everyone, Gerber/Hart is dedicated to promoting research, learning, exploration, and discovery in a safe and welcoming atmosphere that reflects the diversity of the communities that it serves. Volunteers have always been at the heart of our organization, and we continue to center community involvement and leadership in everything we do.

Chicago Public Library – Edgewater Branch

Opened in 1973, located in Edgewater. This branch provides a wide range of resources, including books, digital materials, and community programs. The library is known for its strong community engagement and environmental sustainability initiatives.

Newberry Library

Founded in 1887, located in the Near North Side. This independent research library specializes in the humanities, featuring rare books, manuscripts, maps, and genealogical resources. The Newberry also hosts exhibitions, lectures, and workshops for scholars and the public.

Chicago Public Library – Bezazian Branch

Opened in 1957, located in Uptown. This neighborhood library provides a welcoming environment with a diverse collection of books, digital resources, and community programs. The library is known for its strong community engagement and children’s activities.

Chicago Public Library – Chinatown Branch

Opened in 2015, located in Chinatown. This branch offers a diverse collection of books, digital resources, and bilingual programs. The library’s unique design and community events celebrate the cultural heritage of the neighborhood.