Walker
About this Library
In 1889-90, George Clarke Walker, a wealthy businessman, donated land and built the library. Upon its completion, the library and all of its materials were presented to the Village of Morgan Park. The village had trouble supporting the library, and in 1894 it turned over administration of the library to the University of Chicago. The University managed the library for its students and the village for ten years, after which control of the library was returned to the village. In 1914, Morgan Park was annexed to Chicago, and the Walker Branch library became the third branch of the Chicago Public Library system. At that time, the building was renamed for its benefactor. The architecture is Richardson Romanesque style. The exterior walls are the oldest structure owned by the Chicago Public Library.
The Walker Branch was closed for renovation in 1993. When the facitlity reopened on September 5, 1995, its size had increased from 9,000 to 11,900 square feet. The children's and adult collections are on separate floors. An elevator, a lift for the handicapped and an annex which seats 12 were also added to the original structure.