About

The Chicago Public Library Foundation

The Chicago Public Library Foundation was established in 1986 as an independent, nonprofit educational organization dedicated to working with the City of Chicago in a true public/private partnership to enrich the collections and programs of the Chicago Public Library.

Through the generous support of many civic-minded corporations, foundations and individuals, The Foundation has provided start-up funding for new programs, such as technology and expanded Sunday and evening service hours, that are now included in the Library's city-funded budget.

The Foundation also provides on-going funding, through its endowments and annual fundraising for collections, book acquisition and a variety of community-based programs that contribute to the excellence of the Library. In 2006, these gifts will provide nearly $3.5 million to the Chicago Public Library in support of programs including:

PROGRAMS FOR CHILDREN

• Bookamania
• Summer Reading Program
• Adopt a branch
  • Teacher in the Library
  • CyberNavigators
• Great Kids Read
• Teen Volume
• NatureConnections
• Oprah Winfrey Fund

PROGRAMS FOR ADULTS

• Chicago Book Festival
• One Book, One Chicago
• Cyber Navigators
• Chicago Matters
• Pick International Relations Collection and Author Series
• CPLF Humanities Collection

All programs