Book Swap

Join the Chinatown Branch for a Book Swap! Bring a book from your own collection on the day of the event (maximum of 3 books that you are willing to give away) to swap with others and find your next read! Participants will write a few lines about the book they brought,......More

Join the Chinatown Branch for a Book Swap! Bring a book from your own collection on the day of the event (maximum of 3 books that you are willing to give away) to swap with others and find your next read! Participants will write a few lines about the book they brought, browse the collected books, and then talk with others about the book they brought. Give a book, get a book, and make new friends while you’re at it! For adults 18 and up. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

STEAM Play

Stop by to play with STEAM-inspired games! Build a structure with Magna-Tiles or Lego® and more! ScienceConnections programs are made possible in part by S&C Electric Company, Norfolk Southern Corporation, and other generous donors to the Chicago Public Library Founda......More

Stop by to play with STEAM-inspired games! Build a structure with Magna-Tiles or Lego® and more! ScienceConnections programs are made possible in part by S&C Electric Company, Norfolk Southern Corporation, and other generous donors to the Chicago Public Library Foundation. For kids 6 and up. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Winter Solstice Story Time

Join us to learn about the winter solstice and the important holidays that the celestial event inspires! Read, sing and do a short science experiment to learn about the Earth's rotation. A craft is available. For children 5 to 8 years old. Accessibility Need sign lan......More

Join us to learn about the winter solstice and the important holidays that the celestial event inspires! Read, sing and do a short science experiment to learn about the Earth's rotation. A craft is available. For children 5 to 8 years old. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Film Screening: Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar (2021)

Take a trip and break out of your shell with Barb and Star. From the gals who brought you Bridesmaids (co-stars and co-writers Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo) comes BARB & STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR. Lifelong friends Barb and Star embark on the adventure of a lifetime w......More

Take a trip and break out of your shell with Barb and Star. From the gals who brought you Bridesmaids (co-stars and co-writers Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo) comes BARB & STAR GO TO VISTA DEL MAR. Lifelong friends Barb and Star embark on the adventure of a lifetime when they decide to leave their small Midwestern town for the first time…ever. Romance, friendship and a villain’s evil plot… ©Lions Gate Films, Inc.- 106 minutes- Rated PG-13 Community Cinema is at a branch near you! Check out hundreds of other screenings at libraries across Chicago. Accessibility English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing will be available for this screening. Photo: Courtesy of Swank

Film Screening: Carol (2016)

Two women from very different backgrounds find themselves in an unexpected love affair in 1950s New York. As conventional norms of the time challenge their undeniable attraction, an honest story emerges to reveal the resilience of the heart in the face of change. A you......More

Two women from very different backgrounds find themselves in an unexpected love affair in 1950s New York. As conventional norms of the time challenge their undeniable attraction, an honest story emerges to reveal the resilience of the heart in the face of change. A young woman in her twenties, Therese is a clerk working in a Manhattan department store and dreaming of a more fulfilling life when she meets Carol, an alluring woman trapped in a loveless, convenient marriage. ©Lions Gate Films, Inc. [2016]- 118 minutes- Rated R Community Cinema is at a branch near you! Check out hundreds of other screenings at libraries across Chicago. Accessibility English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing will be available for this screening. Photo: Courtesy of Swank

All CPL Locations Closed Thursday, December 25

All CPL locations are closed Thursday, December 25 for Christmas Day.

Adult Book Discussion: Facial Justice by L.P. Hartley

Join the Chinatown branch for a discussion of Facial Justice by L.P. Hartley.  "Jael 97 is an Alpha, whose beauty makes her a target for the Ministry of Facial Justice, where she is expected to submit to having her face altered into a plain, standardized Beta f......More

Join the Chinatown branch for a discussion of Facial Justice by L.P. Hartley.  "Jael 97 is an Alpha, whose beauty makes her a target for the Ministry of Facial Justice, where she is expected to submit to having her face altered into a plain, standardized Beta face. But Jael's rebellious spirit refuses to submit to the Dictator's demands. Instead, she rises up against his tyranny and decides to hunt him down ..." Pick up a copy of the book at the Circulation Desk. Space is limited. Registration is required.   For adults 18 and up. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

All CPL Locations Closed Thursday, January 1

All CPL locations will be closed on Thursday, January 1 for New Year's Day.

Film Screening: The Mighty Ducks (1992)

Join us for a screening of The Mighty Ducks.  An egotistical young lawyer convicted of drunken driving is sentenced to coach a kids' hockey team made up of misfits. © Walt Disney Pictures - 100 minutes - PG ......More

Join us for a screening of The Mighty Ducks.  An egotistical young lawyer convicted of drunken driving is sentenced to coach a kids' hockey team made up of misfits. © Walt Disney Pictures - 100 minutes - PG Community Cinema is at a branch near you! Check out hundreds of other screenings at libraries across Chicago. Accessibility English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing will be available for this screening.

YOUmedia Crafternoon: Junk Journaling

Hang out at YOUmedia and discover junk journaling! Junk journaling is the process of collaging repurposed materials to make personalized art. Bring your own junk or borrow some of ours to create something new! Supplies are available while they last. For teens in high ......More

Hang out at YOUmedia and discover junk journaling! Junk journaling is the process of collaging repurposed materials to make personalized art. Bring your own junk or borrow some of ours to create something new! Supplies are available while they last. For teens in high school. Accessibility  Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Adult Craft: Vision Board

Welcome in the New Year by making a vision board! Bring your creativity and craft up what you want your 2026 to look like. Collage together images that represent your goals, dreams and aspirations for this year. All materials will be provided. Space is limited. Registr......More

Welcome in the New Year by making a vision board! Bring your creativity and craft up what you want your 2026 to look like. Collage together images that represent your goals, dreams and aspirations for this year. All materials will be provided. Space is limited. Registration is required. *If waitlisted, you will be contacted through a confirmation email if a spot opens and you will be moved to "registered." For adults 18 and up. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event. Photo Source: Courteney, CPL

YOUmedia Crafternoon: Decoupage New Year's Wishes

Decoupage is a collaging technique used to decorate hard surfaces. Come learn this craft in YOUmedia and create a small keepsake box to store wishes and memories for the new year, rest of winter, and anything else! Supplies are available while they last. For teens in......More

Decoupage is a collaging technique used to decorate hard surfaces. Come learn this craft in YOUmedia and create a small keepsake box to store wishes and memories for the new year, rest of winter, and anything else! Supplies are available while they last. For teens in high school. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Family Story Time

Your child learns best when having fun! Support your child’s pre-literacy skills through songs, stories and play. For children 0 to 5 and their caregivers. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call ......More

Your child learns best when having fun! Support your child’s pre-literacy skills through songs, stories and play. For children 0 to 5 and their caregivers. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Tween Time: Perler Beads

Calling all tweens! Stop by the library to create your own fusion bead (Perler beads) design to take home. For kids 9 to 13. ScienceConnections programs are made possible in part by S&C Electric Company, Norfolk Southern Corporation, and other generous donors to the......More

Calling all tweens! Stop by the library to create your own fusion bead (Perler beads) design to take home. For kids 9 to 13. ScienceConnections programs are made possible in part by S&C Electric Company, Norfolk Southern Corporation, and other generous donors to the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Multilingual Playgroup / 多语言游戏小活动

A bi-weekly playgroup for children who speak Mandarin or Cantonese Chinese. This playgroup is intended to help children develop confidence in their own language and culture and help kids and their parents make friends! For children 0 to 5 and their caregivers 每周为讲普......More

A bi-weekly playgroup for children who speak Mandarin or Cantonese Chinese. This playgroup is intended to help children develop confidence in their own language and culture and help kids and their parents make friends! For children 0 to 5 and their caregivers 每周为讲普通话或粤语的儿童举办游戏小活动。该游戏小活动旨在帮助儿童对自己的语言和文化建立信心，并帮助孩子及其父母交朋友！ 适合 0 至 5 岁的儿童及其照顾者。 Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.

Tiny Libraries: Crafting Miniature Books

Learn how to make miniature book charms and create your own bookish earrings, pendants, key chains, and more!  You will be using paper-crafting techniques to make your tiny realistic looking book charms.  All supplies will be provided for this program.  ......More

Learn how to make miniature book charms and create your own bookish earrings, pendants, key chains, and more!  You will be using paper-crafting techniques to make your tiny realistic looking book charms.  All supplies will be provided for this program.  Jimena Hernandez is a Mexican artist and educator born in Chicago. Growing up in Mexico influenced her artistic work in many ways. Her favorite medium is watercolor, and though she specializes in drawing and painting, she also loves exploring other mediums and art disciplines. Her favorite themes are nature, magic and fantasy, portraits, and literature. Since she was little, she has been interested in painting, which led her to study for a Bachelor's Degree in Visual Communication Design at the Faculty of Arts and Design (FAD) of Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. Since graduating, she has taught art in Chicago and different cities across Maine and Mexico. This program is part of Teen Winter Challenge 2026.  Share what you created and submit your artwork to the 2026 Teen Winter Challenge! Teen Winter Challenge is a Chicago Public Library Teen Services initiative that supports teen art making. Learn more at chipublib.org/winter.  This event is for teens ages 13-19. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event

Family Game Day

Get together as a family to play cards, board games and more! For kids 3 and up. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipub......More

Get together as a family to play cards, board games and more! For kids 3 and up. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.