John Merlo Branch
🏢 Chicago Public Library — Chicago, Illinois
John Merlo Branch
Serving the heart of Lakeview from Belmont Avenue, the John Merlo Branch is named for a longtime 44th Ward alderman and Illinois legislator who called this neighborhood home for most of his life — and the collection has grown to reflect the community he represented: one of Chicago's largest LGBTQ+ library collections and a drama and theatre section ranked among the biggest in the CPL system.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 12 PM – 8 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Wednesday | 12 PM – 8 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Sunday | 1 PM – 5 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 644 W. Belmont Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657
Phone: (312) 744-1139
Website: chipublib.org
📖 About John Merlo Branch
The John Merlo Branch at 644 W. Belmont Avenue is named in honor of John Merlo (1912–1992), a Chicago politician who served seven terms in the Illinois House, three years in the Illinois Senate, and as 44th Ward Alderman, and who moved to the Lake View neighborhood in 1922 and remained there for the rest of his life. The branch serves one of Chicago's most densely populated and culturally active community areas, and its collections reflect that character: it holds one of the city's largest LGBTQ+ literature collections, a drama and theatre section noted as very large for its system, and materials on African American heritage, Chicago history, and Judaica. A YOUmedia Recording Studio dedicated exclusively to teens gives young patrons a professional-grade space for creative production. The facility includes study rooms, an elevator, and a family restroom.
⭐ What makes this branch special
- One of the Chicago Public Library system's largest LGBTQ+ literature collections
- Drama and Theatre Collection ranked among the largest in the entire CPL system
- YOUmedia Recording Studio — a professional teen-only recording space for music and media production
- Study rooms available for individual and small-group work
- African American Heritage, Chicago History, and Judaica specialty collections
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who was John Merlo, the branch's namesake?
John Merlo (1912–1992) was a Chicago politician who served seven terms in the Illinois House of Representatives, three years in the Illinois Senate, and as 44th Ward Alderman on the Chicago City Council. He moved to the Lake View neighborhood in 1922 and lived there until his death in 1992.
Does the Merlo Branch have a YOUmedia space for teens?
Yes. The branch has a YOUmedia Recording Studio reserved exclusively for teens. The studio supports music recording and media production. The broader YOUmedia program also includes gaming events, art studios, and film screenings.
What makes the Merlo Branch's LGBTQ+ collection distinctive?
The John Merlo Branch maintains one of the largest collections of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender literature in the Chicago Public Library system, reflecting Lakeview's role as a historic center of Chicago's LGBTQ+ community. The collection spans fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and cultural history.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.