Harold Washington Library Free Author Lectures
Where: Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street,
Most events are in the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, Lower Level. Schedule subject to change or cancellation. Always call to confirm or check the CPL website. Seating is available first come, first served.
Meet The Author Don Miskel Wednesday, February 24, 2021 11:00AM – 12:00PM Register
Join author Don Miskel as he discusses his book Brandywine and the creative process behind writing a detective novel and the first installment of his new detective trilogy. Chicago native Miskel is a veteran of the military and law enforcement communities who selected Chicago’s south side as the setting which he brings to life with authenticity and wit.
Meet The Author Maalik Phipps Thursday, February 25, 2021 5:00PM – 6:00PM Register
Meet author Maalik Phipps as he discusses his new book The Artistry Of Passion and the creative motivation behind his writing process. Mr. Phipps a Urban Prep Bronzeville Academy and Northern Illinois University graduate believes that passion drives creativity, imagination, and desire and through active use you can start living the life you want to live immediately.
Author Cynthia Pelayo Discusses Children of Chicago Thursday, March 4, 2021 6:00PM – 7:00PM Register
Horror Writers Association Chicagoland Chapter and Chicago Public Library present a conversation with Chicago author Cynthia Pelayo. She discusses her new book, Children Of Chicago, a modern-day horror retelling of the Pied Piper fairy tale, in an interview with CPL librarian Ashley Rayner.
Harold Washington Library Free Author Lecture Series
Native Women and Political Activism: From Marie Baldwin to Deb Haaland Tuesday, March 9, 2021 6:00PM – 7:00PM Register
Dr. Cathleen D. Cahill and Dr. Sarah Deer (Muscogee (Creek) Nation) discuss Native women’s political activism. Learn about Native suffragists working for citizenship for all Native people, Native women leading action on environmental issues, and Native women serving in some of the highest offices in the United States government.
Harold Washington Library Free Author Lectures
Modern in the Middle: Chicago Houses 1929-75 Discussion with Authors Michelangelo Sabatino and Susan S. Benjamin Tuesday, March 9, 2021 6:00PM – 7:00PM No registration required.
Join authors, Dr. Michelangelo Sabatino, IIT Professor and Susan S. Benjamin, architectural historian and principal, Benjamin Historic Certifications, Modern in the Middle: Chicago Houses 1929-75, in discussion with Dr. Neil Harris, Preston and Sterling Morton Professor of History and Art History Emeritus at the University of Chicago, and Terri J. Edelstein, art historian and museum professional as they explore the classic twentieth-century homes featured in the book that defines American Midwestern modernism.
How to Attend This event will take place live on CPL’s YouTube channel and CPL’s Facebook page. You’ll be able to ask questions during the event. Can’t make it to the live stream? We’ll archive the video on YouTube to watch later as well.
World’s Fair Archaeology in Jackson Park Thursday, March 11, 2021 2:00PM – 3:00PM Register
Author and associate professor of anthropology Rebecca S. Graff will discuss her book Disposing of Modernity and her archaeological digs at the site of Chicago’s 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Jackson Park.
Chicago Literary Hall of Fame presents Sandra Cisneros Saturday, March 13, 2021 7:00PM – 8:15PM Register
Sandra Cisneros, the poet, short story writer, novelist, essayist, performer, and artist whose work beautifully and profoundly explores working class lives and landscapes, will receive the Chicago Literary Hall of Fame’s Fuller Award for lifetime achievement.
This event takes place on Zoom. Only one registration per household is needed. You’ll receive an email with a link to the secure Zoom meeting about 24 hours before the meeting. By registering for this event, you agree to abide by the Library Use Guidelines.
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Accessibility
Need captioning for this event? Please call (312) 747-4015. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.
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About the Chicago Public Library
1871: After the Chicago Fire, Thomas Hughes, a prominent member of British Parliament and children’s author supports a plan to donate more than 8,000 books to Chicago.
Chicago citizens petition for a free public library. Previous libraries were private membership-only organizations. The Children’s Library at Harold Washington Library Center is named after Thomas Hughes
1872: The Illinois Library Act of 1872, authorized cities to establish tax-supported libraries throughout the state. In April, the City Council passed an ordinance proclaiming the establishment of Chicago Public Library.
1873: The Chicago Public Library opens at the southeast corner of LaSalle and Adams streets in a circular water tank that survived the fire. The library moved several times during its first 24 years, including an 11-years on the fourth floor of City Hall.
1874: A delivery station system of outposts served Chicago’s neighborhoods mostly in stores. Patrons could call for a book, which was delivered by horse-drawn carriage to the outpost nearest their home.
By the early 1900s deposit stations accounted for two-thirds of the circulation of the Chicago Public Library.
1897: October 11, the Central Library, on Michigan Avenue between Washington and Randolph streets, opens in what is now the Chicago Cultural Center. The building cost about $2 million, was designed by Shepley, Rutan & Coolidge.
The building was designed to be practically incombustible. Preston Bradley Hall, contains a dome and hanging lamps by Tiffany Glass.
1904: Isabella N. Blackstone donates funds to construct the first branch library, located in the Hyde Park and Kenwood neighborhoods. The library was modeled after the famous Erechtheion on the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.
1916: Chief Librarian Henry E. Legler presented a library plan calling for an network of neighborhood library locations to bring library service within the walking distance for every person in Chicago.
The plan called for several regional libraries with more comprehensive collections. The first regional library, the Henry E. Legler Regional Library, opened in 1920 in West Garfield Park.
1918: Carl B. Roden, who began work as a library page in 1886, was appointed chief librarian. Over 32 years (1918-1950) he increased staff, holdings, circulation and total expenditures exponentially.
The Carl B. Roden Branch in the Norwood Park neighborhood, where he resided, is named in his honor.
1960s: CPL added a significant number of neighborhood branch libraries, via new construction or leasing storefronts or reading rooms. By 1985, there were 76 branches.
1991: The new main library the Harold Washington Library Center opened October 7.
1995: Chicago Public Library established its website.
1996: A three-year, $65 million capital improvement plan begins building or renovating 52 neighborhood libraries.
2000: $44 million in neighborhood library construction begins.
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Harold Washington Library Center
400 S. State Street
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 747-4300