Chicago Public Library Archives. Chicago Cultural Center Contractor Bids

In February 1892, the Board of Directors of the Chicago Public Library met to appoint an architect to design the new central library. Thirteen architects responded to the invitation to design the new building and of these, three were selected to further explain their buildings to the Board: William Le Baron Jenney of Jenney and Mundie; Solon S. Beman; and Charles A. Coolidge of Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge. The Board unanimously selected the design by Boston firm, Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge as being “in complete accord with the interior plans” while it “happily indicates the character and purposes of the building.” [Board of Directors, Proceedings, February 13, 1892.] After their appointment, the company opened an office in Chicago, and in 1893 was commissioned to build the Art Institute of Chicago.

The new Main Library building stood on Dearborn Park, bordered by Michigan Avenue to the east, Washington Street on the south, Garland Court on the west, and Randolph Street on the north. At 47,000 square feet, the total cost of the new Library was slightly less than $2 million, and had a total capacity for 2 million books. However, the building quickly reached its capacity and though the building was renovated and modified several times, it underwent a major renovation by architects Holabird and Roche, reopening in 1977 as the Chicago Public Library Cultural Center. As the functions of the Library automated, the old building was found to be unsuitable for a library that was increasingly using electronic equipment on a day-to-day basis. The Chicago Public Library finally left this grand home in October 1991 as the new Harold Washington Library Center opened on State Street. Also in 1991, the building received Landmark Status and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places and was renamed the Chicago Cultural Center. The Chicago Cultural Center is now home to the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and one of the city’s Visitor Information Centers.