Chicago Public Library@chipublib

Read, learn, discover. Opened in 1873, Chicago Public Library has locations in every Chicago neighborhood.

 Chicago
chipublib.org
Joined March 2010
4,100 Photos and videos
CPL's Teacher in the Library program is here to help your student have a great semester! Teacher in the Library offers free tutoring from certified teachers both in-person and online at various CPL locations. Learn more: chi.gov/TeacherInTheLibrary
Two students smile next to a Teacher in the Library tutor.

ALT Two students smile next to a Teacher in the Library tutor.
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Teens and young adults ages 13 to 20, don’t miss a night full of spooktacular surprises at Teen Lit Night: Unbound as we celebrate YA literature, art and culture. Plus, enjoy some music and treats. RSVP here: chi.gov/TeenLitNight2026
Chicago Public Library Presents: Teen Lit Night: Unbound. A night celebrating YA literature, art and culture. Friday, October 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Harold Washington Library Center. Register at: chipublib.org/Unbound.

ALT Chicago Public Library Presents: Teen Lit Night: Unbound. A night celebrating YA literature, art and culture. Friday, October 9 from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Harold Washington Library Center. Register at: chipublib.org/Unbound.
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Calling kids ages 3 to 11 and their families! The next STEAM-Powered Saturday is October 3 and will feature STEAM activities from CPL and our partners, including @artinstitutechi, @chiarchitecture, @msichicago and more! Learn more: chi.gov/spsoct3
A child builds a structure with blocks.

ALT A child builds a structure with blocks.
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Don't miss a special author talk with @mjstauden about his new book, "White, Black, Brown: Becoming Puerto Rican in Chicago." Staudenmaier will be in discussion with @Joanna_reporter of @WTTW News on September 29 at Harold Washington Library Center. chi.gov/whiteblackbrown
A headshot of author Michael Staudenmaier with a superimposed image of his book: “White, Black, Brown: Becoming Puerto Rican in Chicago.”

ALT A headshot of author Michael Staudenmaier with a superimposed image of his book: “White, Black, Brown: Becoming Puerto Rican in Chicago.”

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Celebrate Latine Heritage Month at CPL! Throughout the month, CPL will host events including movie screenings, book clubs, performances and more. In the meantime, enjoy these photographs from CPL's archives of the Viva! Festival in the 90s. Start here: chi.gov/LHM2026
Ana Bárbara performing at Viva Festival.

ALT Ana Bárbara performing at Viva Festival.

Tito Puente performing at Viva Festival.

ALT Tito Puente performing at Viva Festival.

Performer dances in a colorful Caribbean dress.

ALT Performer dances in a colorful Caribbean dress.

Celia Cruz singing at Viva Festival.

ALT Celia Cruz singing at Viva Festival.

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Read this year's One Book, One Chicago selection "Orbital" in peace with other book lovers at this year's Silent Reading Soiree. The event will take place at Harold Washington Library Center's scenic Winter Garden. Learn more: chi.gov/silentreadingsoiree
A graphic of an envelope with an “OBOC” seal that carries an invitation that reads “You’re invited to Chicago Public Library’s Silent Reading Soiree” is superimposed in front of the Winter Garden.

ALT A graphic of an envelope with an “OBOC” seal that carries an invitation that reads “You’re invited to Chicago Public Library’s Silent Reading Soiree” is superimposed in front of the Winter Garden.
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Chicago Public Library retweeted
WBEZ@WBEZ
Sep 9
As “One Book, One Chicago” turns 25, the Chicago Public Library program sets its sights on outer space. This year also includes a children’s book selection for the first time. wbez.org/books/2026/09/09/or…

'Orbital' is the 2026 One Book, One Chicago selection

As One Book, One Chicago turns 25, the Chicago Public Library program sets its sights on outer space. This year it includes a children’s book selection for the first time.

wbez.org
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And the 2026 One Book, One Chicago selection is... "Orbital" by Samantha Harvey. The novel walks us through a day in the lives of astronauts embarking on one of the last space station missions of its kind. We invite you to explore this year's programming. Chi.gov/oboc
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Brick by brick, the workers in this photo built CPL’s first central library (now the Chicago Cultural Center). Today we celebrate workers all over Chicago and thank them for their contribution in making Chicago what it is today. Happy Labor Day!
Archive photo of construction workers building the inside of Chicago Public Library’s first central library (now the Chicago Cultural Center). Photo credit: Workmen building the upper stories of the Chicago Public Library, Central Library, circa 1896, Chicago Public Library, Special Collections

ALT Archive photo of construction workers building the inside of Chicago Public Library’s first central library (now the Chicago Cultural Center). Photo credit: Workmen building the upper stories of the Chicago Public Library, Central Library, circa 1896, Chicago Public Library, Special Collections

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Join CPL and @EveryLibrary in welcoming @AlexanderMSapp talk about his work and latest book, "The Big Cats Dance Party: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency." McCall Smith will be in conversation with @MrChrastka, founder of EveryLibrary. Learn more: chi.gov/EveryLibraryAuthorEv…
Author Alexander McCall Smith next to the cover of his book, “The Big Cats Dance Party: No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.”

ALT Author Alexander McCall Smith next to the cover of his book, “The Big Cats Dance Party: No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.”

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September's Book of the Month is "Citizenship: Notes on an American Myth" by @daisyhernandez. “Citizenship” is a personal and critical examination of what it means it means to be American, reflecting on this country's laws, customs and history. chi.gov/SeptemberBOTM
The cover of “Citizenship” by Daisy Hernández superimposed onto a blue and orange gradient that matches the cover.

ALT The cover of “Citizenship” by Daisy Hernández superimposed onto a blue and orange gradient that matches the cover.

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Explore endless learning with the card that adds value to your life at no cost: your CPL library card! If you don’t have one, @ALALibrary's Library Card Sign-up Month is the time to get it. Visit your neighborhood CPL location to get your library card today
The CPL owl mascot is coming out of a megaphone from a record player holding a CPL library card. The player is in the shape of Harold Washington Library Center. Text reads “Your CPL library card hits all the right notes!” and “September is Library Card Sign-up Month.”

ALT The CPL owl mascot is coming out of a megaphone from a record player holding a CPL library card. The player is in the shape of Harold Washington Library Center. Text reads “Your CPL library card hits all the right notes!” and “September is Library Card Sign-up Month.”
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On October 3, the CHI+AI Summit will take over Harold Washington Library Center’s Lower Level. The day will include thought-provoking panels, actionable demonstrations and an info fair. Register: chi.gov/CHI-AI
CHI+AI: Building an AI-Literate Chicago October 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Harold Washington Library Center

ALT CHI+AI: Building an AI-Literate Chicago October 3, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Harold Washington Library Center
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If you need a few quick reads to help you catch up, here are some staff picks! "The Argonauts" by Maggie Nelson "Convenience Store Woman" by Sayaka Murata "All Systems Red" by Martha Wells "Intimations" by Zadie Smith
The cover of The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson

ALT The cover of The Argonauts by Maggie Nelson

The cover of Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

ALT The cover of Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata

The cover of All Systems Red by Martha Wells

ALT The cover of All Systems Red by Martha Wells

The cover of Intimations by Zadie Smith

ALT The cover of Intimations by Zadie Smith

Goodreads
@goodreads
Aug 27
Reading Challenge update: panicking productively 📖 😅
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We're here to help strengthen your child's reading skills and support their lifelong learning journey. Explore our Jump Into Reading resources and discover in-person and online resources that can help your child practice and improve their reading skills. chi.gov/jumpintoreading
Children huddle in a group while reading.

ALT Children huddle in a group while reading.

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Chicago Public Library retweeted
tracyswartz@tracyswartz
Aug 18
Last year, Sloane + I finished visiting all 634 Chicago parks. At some point in that 6-year journey, we began treating @chipublib branches as more than just water refill + potty stops. Now we've been to all 80 branches minus the new one at Obama center. Via CPL, Sloane has (1/)
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Thank you to everyone who showed up and contributed to a great Queer Radical Fair! This year, we welcomed hundreds who participated in a dance party featuring local musicians and DJs, a fashion show with collections from local teen designers and more. ‘Til next time!
1) A young person smiles radiantly showing off their Queer Radical Fair outfit. 2) Two young people in front of a Queer Radical Fair step and repeat. 3) Chicago Public Library staff smile behind an engagement table full of YOUmedia swag. 4) Two young people show off their Rainbow Cone ice cream. 5) TRQPiTECA plays music at their DJ table. 6) A pinboard holds a variety of Queer Radical Fair button pins.

ALT 1) A young person smiles radiantly showing off their Queer Radical Fair outfit. 2) Two young people in front of a Queer Radical Fair step and repeat. 3) Chicago Public Library staff smile behind an engagement table full of YOUmedia swag. 4) Two young people show off their Rainbow Cone ice cream. 5) TRQPiTECA plays music at their DJ table. 6) A pinboard holds a variety of Queer Radical Fair button pins.

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Photos by Colectivo Multipolar.
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Chicago, you made this Summer at CPL one for the books. From board books to chapter books, novels to nonfiction, thank you for reading with us. We hope you enjoyed participating in our reading challenges and attending our special events. 'Til next time!
1) A boy full of joy is submerged in bubbles. 2) A family smiling at the Woodson Regional Library Summer at CPL Kickoff. 3) A boy concentrates on playing a video game outdoors. 4) A performer sings and plays guitar on a stage. 5) A teen with a huge smile shows off their Summer at CPL shirt.

ALT 1) A boy full of joy is submerged in bubbles. 2) A family smiling at the Woodson Regional Library Summer at CPL Kickoff. 3) A boy concentrates on playing a video game outdoors. 4) A performer sings and plays guitar on a stage. 5) A teen with a huge smile shows off their Summer at CPL shirt.

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It’s your last chance to see "Praise & Protest" at the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection Gallery at Woodson Regional Library. The exhibit explores CPL's archival records from the Chicago Black Renaissance. "Praise and Protest" runs until August 27. chi.gov/praiseandprotest
Archive photo from the American Negro Exposition showing a man standing in the Chicago Coliseum during exposition construction.

ALT Archive photo from the American Negro Exposition showing a man standing in the Chicago Coliseum during exposition construction.

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