For the Community.
By the Community.
Community Connections Fund
Chicago Public Library branches are vital community hubs that foster learning, creativity, and connection in the neighborhoods they serve.
That’s why we launched the Community Connections Fund, a donor-funded initiative that empowers local branches and Library staff to respond to the evolving needs of Chicagoans of all ages through engaging, community-tailored programs.
Impact At a Glance
library branches received funding in 2024
Chicagoans impacted through community-driven programs
free events celebrating arts, culture, wellness, and education
Thanks to the generous support of Exelon and Wintrust and other generous donors to the Library
Foundation, the Community Connections Fund provides mini-grants that help branches
bring community-driven programs to life. Explore below to see what this new Fund has made possible!
The Fund in Action
Stories from Librarians and Staff
“We held over 45 programs in October including story programs, kids, teen and adult arts and crafts, film history lectures as well as daily Halloween/horror film screenings. We had 241 people attend movies throughout the month with Hocus Pocus and Ghostbusters being our most popular films.”
Austin Irving Branch
“This year, Harvest Fest replaced the annual Halloween Party & Community Resource Fair that BOTY had previously organized and it was a huge success. The fest took place in the evening with a series of activities including: pumpkin painting, tote bag making, a presentation by CircEsteem, and a community resource fair for adults”
Back of the Yards Branch
“In a teen S’mores and Gardening program, Mather High School students helped to set up and fill the grant’s raised bed gardens, and planted autumn seed for a pollinator wildflower garden.”
Budlong Woods Branch
“Chicago Lawn’s back-to-school community resource fair on August 10 drew 100 attendees, featuring community partners, dance performances, children’s games, and school supply giveaways that engaged participants from newborns to seniors and prompted more regular library attendance.”
Chicago Lawn Branch
“Created a Library of Things at Dunning Branch, providing patrons access to outdoor games and sports equipment, including basketballs, which became a key part of a successful lending program. Basketball lending, especially after Dever Elementary installed a hoop, proved highly popular, with circulation remaining high throughout the fall.”
Dunning Branch
“We hosted a Family Sing-along at the branch with Margaret Murphy-Webb of the Southside Jazz Coalition. Immediately after the sing-along, Frieda Carter-Smith led everyone in an hour of line dancing.
Hall Branch
“We hosted a Family Sing-along at the branch with Margaret Murphy-Webb of the Southside Jazz Coalition. Immediately after the sing-along, Frieda Carter-Smith led everyone in an hour of line dancing.
Hall Branch
“The Outdoor Program Series brought in 50-100 attendees per concert, featuring local bands, a house music mini-conference, outdoor games, and movie screenings. A portable speaker and popcorn machine enhanced the experience and continue to support library events year-round.”
Little Village Branch
“Scheduled after Grandparent’s Day in September, we wanted to have a day and time dedicated to our senior patrons. The day began with coffee and pastries, Bingo, and a detailed schedule which included: craft activity stations throughout the branch, presentations and tabling by community organizations, a professional photo shoot, a luncheon, and an ice cream social with line dancing.”
Lozano Branch
“The aim of this program was to create a mosaic art piece designed and created by the community to display outside of Manning Branch. The program took place over three sessions. I shared a bit about the history of the library, and we brainstormed symbols that could represent the community.”
Manning Branch
“We had a successful first ever “Late Night at the Library” with 42 people attending (with a performance from The Flat Cats) which is the most we have ever had for an adult program at our location.”
Mayfair Branch
“Artist Office Hours hosted four artists (Julia Buck, Graham Henderson, Tracy Welch, and Z) who provided advice to attendees of all ages. Participants reported it was valuable, with one attendee later tabling at the New Expressions Art festival.”
Merlo Branch
“Focused on garden beautification for the second year, providing service-learning for teens and programming for all ages. Projects included starting a seed library with community gardener Ana Findlay, repainting benches, installing teen-painted panels on the fence, hosting flowerpot and birdhouse decorating programs, removing a problematic tree, and ordering planters for next season.”
Portage Cragin Branch
“The jazz concert by the Junta Jazz Ensemble was a success, with over 50 patrons attending, surpassing last year’s attendance. The event, primarily attended by seniors but also enjoyed by young children, featured goodie bags and received positive feedback, highlighting the importance of scheduling and community engagement.”
Wrightwood Ashburn Branch
“Woodson Regional hosted local Chicago authors at our First Community Book Fair. At Woodson, we take pride in adding titles of local authors to our circulating collection and in Fall 2022, we provided a setting for Local Chicago authors in the community. Each author was allotted 15 minutes of center stage time to present a talk about the creation and execution of their writing projects, with additional time for Q and A.”
Woodson Regional
Do you have questions about the Community Connections Fund?
Please reach out to Kate Nardin at knardin@cplfoundation.org