Press Release

For Immediate Release
Maggie Killackey Jurgensen
Chicago Public Library
(312) 747-4051

CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY PARTICIPATES IN LOOPTOPIA - AMERICA’S FIRST DUSK-TO-DAWN EVENT
May 1, 2007

Join the Chicago Public Library in celebrating Looptopia, Chicago’s first overnight cultural celebration, which takes place on May 11, 2007. Looptopia showcases the culture and art of the historic Loop neighborhood through musical and theatrical performances, shopping, outdoor exhibitions and architectural tours. The Chicago Public Library is hosting two free events during Looptopia: a Genealogical Database class and a theatrical production for families.

The Genealogical Database class is a hands-on demonstration showing how to access and use the advanced Chicago Public Library genealogy databases. HeritageQuest, Ancestry and the Chicago Tribune Historical Archive databases are accessible from a home computer, which makes it easy for attendees to continue their research after the class. There are sessions at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. and each will last approximately 3 hours. To register for this event, call (312) 747-4898.

Peace Tales Around The World, a theatrical production by Kidworks Touring Theatre Company, is a 45-minute performance about a young boy in geography class who fantasizes about traveling to Africa, China, Mexico, Jamaica, Lebanon, India and Native America. During his travels he learns about the value of reading and gains insight on various cultures. This interactive and vibrant performance takes place at 6:30 p.m. and is open to the public.

The Chicago Public Library is comprised of the Harold Washington Library Center, two regional libraries and 76 neighborhood branches. The Chicago Public Library offers a rich resource of books, DVDs, audio books and more, provides free access to the Internet and WiFi in all of its locations, as well as free public programs for children, teens and adults.

The Harold Washington Library Center, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library and Conrad Sulzer Regional Library are open 7 days a week, the remaining 76 branch libraries are open 6 days a week and patrons can access all of the libraries’ collections online 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit the website at or call the Chicago Public Library Press Office at (312) 747-4050.