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.

Film Screening: Turning Red (2022)

Photo : Courtesy of Swank Disney and Pixar’s “Turning Red” introduces Mei Lee, a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Her protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming, is never far from h......More

Photo : Courtesy of Swank Disney and Pixar’s “Turning Red” introduces Mei Lee, a confident, dorky 13-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. Her protective, if not slightly overbearing mother, Ming, is never far from her daughter—an unfortunate reality for the teenager. And as if changes to her interests, relationships and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited (which is practically ALWAYS), she “poofs” into a giant red panda! ©Disney Pixar-100 minutes- Rated 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.

Film Screening: Karate Kid (1984)

Photo: Courtesy of Swank A bullied teen learns self-defense and self-confidence from a sage handyman. ©Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.- Runtime 126 minutes- Rated PG ......More

Photo: Courtesy of Swank A bullied teen learns self-defense and self-confidence from a sage handyman. ©Columbia Pictures Industries, Inc.- Runtime 126 minutes- Rated 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.

Adult Craft: Mandala Coaster

Come and join the Chinatown Branch in decorating your very own Mandala coaster! Choose a ceramic coaster from a variety of designs and colors to create your own functional art piece. All materials will be provided.  Space is limited. Registration is required.......More

Come and join the Chinatown Branch in decorating your very own Mandala coaster! Choose a ceramic coaster from a variety of designs and colors to create your own functional art piece. All materials will be provided.  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. Photo Source: Courteney, CPL

Drop-In Knit and Crochet Series

Do you knit and crochet, or have always wanted to learn? Join our knit and crochet series at the Chinatown Branch. Meet new friends, learn new techniques or just have fun! Must bring your own materials or borrow our limited supplies. For ages 18 and up. Accessibility......More

Do you knit and crochet, or have always wanted to learn? Join our knit and crochet series at the Chinatown Branch. Meet new friends, learn new techniques or just have fun! Must bring your own materials or borrow our limited supplies. For ages 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.

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.

Esports Club

Show your gaming skills and gain some new ones with the Chinatown Esports team! We are playing a PS4 and a Switch game. All skill levels are welcome, so come ready to have some fun! For kids 9 to 13. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessi......More

Show your gaming skills and gain some new ones with the Chinatown Esports team! We are playing a PS4 and a Switch game. All skill levels are welcome, so come ready to have some fun! For kids 9 to 13. 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 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......More

A 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.

Guzheng Music Appreciation

Enjoy the different styles of guzheng music from east to west, traditional to contemporary with Menghua Guan. Menghua got her master's degree in music from Nanjing Normal University in China. She has more than 30 years of guzheng playing experience and more than 20 yea......More

Enjoy the different styles of guzheng music from east to west, traditional to contemporary with Menghua Guan. Menghua got her master's degree in music from Nanjing Normal University in China. She has more than 30 years of guzheng playing experience and more than 20 years of teaching experience. Menghua has been invited to perform concerts and give lectures at libraries and universities across Illinois, Wisconsin, and Indiana. In 2025, she was invited by the Chicago Bulls to perform the National Anthem at the NBA Lunar New Year event at the United Center.  All ages are welcome. 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 provided by Menghua Guan

Adult Book Discussion: Tomorrow's Children by Daniel Polansky

Join the Chinatown branch for a discussion of Tomorrow's Children by Daniel Polansky. "From Hugo Award nominated author comes a high-octane post-apocalyptic romp set in the ruins of Manhattan. Years ago, Tomorrow - a noxious cloud of funky gas - descended on Ma......More

Join the Chinatown branch for a discussion of Tomorrow's Children by Daniel Polansky. "From Hugo Award nominated author comes a high-octane post-apocalyptic romp set in the ruins of Manhattan. Years ago, Tomorrow - a noxious cloud of funky gas - descended on Manhattan, cutting the island off from the rest of the world and mutating the remaining population." Pick up a copy 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.

Drop-In Knit and Crochet Series

Do you knit and crochet, or have always wanted to learn? Join our knit and crochet series at the Chinatown Branch. Meet new friends, learn new techniques or just have fun! Must bring your own materials or borrow our limited supplies. For ages 18 and up. Accessibility......More

Do you knit and crochet, or have always wanted to learn? Join our knit and crochet series at the Chinatown Branch. Meet new friends, learn new techniques or just have fun! Must bring your own materials or borrow our limited supplies. For ages 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.

Cosplay Patch Painting Workshop

Give 'em the old razzle dazzle and learn the skill of patch making! Learn how to paint on fabric and attach your unique design to your choice of clothing. Perfect for upcycling, visible mending or cosplay! For tweens and teens in middle and high school. This event i......More

Give 'em the old razzle dazzle and learn the skill of patch making! Learn how to paint on fabric and attach your unique design to your choice of clothing. Perfect for upcycling, visible mending or cosplay! For tweens and teens in middle and high school. This event is hosted by the Chicago Teen Gamer’s Guild, as a lead up to the Gamer’s Universe convention that will be held on Saturday, June 14th at Harold Washington Library Center. 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.

Senior Send-Off

Celebrate our graduating seniors at YOUmedia! As our seniors move out of YOUmedia and into the next chapter of their lives, let’s take time to honor their accomplishments and the time they've spent in our YOUmedia space. For teens in high school. Accessibility Need ......More

Celebrate our graduating seniors at YOUmedia! As our seniors move out of YOUmedia and into the next chapter of their lives, let’s take time to honor their accomplishments and the time they've spent in our YOUmedia space. 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.

Film Screening: Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

Photo: Courtesy of Swank “Crazy Rich Asians” follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. Excited about visiting Asia for the first time but nervou......More

Photo: Courtesy of Swank “Crazy Rich Asians” follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu (Constance Wu) as she accompanies her longtime boyfriend, Nick Young (Henry Golding), to his best friend’s wedding in Singapore. Excited about visiting Asia for the first time but nervous about meeting Nick’s family, Rachel is unprepared to learn that Nick has neglected to mention a few key details about his life. It turns out that he is not only the scion of one of the country’s wealthiest families but also one of its most sought-after bachelors. Being on Nick’s arm puts a target on Rachel’s back, with jealous socialites and, worse, Nick’s own disapproving mother (Michelle Yeoh) taking aim. And it soon becomes clear that while money can’t buy love, it can definitely complicate things. ©Warner Bros.-120 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.

All CPL Locations Closed Monday, May 26

All CPL locations are closed Monday, May 26 for Memorial Day.

West Loop Adult Book Club: The Wedding People

Join West Loop Library staff at Time Out Market to discuss The Wedding People by Alison Espach. This novel explores the life of Phoebe Stone, who unexpectedly finds herself within a wedding extravaganza in Newport, Rhode Island. She attends the wedding venue wi......More

Join West Loop Library staff at Time Out Market to discuss The Wedding People by Alison Espach. This novel explores the life of Phoebe Stone, who unexpectedly finds herself within a wedding extravaganza in Newport, Rhode Island. She attends the wedding venue without any luggage, hoping to end her life. However, through unexpected friendships, she learns to embrace life’s complexities. Meet up at TimeOut Market Chicago Restaurant in the Molly's Cupcakes Cafe. When you walk in, it's to the left. Look for the CPL sign! This event is for ages 21+ Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance forthis event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to requestaccommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before theevent.

West Loop Adult Book Club: Colored Television

Join West Loop branch with librarian Amy at Time Out Market to discuss "Colored Television" by Danzy Senna. Colored Television follows Jane, a writer hoping to turn her life around during a sabbatical spent house-sitting in the L.A. hills with her painter husba......More

Join West Loop branch with librarian Amy at Time Out Market to discuss "Colored Television" by Danzy Senna. Colored Television follows Jane, a writer hoping to turn her life around during a sabbatical spent house-sitting in the L.A. hills with her painter husband and two kids. As she struggles to finish her ambitious novel, Nusu Nusu, and secure tenure, she sets her sights on Hollywood as a backup plan. A promising meeting with a rising producer offers a shot at success—until everything starts to unravel. Meet up at TimeOut Market Chicago Restaurant in the Molly's Cupcakes Cafe. When you walk in, it's to the left. Look for the CPL sign! This event is for ages 21+ Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance forthis event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to requestaccommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before theevent.

Destination Discovery Story Time at Field Museum

If you're happy/sad/mad/nervous and you know it, clap your hands and join Librarian Megan and her friends at Field Museum for a special story time celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month. We will talk, sing, read and learn all about our feelings, plus suggestions for......More

If you're happy/sad/mad/nervous and you know it, clap your hands and join Librarian Megan and her friends at Field Museum for a special story time celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month. We will talk, sing, read and learn all about our feelings, plus suggestions for at-home activities to practice mental and emotional wellness with our littlest patrons! For kids 0 to 5 and their caregivers. How to Attend This event is available in person and online. Only online attendees need to register for the Zoom link. Attend in person at the Field Museum PlayLab 1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605 Attend online via Zoom Register by 11 a.m. Tuesday, May 27. Only one registration per household is needed. Register by 24 hours before the event. You’ll receive an email with a link to the secure Zoom meeting about 24 hours before the meeting. Questions about attending online events? Check out our Events FAQs. Accessibility Automatic transcription is included in all CPL events using Zoom. 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.