Public Libraries Open on Sundays in Illinois
Libraries Open on Sundays › Illinois
📚 Illinois · Sunday hours
Public Libraries Open on Sundays in Illinois
Looking for a library on a Sunday in Illinois? The Chicago Public Library keeps 12 locations — including the flagship Harold Washington Library Center and its regional and neighborhood branches — open every Sunday afternoon. Below are the exact times, with a direct link to each library’s full details.
Most small-town and suburban libraries across Illinois are closed on Sundays, but the Chicago Public Library (CPL) runs a citywide Sunday schedule — every location below opens from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. It’s an ideal window for weekend study, family story times, free Wi-Fi and public computers, or simply returning your books. These are the Chicago libraries we have verified with real Sunday hours; CPL occasionally adjusts service and closes on holidays, so it’s always worth a quick check before you head out.
💡 Tip: Sunday is the shortest library day of the week in Chicago (four hours). Plan your visit for the 1–5 p.m. window, and use the exterior book drop if you only need to return items.
Chicago — 12 libraries open Sundays
The Chicago Public Library opens its central, regional and neighborhood branches on Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m. See all Chicago public libraries.
| Library | Sunday hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Harold Washington Library Center400 South State Street, Chicago, IL 60605 | 1 PM – 5 PM | Hours & info → |
| Woodson Regional Library9525 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60628 | 1 PM – 5 PM | Hours & info → |
| Chinatown Branch2100 South Wentworth Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616 | 1 PM – 5 PM | Hours & info → |
| Sulzer Regional Library4455 North Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60625 | 1 PM – 5 PM | Hours & info → |
| Legler Regional Library115 South Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60624 | 1 PM – 5 PM | Hours & info → |
| Richard J. Daley Branch3400 South Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60608 | 1 PM – 5 PM | Hours & info → |
| Rogers Park Branch6907 North Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60626 | 1 PM – 5 PM | Hours & info → |
| Edgewater Branch6000 North Broadway, Chicago, IL 60660 | 1 PM – 5 PM | Hours & info → |
| Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch1701 North Milwaukee Avenue, Chicago, IL 60647 | 1 PM – 5 PM | Hours & info → |
| Independence Branch4024 North Elston Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618 | 1 PM – 5 PM | Hours & info → |
| West Loop Branch122 North Aberdeen Street, Chicago, IL 60607 | 1 PM – 5 PM | Hours & info → |
| Little Italy Branch1336 West Taylor Street, Chicago, IL 60607 | 1 PM – 5 PM | Hours & info → |
⏰ Before you go on a Sunday
- Holidays close libraries. Sunday hours are suspended on most public holidays and holiday weekends.
- Sunday is a short day. Chicago’s Sunday window is 1–5 p.m. — arrive early enough to use computers, study rooms or the reference desk.
- Book drops are 24/7. If you only need to return items, the exterior book drop works even when the doors are shut.
- This list covers the branches we have verified. The Chicago Public Library operates more than 80 locations; check the CPL site for any additional Sunday openings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are public libraries in Illinois open on Sundays?
Most small-town and suburban Illinois libraries are closed on Sundays, but the Chicago Public Library keeps its central, regional and neighborhood branches open. On this page we list 12 Chicago locations with confirmed Sunday hours.
What time do Chicago libraries open on Sundays?
Chicago Public Library locations that offer Sunday service are open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. That includes the Harold Washington Library Center downtown, the Sulzer and Woodson regional libraries, and neighborhood branches such as Chinatown, Rogers Park, Edgewater and Little Italy.
Is the Harold Washington Library Center open on Sundays?
Yes. The Harold Washington Library Center — CPL’s flagship central library at 400 South State Street — is open on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., along with the other locations listed on this page.
Can I use Wi-Fi, computers and study space on a Sunday?
Yes. Any Chicago Public Library open on Sunday offers its usual free services — public computers, Wi-Fi, printing and study space — during the 1–5 p.m. window. If a branch near you is closed, CPL also provides 24/7 digital access to eBooks, audiobooks and databases with your library card.
Explore more:
📍 All public libraries in Illinois · Chicago public libraries
Sunday hours verified from the Chicago Public Library during our 2026 review. Hours can change on holidays and seasonally — confirm on the library’s official page before visiting.