Chicago Public Library

WTTW/Chicago PBS's Marc Vitali spoke with Legler Regional Library's Artist in Residence, Kenn Cook Jr. “I carry my camera with me pretty much everywhere I go,” Cook told WTTW News. “I drive through the community, see something I like, get out of the car, talk to people, spend some time and ask to take their photograph. I try to make it an everyday practice just to capture the beautiful moments I see.” Kenn began taking pictures just three years ago. In his work, he documents everyday life on the West Side of Chicago. From portraits of individuals to photos of families, his work is a labor of love. As part of his Artist-in-Residence at Legler Regional Library, Cook will host weekly open sessions and hear from patrons with plans to record oral histories and digitize family photos. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gU-bP_bE

Chicago Public Library is hiring for multiple positions. Learn more and apply at https://Chi.gov/CPLJobs.

Chicago Public Library is proud to launch the #CPLStaffSpotlight series, celebrating the incredible and dedicated staff across our 81 branches! To kick off the series—and in honor of Woodson Regional Library’s 50th Anniversary—we’re excited to introduce Sharon Wyatt Odem, a Librarian in Woodson’s Adult Services Department. Sharon has been with Chicago Public Library for almost ten years and has worked in different positions throughout various branches. She is a South Sider, a Columbia College Chicago graduate, a fan of historical fiction and much more. Learn more about Sharon's work at CPL here: https://lnkd.in/gxFvQSje.

“This place could never do any wrong. If they keep the same mindset, Woodson will be here beyond another 50 years, having another anniversary.” This is one of the many heartfelt quotes by patrons featured in Block Club Chicago's coverage of Woodson's 50th Anniversary. To mark this milestone, we partnered with Block Club Chicago to announce the yearlong celebration. Each month, there will be special programming to honor the occasion. In their coverage, Block Club Chicago spoke with Lawanda Miller, Woodson's Library Assistant Director, and dedicated patrons about the Regional’s significance and lasting impacts on the community. Read the story here: https://lnkd.in/g8pu9Kfi Photo credits to Colin Boyle, Block Club Chicago. #WeAreWoodson50

For half a century, Carter G. Woodson Regional Library has been a beacon of knowledge, history and community on Chicago’s South Side. Since opening on December 19, 1975, Woodson Regional has embodied Dr. Woodson's belief that education inspires people to live more abundantly. Home to the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection, the largest African American history and literature archive in the Midwest, Woodson Library preserves and amplifies the achievements, stories and contributions of Black Chicago and beyond.     As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the legacy of Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the father of Black History, and the generations of readers, researchers and families who have made this library their own. We invite you to celebrate 50 years of service to Chicagoans of all ages.    Throughout 2025, Woodson will host monthly programming dedicated to the monumental moment. You can also join in on the celebration by sharing your Woodson story at the link below and tagging #WeAreWoodson50 on social media.    Learn more at chipublib.org/woodson50.

Yesterday was an inspiring day! Hundreds of nonprofit professionals serving K-12 students came together to explore the invaluable resources available at Chicago Public Library. A huge thank you to Amazon for supporting this event and championing literacy in our communities. And gratitude to Sylvia Ewing for moderating a powerful discussion about the powerful partnership between our libraries and community organizations. Together, we will empower our youth through information and opportunity! #81Club #ChicagoYouth Photos by Lynn Renee Photography. Brenda Langstraat Bui Chris Brown Sarah Glavin Mary Ellen Messner

A new exhibit, "Local Legends: African American Steelworkers of the Calumet Region," focuses on the experiences of African Americans in Chicago’s steel industry on the Southeast Side.  The neighborhoods of South Chicago, South Deering, East Side and Hegewisch were once home to Chicago’s steel industry. Wisconsin Steel, then John H. Brown Iron & Steel, began operation in 1875, beginning the steel industry’s domination of Chicago’s Southeast Side for over a hundred years. The Local Legends exhibits revisits the work and contributions of the African American steelworkers in the Calumet Region. South Side Weekly spoke with CPL's Exhibits department about the exhibit and what patrons can expect when visiting. Read the story here: https://lnkd.in/gHqHiphQ Local Legends: African American Steelworkers in the Calumet Region is on display at Harold Washington Library Center through April 30, 2025.

Enjoy snapshots from some of Chicago’s women pioneers: from Marian Campfield who was city editor of the Chicago Bee in the 1930's and 1940's where she ensured a remarkable coverage of women's events to an all-Black Women’s Army Corps band who played in the Bronzeville and Chicago Loop area to the first African American branch head of CPL, Vivian Harsh, leading a reader’s circle.  As we look back on these snapshots, we invite you to imagine the women pioneers of tomorrow as we celebrate #WomensHistoryMonth! With a series of empowering events to highlight the contributions of women through literacy, education and performing arts, we’re sure you will find something of value in this month’s programs. Click here to learn more: https://chi.gov/whm25 #WomenPower #EmpoweringWomen #ChicagoHistory  

Chicago Public Library is looking to hire a Librarian IV to lead a team that creates a welcoming and responsive library environment for patrons. Applications are now open and will close on March 7, 2025, at 11:59 pm. Learn more and apply at https://Chi.gov/CPLJobs.

Archives preserve #Love in many ways. They house memories capturing history and emotion at a specific point in time. From your family’s photo album to the archives found in Chicago Public Library, archiving shows that documenting history requires listening and understanding, which are acts of compassion.  Check out these images from Chicago Public Library’s Special Collections, which capture beautiful moments, including an image of kids playing at Douglas-Dearborn Homes in the early 1950s and Mayor Harold Washington reading to a group of children in 1987. Learn more about how library archives portray love by reading this blog: bit.ly/LoveintheArchives. Happy #LibraryLoversDay!