River Forest Public Library
🏢 SWAN Libraries · River Forest, Illinois
River Forest Public Library
River Forest Public Library has served this close-in Chicago suburb since 1905, and its landmark 1929 building at 735 Lathrop Avenue — designed by Prairie School architect William Eugene Drummond with leaded-glass windows and twin fireplaces — was recognized as a significant historic property by the Village of River Forest in 2013. Part of the SWAN Libraries consortium connecting 80+ Chicago-area suburbs, the library holds over 94,000 items and stays open evenings and Sundays for maximum community access.
🕑 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: 735 Lathrop Avenue, River Forest, IL 60305
Phone: (708) 366-5205
Website: riverforestlibrary.org
Plus Code: 86HJV5VP+77 (River Forest, IL)
📱 Scan for directions
Point your phone camera at the code to open turn-by-turn directions in Google Maps.
👋 Use the Library Online
📖 About River Forest Public Library
The River Forest Public Library has been a cornerstone of this Cook County village just west of Chicago since it opened on September 26, 1905, at 508 Park Avenue with 1,000 volumes and librarian Stella H. Nida earning $15 a month. After a 1923 move to the current 735 Lathrop Avenue site, a 1928 bond issue funded the Prairie School building designed by William Eugene Drummond — featuring leaded-glass windows, fireplaces and warm brick — which opened on October 13, 1929. In 1989–1992 a major addition was constructed: the original structure was lifted four feet and connected to the new wing via a skylight atrium, with the expanded building reopening on October 25, 1992. The library joined SWAN (System Wide Automated Network) in the late 1990s, linking it to 80+ suburban Chicago libraries through a shared catalog. Today it holds more than 94,000 items, circulates over 235,000 items annually, and offers Museum Adventure Passes, Explore More Illinois digital tickets, a Library of Things collection, home delivery, and a full suite of digital resources.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Historic 1929 Prairie School building by architect William Eugene Drummond — leaded-glass windows, twin fireplaces, recognized as historically significant by River Forest in 2013
- Serving River Forest since September 26, 1905 — over 120 years as the village's public library
- Member of SWAN Libraries, the shared catalog connecting 80+ Chicago-area suburban libraries
- Museum Adventure Passes & Explore More Illinois for free or discounted admission to Brookfield Zoo, Cantigny Park, Chicago Botanic Gardens and more
- Over 94,000 items and 235,000+ annual circulations, with evening hours until 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
River Forest cardholders can stream, download and research for free through SWAN and statewide digital collections:
📚 Services
- Museum Adventure Passes & Explore More Illinois digital admission passes
- Library of Things collection for checkout
- Study room reservations
- Public computers, printing, copying, scanning and fax
- Drive-up and walk-up book drops
- Home delivery service for eligible patrons
- Interlibrary loan via SWAN Libraries consortium
🎸 Programs
- Storytimes for babies, toddlers and preschoolers
- STEM programming and arts & crafts for children and tweens
- Teen programming and gaming
- Chair yoga and wellness classes for adults
- Book clubs and author events
- Summer Reading Program for all ages
📍 Nearby Libraries in West Cook & DuPage County
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
All libraries in River Forest · Browse all Illinois libraries →
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed the River Forest Public Library's historic building?
The 1929 building at 735 Lathrop Avenue was designed by William Eugene Drummond, a Prairie School architect who had worked in Frank Lloyd Wright's studio. The structure features leaded-glass windows, twin fireplaces and warm brick detailing. In 2013 a Village of River Forest historic preservation survey recognized it as a significant property. A major 1989–1992 addition physically lifted the original building four feet and connected it to a new wing via a skylight atrium.
Is the River Forest Public Library open on Sundays?
Yes — Sunday hours are 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. from Labor Day through Memorial Day weekend. However, the library closes on Sundays during the summer (from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend each year). Monday through Thursday the library is open 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
How can I get a free museum pass from River Forest Public Library?
The library offers two programs: the Museum Adventure Pass (physical passes checked out in person for 7 days, valid at Brookfield Zoo, Cantigny Park, Chicago Botanic Gardens, and other Chicago-area venues) and Explore More Illinois (instant online access to free or discounted tickets at museums, zoos, parks, and arts centers statewide). Patrons must be 14 or older with a card in good standing and less than $10 in fines.
What is the SWAN Libraries consortium?
SWAN (System Wide Automated Network) is a shared catalog and services cooperative connecting more than 80 suburban Chicago-area libraries. With a River Forest library card you can search the full SWAN catalog at rfs.swanlibraries.net and request items from any member library to be delivered to River Forest for pickup.
🧰 This library lends a “Library of Things.” See what you can borrow besides books and find other libraries with a Library of Things Library of Things 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.
✎ Notice something out of date? Suggest a correction and we’ll verify and update it.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.