Chicago Public Library

Renaissance Project programs are a great way to celebrate Chicago's rich Black cultural history through CPL's archives. Explore upcoming events: chi.gov/renprojectevents The Renaissance Project is made possible with support from @mellon.org to the @CPLFoundation.

Join CPL for a special event with NBA MVP and native Chicagoan Derrick Rose on Wednesday, November 4. Rose will discuss the new book about his life and legacy, “Derrick Rose: The Poohprint.” Register now: chi.gov/drose

Want to help a loved one navigate Medicare? This fall, CPL is offering a series of free programs to help older adults and caregivers understand Medicare coverage. You’ll leave with clear and practical guidance to support confident decisions. Learn more: chi.gov/medicare

This National Friends of Libraries Week, CPL thanks all those who give their time, energy and resources to strengthen our library system. We appreciate the support of our Friends organizations and look forward to building the future of CPL together.

Join us on November 19 to welcome Samantha Harvey to talk about this year's OBOC pick, "Orbital." This year's keynote will be virtual and Harvey will be in conversation with @ala-booklist.bsky.social's Donna Seaman to talk about the book, Harvey's career and more.

We gave our favorite horror movie posters the CPL treatment. Do you have a favorite?

Applications for CPL's paid Teen Assistantship Program open October 19. CPL is bringing you a unique opportunity to learn new skills as you explore your love for reading, content creation and video games Visit chi.gov/assistantships to learn about eligibility and to apply.

In partnership with The @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social and the @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social, the "Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works That Inform, Empower & Inspire" exhibition is now open at Harold Washington Library Center until the end of the year. Learn more: chi.gov/POTR

Are you reading “Orbital”? This year’s pick is a fascinating read that explores themes of belonging. Place a hold: chi.gov/Orbital Already reading the book? Dive deeper with exciting programming centered around the book, science and space: chi.gov/oboc

Last Friday, CPL welcomed hundreds of teens to Harold Washington Library Center for this year's Teen Lit Night: Unbound! Teens celebrated all things literature, music, culture, art and listened as inspiring authors shared their literary journeys. Till' next time!

Don’t forget to register for our Book Club Celebration! This year’s celebration will feature mocktails, trivia, crafts, a volunteer fair and an author panel with Toya Wolfe, @rebeccamakkai.bsky.social, David Ellis and Keir Graff. Learn more and register here: chi.gov/BCC26

Don’t miss a special Teen Lit Author Panel at Sulzer Regional Library! Join us to hear from K. Ancrum, Don Martin and Markelle Grabo as they share their writing journeys, share advice and give you a BTS look at what it’s like to be an author. More info: chi.gov/litnightauthors

Join us on Saturday, October 17 for Voices of the City: A Building-Wide Arts Celebration at Harold Washington Library Center. This arts celebration will showcase Chicago's creative pulse through film, storytelling, visual arts and music. Learn more: chi.gov/voicesofthecity

A mini library? We’re here for it! Check out this adorable recreation of Harold Washington Library Center made by Chicago Woodwerks.

This fall, CPL will host free writing workshops for adults of all levels. Together with our partners at @storystudiochicago.bsky.social, we’re offering a series led by local authors, poets and teachers from Chicago’s literary community. Learn more: chi.gov/writeatcpl

Se invita a jóvenes y adultos de Chicago a acompañar a la poeta laureada Mayda del Valle en una exploración poética de nuestra maravillosa ciudad a través de talleres sobre el formato «eL Cien», ¡creado por la propia Del Valle! Más información: chi.gov/maydaworkshops

Chicago youth and adults alike are invited to join Chicago’s poet laureate Mayda del Valle on a poetic exploration of our wonderful city through workshops exploring the eL Cien poetic format, developed by Del Valle herself! Learn more: chi.gov/maydaworkshops

The @penguinrandomhouse.bsky.social Banned Wagon will be at CPL’s Obama Presidential Center Branch this Saturday, October 10. Join us for a family-friendly celebration including free books, a special story time, banned book trivia and more! Learn more: chi.gov/bannedwagon

Join us for a series of programs celebrating the history of Chicago's Latine community via CPL's Latine archives. CPL locations will host events including crafts, writing, games, food and much more, all centered around CPL's archives. Learn more: chi.gov/latinearchival

#CZF2026 is in one week! Join us Saturday October 10th at the @chipublib.bsky.social Harold Washington Library Center. Almost 100 zinesters, an Indigenous zinesters panel, two workshops, & five hands-on activities including a typewriter zoo! 🐭 Details: www.chicagozinefest.org/czf2026.html #zines

This Banned Books Week, we reaffirm CPL's key role as a Book Sanctuary and protect the right to read. According to @ALALibrary, nearly half of book challenges represent the lived experiences of LGBTQIA+ people and people of color. CPL is here to protect those stories.

Learn anytime, anywhere. With just your phone number, CPL gives you access to the Cell-Ed app for free. Cell-Ed has courses available like beginner to advanced English, life skills and U.S Citizenship exam preparation. Learn how to start: chi.gov/celled

Join us next Friday for a night full of young adult literature, art, culture, music and more at this year's Teen Lit Night: Unbound! This year's event will include a silent disco party, spooky book-themed mocktails, poster printmaking and more. Learn more: chi.gov/TeenLitNight2026

CPL's Book of the Month for October coincides with this year's One Book, One Chicago selection: "Orbital" by Samantha Harvey! Explore the story of six astronauts that embark on one of the last space missions of its kind. Place a hold: chi.gov/Orbital

Hej, Chicago! Join us as we celebrate Polish American Heritage Month and enjoy exciting events that uplift Polish people’s impact on this city. Partake in traditional Polish crafts, take a walk through West Town with a local author and more! Chi.gov/PAHM

CPL is hosting the first stop of the “Pulitzer on the Road: Prize-Winning Works That Inform, Empower & Inspire” tour this October 14 at Harold Washington Library Center. The launch event will celebrate the works of @pulitzerprizes.bsky.social winners from multiple genres. chi.gov/PulitzerWinners

It’s time for our second annual Book Club Celebration! Gather up your book club and come down to Harold Washington Library Center’s Winter Garden on October 20 for refreshments, activities and some fun surprises just for book club members. Register here: chi.gov/BCC26

Join us for special Destination Discovery Story Time events this September and October! Celebrate World Gorilla Day and Halloween at @lpzoo.org, as well as sweet treats at the Museum of Ice Cream. Learn more: chi.gov/destinationdiscovery

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

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

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.bsky.social, @chiarchitecture.bsky.social, the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry and more! chi.gov/spsoct3

Don't miss a special author talk with Michael Staudenmaier about his new book, "White, Black, Brown: Becoming Puerto Rican in Chicago." Staudenmaier will be in discussion with Joanna Hernandez of @wttw.bsky.social News on September 29 at Harold Washington Library Center. chi.gov/whiteblackbrown

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

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

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.

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

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!

Join CPL and @everylibrary.bsky.social in welcoming @mccallsmith.bsky.social talk about his work and latest book, "The Big Cats Dance Party: No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency." McCall Smith will be in conversation with John Chrastka, founder of EveryLibrary. Learn more: chi.gov/EveryLibraryAuthorEvent

September's Book of the Month is "Citizenship: Notes on an American Myth" by @dazeher.bsky.social. “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. Place a hold: chi.gov/SeptemberBOTM

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, @amlibraryassoc.bsky.social's Library Card Sign-up Month is the time to get it. Visit your neighborhood CPL location to get your library card today!

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

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

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!

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

Want to be part of history? CPL is still accepting letters to America in honor of America's 250th anniversary. Letters can contain reflections, critiques, hopes and stories and will be added to CPL's permanent archival collection. Learn more: chi.gov/letterstoamerica

August’s Book of the Month is “The Nickel Boys” by @colsonwhitehead.com. This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows the harrowing experiences of two Black teens at an abusive reform school in Jim Crow-era Florida. Place a hold: chi.gov/NickelBoys

Yesterday, we teamed up with White Sox and Xfinity to celebrate The 81 Club at CPL’s Chinatown Branch. From story times with Sam Antonacci and Drew Romo to fun with Southpaw and Harold the Owl, we read, learned and discovered. Join The 81 Club team: chi.gov/81club