– Kahlil, Library Foundation donor
– Kahlil, Library Foundation donor
For 150 years, Chicago Public Library has provided Chicagoans of all ages opportunities for lifelong learning and discovery. And, thanks to donors like you, our city’s Library is today widely recognized as one of the best public library systems in the nation—and the world.
Donor-powered Library programs and resources make a real difference. From free summer activities for families to safe places for teens building their leadership skills to digital skills support provided by the CyberNavigators, the Library’s signature community-responsive programs serve Chicagoans every day and from each of our city’s 77 diverse neighborhoods.
Our Library also continues to reimagine what providing access to ideas and information for all means, with bold new initiatives in 2022 such as giving 300,000+ K-12 students automatic access to Library cards and protecting our freedom to read by declaring all 81 branches “Book Sanctuaries.”
Chicago Public Library’s long history of excellence is thanks in great part to you.
Read and learn what your support made possible
In 2019, Library Foundation identified three priority investment areas that align with the Library’s 2020-2024 Strategy and allow individuals and organizations to invest, at every level, in new and sustained initiatives that meet our community’s needs.
“When [students] get a chance to come to Chicago Public Library and have a teacher they can work with one-on-one, that builds a special relationship. And it really helps students love school.”
– Melody Farmer, 20+ year veteran Teacher in the Library
With the pandemic’s wide-ranging effects on children’s learning and social-emotional well-being, it is more important than ever that Chicago’s young people have access to holistic supports such as the free, research-based, and accessible suite of programs supported by our Closing the Academic Opportunity Gap investment priority.
In 2019, Library Foundation identified three priority investment areas that align with the Library’s 2020-2024 Strategy and allow individuals and organizations to invest, at every level, in new and sustained initiatives that meet our community’s needs.
“Maker Lab provides a wonderful opportunity, especially for younger people, to learn about engineering processes and build things. Most people don’t have the financial means to own any of this equipment, so it’s great that the Library makes the tools accessible and provides a space for people to learn about them.”
– Chicago maker Christopher Swenson
Everyone deserves the opportunity to explore, to experiment, and to express themselves. Through the Activate Creativity and Connection priority, our donors ensure that each neighborhood branch is a hub for community, inviting individuals from every background to come together, exchange ideas, and imagine new possibilities.
“Each time Mary comes in, we make progress, and each session leads to another discovery about the computer…Her courage to learn something so unfamiliar at her age is inspiring, and having the pleasure of helping her navigate a new world fills me with gratitude for the opportunity to be part of the CyberNavigator program.”
– Chad, Legler Regional CyberNavigator
With online learning, telehealth, and remote employment on the rise, Internet access and digital literacy are more crucial today than ever. But an estimated 15% of Chicago households are without home broadband services or a traditional computer, and many adults and older adults don’t have the skills and confidence they need to thrive in a digital world. By activating the Library’s citywide footprint and investing in user-friendly resources, donors help to meet people where they are in their digital journey and support them in their learning goals.
Read-A-Thon
In 2022, the Library Foundation’s Associate Board brought back its popular Read-A-Thon fundraiser for a second year! Bookworms from across Chicago challenged themselves to read as many books as possible from April through May. With its “Read Around the World” theme, the event engaged 284 participants and raised more than $88,000 to support the full range of donor-powered Library programming.
Chicago Public Library Foundation Awards
This annual event celebrates the bold storytellers, artists, and civic leaders who invite us to see the world in ways we never knew possible. In 2022, more than 10,000 Library lovers from Chicago and around the world joined us both in person and via broadcast to honor Shermann “Dilla” Thomas, Rick Bayless, and Tony Kushner. With legendary Chicago newscaster Bill Kurtis as our host, the event’s focal point was a powerful conversation between Carl Sandburg Literary Award honoree Tony Kushner and NPR Weekend Edition Saturday host Scott Simon.
Thanks to generous supporters, the Awards raised more than $1.2M for the Library’s lifelong learning programming. See (or relive!) all the 2022 Library Foundation Awards action here.
Chicago Public Library thrives when the community invests in its success. We are profoundly grateful to everyone whose support makes the Library’s extraordinary work possible. Thank you.
Every gift begins with a story. Learn why Kahlil Crawford supports CPLF.
We believe that achieving change in diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) requires us to invest thoughtfully in Library programs, engage collaboratively with our community and our Library partners, and develop a workplace culture that values and supports every employee. In 2021, we created an Equity Action Plan in partnership with experts at Ethos Talent. Four core principles now guide us both internally and in our ongoing efforts to support impact, equity, and connection across Chicago Public Library:
In 2022, we advanced our Equity Action Plan by building the following more equitable and transparent practices: