Chicago’s public library system has 81 branches across the city, but for visitors, one location stands out as a genuine must-see: the Harold Washington Library Center in the Loop. At roughly 756,000 square feet, it’s the largest public library building in the world — and it’s packed with things most tourists have no idea are free and open to the public, from a stunning 9th-floor Winter Garden to a working maker lab to original artwork by over 50 artists.
If you’re exploring Chicago’s architecture, already in the Loop, or just looking for something free and remarkable to do, Harold Washington belongs on your list. And if you’re heading to Chinatown, the award-winning Chinatown Branch is worth a detour for the architecture alone.
📚 In a Nutshell: Harold Washington Library Center is at 400 S State St in the Loop. Hours: Mon–Thu 9am–9pm, Fri–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm. Admission: Free, always — no library card needed to enter. CTA: Red/Brown/Orange/Purple/Pink Line to Harold Washington Library–State/Van Buren. Must-see: 9th-floor Winter Garden, 3rd-floor Maker Lab, original artwork throughout, architecture. Also worth visiting: Chinatown Branch (2100 S Wentworth Ave) — award-winning SOM design, right next to CTA Red Line Cermak-Chinatown stop.
⭐ Quick Picks
🏛️ Best Architecture: Harold Washington Library — Beaux-Arts inspired, Guinness record holder
🌿 Most Peaceful Spot in the Loop: 9th-floor Winter Garden — skylit glass atrium
🔧 Best Free Activity: 3rd-floor Maker Lab — free workshops, 3D printing, laser cutting
🎵 Hidden Gem: 8th-floor music rooms — free practice rooms with instruments
🎨 Best Public Art: 50+ original artworks throughout Harold Washington
🏗️ Best Modern Branch: Chinatown Branch — LEED Platinum, SOM-designed, feng shui-inspired
📖 Best for Families: Chinatown Branch ground floor — children’s zone, community space
Harold Washington Library Center
📍 400 S State St, Chicago, IL 60605
🕐 Hours: Mon–Thu 9am–9pm, Fri–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm
📞 (312) 747-4300
🌐 chipublib.org
Harold Washington Library Center opened in 1991 and immediately entered the Guinness Book of Records as the largest public library building in the world. The exterior draws from Chicago’s great Beaux-Arts and classical buildings — the Rookery, the Auditorium, the Monadnock — with massive granite blocks at the base, red brick above, and enormous ornamental owls and acroteria on the roofline. It’s named for Harold Washington, Chicago’s first Black mayor, who championed the building’s construction before his death in 1987.
But the real rewards are inside. Here’s what’s worth seeing floor by floor:
What to See Inside
9th Floor — Winter Garden: This is the headline attraction. A soaring, skylit atrium with a glass ceiling that floods the space with natural light, surrounded by greenery and quiet seating. It’s the most peaceful room in the Loop — the kind of place where you sit down for five minutes and stay for an hour. Also on the 9th floor: the Harold Washington Archives and Collections, the Special Collections exhibit hall, and rotating art exhibitions.
3rd Floor — Maker Lab: Chicago’s free public maker space. The Maker Lab offers free workshops in 3D printing, laser cutting, vinyl cutting, and digital design — open to anyone, no library card required for many programs. There are also drop-in demonstrations and open lab hours. Check the Maker Lab schedule for current offerings.
8th Floor — Music Rooms: Free music practice rooms with pianos and other instruments available to the public. Also home to the visual and performing arts collection, audio/visual rooms, and the architectural models from the original 1987 design competition that determined the building’s look.
Throughout the Building — Public Art: Over 50 original artworks by artists are installed throughout the building, including sculptures, paintings, and mixed-media pieces. Most visitors rush to the Winter Garden and miss the art on the other floors — take the stairs between floors and keep your eyes open.
📌 Insider tip: The Winter Garden is a popular spot for photography — the light is best in the morning. The building also offers free guided tours for groups (request in advance through the CPL website). If you’re visiting on a weekday evening, the building stays open until 9pm Mon–Thu, making it a great post-dinner stop.
Getting There
Harold Washington Library has its own CTA L stop: Harold Washington Library–State/Van Buren, served by the Red, Brown, Orange, Purple, and Pink Lines. Exit the station and the library is right there. It’s also a short walk south from Millennium Park (about 10 minutes on foot via Michigan Avenue) and just a few blocks from the Art Institute of Chicago.
Chinatown Branch
📍 2100 S Wentworth Ave, Chicago, IL 60616
🕐 Hours: Mon–Thu 9am–9pm, Fri–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 1–5pm
📞 (312) 747-8013
🌐 chipublib.org/chinatown
If you’re visiting Chinatown — and you should — the Chinatown Branch is worth a stop for the architecture alone. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill (the firm behind Willis Tower and One World Trade Center), this 16,000-square-foot LEED Platinum building won the 2016 AIA/ALA Library Building Award and a string of other design honors. The building’s softened triangular shape follows feng shui design principles, with all spaces opening onto a skylit two-story central atrium. A 60-foot community mural by artist CJ Hungerman wraps the second floor, telling the story of Chinatown’s past, present, and future.
It’s also the most visited branch in the entire CPL system — a testament to how well the design serves the community. The children’s zone and community meeting area are on the ground floor, with the teen and adult spaces on the second level offering panoramic neighborhood views.
📌 Insider tip: The Chinatown Branch is right next to the CTA Red Line Cermak-Chinatown station — you can see the building from the platform. If you’re doing a Chinatown food crawl, it makes a great first or last stop. Combine it with lunch at one of the nearby dim sum restaurants.
Practical Info for Visitors
Do I need a library card to visit? No. All CPL branches are free and open to the public. You can walk in, explore, use the WiFi, visit exhibits, and attend events without any card. A library card is only needed to check out books or access digital borrowing (ebooks, audiobooks, streaming).
How do I get a free library card? Illinois residents can get a free card at any branch with proof of address (utility bill, lease, or government mail with an Illinois address). Once you have a card, you get access to the full digital collection — ebooks and audiobooks through Libby/OverDrive, streaming movies, language learning apps, and more.
Can tourists get a card? Non-Illinois residents can purchase a card for $50 (valid for one year). But again — you don’t need one to visit, use WiFi, or enjoy the spaces.
Free WiFi: All 81 CPL branches offer free WiFi — Chicago Public Library is the largest provider of free WiFi in the city. No password or card needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
A: Yes, all 81 Chicago Public Library branches are completely free to enter — you don’t need a library card just to walk in, explore the building, use the WiFi, or visit exhibits. Harold Washington Library Center is open Mon–Thu 9am–9pm, Fri–Sat 9am–5pm, Sun 1pm–5pm. A free library card (available to all Illinois residents) unlocks borrowing privileges, ebook access, and digital resources.
A: Harold Washington Library Center at 400 S State St is the central library for Chicago’s 81-branch public library system — and at roughly 756,000 square feet, it’s the largest public library building in the world. The building itself is an architectural landmark with Beaux-Arts inspired design, original artwork by over 50 artists, the spectacular 9th-floor Winter Garden, a free Maker Lab on the 3rd floor, free music practice rooms on the 8th floor, and rotating exhibits throughout. It’s named for former Mayor Harold Washington.
A: The Winter Garden is on the 9th floor of Harold Washington Library Center (400 S State St). It’s a soaring, skylit atrium with a glass ceiling that fills the space with natural light, surrounded by greenery and quiet seating. It’s free and open to the public during library hours — just take the elevator to the 9th floor. It’s one of the most peaceful spots in the Loop and a favorite of photographers.
A: Illinois residents can get a free Chicago Public Library card with proof of address (utility bill, lease, or government mail). Non-Illinois residents — including tourists — can purchase a library card for $50 (valid for one year). However, you don’t need a card to enter any library, use WiFi, visit exhibits, attend events, or explore the buildings. The card is only needed to check out physical materials or access digital borrowing.
A: Yes — the Chinatown Branch (2100 S Wentworth Ave) is one of the most architecturally significant branch libraries in the country. Designed by Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the LEED Platinum building won the 2016 AIA/ALA Library Building Award and multiple other design honors. The feng shui-inspired triangular shape, skylit central atrium, 60-foot community mural, and panoramic neighborhood views make it worth a stop if you’re already exploring Chinatown. It’s right next to the CTA Red Line Cermak-Chinatown station.