Open a new Chicago Public Library branch in Avondale

We, the residents of Avondale and surrounding communities, call on the City of Chicago and the Chicago Public Library to invest in a new public library branch in Avondale.

Chicago is home to 77 neighborhoods and 81 library branches, yet Avondale remains one of the few neighborhoods without a library of its own. On the Northwest side, there are two major gaps in library access centered on Avondale, leaving thousands of residents underserved.

Avondale is home to more than 35,000 residents. While the neighborhood has a handful of gathering places, it is considered park-poor and remains deficient in accessible “third spaces” where residents can freely gather. Avondale is also experiencing significant gentrification, increasing the need for stable, inclusive public spaces that serve longtime residents and those most at risk of displacement.

Public libraries uniquely meet this need by offering not only a place to gather, but also critical access points to city services, technology, and community-based resources. As the Chicago Public Library states, its branches are “free and open places to gather, learn, connect, read and be transformed,” and serve as “that special third place—beyond home and work—where people come to improve their lives.” These resources should be equitably available in every neighborhood, including Avondale.

A new library branch in Avondale would not only serve local residents but also support neighboring communities like Hermosa, which is similarly impacted by the current gap in library coverage. Together, these communities deserve access to the educational resources, technology, programming, and safe gathering spaces that libraries provide.

We urge city leaders and the Chicago Public Library to prioritize Avondale in future library planning and funding decisions.