Discover why VICE News calls the expansion of The 81 Club “a seismic shift that could potentially change the course of thousands of lives” here: chi.gov/vice
@mayorofchicago.bsky.social @chipubschools.bsky.social
Harold Washington and his fiancé Mary Ella Smith share cake at his birthday party, Navy Pier, April 15 1986 (📸 Michelle V. Agins)
Harold Washington blows the candles on his cake for his office birthday celebration, Avanzare Restaurant, April 15 1986 (📸 Michelle V. Agins)
Interested in learning more about the legacy of Harold Washington? Join us for a special screening and discussion of "Punch 9 for Harold Washington.”
chi.gov/haroldslegacycontinues
Mr. T at Harold Washington’s birthday, Avanzare Restaurant, April 15, 1986 (📸 Michelle V. Agins)
Today we celebrate the legacy and birthday of Harold Washington, Chicago's first Black mayor and the namesake of CPL's central library. Enjoy these photos of the former Mayor’s birthdays. 🎂
Press greeting Harold Washington for his birthday, April 15, 1986 (📸 Michelle V. Agins)
Join us for Día de los niños y libros: A Celebration of Children and Books to unleash your child’s creativity with music, storytelling, giveaways and more.
This year’s guests include Mama Edie, Yin He Dance, @littlemissannmusic.bsky.social and @wttw.bsky.social's Nature Cat.
chi.gov/dia2026
CPL's new exhibit, Stories That Click: Reimagining Chicago Brick-By-Brick, features LEGO models from professional and passionate builders alongside archival materials from CPL’s Special Collections.
Learn more chi.gov/storiesthatclick
On display through April 2027.
"Image: A young girl (foreground) and other children raise their hands in response to Mayor Johnson's question during the announcement of the 81 Club expansion at the Austin Public Library. Text: Mayor Johnson, CPL expand automatic library access to 315,000+ CPS students. Through The 81 Club, CPS students can instantly access Chicago Public Library digital resources and materials with no application or paperwork beyond a school ID number, removing barriers to access and promoting learning beyond the classroom."
Every student—no matter their ZIP code, school enrollment, or their age—deserves access to libraries, enriching programs, and learning resources that ensure their continued success.
Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Public Library announced a new partnership that automatically registers more than 315,000 Chicago Public School students for the city's libraries.
Chicago Public Schools students can now access books, tutors and other resources at city's 81 public libraries with just their student ID number.
Chicago has turned all public school IDs into library cards to boost student access. blockclubchi.co/3NTWvNM
Chicago Public Schools students can now access books, tutors and other resources at city libraries with just their student ID number. It’s the latest effort by CPS and the Chicago Public Library to expand access to library materials.
CPL is happy to announce this year's Poetry Fest, taking place on Saturday, April 25 at Harold Washington Library Center! The keynote will feature Chicago's Poet Laureate, Mayda del Valle. chi.gov/poetryfest2026
Celebrate International Jazz Day with a jazz performance by the Charles Heath Quartet paying tribute to Walter Henri Dyett, a music educator and instrumental figure in the development of jazz and Black music in Chicago.
Learn more: chi.gov/jazzday
In collaboration with the Chicago Council on Science and Technology, CPL invites you to join our panel of scientific experts on April 13 at Harold Washington Library Center to talk about the real-life plants and animals that Pokémon are based on.
chi.gov/scienceofpokemon
Today, @mayorofchicago.bsky.social, @chipubschools.bsky.social and CPL celebrated the expansion of The 81 Club, an initiative that automatically connects students to the resources of CPL’s 81 libraries. Learn more about our groundbreaking data sharing agreement with CPS: chipublib.org/81club
Celebrate Harold Washington's birthday with Chicago historian @6figga-dilla.bsky.social and author Dick Simpson, who will discuss the importance of civic engagement and voting. Afterwards, there will be a screening of "Punch 9 for Harold Washington.”
chi.gov/haroldslegacy
Partners include:
Illinois Department of Insurance
@ilcomptroller.bsky.social
Illinois Treasurer’s Office
@ilsecofstate.bsky.social
SCORE Chicago
Nudgeable
Coding Kinetics
This National Financial Literacy Month, CPL is launching Money Moves, a series of free programs designed to make financial learning approachable, practical and empowering.
Learn more: chi.gov/moneymoves
CPL's Book of the Month for April is "Remarkably Bright Creatures" by Shelby Van Pelt. The novel follows Tova, a widow who builds an unlikely friendship with an octopus who lives at the local aquarium where she works the night shift.
Place a hold here: chi.gov/RemarkablyBrightCreatures
Join CPL in celebrating National Poetry Month!
This month, we’ll host workshops, performances and discussions that celebrate poets like Gwendolyn Brooks (pictured above) and explore poetry from around the world.
Learn more: chi.gov/poetrymonth2026
Celebrate the 60th anniversary of Star Trek with a discussion featuring stephwilliams.bsky.social and afowlerart.com about actress Nichelle Nichols' historic role as Nyota Uhuru. The first 125 attendees will get free copies of a special comic. Learn more: chi.gov/startrek
Are you excited for this year's C2E2? Continue the fun by visiting your local library for free gaming events. From general game nights to Splatoon and Mario Kart competitions, there’s something for all types of gamers.
Explore our gaming events here: chi.gov/gaming
CPL is celebrating #America250 this year throughout all library locations by hosting workshops, film screenings, book clubs and much more.
You can also celebrate by writing a Letter to America which we will archive in our collections.
Learn more: chi.gov/chicago-250
Mayor Harold Washington visiting the Holy Angels students for St. Patrick's Day, 1987, Holy Angels School
📷: Antonio Dickey
Mayor Harold Washington accepting the traditional shamrock form the Consul General of Ireland, 1987, Mayor’s Office
📷: Peter J. Schulz
Man in Uncle Sam Costume dancing with “Son of St. Patrick,” 1979, St. Patrick’s Day Parade
📷: Unknown
Mayor Michael A. Bilandic, 1979, St. Patrick’s Day Parade
📷: Unknown
Mayor Harold Washington and the St. Patrick’s Day Queen, 1986
📷: Michelle V. Agins
Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with these rare photos from CPL’s Special Collections featuring city leaders and moments from the 1979 St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
Mayor Harold Washington with the St. Patrick’s Day Queen and Irish bagpipers, 1987, Mayor’s Office
📷: Antonio Dickey