Richard J. Daley Branch
🏢 Chicago Public Library — Chicago, Illinois
Richard J. Daley Branch
Named for Chicago's longest-serving mayor and rooted in his own Bridgeport neighborhood, the Richard J. Daley Branch anchors one of the most diverse corners of the South Side, serving communities from Bridgeport and Canaryville to Chinatown and Bronzeville.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Tuesday | 12 PM – 8 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Thursday | 12 PM – 8 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Sunday | 1 PM – 5 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 3400 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60608
Phone: (312) 747-8990
Website: chipublib.org
📖 About Richard J. Daley Branch
The Richard J. Daley Branch opened on February 1, 1989 at 3400 S. Halsted Street in Bridgeport, the very neighborhood that shaped its namesake. It honors Mayor Richard J. Daley (1902–1976), a lifelong Bridgeport resident who served six consecutive terms beginning in April 1955 and died in office on December 20, 1976, making him one of the most consequential figures in Chicago's political history. The branch sits at a cultural crossroads on the South Side, serving a strikingly varied area that stretches from the historically Polish-American community of Bridgeport to the African-American enclave of Bronzeville, nearby Chinatown, Canaryville, and McKinley Park. Its walls feature community-made and commissioned art, including the mural "Read, Learn, Discover" produced by 2012 Summer Reading Program volunteers and a piece titled "Art of Picture Books." Additional works funded through Chicago's Percent for Art Ordinance include a sculpture by Gordon Powell, a relief by Della Seigenthaler, and drawings by Allan Winkler. A parking lot with an accessible space is available in the alley behind the building, off 34th Street.
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Named for Mayor Richard J. Daley, a lifelong Bridgeport resident who led Chicago from 1955 until his death in 1976
- Opened February 1, 1989 in the heart of the Bridgeport neighborhood
- Serves an unusually diverse area spanning Bridgeport, Canaryville, Chinatown, Bronzeville, and McKinley Park
- Community and commissioned art on display, including a volunteer-made "Read, Learn, Discover" mural and Percent for Art works
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why is this Bridgeport library named after Richard J. Daley?
Richard J. Daley (1902–1976) was a lifelong resident of Bridgeport, the neighborhood the branch serves. He was elected mayor of Chicago in 1955 and won six consecutive terms before dying in office in December 1976, making the branch a fitting tribute in his home community when it opened in 1989.
Which Chicago neighborhoods does the Daley Branch serve?
Located at 3400 S. Halsted Street, the branch sits at a cultural crossroads and serves a diverse South Side area that includes Bridgeport, Canaryville, McKinley Park, nearby Chinatown, and the historically African-American community of Bronzeville.
Is there any original artwork on display at the Daley Branch?
Yes. The branch features a mural titled "Read, Learn, Discover" created by volunteers during the 2012 Summer Reading Program, a work called "Art of Picture Books," and several pieces funded through Chicago's Percent for Art Ordinance, including a sculpture by Gordon Powell, a relief by Della Seigenthaler, and drawings by Allan Winkler.