81 Branches. One Club. Unlimited Resources.

For the first time ever, Chicago Public School students have direct and instant access to the resources of Chicago Public Library.

The 81 Club puts the power of the 81 Chicago Public Library branches into the hands of students directly. It’s our mission to encourage and celebrate the creative and ambitious thinking of young Chicagoans by championing their curiosity.

 

CPS Student? You’re already a member.

Here’s how to gain access:

  1. In person at any of the 81 Chicago Public Library locations. Just ask a librarian.
  2. In your classroom at school. Talk to your teacher!
  3. Through the Sora app. Find it on your school’s hub.

Ready to Get Started?

Illinois State Book Award Nominees

Lincoln Award Nominees 2023-2024

The Illinois Readers' Choice Award selected by teens ages 14-18.

Monarch Book Award Nominees 2023 -2024

The Illinois Readers' Choice Award selected by kids ages 5-8. For more information, visit aisled.org/monarch

Bluestem State Book Award Nominees 2023-2024

The Illinois Readers' Choice Award selected by kids ages 8-11. For more information visit aisled.org/bluestem

Rebecca Caudill Award Nominees 2023-2024

The Illinois Readers' Choice Award selected by kids ages 9-14. For more information, visit rebeccacaudill.org

Latine Heritage Month for Teens (2025)

Celebrate Latine cultural heritage and history this month and year-round with these stories for teens.

One Book One Chicago for Teens (2025)

Enjoy these books that celebrate Puerto Rican identity and titles with themes of gentrification, political corruption and family strife.

Teen Staff Picks (September 2025)

Check out our latest staff favorites for teen reading.

Wilderness Survival for Teens

Lost in the wild, these teens must survive nature and one another, using every skill they’ve got to make it back home.

CPS Battle of the Books 2026: Grades 7-8

Chicago Public School students competing on the 7th-8th grade team will read these titles in 2025-2026.

CPS Battle of the Books 2026: Grades 4-6

Chicago Public School students competing on the 4th-6th grade team will read these titles in 2025-2026.

The Power of Being Bilingual: Why It Matters for Kids

Lucía Rocha-Nestler, founder and CEO of Hola Books, shares a blog post about raising bilingual children, how to help and how it helps them.

Latine Heritage Month for Kids (2025)

Celebrate Latine cultural heritage and history this month and year-round with these stories.

Database Highlights

Using CPL Databases for Research

Check out Dan's tutorial on Research Topics and Sources.

Focus on: Homework Help

Check out Jaime's guide to using Brainfuse.

Online Databases for Kids

Online Resources for Kids

Authoritative sources of information that are relevant, accurate and available 24/7.

Online Resources for Teens

Research events and concepts, find an online tutor, learn a new language and more with CPL's online resources for teens.
Back to Top