Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – May 20, 2025

Agenda

  1. Welcome to the Woodson Regional Library (info only)
  2. Approval of minutes for the January 28, 2025 meeting (action required)
  3. Administration and Finance Report (info only)
  4. Programming and Collections Update (info only)
  5. Operations and Facilities Report (info only)
  6. Commissioner’s Report (info only)
    • Chicago Reader Recognition & CPL’s Public Impact
    • Five-Year Strategy Wrap-Up & 2025 Update: Five Years. One Mission. A Library for All.
    • All Staff Institute Day 2025: Cirque du CPL
    • 81 Club x CPL + CPS: One Account. Every Student.
    • Harold Washington Library Center: Strategy Progress Update
    • Citywide Operational Review: CPL’s Role
    • Why IMLS Matters—And What’s at Stake
  7. Chicago Public Library Foundation Report (info only)
  8. Other Business
  9. Public Comment

Next Board meeting: September 16, 2025, at Merlo Library, 644 W. Belmont Avenue

 

Open Session Minutes

Board Members in Attendance

Physically Present: Linda Johnson Rice, Christopher P. Valenti, Lynn Lockwood, Dominique Jordan Turner

Present by Means of Video or Audio Conference: None

Absent: Jodi Block, Michelle Boone, Sandra Delgado

Welcome to the Woodson Regional Library (info only)

Lawanda Miller, Assistant Library Director of Woodson Regional Library shared an overview of the branch, along with Chianta Dorsey, Division Chief of Archives and Special Collections who provided information about the library’s prestigious Vivian Harsh collection.

Named after Carter G. Woodson, this regional library is a community hub and cultural center for the South Side of Chicago. The branch celebrated its 50th year anniversary in 2025 with a host of community events, programs and initiatives to recognize the legacy of the branch as a pillar in the Washington Heights community. Woodson Regional Library also houses the Vivian G. Harsh Collection, named after Chicago Public Library’s first African American branch manager. The Harsh collection encompasses one of the Midwest’s largest archives containing over 70,000 books, manuscripts, photographs on the African American experience.

Approval of minutes for January 28, 2025 meeting (action required)

The Board voted (4-0) to approve the minutes for the January 28, 2025 meeting.

Administration and Finance Report (info only)

Erema Jackson, Director of Finance and Mary Robinson, Director of Human Resources, presented the Administration and Finance Report highlighting the following:

  • For the quarterly report on contracts and purchases made for magazines, books, databases, periodicals and articles of educational and instructional nature, purchases made between January 1 – April 30, 2025, totaled $4,006,914.04 for 4,616 invoices.
  • CPL hiring is off to a great start with nine full-time positions, two part-time positions and 41 transfers occurring in the first quarter.
  • In February, the library welcomed Samual Zuckert to the senior team as CPL’s Chief Analytics Analyst. We would also like to congratulate the following staff on their recent retirements:
    • Teri Campbell - Deputy Commissioner at HWLC, 21 years 4 months of service
    • Bertha Flores-Ramirez, Head Library Clerk at Back of the Yards, 27 yrs of service
    • Joanne Grant - Librarian IV at Lincoln Belmont, 21 years of service
    • Elzbieta Jastrzebska-Ptasik - Librarian IV at Archer, 24 years of service
    • Janet Rogers - Librarian I at Mayfair, 32 years 10 months of service
  • The library has ramped up awareness and training as it relates to equity across the system with over 800 CPL staff completing the city’s first every equity 101 training, establishing a shared foundation in racial equity, systemic injustice and the responsibilities of public service.
  • The library has also increased our recruiting efforts with representation at six job fairs between February and March of this year.
  • To recognize CPL staff and their amazing work, the library has formed Staff Spotlight on LinkedIn to showcase their expertise, impact, and lived experiences at the library. This month we acknowledged Roy Kinsey, a Librarian in the Adult Services Department at Lincoln Park Branch. He is CPL's first Rapbrarian (Rapper + Librarian), mixing his love for hip-hop into his work as a Librarian.

 

Programming and Collections Update (info only)

First Deputy Commissioner Messner provided an update on current and upcoming programming and initiatives at CPL.  

Summer at CPL

The 2025 theme for this season’s summer reading programming is Nature. Summer reading programs kick-off June 21st - Aug 3rd with launch day events being held at Woodson, Sulzer and Legler Regional Libraries. Major partners include the Chicago Park District, Lincoln Park Zoo, Art Institute of Chicago, Openlands, and more! As always, branches will host a variety of programs for all ages, including adults. Children who read 20 minutes a day for 25 days earn their summer reading programming t-shirt.

CPL’s summer theme for children, teens and adults is Nature, program kicks off June 21-Aug 3.

  • Launch day events are being held at Woodson Sulzer and Legler Regional Libraries.
  • Major partners include the Chicago Park District, Lincoln Park Zoo, Art Institute of Chicago, Openlands (and more!)
  • Branches will host a variety of programs for all ages, including adults. Children who read 20 minutes a day for 25 days earn their T-shirt. 

Summer Cluster Finale at the Art Institute of Chicago

On May 13, CPL’s Children Services and Family Engagement department once again partnered with the Art Institute of Chicago to host a training for all children's-serving staff at the Ryan Family Learning Center. Over 100 youth-serving librarians and library associates were hosted at the Art Institute for a full-day professional development around art, nature, and our summer program. Activities included guided tours of selected works of art with AIC educators, art-making activities for library staff, and a guided tour of the Lurie Garden with horticulturalists from the Millennium Park Foundation.

This partnership aims to develop the visual literacy skills of our youth-serving librarians, and to bring the activities developed by the Art Institute's education team into neighborhood libraries.

Día de los niños y libros: A Celebration of Children and Books 

On May 10, CPL hosted Día de los niños y libros celebrating the Latin American heritage of Dia de los Ninos (Children's Day) with an open house at HWLC for kids of all ages and their families. The library welcomed approximately 350 people at the Dia event. Activities included an author visit, Bollywood dance lessons, a Mariachi band, and magic-- plus hands-on activities from our partners at the Art Institute of Chicago, Hull House, Northwestern University's STEAMbassadors, Casa Central, and of course Chicago Public Library. A meet and greet with Daisy from WTTW Kids' Nature Cat was the highlight of the day. CPL distributed over 230 free books in both English and Spanish to families who attended.

Scaling Impact: CPL’s Citywide Youth Development Convening 

Earlier this year, nearly 200 leaders from K-12-serving organizations convened at Harold Washington Library’s Winter Garden, forging new collaborations to connect young people with critical learning and development resources. With DFSS and My CHI. My Future. leading outreach, this convening brought together City and Sister Agencies—including DFSS, CPS, Chicago Housing Authority, the Park District, CPD-Community Policing, and DCASE—alongside nonprofit and cultural partners like After School Matters, WITS, Phalanx Family Services, Puerto Rican Arts Alliance, Lost Boyz Inc., and more. Moderated by Sylvia Ewing, the program highlighted how CPL’s 81 Club is removing barriers and making Library resources more accessible than ever for Chicago’s students.

Summer Internships 

The summer intern application for CPL launched on May 1st! The program will run June 24 – July 31. This year CPL will hire 198 teens this summer. Positions available include public service library interns, that will collaborate with library branch staff to support various branch needs and programs, and archive & administrative Interns, only at HWLC, Sulzer, & Woodson, that will work in the archive and closed departments to support CPL's administrative staff with initiatives and summer work. This work is in partnership with After School Matters (ASM). The intern enrollment deadline is May 31.

Gamer’s Universe 2025 – Full Library Activation and Future-Ready Innovation  

On Saturday, June 14, CPL and the Chicago Teen Gamer’s Guild will host Gamer’s Universe at Harold Washington Library Center—a youth-led celebration of gaming, learning, and creative tech.  The all-day convention will transform multiple floors into a citywide hub for tournaments, cosplay, workshops, and digital literacy. Attended by hundreds of Chicago youth, the event positions the library as a launchpad for STEM learning, workforce pathways, and community connection. This is a powerful showcase of CPL’s investment in youth leadership, voice, and innovation.  

Radical Fit 

Led by CPL’s Teen Services and YOUmedia department, the Radical Fit program is ramping up again with CPL staff liaisons and teaching artists connecting bi-weekly to support the Radical Fit incubator project and work towards the Queer Radical Fair. This year, teens participating in the incubator program were asked to help pick two of the spring/summer branch programs. These programs will occur at their home internship location but will also be open to any other interested teens. This year, 13 programs will be offered including 10 across the city, two as chosen by the teens, and one at Chinatown as a lead-up to Queer Radical Fair.

Event Highlights

Celebrating Local Legends: African American Steelworkers of the Calumet Region    

From February 1 to April 30, 2025, the Harold Washington Library Center hosted Local Legends: African American Steelworkers of the Calumet Region, an exhibit honoring the labor contributions and resilience of African Americans in Chicago’s Southeast Side steel industry. Aligned with ASALH’s 2025 theme, “African Americans and Labor,” the exhibit highlighted key moments from the Great Migration to modern environmental justice efforts. An adapted version was also displayed at the Altgeld, Hegewisch, and Jeffery Manor branches through March 1, 2025. Through this exhibit, CPL strengthens its commitment to preserving and celebrating the stories of Chicago’s diverse communities while activating its spaces to promote cultural awareness and connection citywide.    

Poetry Month & Festival – Elevating Chicago’s Literary Voice  

On April 2, CPL officially launched the search for Chicago’s next Poet Laureate, in partnership with DCASE and the Poetry Foundation, ensuring continued investment in Chicago’s literary future. Throughout April, over 50 programs citywide brought poetry to intergenerational audiences, celebrating culture, creativity, and self-expression.

The 26th Annual Poetry Fest took place on April 26 at the Harold Washington Library Center, featuring Marcelo Hernandez Castillo, an acclaimed poet, author, and activist, as keynote speaker. Poetry Fest saw more than 500 attendees throughout the day. 

Senator Ron Wyden in conversation with Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker

On Thursday, May 29th the Library will host Senator Ron Wyden in conversation with Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker to discuss his new book, It Takes Chutzpah: How to Fight Fearlessly for Progressive Change.  It Takes Chutzpah is an inspirational call to action by a senior U.S. politician, describing how Americans of all age groups, persuasions, and occupations can defy convention, chart new pathways for their communities, schools, at work and in life. In his book he offers a progressive leader’s manifesto for being a courageous warrior during turbulent times. 

Collections Update

Following the programming update, Lindsay Laren, CPL’s Assistant Commissioner of Collections, Content and Access and Brent Lipinski, Assistant Commissioner for Patron Experience shared an update regarding the new Library Card and Borrowing policy that went into effect on May 1st. Earlier this year, the board approved to split CPL’s Registration and Circulation policy into two distinct policies (Library Card Policy and Borrowing Policy) for clarity and ease of future updating. Since then, major changes that have rolled out under these policies include: sunsetting eCards, changes in the digital borrowing limits; and removing expiration dates for library cards.

There has been ongoing communication with staff preparing them for these changes which include sharing talking points to address frequently asked questions or concerns by patrons and staff, along with discussions during internal clerical staff meetings.  To inform patrons, CPL began sharing a series of targeted emails to eCard users and high digital borrowers, displayed posters inside branches notifying patrons of these changes, and updated information on CPL’s “Get a Library Card” and “FAQ” pages on our website.

As a result of these changes, the library has seen a surge in eCard users that have visited a branch for the first time to obtain a full access library card; holds ratios for eBooks have gone from 10:1 in January to 7:1 in May; CPL has added a more accessible “Get a Library Card” link to our website navigation, seeing an average of 176 visitors per day; and the “Get a Library Card” page has also received 24,552 visits since April 19, a 41% increase over previous months.

 

Operations and Facilities Report (info only)

Deputy Commissioner of Library Operations and Patron Experience, Maggie Clemons shared an update on CPL operations and facility projects.

Safety Updates

The safety of CPL staff and its patrons are of the utmost importance. In 2023 we established an Immediate Response Working Group later renamed the Safety Taskforce (STF) to combat safety concerns across the system. Over the past few months, STF and its subgroups have been meeting regularly to discuss these concerns, identify trends, benchmark with other library systems, and explore possible solutions. This initiative is being facilitated in partnership with the National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) Chicago, reinforcing our commitment to a trauma-informed, community-centered approach.

Earlier this year, NAMI hosted four patron focus groups, one staff focus group and facilitated system-wide surveys to help us better understand the experiences and needs of those who use and work in our libraries. As a result of those surveys, 87% of patron respondents stated that they feel CPL libraries are safe and welcoming spaces.

To further support this work, STF has developed three subgroups, each focused on a critical area of safety planning:

  • Staff and Patron Engagement Group, led by Esmeralda Bueno, to help ensure that feedback from across the system—especially lived experiences of staff and patrons—continues to shape the direction of our work.
  • Training and Policy Development Group, led by Tamela Chambers, to identify training needs and review policies to align with best practices in safety and inclusivity.
  • Communication and Implementation Group, led by Nesha Saunders, is planning how we’ll roll out new strategies and communicate clearly with both staff and patrons.

These efforts are to ensure that CPL remains a safe, supportive, and inclusive place for all.

Cameras and Panic Buttons

CPL is working closely with 2FM on safety infrastructure improvements. Pending available budget, cameras are expected to be installed across all locations by mid-next year, and panic buttons by the end of this year.

Safety Enforcement

In regard to safety enforcement, Patrick Molloy, Director of Public Affairs, shared a brief overview of the library’s violation process. We have a structured and consistent approach in response to violations of the library use guidelines. CPL enforces a tiered suspension process to address patrons that commit violations at library locations that range from requesting that a patron leaves for the day or for a certain period of time. There are three violation levels that range from causing a disturbance by using loud, abusive language which is a level one offense, to bringing weapons into the library, a level three offense that results in expulsion from all CPL locations and arrest.  We’ve worked with the City’s law department to ensure that we are inclusive of patron rights as well as patron safety. As a public institution, it is important that CPL continues to balance safety and patron access.

We are requiring all staff to participate in de-escalation training to develop conflict resolution practices.

Facilities

Capital Projects

Bessie Coleman – CPL is leading into community engagement with the developer for the 20th Ward’s community voting process. Voting for this project was held in February to relocate the Bessie Coleman branch currently located at 63rd & Cottage Grove and was passed. Next step will go before City Council for additional approval.

CARE Projects

Branches that are currently going through the Care and Repair Everything projects included Bucktown Wicker Park, Lozano, Humboldt Park and South Chicago

Water Works

We continue to explore a new and permanent space for this branch. Lookingglass has completed their renovations which allowed Water Works to reopen to the public on April 1st. Water Works is predominantly a holds pick up and drop off location with a small circulating collection. We are working with Lookingglass to offer programming on Saturdays for children and families.

Sensor Update

Sensors are up and running at every CPL location. Branch staff confirms that sensor tracking is accurate based on traffic that enters and leaves the library. We’re excited to see how sensor tracking will inform services we can provide to our patrons in the future.

Branch Highlights

Brent Lipinski, Assistant Commissioner of Patron Experience shared photos of celebrations taking place at the Woodson Regional Library in honor of the library’s 50th year anniversary. This will be a year-long celebration.

Branch staff continue to show support to their communities by participating in events and hosting programs of community interest. Just recently, staff participated in the St. Patrick’s Day parade and hosted a Queen of the Skies event at the Coleman branch, along with a Women in Trades program at Sulzer.

Lastly, to support this year’s summer reading program, Sulzer, Woodson and Legler Regional libraries are hosting kick-off events at each location on Saturday, June 21st. Each branch will host a series of indoor and outdoor nature-themed events.

Commissioner’s Report (info only)

Commissioner Brown provided a level summary of Library initiatives, highlighting the following:

  • Chicago Public Library is honored to be recognized by the Chicago Reader magazine as the Best Institution in the City.
  • As we conclude our five-year strategic plan, we are proud to celebrate the accomplishments and milestones we’ve reached, including but are not limited to an increase in our collections budget, improved technology upgrades for staff, additional co-located branches and refreshed spaces across the system and new policies to lead accountability efforts systemwide. CPL is now in the process of launching a new strategic plan guided by Gensler to support the next five years.
  • This year’s All Staff Institute Day, Cirque du CPL welcomed over 800 staff on Wed, April 30th. The circus themed event offered staff an opportunity to learn, celebrate and come together, circus style. Special thanks to Secretary of State and former board member Alexi Giannoulias who participated in the opening ceremony and shared a powerful speech on the importance of libraries.
  • CPL and CPS have finalized a landmark data-sharing agreement that will ensure every CPS student will automatically receive a library account, beginning the 2025–26 school year.
  • CPL along with other city departments will undergo a citywide review of operations in response to a $1billion+ shortfall in FY2026.
  • Commissioner Brown wrote a letter that was published in the Chicago Tribue in response to an editorial on the threat of federal library funding. In the Commissioner’s letter, he emphasized the importance of IMLS and outlined some of the contributions and efforts IMLS has put forth to sustain programs that support libraries in IL.

Chicago Public Library Foundation Report (info only)

Brenda Bui, President and CEO of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, shared an update on behalf of the staff and Board of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, highlighting the important work the Foundation is currently undertaking.  

  • The 2025 Night in the Stacks event welcomed over 400 library supporters and raised nearly $130,000 to fund library programs
  • Last month, CPLF launched its 2024 Library Foundation Impact Report. The full report can be viewed at empowereverychicagoan.org.
  • CPLF’s annual donor forum Powering Possibility: Your Investment in Action, will take place on June 3, with a panel discussion focused on the 81 Club, YOUmedia, and the teen experience. The forum will be preceded by a presentation of the Service Award to FCB Chicago.
  • Honorees will be announced on June 3 for 2025 Library Foundation Awards. This year the Foundation will introduce the renaming of the Civic Award to the Cindy Pritzker Civic Award, in honor of the late founder of the Foundation, who passed away earlier this year.

Other Business

None

Public Comment

The board received comments from the audience that included: a representative from the Washington Park community expressing their disappointment with the Bessie Coleman branch potentially being relocated to the Woodlawn neighborhood; a representative from the Northside community sharing information on the effects of radiation to the community and requesting support at branches due to her condition as it relates to radiation; a community-based organization that focuses on providing support and a safe space to individuals of the LGBTQ community on the south and west side of Chicago expressed interest in partnering with CPL; another organization, Rebels for Peace that provides social emotional learning to youth also expressed interest in collaborating with CPL; and a 4th Ward representative voiced concern with the cadence of how often library locations are changing air filters and requested more exit/evacuation signage displayed at branches for patrons and staff to exit safely in case of emergency.

Commissioner’s Report

Chicago Reader Recognition & CPL’s Public Impact 

Shortly after our January meeting, Chicago Reader named Chicago Public Library the Best Institution in the City—a meaningful recognition of the public trust we’ve earned together, and the work our staff deliver across all 81 branches. 

With over five million annual visits, more than 13 million checkouts, four million broadband and computer sessions, and over 300,000 program attendees, CPL continues to serve as one of the city’s most-used and most-valued public institutions. This moment reflects the momentum we’ve built around equity, access, digital inclusion, and early learning. 

This honor belongs to the public—but also to the leadership and investment that have made CPL a national model. We are grateful for the vision of this Board, the strength of our Friends groups, and the deep partnership of the Chicago Public Library Foundation.  

Five-Year Strategy Wrap-Up & 2025 Update: Five Years. One Mission. A Library for All.

As we conclude our five-year strategic plan, Chicago Public Library celebrates a chapter defined by transformation, community care, and national leadership—made possible by the dedication of our extraordinary staff across 81 branches. 

You’ll find a full accomplishments recap in the attached packet—also shared with CPL staff. Here are five milestones that reflect the scale and spirit of our work: 

  • Technology & Staff Capacity: Replaced 4,000+ computers, added 500 laptops, and grew to 1,159 staff strong.
  • Collections & Access: Increased our annual collections budget by 25%, adding $2M to expand access to diverse, high-quality materials. Secured a separate $2M Mellon Foundation grant to digitize the Vivian G. Harsh Collection and bring Black history to the public.
  • Cultural Impact: Celebrated CPL’s 150th with 81 neighborhood events, a six-episode podcast, and 22M+ views of Live from the Library.
  • Community Infrastructure: Opened co-located branches in Little Italy and Altgeld Gardens; completed 33 branch refreshes citywide.
  • Equity & Policy: Adopted a systemwide Equity Policy and launched CPL’s Equity Office to lead accountability efforts.

Looking ahead, we’ve launched a new strategic planning process—supported by the Foundation and guided by Gensler in alignment with City priorities. This next chapter will include deep engagement with staff, community, and stakeholders, and focus on CPL’s continued leadership in AI, literacy, youth, and cultural equity. Board members will be invited to participate in stakeholder interviews and focus groups later this summer. 

Thank you for your leadership. The next chapter starts with you. 

All Staff Institute Day 2025: Cirque du CPL

ASID 2025: Cirque du CPL was a fantastic day for CPL staff across the system. Eight hundred and sixty staff members came together at the Harold Washington Library Center to learn, celebrate, and be together. As staff entered HWLC, the smell of popcorn, circus music, stilt walkers, and circus decor greeted them. Banners designed by each branch and department hung across the lobby. The day started with messages from Mayor Brandon Johnson, Board President Linda Johnson, and Commissioner Chris Brown. Alexi Giannoulias gave a powerful speech on the importance of libraries and what his team is doing at the state level to advocate for the funding and services libraries need. The open session ended with a keynote from librarian and author Rebecca Hass, who has developed a joy-centered approach to working in libraries. Staff attended multiple breakout sessions throughout the day, including cross-stitching, financial fraud, merchandising your collection, and more. A resource fair allowed staff to connect with benefits providers, universities, and community partners throughout the day. Staff were buzzing throughout the day about the theme and how great the day was this year - perhaps the best ASID yet!

81 Club x CPL + CPS: One Account. Every Student.

After more than a decade of effort, CPL and CPS have finalized a landmark data-sharing agreement—ensuring that every CPS student will automatically receive a library account starting in the 2025–26 school year. 

No birthdate. No home address. Just opportunity. 

Supported by Mayor Johnson, Corporation Counsel, and DTI, this privacy-first initiative connects students to millions of books, digital tools, and welcoming spaces across all 81 branches. A new citywide teen read, co-designed with CPS students, is also in development. 

Equity in action. One system. One city.

Harold Washington Library Center: Strategy Progress Update

As part of CPL’s strategic assessment of Harold Washington Library Center, we continue working with Civic Consulting Alliance and Blue Cottage of CannonDesign to evaluate how HWLC can better serve a post-pandemic downtown. This effort aligns with broader City priorities around downtown revitalization, digital equity, and youth safety. 

Key progress to date includes:

  • Completed a full building walkthrough and peer benchmarking with other major central libraries
  • Analyzed engagement and program usage data to identify strengths and gaps
  • Hosted focus groups with staff, patrons, and social service partners
  • Convened an April session with cultural and civic leaders—including our Board, the Library Foundation, DCASE, IL Humanities, Steppenwolf, and others—to inform the vision

The final roadmap, due this summer, will include both qualitative insights and data-driven recommendations to help ensure HWLC remains a national model of civic space and public service. 

Citywide Operational Review: CPL’s Role

Mayor Johnson recently signed an Executive Order launching a citywide review of operations in response to a projected $1.12 billion shortfall in FY2026. Like every department, CPL will be part of that conversation. 

This is a moment to be clear about the role libraries play in daily life—from early learning and digital access to safe public spaces and trusted information. We’ll work with City leaders to ensure our impact is understood and our services are represented. 

At the same time, we’ll invite ideas from across our system—so we’re not just responding, but helping shape a thoughtful, citywide solution. 

Why IMLS Matters—And What’s at Stake

At the end of April, the Chicago Tribune published a letter I wrote in response to their editorial on the threat to federal library funding. The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) isn’t just another agency—its dismantling would dismantle the library of the future. 

IMLS helped launch YOUmedia. It funded our Maker Lab. Most recently, it awarded a $400K grant to ALA—with CPL as a lead partner—to design adult and family literacy hubs. That work is now uncertain. 

Here in Illinois, IMLS provided $5.7M in FY25, including $2.5M to sustain the Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS), which moved over 11 million books and materials between 1,700 libraries last year. 

This comes at a moment when artificial intelligence is reshaping how people live, learn, and work—and CPL is already Chicago’s second most reported broadband access point after smartphones, especially in neighborhoods with low home connectivity. 

We’ve collaborated closely with the Mayor’s Office and Intergovernmental Affairs to align on messaging. Now, we’re asking our city—residents, partners, and leaders—to contact Congress and share what IMLS has made possible in Illinois and Chicago. Let them know we need IMLS now more than ever. 

Because what we do now won’t just shape the future of libraries, it will shape the future of our city. And in a democracy, the future is shaped by those who show up.

Chicago Public Library Foundation Report

Brenda Bui, President & CEO of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, provided an update on behalf of the staff and Board of the Chicago Public Library Foundation and highlighted the following:

Updates

  • The 2025 Night in the Stacks, our spring fundraiser, was a resounding success, bringing together more than 400 Library supporters and raising nearly $130,000 to fund Library programs like Teacher in the Library and CyberNavigators.
  • The 2024 Library Foundation Impact Report launched in April, featuring compelling stories and data from Library branches that illustrate the lifelong impact of Foundation-supported programs. Highlights include a 35% increase in Chicagoans served compared to 2023. The full report is available at org.
  • On June 3, the Foundation will host Powering Possibility: Your Investment in Action, an annual donor forum showcasing the impact of philanthropic support. This year’s event will highlight the Library and Library Foundation partnership with a panel conversation focused on the 81 Club, YOUmedia, and the teen experience—and including a stellar YOUmedia alum, who is now an undergraduate at Cornell University. The panel will be preceded by the presentation of the Service Award to FCB Chicago, which has long been a design and thought partner and played the pivotal role in branding the 81 Club.
  • Planning is underway for the 2025 Library Foundation Awards, the Foundation’s largest fundraiser and the most prestigious literary awards in the Midwest. In addition to the Carl Sandburg Literary Award and the 21st Century Award, the Foundation will introduce the renaming of the Civic Award to the Cindy Pritzker Civic Award, in honor of the late founder of the Foundation, who passed away earlier this year. Honorees will be announced on June 3.