Woodson Regional Library
9525 S. Halsted Street
Chicago, IL 60628
(Washington Heights)
The Carter G. Woodson Regional Library opened on December 19th, 1975. It serves the Washington Heights neighborhood. The first floor holds the lobby as well as the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection, the largest collection of African American History and Literature in the Midwest. The recently renovated exterior of the library pictures Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s face, who the library is named after.
Woodson was the founder of and writer for the Association for the Study of Negro History and Life. Woodson created Negro History Week in 1926, which developed into African American History Month that is celebrated every February.
The library features many artworks, including the sculpture “Jacob’s Ladder” by Richard Hunt. The sculpture is made of bronze, with figures at the base and the ceiling, and a ladder that rolls down between them. It is in the center of the library, exposing the second floor. The sculpture is based on the biblical character of Jacob, who dreamt of a ladder that allowed angels to traverse between heaven and earth. The sculpture represents dreams coming to life through education, aligning with the Woodson Regional Library’s values. Richard Hunt (1935-2023), an African American sculptor, is known around the world for his abstract art made of unlikely materials that take up space in unique ways. He was born and raised on the south side of Chicago, with a spiritual and creative background. His art represents the injustice African Americans have faced and the hope for freedom from oppressive forces.
The library also features artist Willie Cole’s “Stowage” print. The print depicts an ironing board in the center, representing the inhumanity of Africans tightly packed in a slave ship, as well as the fact that the image is the one used in history books. The collection of irons surrounding it represents the diversity of the tribes of the Africans on the ships. In history books, slaves are seen as a mass, but “Stowage” counters this, showing that they were all humans with unique backgrounds. “Stowage”, as well as Aoko Omwony-Hope's “Hope in the Community” mural, Charles Searles' “Tempest” sculpture, and Bernard Williams'“Hopibara” sculpture are funded through the Percent for Art Ordinance by the City of Chicago Public Art Program.
Vivian G. Harsh (1890-1960) was Chicago’s first black professional librarian. She made a great historical impact through conceptualizing future Chicago Public libraries, recognizing the importance of libraries for the purpose of education, and preserving black literature. She began a collection of African American Literature through personal funding, working with other librarians, and a donation of 100 books from George Bentley, founder of the NAACP’s Chicago branch. The Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection now holds over 50,000 rare books, papers, manuscripts, and more materials.
Many authors included in the collection have also been inducted into the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame, including Richard Wright (2010), Gwendolyn Brooks (2010), Cyrus Colter (2011), Langston Hughes (2012), Willard Motley (2014), Era Bell Thompson (2020), and Timuel Black, Jr. (2025). Visits to the collection can be requested by appointment on the Woodson Regional Library Website. The CLHOF held its 2025 Induction Ceremony at the Woodson Regional Library, and the 2026 Induction Ceremony that takes place on Saturday, August 1st, will be held there as well. We will be inducting three writers: Eleanor Taylor Bland, Stanley Elkin, and Ronald L. Fair.
The Woodson Regional Library values community, educating the youth, and keeping creativity and human connection alive. They host events for children such as field trips, free lunches, and crafting. The YOUmedia lab is free for highschoolers, where they can use computers, the recording studio, or play videogames. They also host events for adults, such as movie screenings and writing workshops. Information about these events and more about the Woodson Regional Library can be found on their website.
