Activate Creativity and Connection

Free movies at the Library! Chicagoans can catch screenings of the latest blockbusters, family favorites, and independent arthouse films at a nearby Library branch.

Inspiration is just a click away. Maker Lab librarians lead step-by-step tutorials for projects both practical and fantastical. From personal protective equipment to 3D printed mythical monsters, Chicago makers of all experience levels are invited to design something new.

Chicago reads together. This engaging program fosters a sense of community city-wide through reading, neighborhood tours, book club discussions, cooking tutorials, and so much more. From Toni Morrison to Neil Gaiman to Tommy Orange, browse the wide range of book selections below.

Archives tell stories and connect us to one another. The Library is home to many historical documents, artifacts, and artworks that showcase the history of Chicago and its residents—all free and open to the public to view and engage with.

Social justice is multi-faceted, affecting our city in different ways. This speaker series engages thought leaders such as Pulitzer Prize winner Margo Jefferson, New York Times bestseller Mikki Kendall, and others, to bring together Chicagoans in conversations surrounding social justice issues—from grappling with feminism, to issues of race, to climate change.

YOUmedia serves as a crucial third space between school and home. From career fairs for teens to LGBTIA+ programming and safe spaces, each year YOUmedia provides thousands of middle schoolers and high schoolers with opportunities to explore and realize their interests while learning valuable life skills they can apply outside the Library’s doors.