The expanded 81 Club partnership between Chicago Public Library and Chicago Public Schools represents a major investment in educational equity and access for Chicago students — made possible through the support of philanthropic and community partners who believe in the power of libraries.
By helping remove barriers to Library access, the initiative ensures more than 315,000 CPS students can now use their student ID numbers to access books, tutoring, digital resources, and online learning tools through Chicago Public Library. The partnership reflects what is possible when public institutions and funders work together to expand opportunity for young people across every neighborhood in Chicago.
The announcement generated widespread media attention across television, radio, print, and digital outlets, including broadcast coverage from ABC 7 Chicago, Telemundo Chicago, WGN-AM Radio, and:
The strong response reflects growing recognition of libraries as essential partners in educational access and student success. The Chicago Public Library Foundation is proud to support initiatives that connect more young people and families to the resources they need to learn, explore, and thrive.
Read the full press release here.
Thank you to the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, BMO, CME Group Foundation, Amazon, KPMG, Allstate, Helen M. Harrison Foundation, The Brinson Foundation, Norfolk Southern, Bank of America, Dr. Scholl Foundation, Kemper Educational & Charitable Fund, S&C Electric Company, Cubs Charities Community Fund, Urban Libraries Council, Spark Cremin & Paul H. Dykstra, Leslie S. Hindman, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Union Pacific Foundation, Bonnie Fong & Robert S. Levin, Searle Family Trust, Diane Marie & Wayne Mark Diamond (In Honor of Terry Diamond), The Tate Family Foundation, and other generous donors to the Library Foundation for their support in closing the academic opportunity gap.
