Purchase tickets or tables for the 2024 Library Foundation Awards.

If you’re having trouble playing this video, watch it on YouTube.

Celebrate Neverending Transformations at the Library.

Public libraries are catalysts of endless transformation – from storytimes igniting young minds to creative opportunities helping teens flourish to adults learning new digital skills that assist them with their job search. Together, we can keep the learning adventure going for all at
Chicago Public Library!

Wednesday, October 30, 2024
The UIC Dorin Forum
725 West Roosevelt Road at Halsted
Complimentary Valet
5:30pm – 9:00pm, Afterparty to follow
Business/Cocktail Attire

View sponsorship levels and benefits here. To purchase a ticket or sponsor a table at the event, click here.

A broadcast video of the Awards presentation will be released on November 7.

About the Design

The Chicago Public Library is more than a place to read books. It’s a place that transforms individuals and communities with wide-ranging programs and resources. For this year’s Chicago Public Library Foundation Awards, we bring that idea to life through the theme of Neverending Transformation — showcasing the transformative power of the Library with a vibrant, ever-evolving set of letterforms.

Mixing different typographic styles together embodies the rich culture of Chicago and illustrates the Library’s impact beyond books. Each letterform plays a role: pixelated letters represent CPL’s digital resources, experimental letters reflect its creative media and arts-based programming, and traditional letters evoke the many classic stories that line the shelves. Horizontal lines unify these letterforms, echoing the structure of bookshelves and lined pages in a journal waiting to be filled with stories. A twist of bright green conveys the growth and optimism we bring throughout the city. Altogether, this collection of letterforms captures our diverse community of voices and backgrounds in Chicago and the power of the Library to create positive change.

Meet the Honorees

Ann Patchett

Carl Sandburg Literary Award

Award-winnning author Ann Patchett is best known for novels The Patron Saint of Liars, Taft, Bel Canto, The Dutch House, and Tom Lake. She is the owner of the independent bookstore, Parnassus Books.

Cristina Henríquez

21st Century Award

A rising literary star, Cristina Henríquez is the author of The Great Divide and the acclaimed novel The Book of Unknown Americans, which was named a New York Times Notable Book of 2014.

Chance the Rapper

Arts Award

Raised on Chicago’s South Side, Chance the Rapper is a Grammy-Award winning hip-hop artist, songwriter, producer, and social activist who began his musical journey at Chicago Public Library.

Watch Our Awards Archives

While you wait for this year’s broadcats to drop, watch (or rewatch) previous Awards presentations featuring honorees Colson Whitehead, Amy Tan, George R.R. Martin, and more!

Sponsors

as of October 4, 2024

Thank you to our generous sponsors for supporting lifelong learning opportunities for all at Chicago Public Library.

If you are interested in becoming a sponsor, please complete this form. To view sponsorship levels, click here.

Presenting Sponsor

Lead Sponsor

Grand Benefactor Sponsors

Benefactor Sponsors

Patron Sponsors

  • Amazon
  • Mr. & Mrs. Elvis and Alena Antigua
  • Bank of America
  • Wendy A. Berger
  • For Good Advisory
  • Graham Grady, Taft Law
  • Jacqueline Griesdorn & Kevin Matzke
  • Bette Cerf Hill & Bruce Sagan
  • Leslie S. Hindman
  • ITW
  • KPMG LLP
  • Rob Levin & Bonnie Fong
  • Amanda Morris
  • Melissa Potdar, McDonald’s
  • Burt & Sheli Rosenberg
  • Marianna Ruiz, Weber Shandwick
  • TAWANI Foundation
  • United Airlines
  • Wintrust

Premier Individual Supporters

  • Erin Bodendorfer & Michael Neupert
  • Brenda & Ve Bui
  • Samantha B. Conrad, MD.
    & Patrick D. McHale
  • Mark Gartland
  • Indus Cares Foundation
  • Katz & Stefani, LLC
  • Lawrence Levy
  • Lynn M. Lockwood
  • Jane S. Park
  • Pritzker Traubert Family Foundation
  • Raitt Cheifetz Family Charitable Fund
  • John C. Robak
  • Laura Sage & Robert Levinson
  • The Segal Family Foundation
  • The Christopher P. Valenti Charitable Fund

Special Thanks

Honorary Chairs

Mayor Brandon Johnson & First Lady Stacie Johnson
Governor JB Pritzker & First Lady MK Pritzker
Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias & Jo Terlato Giannoulias

Event Chairs

Michael Fassnacht, Chief Growth Officer & President of Chicagoland, Clayco
Kimberley Goode, Chief Communications & Social Impact Officer, BMO

Event Producer

Donna LaPietra

Vice Chairs

  • The Block & Malkin Families
  • Leslie Bluhm
  • Marcy & Greg Carlin
  • David R. Casper
  • Bob & Jane Clark
  • The Crown Family
  • Graham C. Grady
  • Suren Gupta
  • Donna LaPietra & Bill Kurtis
  • Andrés Ordóñez
  • The Pritzker Family
  • Suzanne Yoon & Luke Molloy
  • Helen Zell
  • Susan & Bob Wislow

See your impact in action.

Contributions at every level support lifelong learning programs for all at Chicago Public Library.