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The Library Foundation supports CPL's programs and services that transform lives and communities. Learn how to join the movement, watch the 2023 awards, and listen to the podcast series.
- About Us
The Chicago Public Library Foundation accelerates the...
- Events
2023 Library Foundation Awards. The Chicago Public Library...
- Impact
Many adults and older adults also lack the skills they need...
- Supporters
Chicago Public Library’s 150th Birthday Carleen & Jan Lorys...
- Ways to Give
Join Our Community! Did you know that you can support our...
- Officers and Board
Relive the 2023 Chicago Public Library Foundation Awards....
- Blog
Why We Love Chicago Public Library. Naming the reasons why...
- Library Foundation Awards
If you have trouble playing the video, please click here to...
- About Us
May 1, 2024 · The Foundation is a nonprofit organization that raises funds for the Chicago Public Library's collections, programs and technology. It supports signature initiatives such as One Book, One Chicago, ScienceConnections, Summer Learning Challenge and more.
- Kids Museum Passport
- Maker Lab
- Money Smart
- One Book, One Chicago
- Poetry Fest
- Scienceconnections
- Summer Learning Challenge
- Teacher in The Library
- Words and Music
- Youmedia
- GeneratedCaptionsTabForHeroSec
In partnership with Museums in the Park, we invite adult residents of Chicago to check out a Kids Museum Passport, which gives up to two adults and at least one child under 18 free admission to explore 15 of Chicago’s world-class cultural institutions. Passports are available at all CPL locations.
Our Maker Lab, Chicago’s first free and publicly accessible maker space, features introductory workshops and open shop for personal projects and collaboration. We opened the Maker Lab in July 2013 as a six-month experiment to explore the role of the library in makerspaces, community-operated workspaces where people come together to learn, create an...
Since 2001, we've partnered with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago to present Money Smart financial literacy events. What started as the Fed’s annual Money Smart Weekblossomed into year-round educational programming at CPL locations across the city. Money Smart partners include community groups, financial institutions, government agencies and sch...
One Book, One Chicagolaunched in fall 2001 as an opportunity to engage and enlighten our residents and to foster a sense of community through reading. After more than a decade of celebrating a culture of reading with two book selections annually and related programming spring and fall, in 2013 One Book, One Chicago launched an exciting expansion. C...
We celebrate poetry each year on the last Saturday in April with a daylong event featuring poetry readings, workshops and exhibits at the Harold Washington Library Center.
This unique project brings materials and programs about science and nature to the children of Chicago. Made possible with generous support from People’s Energy through the Chicago Public Library Foundation, this project is a celebration of science, nature and the STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) skills necessary for the success of 2...
Read, discover, create—during the Summer Learning Challenge! Research indicates children who read and learn during the summer are better prepared for school in the fall. Our eight-week program encourages children to read, attend programs, play, design and create. In 2013, 71,260 children read more than 56 million minutes during the summer. We also ...
Our Teacher in the Library program provides homework helpat all CPL locations. Teachers and homework helpers assist children with schoolwork, finding the most appropriate learning strategies for them, and help parents develop ways to further their child’s education.
Partnering with Ravinia Festival, we offer Words and Music each summer with free lawn passes to selected Ravinia concerts available at all CPL locations. Enhance an evening under the stars at Ravinia by first exploring the music at CPL. Borrowing a page from One Book, One Chicago, Ravinia Festival launched One Score, One Chicago in 2003 to highligh...
YOUmediais an innovative, 21st century teen learning space. Housed at the Harold Washington Library Center and a number of neighborhood locations, YOUmedia connects young adults, books, media, mentors and institutions throughout Chicago in a dynamic space designed to inspire collaboration and creativity.
Learn about the programs and partnerships offered by Chicago Public Library with the support of the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Explore topics such as museum passes, maker lab, money smart, one book, one Chicago and more.
- 2023. Colson Whitehead (Carl Sandburg Literary Award) Rebecca Makkai (21st Century Award) Richard Hunt (Arts Award) Bob Wislow (Civic Award)
- 2022. Tony Kushner (Carl Sandburg Literary Award) Shermann "Dilla" Thomas (21st Century Award) Rick Bayless (Arts Award)
- 2021. Amy Tan (Carl Sandburg Literary Award) J. Nicole Brooks (21st Century Award) Theaster Gates (Arts Award)
- 2020. Isabel Wilkerson (Carl Sandburg Literary Award) Nate Marshall (21st Century Award) Donna LaPietra (Civic Award)
6 days ago · About Us. “The public library is where place and possibility meet.”. — Chicago native and author Stuart Dybek. Since first opening our doors in 1873, we've served all Chicagoans with free and open places to gather, learn, connect, read and be transformed.
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