Woodson Regional Library
🏢 Chicago Public Library — Chicago, Illinois
Woodson Regional Library
A South Side regional library named for the 'Father of Black History,' and home to the Midwest's largest archive of African American history and literature.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Tuesday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Wednesday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Thursday | 9 AM – 9 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Sunday | 1 PM – 5 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 9525 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60628
Phone: (312) 747-6900
Website: chipublib.org
📖 About Woodson Regional Library
Woodson Regional Library at 9525 South Halsted Street is named for historian Carter G. Woodson, the scholar who launched what became Black History Month. As one of Chicago Public Library's three regional libraries, it serves the far South Side with deep reference and children's collections and a teen YOUmedia digital studio. Its centerpiece is the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature — the largest collection of its kind in the Midwest — which documents Black Chicago and the wider African American experience through manuscripts, rare books, photographs, and archives. The building reopened after a major renovation in the early 2020s.
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection — largest African American history archive in the Midwest
- One of CPL's three regional libraries (extended hours)
- Teen YOUmedia digital media studio
- Named for Carter G. Woodson, founder of Black History Month
📱 Free with a Chicago Public Library Card
Any Illinois resident can get a CPL card free and unlock:
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection at Woodson?
It is the Midwest's largest research collection of African American history and literature, held at Woodson Regional Library. It preserves manuscripts, rare books, photographs, and archives documenting Black Chicago and the broader African American experience, and is used by appointment — typically weekday afternoons and one Saturday each month.
Who is the library named after?
Woodson Regional honors Dr. Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950), the historian and author known as the 'Father of Black History,' who created the forerunner of Black History Month. The name reflects the library's role as a center for African American history and research.
Does Woodson keep longer hours than a neighborhood branch?
Yes. As a regional library it stays open until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday — later than the smaller neighborhood branches — and also opens on weekends and Sunday afternoons.