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Harold Washington Library

Harold Washington Library

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Tripadvisor (258) · Library
The Harold Washington Library Center is the central library for the Chicago Public Library System. It is located just south of the Loop 'L', at 400 S. … See more

Highlights

The library also offers an interesting array of events and art exhibitions

The library also includes one of the city's first Maker Labs

A Mix of Classic and Modern Architecture

Tips

Please check the official website for the show timings and ticket prices and plan your visit accordingly
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The available facilities include: Books, e-books, audiobooks, movies & TV and music
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Library cards of a list of other libraries can be used to access this place. You can find that list on the website
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Facilities for kids and teens are also available
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For library membership or e-card information check the official website
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You can request a 30-90-minute tour of the library by scheduling in advance or simply explore it on your own
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Instructor-led and self-guided tours are available at its chicago locations
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Head up to the ninth floor to see art displayed in the library's exhibit space
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When visiting a foreign country, it is important to know the emergency contact numbers like police station, fire station, ambulance, and other helplines
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Since completion, the library has appeared in the guinness book of records as the largest public library building in the world
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As with all libraries in the chicago public library system, it has free wi-fi internet service
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It provides for free wifi and internet services
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There's also an impressive winter garden with skylights on the ninth floor
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The space at the pinnacle of the library is available to rent for special events
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Chicago travel itinerary builder app will also help you get all the details
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The light-drenched, 9th-floor winter garden is a sweet spot for reading, writing or just taking a load off
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Reviews

Tripadvisor · 4.5/5 · 264 reviews
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Nov 23, 2022
While this is not the same as the old library turned cultural center, this property still boast architectural features that make you notice. The owls in the corner are fantastic touches to another g… Full review by Grover R
Jul 21, 2022
Ask for the Art brochure and Guided Tour brochure at the main desk, and then explore. The building itself is gorgeous, and then there is all of the art inside… and then books! Truly a terrific place … Full review by MrsPsPicks
Apr 17, 2022
Walked past this amazing building numerous times during our visit to Chicago. Finally stopped in our last day and glad we did. Even though we had minimal time, the security officer recommended taking… Full review by trischv2016
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Articles

Decorated With Grand Details
Many travelers don’t think about stopping into libraries in new cities they visit, but these are great free places to visit where the learning possibilities are endless. The main branch of the Chicago Public Library is the Harold Washington Library, which is in the South Loop neighborhood and decorated with grand details in the marble floors and intricate ceilings. There are millions of books here to flip through, a public art collection, and a glass panel dome over a lovely garden. You can request a 30-90-minute tour of the library by scheduling in advance or simply explore it on your own.
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Celebrates Iconic Chicago Architecture
As the Chicago Public Library’s main branch, the Harold Washington Library Center broke ground in 1988 after a competition to design a new central library in the South Loop. An 11-member citizen jury selected the design by Thomas Beeby from Hammond, Beeby & Babka, Inc., and the building opened in 1991.The building’s design has always been controversial, with some deriding the classical facade and the rooftop ornaments. But many love the postmodern structure, saying it celebrates iconic Chicago architecture and blends in well with its nineteenth-century neighbors.
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The Building Is Very Spacious
The Harold Washington Library Centre is the central library for the Chicago Public Library System. It is a full service library. It provides for free WiFi and internet services. The building is very spacious with a rooftop garden penthouse. After a lot of hassles related to funding, the building finally got constructed in 1987. Interestingly, a design competition was held in the city to decide the sculpture of the building. The exteriors of the sculpture is modelled after the Beaux-Art style. In the interiors, all public doors lead to the library. The public library’s main branch features a mix of classic and modern architecture along with a winter garden.
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The Largest Public Library Building in the World
The Harold Washington Library Center is the central library for the Chicago Public Library System. It is named for former Mayor Harold Washington. The Harold Washington Library opened on October 7, 1991. After the refurbishment of the Chicago Cultural Center in 1977, where the central library had been housed, much of the library's collection was placed into storage. Upon the building's completion in 1991, the new Mayor Richard M. Daley named the building in honor of now-deceased Washington, an advocate of reading and education among Chicagoans as well as an advocate of the library's construction. Since completion, the Library has appeared in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest public library building in the world.
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More Than 800,000 Books
At its six locations in the city and suburbs, the public is invited to peruse the shelves of this private Catholic university's library. Instructor-led and self-guided tours are available at its Chicago locations. The university's collection includes more than 800,000 books, periodicals, microforms and reference materials. While certain collections are for students and researchers only, library lovers will still be able to find materials of interest.
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A Full-Service Library
The Harold Washington Library Center is the central library for the Chicago Public Library System. It is located just south of the Loop 'L', at 400 S. State Street in Chicago, in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is a full-service library and is ADA compliant. As with all libraries in the Chicago Public Library system, it has free Wi-Fi internet service. The building contains approximately 756,000 square feet of space. The total square footage is approximately 972,000 square feet including the rooftop garden penthouse, according to the Zoning department of the city of Chicago. It is named in honor of Harold Washington.
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