Altgeld Branch — Chicago Public Library
🏢 Chicago Public Library · Chicago, Illinois
Altgeld Branch — Chicago Public Library
Serving Chicago's far South Side Altgeld Gardens neighborhood, this branch stands as a vital community anchor — offering a teens-only YOUmedia Recording Studio, a Maker Lab with hands-on technology, and free homework help in a community that has historically had limited access to library resources.
🕑 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: 955 E. 131st Street, CHICAGO, IL 60827
Phone: (312) 747-3270
Website: chipublib.org
Plus Code: 86HJMC42+WC (CHICAGO, IL)
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📖 About Altgeld Branch — Chicago Public Library
The Altgeld Branch at 955 E. 131st Street serves the Altgeld Gardens public housing community on Chicago's far South Side, one of the largest public housing developments in the United States. The branch was renovated and reopened in 2020 with significantly upgraded facilities, including a YOUmedia Recording Studio exclusively for teens — allowing young people to record music, produce podcasts, and develop creative digital skills. A Maker Lab adds hands-on technology tools, making the branch a destination for STEM learning. The branch also features a City Bill Payment Kiosk, a practical amenity for residents managing utility and city service accounts. With parking, study rooms, and a full meeting room available by reservation, Altgeld Branch functions as both a learning center and a genuine community hub for a neighborhood where such resources matter most.
⭐ What makes this library special
- YOUmedia Recording Studio — teens-only music and podcast recording space opened with the 2020 renovation
- Maker Lab with hands-on technology and STEM tools for creative learning
- City Bill Payment Kiosk for water, parking, and other city service bills — a rare branch amenity
- Study rooms and a community meeting room bookable through CPL's reservation calendar
- Free homework help and Library of Things equipment lending
- Parking lot, bike rack, and after-hours book return for convenient access
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Stream, download, research, and learn for free through CPL's digital collections:
📚 Services
- Free public computers and WiFi
- Flatbed scanner for patron use
- Study rooms (reservation at chipl.libcal.com)
- Community meeting room (reservation at chipl.libcal.com)
- After-hours book return drop
- City Bill Payment Kiosk (water, parking, city services)
- Library of Things equipment lending
- Free homework help
- Maker Lab access
- Parking lot and bike rack
🎸 Programs
- YOUmedia Recording Studio — teens-only music, podcast, and audio production space
- Maker Lab programming — hands-on STEM and technology activities
- Free Homework Help — in-person academic support for students
- Story Time — early literacy programs for young children
- Digital Literacy Classes — computers and internet skills (by request)
📍 Nearby Libraries on Chicago's South Side
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is the YOUmedia Recording Studio at Altgeld Branch?
The YOUmedia Recording Studio is a dedicated space for teens to record music, produce podcasts, and develop digital audio skills — free with a CPL card. It opened as part of the branch's 2020 renovation and is exclusively for young people.
Can I pay a city bill at Altgeld Branch?
Yes. Altgeld Branch has a City Bill Payment Kiosk where you can pay water bills, parking tickets, and other city service fees — a convenient option for South Side residents.
Does Altgeld Branch have a Maker Lab?
Yes. The Maker Lab at Altgeld Branch offers hands-on access to technology tools for creative and STEM projects. Check with staff or the CPL events calendar for scheduled programming and open Maker Lab hours.
Is there parking at the Altgeld Branch?
Yes. Altgeld Branch has a parking lot on site, along with a bike rack. The branch is on E. 131st Street and accessible by CTA bus.
🧰 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 a makerspace / 3D printing. See how library makerspaces and 3D printing work and find other libraries with a makerspace makerspaces 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 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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