West Chicago Public Library
🏢 SWAN Libraries · West Chicago, Illinois
West Chicago Public Library
Founded in 1894 by railroad workers and temperance activists who wanted books in Turner Junction, the West Chicago Public Library District has grown from an opera-house reading room to a 30-year-old home at 118 W. Washington Street. Open Monday through Thursday until 9 p.m. and Sundays in fall and winter, it serves more than 28,000 residents across West Chicago and surrounding DuPage County communities — and offers Museum Adventure Passes, a notary, and a digitized collection of school yearbooks unique to the community.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–9pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–9pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–9pm |
| Thursday | 9am–9pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 118 W. Washington Street, West Chicago, IL 60185
Phone: (630) 231-1552
Website: wcpld.info
Plus Code: 86HHVQMV+JR (West Chicago, IL)
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👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About West Chicago Public Library
The West Chicago Public Library District traces its roots to 1894, when temperance-minded members of the Railroad Men's Association raised money — including proceeds from a train excursion to Lake Geneva — to establish a reading room in Turner Junction, the original name for West Chicago. The Turner Reading Room & Library Association formally organized that year and opened to the public in 1895. After decades of growth, Harriette Hills and the West Chicago Women's Club revived the effort with a municipal library in 1929, starting with 451 volumes stored in orange crates. A transformative 1935 donation brought more than 10,000 artistic bookplates from the Anthony family — once considered second only to the Library of Congress collection. A 1986 referendum converted the operation into a tax-levying library district serving 27,000+ residents across West Chicago, Winfield, Wheaton, and parts of western DuPage County. The current building at 118 W. Washington Street opened October 9, 1993, following a $3.825 million bond vote, and was remodeled in 2003. As a SWAN Libraries member, cardholders access 80+ suburban Chicago libraries through a shared catalog.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Founded 1894 by railroad workers in Turner Junction — Illinois' first railroad junction town — with funds raised by a train excursion to Lake Geneva
- Library's 1935 Anthony bookplate collection of 10,000+ pieces was once considered second only to the Library of Congress
- Current building at 118 W. Washington St opened October 9, 1993 after a $3.825 million bond referendum; remodeled 2003
- Museum Adventure Pass program for free or discounted admission to Chicago-area museums and attractions
- Notary service available to the public, plus ESL resources and a community-curated digital archive of WCCHS yearbooks and newspapers
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
West Chicago cardholders can read, stream and research for free through SWAN and statewide digital platforms:
📚 Services
- Notary service available to the public
- Museum Adventure Pass checkout for Chicago-area cultural sites
- Seed library and community seed exchange
- Public computers, Wi-Fi and printing, copying, scanning
- ESL resources and language-learning support
- Meeting and study room reservations
- Interlibrary loan via SWAN Libraries consortium
🎸 Programs
- Read-n-Roll Story Stroll and seasonal family reading programs
- Stories and Live Animals with The Natural Naturalist — educational events
- Teen Advisory Board and teen gaming programs
- Business resources and entrepreneurship support
- Summer Reading Program for all ages
- ESL and adult literacy programming
📍 Nearby Libraries in DuPage & Kane County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in West Chicago · Browse all Illinois libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How did the West Chicago Public Library get its start?
The library traces its origins to 1894, when railroad workers and temperance activists in Turner Junction — the original name for West Chicago — organized the Turner Reading Room & Library Association and raised money partly through a train excursion to Lake Geneva. The reading room opened to the public in 1895. After a municipal library era beginning in 1929, a 1986 community referendum established the West Chicago Public Library District as an independent taxing body. The current building at 118 W. Washington Street opened in 1993.
Does the West Chicago Public Library offer notary services?
Yes. The West Chicago Public Library District offers free notary services to the public. Call (630) 231-1552 or check the library's website at wcpld.info to confirm availability and schedule an appointment.
Is the library open on Sundays in West Chicago?
Sunday hours are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. from Labor Day weekend through Memorial Day weekend. The library closes on Sundays during the summer season (Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend). For the rest of the week: Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
What is the Anthony bookplate collection at the West Chicago Public Library?
In 1935, Cornelia Neltnor Anthony and Frank B. Anthony donated more than 10,000 artistic bookplates to the library — pieces that depict family crests, illustrations and decorative designs. At the time the donation was considered second only to the bookplate collection held at the Library of Congress. The library has digitized a selection of this unique local collection and made it available online.
📋 This library offers notary services. See what a library notary can do — what to bring, fees and appointments — and find other libraries with a notary notary services by state.
📚 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 a seed library. See how library seed libraries work — borrow free seeds, grow them, and save some to return — and find other libraries with a seed library seed libraries by state.
🎓 This library offers free English (ESL) or citizenship classes. See how library English classes work — free, usually no card needed, with ESL levels, conversation groups and citizenship prep — and find other libraries with classes free English classes by state.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.