Chicago Bee Branch — Chicago Public Library
🏢 Chicago Public Library · Chicago, Illinois
Chicago Bee Branch — Chicago Public Library
Housed in a 1929 Art Deco landmark built for Anthony Overton's Chicago Bee newspaper, this Bronzeville branch is the only CPL location occupying a building listed on the National Register of Historic Places — a cornerstone of the Black Metropolis district.
🕑 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: 3647 South State Street, CHICAGO, IL 60609
Phone: (312) 747-6872
Website: chipublib.org
Plus Code: 86HJR9HF+7C (CHICAGO, IL)
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📖 About Chicago Bee Branch — Chicago Public Library
The Chicago Bee Branch operates inside the Chicago Bee Building, a three-story Art Deco structure at 3647 S. State Street completed in 1929. Architect Z. Erol Smith designed the building for entrepreneur Anthony Overton, whose enterprises included the Chicago Bee newspaper (founded 1926), Douglass National Bank, and the nationally distributed Overton Hygienic cosmetics company. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places on April 30, 1986, and designated a Chicago Landmark on September 9, 1998. After the cosmetics business vacated around 1980, the City of Chicago acquired the structure and converted it into a public library branch in the mid-1990s. Today the Bee serves the Bronzeville community with public computers, a YOUmedia Recording Studio for teens, CyberNavigators technology tutoring, and a meeting room — all within the historic walls that once published one of Chicago's most important Black newspapers.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Located inside the 1929 Chicago Bee Building — National Register of Historic Places landmark designed by Z. Erol Smith
- Originally home to Anthony Overton's Chicago Bee newspaper (1926), Douglass National Bank, and Overton Hygienic cosmetics
- Chicago Landmark since September 9, 1998 — anchors the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville District on S. State Street
- YOUmedia Recording Studio: free creative digital media space exclusively for teens
- CyberNavigators free one-on-one technology tutoring by appointment — email, job applications, digital basics
- Parking lot adjacent to building with two accessible spaces off State Street
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
CPL cardholders stream, borrow, and research free 24/7 through these digital platforms:
📚 Services
- Free public computers (close 10 min before building)
- Wi-Fi throughout the building
- YOUmedia Recording Studio (teens only)
- CyberNavigators technology tutoring (by appointment)
- Homework help for students
- Meeting room reservation
- Study rooms
- After-hours book return
- Scanner
- Bike rack
- Parking lot with two accessible spaces
- Two ADA computer workstations (oversized keyboard, trackball, wheelchair-accessible table)
- Internet to Go Wi-Fi hotspot lending
🎸 Programs
- Preschool Story Time (Tuesdays 11:00–11:45am, ages 2–5 with caregiver)
- Basic Computer Skills Help (Tuesdays noon–5pm, one-on-one via Chicago Digital Learn)
- YOUmedia teen digital media and recording studio program
- CyberNavigators digital literacy classes by appointment
📍 Nearby Libraries in Chicago
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the history of the Chicago Bee Branch building?
The branch occupies the 1929 Chicago Bee Building, an Art Deco landmark designed by Z. Erol Smith for entrepreneur Anthony Overton. It originally housed the Chicago Bee newspaper, Douglass National Bank, and the Overton Hygienic Company cosmetics firm. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986 and designated a Chicago Landmark in 1998, anchoring the Black Metropolis-Bronzeville District on S. State Street.
Does Chicago Bee Branch have a teen recording studio?
Yes. The branch has a YOUmedia Recording Studio available exclusively to teens, part of CPL's YOUmedia program that gives young people access to digital media creation tools and creative mentorship.
Can I get free technology help at the Chicago Bee Branch?
Yes. CyberNavigators tutors offer free one-on-one assistance — email, job applications, smartphone basics, and online resources — by appointment. Public computers are available during all open hours, and Internet to Go Wi-Fi hotspots are available for borrowing.
Is there parking at the Chicago Bee Branch?
Yes. A dedicated parking lot adjacent to the building on S. State Street includes two accessible spaces. Street parking is also available in the area.
📚 This library has study rooms. See how library study rooms work — booking, time limits and quiet vs group rooms — and find other libraries with study rooms libraries with study rooms by state.
🖨 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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