Harold Washington Library Center
Due to required facilities work, the 9th floor (including Special Collections, exhibits and the Winter Garden) is temporarily unavailable.

Upcoming Events
Holidays and Closures
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Christmas Day (Observed)Sunday, December 24, 2023Closed All Day
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Christmas DayMonday, December 25, 2023Closed All Day
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New Year's EveSunday, December 31, 2023Closed All Day
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New Year's DayMonday, January 1, 2024Closed All Day
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Martin Luther King, Jr. DayMonday, January 15, 2024Closed All Day
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Abraham Lincoln's BirthdayMonday, February 12, 2024Closed All Day
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George Washington's BirthdayMonday, February 19, 2024Closed All Day
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Pulaski DayMonday, March 4, 2024Closed All Day
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Easter SundaySunday, March 31, 2024Closed All Day
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All Staff Institute DayWednesday, April 24, 2024Closed All Day
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Memorial DayMonday, May 27, 2024Closed All Day
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JuneteenthWednesday, June 19, 2024Closed All Day
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Independence DayThursday, July 4, 2024Closed All Day
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Labor DayMonday, September 2, 2024Closed All Day
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Thanksgiving DayThursday, November 28, 2024Closed All Day
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Christmas DayWednesday, December 25, 2024Closed All Day
About Harold Washington Library Center
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- After-hours book return
- Bike rack
- City Bill Payment Kiosk
- Computers (close 30 minutes before the building does)
- Music practice rooms
- Private event rentals
- Scanner
- Street parking only
- Study rooms
- WiFi
- YOUmedia Recording Studio (for teens only)
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- Exhibits
- Federal Depository Library Program
- Homework help
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View parking facilities within convenient walking distance of Harold Washington Library Center.
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The Assistive Resources Center on the 5th floor of Harold Washington Library Center is for individuals with visual impairments or who have physical disabilities that prevent them from performing tasks such as using a computer mouse.
The Assistive Resources Center has three individual computer rooms available by appointment. To make an appointment, please call (312) 747-4001.
Each room has:
The Assistive Resources Center computers offer:
Harold Washington Library Center has a videophone with video relay service for people who are deaf or hard of hearing. Deaf or hard of hearing individuals may use the videophone to place video relay calls to hearing people, who receive the calls on a standard phone. Calls are routed through an interpreting center, where an interpreter, fluent in ASL and spoken English or Spanish, appears on the device. The deaf and hard of hearing caller signs the message to the interpreter, and the interpreter relays the conversation between the two parties. Deaf or hard of hearing individuals can also use the videophone to call other deaf or hard of hearing individuals with a videophone.
Map
Featured Services

Teacher in the Library: Thomas Hughes Children's Library
Looking for help with school work? Join other kids and families for out-of-school learning support. Get help from a certified teacher to complete homework and improve study skills. Drop in for homework help and try Teacher in the Library in person.
Schedule is subject to change. Please call to confirm availability.
Hours
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
N/A
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1:30 - 4:30 p.m.

CyberNavigators
Get computer help from a CyberNavigator tutor. One-on-one sessions are available by appointment and last up to an hour. Learn about:
- Computer, email and Internet basics
- Online job searching and resume writing
- CPL website and online resources, eBooks and other digital content
Sessions available in English and French. Please call to confirm availability and make an appointment.
Hours
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
Sunday
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
2 - 7 p.m.
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