Carter G. Woodson Regional Library
🏢 Chicago Public Library · Chicago, Illinois
Carter G. Woodson Regional Library
Carter G. Woodson Regional Library opened December 19, 1975, in Chicago's Washington Heights neighborhood at 9525 S. Halsted Street. Named for the scholar and educator known as the "Father of Black History," this 62,000-square-foot regional hub anchors the South District of the Chicago Public Library and houses the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection — the largest African American history and literature archive in the Midwest.
🕑 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: 9525 S Halsted Street, Chicago, IL 60628
Phone: (312) 747-6900
Website: chipublib.org
Plus Code: 86HJP9C4+9V (Chicago, IL)
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📖 About Carter G. Woodson Regional Library
Carter G. Woodson Regional Library is one of three regional libraries in the Chicago Public Library system, serving as the central hub for approximately 24 branch libraries across Chicago's South District. The 62,000-square-foot building opened on December 19, 1975, and was expanded in 1998 to accommodate its most distinguished treasure: the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature. Harsh, who joined CPL in 1909 and became the first African American branch manager in 1924, spent decades assembling what she called her "Special Negro Collection" — today recognized as the largest African American history and literature collection in the Midwest, holding photographs, manuscripts, rare books, newspapers, periodicals and archives documenting the Black experience with a particular emphasis on Chicago and the Midwest. The collection includes papers of Richard Wright, Timuel D. Black and materials from the celebrated Book Review and Lecture Forum that brought Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston and Gwendolyn Brooks to Chicago's Bronzeville community. Woodson Regional provides full library services — computers, printing, free Wi-Fi, meeting rooms, Libby, hoopla and the CPL Kids Museum Passport — alongside the Harsh Collection's specialized research resources.
⭐ What makes this library special
- Houses the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection — the largest African American history and literature archive in the Midwest, assembled by CPL's first Black branch manager beginning in 1931
- One of three Chicago Public Library regional hubs; central anchor for ~24 South District branches in Washington Heights
- 62,000-square-foot building that opened December 19, 1975, expanded in 1998 for the Harsh Collection
- Named for Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950), founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History and creator of Negro History Week (now Black History Month)
- Kids Museum Passport: check out a pass for free admission at 15+ Chicago cultural institutions for the whole family
📱 Digital Resources — Free with Your Library Card
Woodson Regional cardholders stream, download and research free through the Chicago Public Library's digital collections:
📚 Services
- Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection (by appointment: harshcollection@chipublib.org, (312) 745-2080)
- Kids Museum Passport — free admission for families at 15+ Chicago cultural institutions
- Public computers with internet access (open until 10 min before closing), free Wi-Fi
- Black-and-white printing ($0.15/page; first $1.50 daily complimentary) and remote/mobile printing
- Meeting and study room reservations for community and private events
- Interlibrary loan and holds across all 81 CPL locations
🎸 Programs
- Author Showcase (annual event featuring dozens of published authors)
- One Book, One Chicago community reading initiative
- Summer Learning Challenge for children and teens
- Money Smart financial literacy programming
- STEAM-Powered Saturday and youth STEM programming
- YOUmedia teen digital creation space activities
📍 Nearby Libraries on Chicago's South Side
Distances are approximate straight-line miles from this library.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Carter G. Woodson and why is this library named for him?
Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950) was a historian, author and educator known as the "Father of Modern Black Historiography." He founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in 1915 and created Negro History Week in 1926 — which became Black History Month. Chicago Public Library named its South Side regional library in his honor when it opened in December 1975.
What is the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection and how do I access it?
The Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature is the largest African American history archive in the Midwest. It holds photographs, manuscripts, rare books, newspapers and periodicals documenting the Black experience in Chicago and the Midwest. Access is by appointment — contact the collection at harshcollection@chipublib.org or (312) 745-2080 to schedule a research visit.
What is the Kids Museum Passport at Woodson Regional Library?
The CPL Kids Museum Passport lets Chicago Public Library cardholders check out a pass for free admission at 15 Chicago cultural institutions — up to two adults and at least one child under 18 per visit. The program is available at all CPL locations including Woodson Regional.
What role does Woodson Regional Library play in the Chicago Public Library system?
Woodson Regional is one of three CPL regional libraries (alongside Sulzer Regional in the North and Legler Regional in the West). Regional libraries are the largest and most comprehensively resourced locations in the system, serving as hubs for surrounding branch libraries — Woodson anchors approximately 24 branches across Chicago's South District.
🎨 This library lends museum passes. See how library museum passes work and find other libraries that lend passes museum passes by state.
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