Legler Regional Library
🏢 Chicago Public Library · Chicago, Illinois
Legler Regional Library
Housed in a 1920 landmark Beaux Arts building that was Chicago's very first regional library, Legler serves West Garfield Park with a Maker Lab, YOUmedia teen studio, a restored WPA-era mural, and an on-site food pantry.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 9am–8pm |
| Tuesday | 9am–8pm |
| Wednesday | 9am–8pm |
| Thursday | 9am–8pm |
| Friday | 9am–5pm |
| Saturday | 9am–5pm |
| Sunday | 1pm–5pm |
Hours may vary on holidays; check the library site before visiting.
📍 Location, Contact & Directions
Address: 115 S. Pulaski Road, Chicago, IL 60624
Phone: (312) 746-7730
Website: chipublib.org
Plus Code: 86HJV7HF+PV (Chicago, IL)
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📖 About Legler Regional Library
Legler Regional Library opened on October 11, 1920 as the first regional branch of the Chicago Public Library — the physical fulfillment of chief librarian Henry E. Legler's 1916 "Library Plan for the Whole City," the nation's first comprehensive branch-library blueprint aimed at putting a library within walking distance of every Chicagoan. The Beaux Arts building at 115 S. Pulaski Road was designed by architect Alfred S. Alschuler, added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986, and designated a Chicago Landmark soon after. Its regional status was dropped in 1977 as circulation fell in the post-urban-renewal era, but the branch was rededicated in 1993 after renovation and had its full regional designation restored in 2019 following a major rehabilitation. Inside, the building holds significant commissioned art: R. Fayerweather Babcock's restored 1934 Depression-era mural "Wilderness, Winter River Scene" depicting Father Jacques Marquette; a carved wood sculpture by Elizabeth Catlett; and a painting by Kerry James Marshall, both acquired through Chicago's Percent for Art program. Today it serves the West and East Garfield Park communities with a Maker Lab, a YOUmedia teen digital studio, computer help, and an on-site food pantry.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Chicago's first-ever regional library, opened October 11, 1920 — regional status restored in 2019
- 1920 Beaux Arts building by Alfred S. Alschuler, on the National Register of Historic Places since 1986
- Restored 1934 WPA-era mural by R. Fayerweather Babcock, plus Percent for Art works by Elizabeth Catlett and Kerry James Marshall
- Maker Lab, YOUmedia teen digital studio, and an on-site food pantry serving the community
- Named for Henry E. Legler, CPL's chief librarian 1909–1917 and author of the nation's first comprehensive branch-library plan
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Legler Regional cardholders can stream, download, research, and learn for free through CPL's digital collections:
📚 Services
- Maker Lab with open shop hours for community creativity projects
- YOUmedia teen digital media and recording studio
- On-site food pantry for community members in need
- Teacher in the Library homework help — Mon–Thu 3–6 pm
- CyberNavigator technology tutoring by appointment
- Internet to Go — Wi-Fi hotspot lending
- Seed library for community gardeners
- City bill payment kiosk
- Meeting and study rooms available for reservation
- Public computers, printing and free Wi-Fi
- ADA-accessible workstations with assistive technology
- Kids Museum Passport (Chicago Public Library) — reserve free passes to 15+ area museums and cultural institutions
🎸 Programs
- Artist-in-Residence program (rotating community artists)
- Teacher in the Library homework help
- CyberNavigator computer and internet basics tutoring
- YOUmedia teen recording studio sessions
- Children's storytimes and youth programming
- Summer Reading Program
📍 Nearby Libraries in Chicago
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Legler the first 'regional' library in Chicago, and what does that mean?
Legler opened in 1920 as the flagship of chief librarian Henry E. Legler's 1916 "Library Plan for the Whole City" — the first comprehensive branch-library system proposed in the United States. Regional branches were larger hubs meant to hold deeper collections and serve surrounding neighborhood branches. Legler lost that designation in 1977 amid falling circulation, but regained full regional status in 2019 after a major renovation.
Who was Henry E. Legler, and why is the library named after him?
Henry Eduard Legler (1861–1917) was CPL's chief librarian from 1909 until his death in 1917. He authored the landmark 1916 "Library Plan for the Whole City," the first comprehensive branch-library system plan in the United States, and served as president of the American Library Association in 1912–1913. The library that became the centerpiece of his plan was named in his honor.
What historic artwork can I see inside the Legler building?
The branch displays R. Fayerweather Babcock's 1934 mural "Wilderness, Winter River Scene," a federally funded Depression-era work depicting Father Jacques Marquette, which has been professionally restored. The building also holds a carved wood sculpture by Elizabeth Catlett and a painting by Kerry James Marshall, both acquired through Chicago's Percent for Art program.
Does the Legler Regional Library have a food pantry?
Yes. In recognition of the food-access challenges faced by the West Garfield Park community, the branch operates an on-site food pantry alongside its regular library services — one of the ways the library functions as a full-service community hub.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes 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.
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✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in September 2026.