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Chicago Public Library Foundation

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Nonprofit Overview

Causes: Arts & Culture, Education, Single Organization Support

Mission: The Chicago Public Library Foundation supports collection development, programs and technology initiatives that connect library users to their community and to the world and ensure that all Chicagoans have the freedom to read, to learn and to discover at the Chicago Public Library.

Programs: Help children build academic success and a love of reading through summer learning challenge, teen learning, early literacy, great kids read, science connections and teachers in the library.

provide funding for public access to information resources and technology, including cybernavigators, as well as initiatives to keep the chicago public library relevant to the lives of all chicagoans.

expand library collections and create opportunities to discuss books and ideas through programs such as one book, one chicago.

Community Stories

14 Stories from Volunteers, Donors & Supporters

Donor

Rating: 5

I am a Teacher in a Chicago Public Library in a community of great need. My position is funded by the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Everyday I tutor children of every race, creed and nationality in the library. Many of these children come from single parent homes and from homes where the parents do not speak or write fluent English. These children and their parents depend on the Teacher in the Library to help them succeed at school. Today, a woman asked me to help both her 6th grade son because she never graduated high school . Without the Foundation's support I could not succeed in teaching both to read and write fluently and cogently. The Foundation is geat organization of dedicated individuals who truly believe in education and helping the less fortunate succeed. We owe a great deal of gratituted to CPLF. Please lend your support. Terry D.

Board Member

Rating: 5

I recently joined and help found the Chicago Library Foundation (CPLF) Junior Board. Before joining the Board I had a limited knowledge of the important role that the CPLF played in perserving the key role the the libary plays in the lives of so many of Chicago's citizens. I have been impresssed with all of the Foundation's staff as well as the leadership of President & CEO Rhona Frazin. I look forward to continuing to work with the foundation and expand it's reach to the young professional community.

Client Served

Rating: 5

As a librarian (formerly children's & now adult), I have benefitted from the Chicago Public Library Foundation's generous work. The Foundation helps provide new books for children during the Summer Reading Program, supplementing the existing collections in each location. Children love the feel of new books & devour them like candy over the summer. Year-round, the Foundation sponsors the Cybernavigator program which places part-time people who assist patrons with computer use in many libraries. These Cybernavigators help to bridge the digital divide and assist people in all aspects of computer use from learning how to use a mouse and keyboard to setting up email and Facebook accounts. The Chicago Public Library, its staff and patrons benefit greatly from everything the Foundation does. I wish they could see the smiles on the face of each person they have helped - thank you, Foundation members and supporters, on behalf of all our patrons!

General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

I am deeply impressed by the Chicago Public Library Foundation for their commendable and tireless work to expand and make the Chicago Public Library System relevant and accesible through innovative initiatives such as You Media. I enjoy the wide range of authors and speakers program, art exhibits, and and live music concerts and I know the Chicago Public Library Foundation helps make all of these innitiatives possible.

Suraj P.

Volunteer

Rating: 5

The Chicago Public Library Foundation (CPLF) is a visionary organization with relentless focus on serving the City of Chicago. I have volunteered with the CPLF for the last three years in a variety of roles and have been amazed by the talent and passion that is found across their staff and Board. The CPLF has lead one of the nations largest library systems to extend its hours, provide one-on-one tutors focused computer education. The CPLF now continues to be a steward in Chicago as the Library further extends into the digital age.

General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

The work of the Chicago Public Library Foundation is amazing -- the Chicago library system is one of the largest in the country, so outreach and support are of great importance to the city and its residents. The programs of the CPLF engage community members, children, and adults of all ages.

Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

The Chicago Public Library Foundation is an organization of extraordinary reach and vision, and I believe it has played a huge part in helping the Chicago Public Library remain a vital jewel in this city. I am a former teacher who became a writer of children's mysteries, and the CPLF first came to my attention when they gave me the 21st Century Award, in 2006. As a writer lucky enough to receive this wonderful vote of confidence, I feel the CPLF gave me a tremendous 'running start' in the field, and I can now see what a powerful gift their awards have become; each year they celebrate and stir together writers of life-long renown with those just starting out. The message is clear: they celebrate the written word, and their interest in both discovery of new talent and ongoing celebration of the better-known is infectious. There is a feeling of adventure, of relevance, and of edgy momentum to the CPLF's work in other areas as well; they have added tremendously to the everyday vitality of the CPL by supporting meaningful programs of many kinds for children and teens, drawing these younger readers into the library year-round and supplying ample electronic outreach as well. They are crucial in making the CPL one of the greatest assets Chicago offers its residents. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

General Member of the Public

Rating: 5

Great staff. Helpful services. Will come back again.

Board Member

Rating: 5

Chicago's libraries, supported by the Chicago Public Library Foundation, is one of the leading library systems in the world; and it's work is vastly expanded by the magnificent and tireless Foundation board, which provides funding for countless education and cultural programs that the Library otherwise couldn't do. The Board's governance and activism is exemplary. It is a critically important aspect of a vital Chicago institution.

Volunteer

Rating: 5

The Chicago Public Library Foundation supports the city's libraries. What could be more important than that? The library is a FREE resource for every Chicagoan, of every age and from every neighborhood. The Foundation supports programs and services in the libraries that are beyond what the city can do by itself. Cities like Chicago would be immeasurably less vibrant without our wonderful libraries and the foundation that supports them.

Jon_8

Professional with expertise in this field

Rating: 5

The foundation is terrific, a judgment I can make based on my years as a staff writer for the Chicago Tribune, with a personal interest in how libraries serve and strengthen their local communities. Here, off the top of my head, are some reasons to applaud their work. (1) They spread the word about what libraries do, bringing in people who need, but didn't know about, the wide range of services, including Internet access and training, that modern libraries provide. (2) They build a community of readers, as in their energetic One Book program. And (3) they give hope and pride to Chicago writers at their major fund-raising gala. This year I knew, in depth, the background stories of two of the 70 honorees. It took them both years of struggle to succeed. Then the mighty spotlight of the CPLF gala shone on them. It reinforced for me the best of what this country is all about. That includes encouraging our writers and artists to reach out -- and encouraging our communities to take the time to listen and understand their world better.

Donor

Rating: 5

The CPLF takes an active role in not only the library, but also the community in order to both engage current users of the library, but also to educate the community about library programming. The Foundation has embraced new forms of technology to stay relevant within the lives of library users and is always on the look out for new ways to connect with library patrons. CPLF is a worthy organization.

Volunteer

Rating: 4

The Foundation is great! Really nice people on staff, and they work hard to raise money to support excellent library programs.

Donor

Rating: 5

Thousands of Chicago children each year discover the excitement of reading, the boundless vistas opened by encouraged curiosity, and the adventure of sharing discoveries with others through the programs of the Chicago Public Library Foundation. These activities transform the lives of children and young people in all corners of the city by bringing them into the main library in downtown Chicago and more than 45 neighborhood branch libraries for programs such as One Book, One Chicago; Summer Reading for Kids; Teachers in the Library; and Computer Tutors. The skills learned and the horizons discovered stay with the children all their lives, making it possible for them to continue learning and discovering, to excel in their studies and social skills, and to master the discipline and focus needed in the profession they eventually choose. Thousands of these children would not have this early 'leg-up' without the Chicago Public Library Foundation's creative and far-reaching work.
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