Chicago Extends Sunday Hours At 10 More Neighborhood Libraries

CHICAGO — All city libraries are set to be open seven-days-a-week by the end of the year, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said this week. Starting April 18, ten neighborhood library branches — Altgeld, Mt Greenwood, South Shore, Back of the Yards, Chinatown, Merlo, Edgewater, Independence, Richard M. Daley, and Austin— are set to open from 1 to 5 p.m. on Sundays.

Lightfoot first announced the planned Sunday-hours expansion in June 2019. The first nine branches opened on Sundays in December 2019, in addition to the Harold Washington Library Center, and CPL’s three regional libraries—Sulzer, Legler, and Woodson Regional— which are open 68 hours per week, including Sundays.

"The library’s core mission is to provide free and equitable access to ideas and knowledge, books, materials, inspiring spaces, and technology-- things Chicagoans need and deserve every day—seven days a week," Public Library Commissioner Chris Brown.

"Whether it’s this partnering with the Chicago Housing Authority to design and revitalize our libraries, the elimination of overdue fines, or reestablishing a West Side Regional Library in partnership with the mayor’s Invest South/West initiative, the Library is constantly seeking to remove barriers and bring comprehensive, equitable library services and learning opportunities to our communities."

Lightfoot announced the new round of expanded Sunday hours at the grand opening of new, 14,164-square-foot library branch, located at 955 E 131st St on Chicago’s Far South Side, is a $7.5 million project first announced in 2016 that replaced the previous library within the Altgeld Gardens/Murray Homes community.

“As someone who is passionate about libraries and expanding opportunities for our young people to thrive, I am thrilled to formally celebrate the opening of the Altgeld branch, the expansion of Sunday hours and the opening of applications for One Summer Chicago," Lightfoot said.

"Taken together, these efforts will empower for residents of all ages to skill up, achieve upward mobility, and above all, chase after their dreams without being burdened by a lack of access to knowledge and resources.”

The new Altgeld Branch Library project marks the fourth collaboration in recent years between the CHA and CPL. In 2019, the Library and CHA opened three co-located buildings that combined public library branches with affordable and mixed-income housing in Chicago’s Little Italy, Northtown, and Independence neighborhoods.

The Altgeld Branch was built to serve the community of Altgeld Gardens and will also house a Centers for New Horizons childcare facility. In addition, the new building includes a fully independent YOUmedia teen space with a student recording studio, a Maker Lab for patrons of all ages, dedicated early learning space for children five years old and under, and private community and meeting rooms for collaborative use.

"These are important tools which help create new opportunities that enhance people’s lives and transform under-resourced neighborhoods into strong, sustainable communities," Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) said. "Today’s announcements demonstrate what can be accomplished when the city and community encouraged by a shared commitment to improving a neighborhood’s quality of life work together."