What a year it has been, thanks to you! As 2018 draws to a close, let’s look back at some of the highlights that you made possible.
What happens when more than 400 library enthusiasts come together? A fun-filled evening of good music, delicious food, and great company – with more than $175,00 raised for transformative learning programs at Chicago Public Library.
In July, 300 students celebrated National Summer Learning Day. Young explorers enjoyed fun hands-on experiments, a special storytelling time with award-winning author (and a library lover himself) Brian Collier, also included were free books and toys.
National Summer Learning Day is one of many events during the Summer Learning Challenge – a Chicago Public Library program that helps more than 100,000 of our youngest learners fight the “summer slide” with engaging STEAM learning activities all summer long.
For 14 years, Rhona Frazin was at the helm of the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Her leadership, vision, and passion have made the Foundation what it is today – the vital fundraising partner to Chicago Public Library. Foundation donors support transformative lifelong learning for Chicagoans of all ages. Cheers, Rhona!
In November, the Curious Movement was strengthened with more than 5,000 friends and followers. You are our ambassadors. You help us spread our mission far and wide. You bring awareness to the important role of the Library as a community anchor and resource in our great city. Thank you!
Flowers for Dreams teamed up with the Chicago Public Library Foundation for a #BeKind campaign. During the month of September, we featured different ways of sharing kindness – to our selves, our loved ones, and others. Flowers for Dreams generously invested 20% of their September proceeds to vital library programs.
There is nothing more adrenaline-pumping than Trivia Night! In October, 130 guests battled it out for bragging rights, library swag, and prizes at Lagunitas Brewing Company. The event raised more than $4,500 for educational programs at the Library!
Welcoming Mary Ellen Messner to the CPL Family!
This year, we welcomed Chicago Public Library’s new First Deputy Commissioner, Mary Ellen Messner. We are excited to work closely with her as we build on our 32-year partnership.
Our evergrowing partners
We are grateful for partners who believe that every Chicagoan deserves free access to information, knowledge, and resources through public libraries. Thank you for creating opportunity and transforming lives!
Dubbed as “the smartest event in town,” 93 authors, 950 corporate and civic leaders raised a record-breaking $2.5 million for the Library Foundation and lifelong learning at Chicago Public Library.
More than 250,000 patrons accessed lifelong learning programs in 80 branches of Chicago Public Library across our 77 neighborhoods. Students logged in more than 110,000 homework help sessions with a Teacher in the Library. 13,000 teens participated in skill-building workshops through YOUmedia. Nearly 1,000 patrons found jobs with the assistance of a CyberNavigator.
It has been a fulfilling 2018, and we could not have done it without you! Here’s to helping more Chicagoans achieve success in 2019!
Be in the know for the latest happenings this coming 2019 when you sign up for our newsletter! Happy reading!
