Chicago Public Library

10/15/2026

It’s not too late to join the biggest book club in the city by reading “Orbital” by Samantha Harvey!

This year’s pick is a quick yet fascinating read that will grip you as you explore its themes of belonging, responsibility and the ties that hold us together. Place a hold here: chi.gov/Orbital

Already reading the book? Dive deeper with exciting programming centered around the book, science and space. Plus, don’t miss a special virtual keynote with Samantha Harvey on November 19. Learn more here: chi.gov/oboc

What if Chicago read the same book at the same time? Join us in exploring a theme through books, events and more.

10/14/2026

Haven’t registered for our Book Club Celebration yet? Here’s your reminder!

This year's Book Club Celebration will include:

-An author panel featuring Rebecca Makkai, Toya Wolfe and David Ellis, moderated by author Keir Graff
-Literary-themed crafts and trivia
-A literary volunteer fair featuring organizations including Sit Stay Read,
the Jane Addams Resource Center and Literacy Chicago
-A mini library featuring new additions to The Reading Set
-Mocktails from UnMuddled Bartending
..and more!

Register here: chi.gov/BCC26

Tuesday, October 20
5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Harold Washington Library Center

10/13/2026

Thanks to everyone who showed up to Teen Lit Night: Unbound! We had the best time enjoying delicious treats, dancing to great music, printmaking and discussing your favorite YA books. See you again next year!

Don’t want the fun to end? Join our Real Ones Read teen book club. Each session comes with delicious treats and journals so you can snack and create while connecting with other teens about the books you read. Book club sessions are available across the city. Reading the book in advance is not required. Find a Real Ones Read book club near you here: chi.gov/realones

A special thanks to all our wonderful Teen Lit Night guests:

Carolina Ixta
Real Orbit
Mo MAMI
DJ Ca$h Era
Yollocalli Arts Reach

10/11/2026

Join us for a multi-floor arts celebration on Saturday, October 17 at Harold Washington Library Center!

As part of Loops Arts Fest, presented by The Chicago Loop, CPL will host Voices of the City: A Building-Wide Arts Celebration at Harold Washington Library Center. This fun-filled day will showcase Chicago’s creative pulse through film, storytelling, visual arts and music.

Check out the full schedule: chi.gov/voicesofthecity

10/10/2026

Warning: these images might contain spooktacular costumes. View at your own risk!

Want more silly Halloween photos like these? Make sure to explore Chicago Public Library’s Digital Archives. 🎃

Photo credits:

1, 5) Taylor Park, Halloween Celebration, October 31, 1973, Chicago Public Library, Special Collections

2) Humboldt Park, Halloween Celebration, October 28, 1949, Chicago Public Library, Special Collections

3) Mount Greenwood Park, Halloween Celebration, 1971, Chicago Public Library, Special Collections

4) Cornell Square Park, Halloween Celebration, October 24,1951, Chicago Public Library, Special Collections

6) Portage Park, Halloween Celebration, undated, Chicago Public Library, Special Collections

7) Tuley Park, Halloween Celebration, October 31, 1975, Chicago Public Library, Special Collections

10/10/2026

Don’t miss a special Teen Lit Author Panel at Sulzer Regional Library! Join us to hear from K. Ancrum, Don Martin and Markelle Grabo as they share their writing journeys, share advice and give you a behind-the-scenes look at what it’s like to be an author. Attendees will get a chance to interact with our author panel during the Q&A and book signing portions of the program, so bring your questions and books for signing. Registration is recommended as space is limited: bit.ly/litnightauthors

Saturday, October 24
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Sulzer Regional Library

10/08/2026

The best things come in small packages!

Check out this adorable recreation of Harold Washington Library Center made by Chicago Woodwerks.

10/07/2026

Bring your words to life, Chicago! This fall, CPL will host free writing workshops for adults of all levels. Together with our partners at StoryStudio Chicago, we’re offering a series led by local authors, poets and teachers from Chicago’s literary community.

Workshops include:

- “Going Deep on Point of View” on Saturday, October 10 at Bridgeport Branch with Serena Simpson
- “Non-Chronological Structures in Memoir” on Wednesday, October 14 at Austin Branch with David Stuart MacLean
- “When Everything Changed: Writing Your Marker Story” on Wednesday, October 21 at Harold Washington Library Center with Ellen Blum Barish
- “Publishing 101” on Thursday, November 5 at Uptown Branch with Julia Fine
- “Finding the Story in Your Life: A Memoir Writing Workshop” on Saturday, November 7 at Archer Heights Branch with Kim Brooks
- “Character, Emotion and Suspense” on Saturday, November 7 at Rogers Park Branch with Anca L. Szilágyi
- "Editing and Publishing, Demystified" on Wednesday, November 11 at Harold Washington Library Center with Cynthia Pelayo

Plus, be sure to save the date for our Write at CPL Celebration on Wednesday, December 2 at Harold Washington Library Center! Come share your work, connect with other writers, learn about publishing options and celebrate everything you’ve created this fall.

Registration is required. Learn more: chi.gov/writeatcpl

10/07/2026

Join Poet Laureate Mayda Del Valle in a city-wide poetry project of the “eL Cien” and celebrate Chicago together! Chicago youth and adults alike are invited to join Chicago’s poet laureate Mayda del Valle on a poetic exploration of our wonderful city through workshops exploring the eL Cien poetic format, developed by Del Valle herself! The eL Cien is a 100-word poem, composed of 5 couplets, with 10 words in each line, that embodies the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and feelings of a place.

No prior creative writing or poetry experience needed. Come learn about poetry, celebrate our wonderful city and write about your own personal stories and experiences of Chicago.

Learn more: chi.gov/maydaworkshops

Plus, check out Mayda’s interview in the third episode of CPL Insider at chi.gov/cplinsider3.

¡Únete a la poeta laureada Mayda del Valle en un proyecto poético que abarca toda la ciudad, centrado en el formato «eL Cien», y celebremos juntos a Chicago! Se invita a jóvenes y adultos de Chicago a acompañar a la poeta laureada Mayda del Valle en una exploración poética de nuestra maravillosa ciudad a través de talleres sobre el formato «eL Cien», ¡creado por la propia Del Valle! El «eL Cien» es un poema de 100 palabras —compuesto por cinco pareados de diez palabras cada uno — que captura las imágenes, los sonidos, los olores, los sabores y las sensaciones de un lugar.

No se requiere experiencia previa en escritura creativa o poesía. Ven a aprender sobre poesía, a celebrar nuestra maravillosa ciudad y a escribir sobre tus propias historias y experiencias en Chicago.

Más información: chi.gov/maydaworkshops

No te pierdas la entrevista de Mayda en el tercer episodio de CPL Insider en chi.gov/cplinsider3.

10/06/2026

Celebrate Banned Books week with free books!

Join us at the Obama Presidential Center this Saturday as we celebrate Banned Book Week with a visit from Penguin Random House’s Banned Wagon! This family-friendly celebration will include:

- Free copies of frequently challenged books for all ages
- A banned book story time at 12 p.m.
- Bookmark and button making
- Banned book trivia
- A banned book photo booth

Learn more: chi.gov/bannedwagon

Saturday, October 10
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Obama Presidential Center Branch