South Chicago Branch
🏢 Chicago Public Library — Chicago, Illinois
South Chicago Branch
South Chicago Branch has stood on the same site since its original construction in 1941, making it one of the longer-standing CPL branches in a neighborhood shaped by a century of steelmaking along the lakefront. The branch houses nine public artworks through Chicago's Percent for Art program, including a lithograph by renowned Chicago artist Kerry James Marshall.
🕑 Library Hours
| Monday | 12 PM – 8 PM |
| Tuesday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Wednesday | 12 PM – 8 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM – 6 PM |
| Friday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Saturday | 9 AM – 5 PM |
| Sunday | 1 PM – 5 PM |
Hours may vary on holidays.
📍 Location & Contact
Address: 9055 S. Houston Avenue, Chicago, IL 60617
Phone: 3127478065
Website: chipublib.org
📖 About South Chicago Branch
Originally built in 1941 and rededicated May 21, 1994 after a major renovation and addition, the South Chicago Branch serves the South Chicago and Calumet Heights neighborhoods — communities whose character was defined for over a century by U.S. Steel's South Works mill, which operated from 1880 to 1992. The branch's art collection, funded through Chicago's Percent for Art Ordinance, includes nine works: paintings by Christopher Buoscio and Claire Prussian, a lithograph by Kerry James Marshall, photography and installation work by Eleanor Clough and Sara Hoskins, pieces by Michiko Itatani and Karl Wirsum, a work by Mirtes Zwierzynski, and a mural by the Street Sights Arts Program. A dedicated teen space, added in 2018 with a SkyArt mural designed and painted by local teens, reflects the branch's strong investment in youth programming.
⭐ What makes this branch special
- Nine Percent for Art works on display, including a lithograph by Kerry James Marshall, one of Chicago's most celebrated contemporary artists
- Teen space added in 2018, featuring a mural co-created with teens through SkyArt, a gaming system, and dedicated teen programming
- Digital Navigator tutors offer one-on-one computer and digital literacy coaching for adult learners
- Building dates to 1941 — one of the older CPL branch buildings still in active service after a major 1994 renovation
- Elevator and fully accessible entrance serving a neighborhood that includes long-established Mexican American and African American communities
📱 Free with a Chicago Public Library Card
Any Chicago resident can get a CPL card free and unlock:
📍 More Chicago Public Library branches
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a Kerry James Marshall artwork at the South Chicago Branch?
Yes. The South Chicago Branch holds a lithograph by Kerry James Marshall as part of its nine-work Percent for Art collection. Marshall, who grew up in the Nickerson Gardens housing project and is now one of the country's most recognized contemporary painters, has deep roots in Chicago's South Side.
What is the teen space at South Chicago Branch?
The teen space, opened with a soft launch in July 2018, features comfortable seating, teen books, a gaming system, arts and crafts materials, and technology for teen use. The space includes a mural designed and painted by local teens in partnership with the community arts organization SkyArt.
When was the South Chicago Branch building first built?
The original branch was built in 1941. It underwent a major renovation and addition and was rededicated on May 21, 1994. The branch is located at 9055 S. Houston Avenue in the South Chicago neighborhood.
✓ Hours & details last verified from official sources in October 2026.