stacks on stacks

Your home library has nothing on the homes within a library that the city of Chicago is opening this year in three city neighborhoods. 

The innovative partnership between the Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Housing Authority co-locates three new branch libraries and affordable housing developments for seniors, CHA residents and market-rate buyers. It’s one of the first projects of its kind in the country, the goal being to create living-learning spaces that serve as anchors in their communities.

The first of the new branches just opened on Wednesday, Feb. 6, and it’s already making itself at home. 

Located in the Irving Park neighborhood, the Independence Branch fronts Elston Avenue, the tinted windows of its sleek horizontal gray exterior filtering an open, loft-like interior. Computer workstations and brightly colored tables and chairs fill the first floor; wide steps (some with cushioned seating) lead up to the open second floor, where on a recent visit light streamed in from the west-facing windows. 

Construction on the five-story housing development above the library is not yet complete, as indicated by the bright yellow Tyvek wrapping the exterior. When finished, the building’s 44 senior apartments — 30 public housing and 14 affordable units — will be topped with a rooftop garden.

In fact, none of the new developments looks like a stodgy old library or a cookie-cutter apartment building. Designed by three top architecture firms with deep Chicago roots, the buildings incorporate green space, gardens, wooden sunscreens and in one case an atrium between the library and the apartment building. Natural light floods every space.

Each new library will offer programs and activities designed to bring together residents and community members. For adults, computer and technology classes, and career-building and counseling sessions, join a roster of book clubs and artist-in-residence programs. Early childhood learning spaces and children’s programs will draw young readers, while the Chicago Public Library’s innovative YOUmedia labs make technology and multimedia programs available to teens.

In all, three city neighborhoods will benefit from combined housing-library developments: Irving Park’s Independence Branch (open now) and Independence Apartments, 4022 N. Elston Avenue; the Roosevelt Branch Library (opening Saturday, Feb. 23) and Taylor Street Apartments, 1342 W. Taylor Street on the near West Side; and the Northtown Branch (opening spring 2019) and Northtown Apartments, 6800 N. Western Avenue in West Ridge. 

The city plans to expand the library-affordable housing partnership to other neighborhoods.