Events
Join in the fun! Meet fellow library lovers, discover Library treasures in CPL, and empower every Chicagoan with access to information, program, and life-learning opportunities wherever they may be.
Coming Up
Literature & Libations
On July 16, join us for our annual summer Literature & Libations event—this year with a Chicago twist.
We’re bringing together the best of local literature and lagers at Great Central Brewing Company for a night that celebrates library and our community.
2025 Library Foundation Awards
Join us for the 2025 Chicago Public Library Foundation Awards, where Chicago’s most powerful voices come together to celebrate Chicago Public Library’s vital role in expanding acess, strengthening communities, and advancing literary in all of its forms. Honorees include to Pulitzer Prize-winning author Percival Everett, poet José Olivarez and library visionary Mary Dempsey.
In Case You Missed It
Night in the Stacks 2025
Our annual dance party in the Library was held on April 4, 2025 in the Harold Washington Library Center Winter Garden and raised $130,000+ for lifelong learning programs.
2024 Library Foundation Awards
The Chicago Public Library Foundation Awards brought together award winning author Ann Patchett, literary rising star Cristina Henríquez, and GRAMMY-award winning hip-hop artist Chance the Rapper to celebrate the power of public libraries.
Trivia Night 2024
The CPLF Associate Board hosted their annual Trivia Night.
Books & Brews
The CPLF Associate Board celebrated the world of books and brews on Wednesday, August 28 at Pilot Project Brewing! Together, they raised $6,300 for lifelong learning programs at the Library.
Night in the Stacks 2024
400 Library lovers came together at this party with a purpose to raise $120,000 for lifelong learning programs and resources at Chicago Public Library.
2023 Library Foundation Awards
The Chicago Public Library Foundation Awards brought together two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning author Colson Whitehead, Chicago’s literary rising star Rebecca Makkai, globally renowned artist Richard Hunt, and civic leader Bob Wislow to celebrate the power of public libraries.
Trivia Night
On September 28, Library lovers competed for a chance at the title of Ultimate Library Trivia Champion.
Words & Whiskey
Join fellow library lovers for an exclusive literary-themed whiskey tasting, great food, and fun conversation at Lost Bowls, one of the trendiest new restaurants in downtown Chicago.
Night in the Stacks 2023
After a three-year hiatus, the CPLF Associate Board hosted Night in the Stacks on April 14, 2023, raising more than $125,000 for transformative Library programs.
2022 Library Foundation Awards
On October 19, thousands of Library lovers celebrated our bold Chicago Public Library with Pulitzer-Prize winning playwright Tony Kushner, Chef Rick Bayless, and TikTok historian Shermann “Dilla” Thomas!
Read-A-Thon 2022
Readers took their reading habits sky high (they read more than 2800+ books!) – and raised over $88,000 for lifelong learning programs at Chicago Public Library in the process.
2021 Library Foundation Awards
On November 9, thousands of Library lovers across Chicago and the world celebrated Theaster Gates, J. Nicole, Amy Tan!
Read-A-Thon: Reading is RAD!
453 readers, 4,608 books read, 740 donations, 59 teams, and over $85,000 raised – that’s RAD! And we couldn’t have done this without YOU.