Coleman Branch — Chicago Public Library
🏢 Chicago Public Library · Chicago, Illinois
Coleman Branch — Chicago Public Library
Opened March 27, 1993 and named for Bessie Coleman — the first Black woman to earn an international pilot's license — this South Side branch honors her legacy with a permanent photo collection donated by the DuSable Museum and a mural celebrating Woodlawn's literary giants.
🕑 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: 731 East 63rd Street, CHICAGO, IL 60637
Phone: (312) 747-7760
Website: chipublib.org
Plus Code: 86HJQ9JV+57 (CHICAGO, IL)
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📖 About Coleman Branch — Chicago Public Library
Coleman Branch opened March 27, 1993 and honors Bessie Coleman (1892–1926), the groundbreaking aviator who became the first Black woman to fly an airplane and the first African American to earn an international pilot's license. Coleman gave her inaugural U.S. flying demonstration in 1922 at what is now Chicago's Midway Airport, just miles from this branch. The reading room features The Bessie Coleman Collection — historic photographs donated by the DuSable Museum of African American History — and a mural by After School Matters students depicting Woodlawn authors Gwendolyn Brooks, Sam Greenlee, and Lorraine Hansberry. The branch serves the Woodlawn, Hyde Park, and Greater Grand Crossing communities, and offers a Library of Things collection, homework help with certified teachers, and the Open Mic Poetry program.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Named for Bessie Coleman (1892–1926), first Black woman to earn an international pilot's license
- Permanent Bessie Coleman Collection — historic photographs from the DuSable Museum of African American History
- Mural by After School Matters students depicting Woodlawn authors Gwendolyn Brooks, Sam Greenlee, and Lorraine Hansberry
- Library of Things — borrow tools, games, and household equipment with a CPL card
- Teacher in the Library certified homework help (Mon, Wed 4–7 PM; Tue 4–6 PM)
- City Bill Payment Kiosk on-site; free parking lot behind building (access via Evans Ave)
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Coleman cardholders stream, download, and research free through CPL's digital apps and Illinois's statewide IRIS program:
📚 Services
- Library of Things — borrow tools, games, and household equipment
- Free public computers (close 10 min before building)
- Wi-Fi throughout the building
- After-hours book return
- Scanner
- Meeting room reservation
- City Bill Payment Kiosk
- Free parking lot (via Evans Avenue)
- Two ADA computer workstations (24-in monitor, oversize keyboard, trackball)
🎸 Programs
- Teacher in the Library certified homework help (Mon & Wed 4–7 PM, Tue 4–6 PM)
- Open Mic Poetry
- Teen Design Den arts and crafts
- Film screenings
- Digital literacy classes
📍 Nearby Libraries in Chicago
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Bessie Coleman and why is this branch named for her?
Bessie Coleman (1892–1926) was a Chicago-based aviator who became the first Black woman — and first Native American woman — to earn an international pilot's license, obtaining her brevet in France in 1921. She gave her first U.S. airshow performance in 1922 at what is now Midway Airport. The branch honors her trailblazing legacy with a permanent photo collection from the DuSable Museum.
What is the Library of Things at Coleman Branch?
Coleman Branch participates in CPL's Library of Things program, allowing cardholders to borrow non-traditional items — such as tools, board games, and household equipment — just like books. Check chipublib.bibliocommons.com for the current catalog of borrowable items.
What artwork is displayed at Coleman Branch?
The branch features two notable works: The Bessie Coleman Collection, historic photographs donated by the DuSable Museum of African American History, and a mural by After School Matters students depicting three celebrated Woodlawn authors — Gwendolyn Brooks, Sam Greenlee, and Lorraine Hansberry.
Is there certified homework help available at Coleman Branch?
Yes — Teacher in the Library brings CPL-certified teachers to the branch on Mondays and Wednesdays 4–7 PM and Tuesdays 4–6 PM for free one-on-one and small-group homework assistance for students of all grade levels.
🧰 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 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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