Chicago Public Library Announces Transformation of Legler Branch

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Business

Lawndale News Chicago's Bilingual Newspaper - Business

The Chicago Public Library (CPL) Commissioner Brian Bannon joined the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events Commissioner (DCASE) Mark Kelly at the Legler Branch Library, located at 115 S. Pulaski, to announce its transformation into a regional library for the west side. The first-ever public art fund will also be established to support public art projects in underserved communities. Funding for the transformation of the Legler branch and the public art fund will be supported by the sale of Knowledge & Wonder by renowned artist Kerry James Marshall. The work, which is currently owned by the City of Chicago, will be sold through auction by Christie’s Auction House. Once complete, Legler Regional Library will be a cultural and educational destination for children, youth, families and adults living in all communities on the West Side. Interior and exterior improvements will include the addition of multiple community and study spaces, an increase in collections, new lighting and building systems, accessibility improvements, and parking lot and security enhancements. The Legler library opened in 1920 and served as the system’s first regional library until 1977, when it was closed for repairs and reopened as a traditional branch library.  The most recent renovations to Legler took place in 2017 and 2018, with approximately $913,000 going to structural repairs and accessibility improvements.

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