Popular Library at the Water Works
🏢 Chicago Public Library — Chicago, Illinois
Popular Library at the Water Works
Housed inside the landmark Chicago Avenue Pumping Station — a Gothic-revival limestone structure built in 1869 by architect William W. Boyington that survived the Great Chicago Fire — the Popular Library at the Water Works is CPL's browsing-focused Magnificent Mile branch, offering curated popular reading just steps from the lakefront with no computers or printing, by design.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM – 6 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: 163 E. Pearson Street, Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 3127428811
Website: chipublib.org
📖 About Popular Library at the Water Works
The Popular Library at the Water Works occupies space inside the Chicago Avenue Pumping Station at 163 E. Pearson Street, adjacent to the iconic Chicago Water Tower on the Magnificent Mile. Both structures were designed by architect William W. Boyington in 1869 from Lemont limestone and are contributing properties to the Old Chicago Water Tower District historic landmark, designated in 1975. The pumping station survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and continues to function as an active municipal water facility today, also housing the Lookingglass Theatre Company following a 2003–2004 renovation. The CPL branch within focuses entirely on popular materials — books, magazines, and browsing collections — and deliberately does not offer Wi-Fi, computers, or printing, making it a quiet reading destination in the heart of tourist Chicago. Parking in the area is very limited; public transit or walking is recommended.
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Housed in the historic 1869 Chicago Avenue Pumping Station — a National Historic Landmark-district building that survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871
- CPL's only dedicated popular-materials browsing branch on the Magnificent Mile, steps from the Chicago Water Tower
- No computers, Wi-Fi, or printing — intentionally designed as a quiet reading and browsing destination
- Shares its landmark building with the Lookingglass Theatre Company (renovated 2003–2004, 250 seats)
- After-hours book return available despite the no-tech focus — convenient for Michigan Avenue visitors
📱 Free with a Chicago Public Library Card
Any Chicago resident can get a CPL card free and unlock:
📍 More Chicago Public Library branches
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Does the Popular Library at the Water Works have computers or Wi-Fi?
No — this branch deliberately does not offer Wi-Fi, computers, or printing. It is designed as a browsing and popular-reading destination. If you need computer access near the area, the Harold Washington Library Center at 400 S. State Street is CPL's closest full-service location.
What historic building is the Popular Library at the Water Works inside?
The branch is inside the Chicago Avenue Pumping Station at 163 E. Pearson Street, a Gothic-revival limestone structure built in 1869 by architect William W. Boyington. It stands directly across from the Chicago Water Tower on the Magnificent Mile and is part of the Old Chicago Water Tower District, a city landmark designated in 1975. The building survived the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 and still operates as an active municipal pumping facility.
Is there parking near the Popular Library at the Water Works?
Parking near this branch is very limited — the library's own website recommends public transportation or walking as the preferred options. The location is well-served by CTA buses on Michigan Avenue and Chicago Avenue, and is within a short walk of the Chicago Red Line station at Chicago/State.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.