Independence Branch
🏢 Chicago Public Library — Chicago, Illinois
Independence Branch
A John Ronan-designed landmark on the Northwest Side, the Independence Branch stacks a light-filled two-story library beneath 44 apartments for seniors, making it one of Chicago's pioneering library-plus-housing buildings.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Tuesday | 12 PM – 8 PM |
| Wednesday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Thursday | 12 PM – 8 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Sunday | 1 PM – 5 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 4024 North Elston Avenue, Chicago, IL 60618
Phone: (312) 744-0900
Website: chipublib.org
📖 About Independence Branch
The Independence Branch at 4024 North Elston Avenue opened for full service on February 6, 2019, as one of three pilot co-location projects that combined a Chicago Public Library branch with affordable housing in a single building. Designed by acclaimed Chicago architect John Ronan Architects and developed with the Chicago Housing Authority and Evergreen Real Estate Group, the 16,000-square-foot, two-story library occupies the ground and second floors, while 44 senior apartments (30 public housing and 14 affordable units) rise above it, topped by a roof garden over the parking area for residents. Inside, an open floor plan floods with natural light and features a graduated seating staircase, a large ground-floor children's area visible from the open second-floor adult stacks, and flexible space for meetings or independent study. The branch also houses a teen YOUmedia program with a recording studio, study rooms and a community meeting room, plus large-print and Spanish-language collections. Its bold design earned recognition in the 2020 Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards, and it launched alongside sister co-location branches in Little Italy and Northtown (West Ridge).
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Designed by architect John Ronan as a co-located library with 44 senior apartments (30 public housing, 14 affordable) above
- Signature graduated seating staircase and a light-filled open floor plan spanning two levels
- Teen YOUmedia program with a recording studio, study rooms and a community meeting room
- Ground-floor children's area visible from the open second-floor adult stacks, topped by a residents' roof garden
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❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Independence Branch really part of a building with apartments, and who lives there?
Yes. The branch occupies the ground and second floors of a building whose upper floors hold 44 apartments for seniors, split between 30 public housing units and 14 affordable units. It was built as one of Chicago's first library-and-housing co-location projects, opening in February 2019.
Who designed the Independence Branch and what makes the building architecturally notable?
It was designed by John Ronan Architects. The design is known for its open, naturally lit two-story floor plan, a distinctive graduated seating staircase, colored balconies on the apartments above and a rooftop garden, and it was recognized in the 2020 Chicago Neighborhood Development Awards.
Does the Independence Branch have facilities for teens?
Yes. The branch hosts an Independence YOUmedia program for teens that includes a recording studio, along with study rooms and a community meeting room open to the public.