| Henry E. Legler Regional Branch of the Chicago Public Library | |
| Location: | 115 S. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, Illinois |
| Coordinates: | 41.8794°N -87.7253°W |
| Architect: | Alfred S. Alschuler |
| Architecture: | Beaux Arts |
| Added: | November 6, 1986 |
| Area: | less than one acre |
| Refnum: | 86003169 |
The Henry E. Legler Regional Branch of the Chicago Public Library, also called the Legler Library, the Legler Regional Library, or the Legler Branch, is a branch of the Chicago Public Library located at 115 S. Pulaski Road in the West Garfield Park community area of Chicago, Illinois.[1] The library was built in 1919 and opened on October 11, 1920; it was the first regional library in Chicago. Chicago architect Alfred S. Alschuler designed the building in the Beaux Arts style.[2] A Works Progress Administration mural in the library depicts Jacques Marquette and Native American traders during Marquette's visit to the Chicago area.[2]
The Legler Library originally served an affluent Jewish community. However, as the demographics of West Garfield Park shifted, it ultimately came to serve a poor and underprivileged African-American population. The Chicago Public Library removed the Legler Library's status as a regional library in 1977, at a time when circulation was dropping at the library.[3] The branch was rededicated in 1993 following a renovation.[1]
The library was added to the National Register of Historic Places on November 6, 1986.
In 2019 the library regained regional status and completed a renovation.[4]