Bezazian Branch — Chicago Public Library
🏢 Chicago Public Library · Chicago, Illinois
Bezazian Branch — Chicago Public Library
Opened January 26, 1957 and named for WWII hero Harold A. Bezazian — a son of Armenian immigrants who gave his life defending his troops in the 1945 Battle of Luzon — this Uptown/Edgewater branch reflects its diverse neighborhood with Chinese- and Russian-language collections, a Citizenship Corner, and a mural painted by local children.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Sunday | 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 1226 West Ainslie Street, CHICAGO, IL 60640
Phone: (312) 744-0019
Website: chipublib.org
Plus Code: 86HJX8CQ+HP (CHICAGO, IL)
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📖 About Bezazian Branch — Chicago Public Library
Bezazian Branch opened January 26, 1957, honoring Harold A. Bezazian, the son of Armenian immigrants who became a lieutenant in the U.S. Army and died on March 11, 1945, shielding his troops during the Battle of Luzon in the Philippines. The branch serves Uptown and Edgewater — two of Chicago's most ethnically diverse lakefront neighborhoods — with Chinese-language and Russian-language collections alongside English titles, and a Citizenship Corner to assist residents navigating the naturalization process. An exterior mural created collaboratively by designer Janis Pozzi and neighborhood children brightens the entrance. Inside, photographs by David Gremp document the neighborhood's streetscape from the late 1970s. The Bezazian Writers Collective, a seed library, and an active science club round out this community branch.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Opened January 26, 1957 — one of CPL's mid-century neighborhood branches, serving Uptown and Edgewater since Eisenhower's presidency
- Named for Lt. Harold A. Bezazian, Armenian American WWII hero killed at the Battle of Luzon, 1945
- Chinese-language and Russian-language materials collections reflecting the neighborhood's diverse communities
- Citizenship Corner — resources for immigrants preparing for U.S. naturalization
- Seed library — borrow vegetable, herb, and flower seeds free with a CPL card
- Exterior mural created by designer Janis Pozzi with neighborhood children
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Bezazian cardholders stream, download, and research free through CPL's digital apps and Illinois's statewide IRIS program:
📚 Services
- Chinese-language materials collection
- Russian-language materials collection
- Seed library — free seeds with library card
- Citizenship Corner for naturalization resources
- Free public computers (close 10 min before building)
- Wi-Fi throughout the building
- After-hours book return
- Scanner
- Meeting room reservation
- City Bill Payment Kiosk
- Two ADA computer workstations (24-in monitor, oversize keyboard, trackball)
- Accessible parking (1 space)
🎸 Programs
- Bezazian Writers Collective — community writing group
- Science Club for kids and teens
- Story Time for young children
- Adult Book Discussion
- Citizenship Corner programming
- Digital literacy classes
- Mental health and social services referrals
📍 Nearby Libraries in Chicago
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Harold Bezazian, and why is this branch named for him?
Harold A. Bezazian was the son of Armenian immigrants who settled in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood. He served as a U.S. Army lieutenant in World War II and was killed on March 11, 1945 during the Battle of Luzon in the Philippines, earning distinction for protecting his troops. The branch opened in 1957 to honor his sacrifice.
Does Bezazian Branch have materials in languages other than English?
Yes. The branch maintains collections in Chinese and Russian, reflecting the long-standing Asian and Eastern European immigrant communities in Uptown and Edgewater. The CPL catalog at chipublib.bibliocommons.com can be filtered by language.
Does Bezazian Branch have a seed library?
Yes — cardholders can borrow packets of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds at no charge and are encouraged to return seeds from their harvest at season's end to keep the collection stocked.
What is the Bezazian Writers Collective?
The Bezazian Writers Collective is an ongoing community writing group hosted at the branch, open to adults who want to share work-in-progress, get feedback, and connect with other writers in the Uptown and Edgewater neighborhoods. Contact the branch at (312) 744-0019 for meeting dates.
🖨 This library offers printing, copying & fax. See how library printing, copying, scanning and fax services work — costs and mobile printing — and find other libraries that offer them printing & fax by state.
📅 This library has meeting & community rooms. See how library meeting rooms work — booking, policies and fees — and find other libraries with meeting or community rooms meeting rooms by state.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.
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