Chicago Public Library Foundation

Celebrate storytelling that changed the world. Join Pulitzer Prizes winners Percival Everett (2025 Fiction), Daniel Kraus (2026 Fiction), Amanda Vail (2026 biography), and Jon Cherry of Getty Images (2022 Breaking News photography) in a panel to launch the Pulitzer on the Road, an immersive exhibit that highlights the history and significance of the Pulitzer Prize.

Wednesday, October 14
6 pm - 7:30 pm
Harold Washington Library Center

Click here to learn more: chi.gov/PulitzerWinners

"I'm not tech savvy," "I'm computer illiterate," and "I don't know how to begin" are the most common phrases CyberNavigators at the Library branches hear from patrons. And their response? "You've come to the right place."

Whether it's learning new tech for a job search or navigating a p***c service website, donor-powered program CyberNavigators are here to build Chicagoans' digital competence and confidence. Learn more how you can help more Chicagoans thrive in the digital world here: https://bit.ly/40andbolder

We're three weeks away from the literary event of the season!

This year's Chicago Public Library Foundation Awards honor individuals who cultivate curiosity, share joy, and spark what's possible. Join us in celebrating iconic children's book author and illustrator Mo Willems, Chicago literary star Gabriel Bump, and civic leader Helen Zell - and the power of our Chicago Public Library

Click here to learn more: https://cplfoundation.org/awards/

Join fellow book and library lovers for some refreshments, activities, and some silent reading! Click here to register: https://bit.ly/SilentReadingSoiree

Are you ready to look into space for a different perspective? Join Chicago Public Library's One Book One Chicago selection: The 2024 Booker Prize winner Orbital by Samantha Harvey.

This year is special because One Book, One Chicago turns 25! And to celebrate, this beloved program is expanding to include readers of all ages! You can read more about this season here: https://www.wbez.org/books/2026/09/09/orbital-novel-samantha-harvey-one-book-one-chicago-public-library-reads

Special thanks to United and to generous donors to the Chicago Public Library Foundation for helping make this program possible.

'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.

Are you game to get tattoos for Chicago Public Library? You can still join us at Crispy Aura tattoos! Sign up here: https://bit.ly/tattoosforlibrary

15% of the tattoo sales will go toward lifelong learning across our 82 branches.

See you there!

Named after our founder, the Cindy Pritzker Civic Award recognizes an individual whose leadership has made a significant impact on the Chicago community. This year, we're honored to present this award to Helen Zell. Serving as the Executive Director of the Zell Family Foundation, Helen is an active philanthropist and thought leader in the arts and education.

Helen is a voracious reader who believes the role of books in shaping the future generation of thinkers, leaders, and active members of our democracy.

Learn more about Helen and the Chicago Public Library Foundation Awards here: https://cplfoundation.org/awards/

Catch us at these September events!
🚴 Bike the drive, September 6: Come say hi, get a chance to win some cool swag, and let's chat about supporting the Library!
🍨 Ice cream socials at Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams , September 8 (871 N. Wabash): 25% of sales go toward lifelong learning across our Library's 82 branches
📚 Printer's Row Lit Fest, September 12-13: Drop by our booth and let's chat about books, our favorite authors, and of course, our Library!

Check out our calendar here: https://cplfoundation.org/events/

See you there

Meet our Chicago Public Library Maker-in-Residence, Emma McKee! A Chicago-based artist, Emma is committed to telling our city's stories. Over the summer, Emma taught decorative stitching techniques to Library users, encouraging them to embroider an image that represents their neighborhood. The result? A large denim map of Chicago!

Learn more about Emma's journey as an artist and her experience as a maker-in-residence: https://bit.ly/makerinresidenceatCPL