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The Chicago Public Library Foundation was created 22 years ago by visionary civic and cultural leaders who believe that private contributions are essential to keeping Chicago’s Public Library truly world class.

The Foundation is an independent charitable organization working in the true spirit of public/private partnership with the City. Since 1986, the Chicago Public Library Foundation has provided more than $28 million in private support to fund collections development, programs and technology resources to enhance the City’s investment in its outstanding Library.

Gifts to the Chicago Public Library Foundation provide funding for:

• Teachers in the Library to help children with their homework after school
  
  
• Expanded free computer resources and training for the scores of families whose only access to online resources and information is through the Public Library
  
  
• Summer Reading Program materials and programs – spreading the joy of reading and academic achievement to Chicago’s children and adults
  
  
• Expanding awareness of the importance of reading and books in the brain development of infants and toddlers
  
  
• Special Collections – where academic researchers, authors and all Chicagoans can come face to face with extraordinary books, papers and artifacts on topics ranging from Chicago’s vibrant theatre history to the Civil War to the Chicago World’s Fair to Millennium Park
  
  
• And, One Book, One Chicago and Chicago Book Festival – our internationally renowned forum for discussion of books and ideas.

To find out how you can make a gift to ensure that Chicago is a city where young and old alike have free and open access to information and the excitement that comes with learning, contact the Chicago Public Library Foundation at (312) 201-9830 or online at www.chicagopubliclibraryfoundation.org.

Gifts to the Chicago Public Library Foundation are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.