Vodak-East Side
About this Library
The original East Side branch was in the Calumet Park Field House in the 1940's where the Southeast Chicago Historical Society is now located. It started as a one room extension of the South Chicago Library Branch. It moved in 1955 and was known as the Calumet Sub-Branch at 104th and Ewing Avenue where the Post Office is now located. The branch name changed to East Side when it relocated to a larger storefront at 106th and Ewing in Fall 1974. In 1993 it expanded by incorporating an adjacent store front. In 1994 the name Vodak was added to the branch name in honor of James F. Vodak (1910-1991), longtime community leader, ombudsman for senior cititzens, and Executive Director and President of the East Side Chamber of Commerce. The Ewing Avenue location closed in December 2005. The new Vodak-East Side Branch was being constructed and was dedicated on October 14th, 2006 at 3710 E. 106th Street (it is located on the site of the former A & P Grocery Store). Mayor Daley, Alderman Pope, and former Governor Jim Thompson, community leaders, residents, city, state and library dignitaries and members of the Vodak family were in attendance.
The historical exhibit in the entry hallway features materials from the Southeast Chicago Historical Society including several historical East Side scenes created by the former President of the Society and artist, Joseph Mulac.