The Big Ones: Regional Libraries

Harold Washington Library Center, at 400 S. State Street, is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The same schedule applies at the regional branches below, which makes them good picks when you need a Sunday afternoon study spot.

Harold Washington Library Center (Loop)
400 S. State Street
This is the city's central library. Beyond the reading areas, it has a Maker Lab with 3D printers and a laser cutter, a YOUmedia teen studio, and free public computers, study and music practice rooms, and Wi-Fi throughout. Visitors also like the Winter Garden on the 9th floor as a bright, quiet place to work. It can close for private events, so it is worth checking before you go.

Sulzer Regional Library (Lincoln Square)
4455 N. Lincoln Avenue
Sulzer is on the North Side and offers study rooms, a Maker Lab, Wi-Fi, and materials in Polish, Russian, and Spanish. Note that it has street parking only, and computers close 10 minutes before the building does. Its YOUmedia space is open Monday through Thursday from 3 to 7 p.m. and is aimed at teens.

Legler Regional Library (West Garfield Park)
115 S. Pulaski Road
Legler is on the West Side and offers study rooms for both individuals and groups. It was the city's first regional library and regained regional status in 2019 after a renovation.

Woodson Regional Library (Washington Heights)
9525 S. Halsted Street
Woodson serves the South Side and houses the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection, the largest African American history and literature collection in the Midwest. It also has a single-person space called the Shushbooth, which can be booked up to two weeks ahead, for up to two hours per week.

Neighborhood Branches

Neighborhood branches usually have shorter or more varied hours than the regional libraries, so check before you go. Edgewater is one example.

Edgewater Branch
6000 N. Broadway
Edgewater is open Monday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from noon to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sunday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The building has been open since 2013, and it is a good choice if you live on the far North Side.

Beyond the Public Library: The Newberry

The Newberry Library at 60 W. Walton Street is an independent research library, so it works differently from a public library. Its reading rooms are open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and items can be requested until 3 p.m. The exhibition galleries are always free, open Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Keep in mind that the Newberry is not a general-purpose study space. Its upper-floor reading rooms are meant for researchers actively using the collection, and a small lounge on the main floor is open to visitors. To use the collection, you need a reader's card. You must be 14 or older, have a research interest related to the collection, and show a valid photo ID and proof of current home address. There is no fee.

How to Book a Study Room

Chicago Public Library study rooms are free to reserve, and no approval is required. You can book a study room online or in person. A few rules to know:

• Book ahead. Study rooms may be booked up to two weeks in advance.
• Know the limits. At Harold Washington, use is limited to four hours per week and one session of up to two hours per day. At neighborhood locations, the limit is four hours per week.
• Size and layout. Rooms accommodate 10 people or fewer, depending on the room. At Harold Washington, individual rooms are on the 6th and 8th floors, and group rooms (two to nine people) are on the 5th, 6th, and 7th floors.
• Bring photo ID. You will need to show current photo ID matching the name on the reservation when you check in.
• Music and recording. Harold Washington has six practice rooms with pianos on the 8th floor, and the Uptown branch has a sound-dampened study room that can be used for music practice or recording podcasts.

Study rooms are available at many neighborhood branches, including Edgewater, Uptown, Lincoln Park, Near North, Humboldt Park, West Town, Chinatown, and more.

Tips for Your Visit

• Check the hours first. Hours vary by branch and can change on holidays.
• Go early for study rooms. Popular times fill up fast, especially around exams.
• Bring headphones and a charger. Outlets can be limited in busy areas.
• Pick the right space. A regional library is best for long study sessions, a neighborhood branch for a quick, quiet stop, and the Newberry for research.

Final Thoughts

Chicago's libraries are free, and the regional libraries are open on Sundays, which makes them a good weekend option. Try the one closest to home first, then explore a few others.