About YOUmedia
Teens, come explore, create, collaborate, check out books, develop new skills and lead with us!
What We Do
YOUmedia is a library and studio space at Chicago Public Library designed specifically for teens. You can hang out, mess around and geek out on projects to create your own music, video, 2D and 3D design, photos and podcasts with help from skilled mentors.
YOUmedia equipment is available for free with your valid Chicago Public Library card. First-timers need to sign up. Returning students just need to sign in.
Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Locations
High School
- Harold Washington Library Center
- Albany Park
- Altgeld
- Austin
- Avalon
- Back of the Yards
- Chicago Bee
- Chinatown
- Douglass
- Edgewater
- Hall
- Independence
- Jefferson Park
- Kelly
- Legler Regional Library
- Little Italy
- Lozano
- Merlo
- Northtown
- Richard M. Daley
- South Chicago
- South Shore
- Sulzer Regional Library
- West Loop
- Whitney M. Young, Jr.
- Woodson Regional Library
Grades 6 - 8
Learn more about YOUmedia's history, philosophy and partnerships.
Special Projects
ChiTeen Lit Fest
ChiTeen Lit Fest is a safe and creative space for you to unlock and discover your unique voice through the literary arts as we bring together young people from Chicago to celebrate their talents and so they can express themselves through exceptional and honest art. Keep an eye out for opportunities to plan the fest, participate in workshops and attend special guest performances and events before the next fest.
Partnerships
We consider proposals for new and continuing partnerships twice a year to provide programs across the STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) spectrum to teens throughout Chicago. For more information, contact jdunn@chipublib.org.
YOUmedia FAQs
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You can hang out, mess around and geek out. All YOUmedia locations have laptops, cameras, music and gaming equipment, and some YOUmedia locations have 3D printers, vinyl cutters and more. It's an open environment where you choose what you want to do, and mentors and experts provide coaching and assistance. And of course there are books, too!
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High School
- Harold Washington Library Center
- Albany Park
- Altgeld
- Austin
- Avalon
- Back of the Yards
- Chicago Bee
- Chinatown
- Douglass
- Edgewater
- Hall
- Independence
- Jefferson Park
- Kelly
- Legler Regional
- Little Italy
- Lozano
- Merlo
- Northtown
- Richard M. Daley
- South Chicago
- South Shore
- Sulzer Regional
- West Loop
- Whitney M. Young, Jr.
- Woodson Regional
Grades 6 - 8
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Some procedures have temporarily changed during social distancing. Please see our COVID-19 Response FAQs for up-to-date information.
YOUmedia locations are designed for certain grades.
If you're in high school, you can visit the high school locations:
- Harold Washington Library Center
- Albany Park
- Back of the Yards
- Chicago Bee
- Chinatown
- Hall
- Independence
- Kelly
- Legler Regional
- Little Italy
- Northtown
- Sulzer Regional
- West Loop
- Whitney M. Young, Jr.
- Woodson Regional
If you're in sixth through eighth grades, you can visit one of these locations:
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Check with each YOUmedia location for hours.
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YOUmedia is free. If you would like to use equipment, you'll need to get a library card.
