Free Holiday Performances Harold Washington Library
Where: Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street, 312-747-4300. Always call ahead. Schedule subject to change or cancellation. Most events are held in the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium, Lower Level. Check the signage or with the info desk when you enter the library to confirm location.
As part of the Chicago Public Library’s Art, Movies and Performances series the HWLC is hosting the following free performance:
Holiday Concerts: Lincoln Park High School Tuesday, December 3, 2019 12:15PM – 1:00PM
Sounds of the season ring out at the library with a variety of talented local singers and musicians, including high schools, colleges and universities, and community groups. Today’s program will feature the Lincoln Park High School Chamber Singers with Timothy R. Cooper, Choral Music Director.
Holiday Concerts: Robert Morris University Wednesday, December 4, 2019 12:15PM – 1:00PM
Today’s program will feature the Robert Morris University Choir with Samantha Elliott, Choir Coordinator, and the Robert Morris University String Ensemble with Charles Abplanalp, Coordinator.
Holiday Concerts: Senn High School Thursday, December 5, 2019 12:15PM – 1:00PM
Today’s program will feature the Senn High School Choir with Trevor Nicholas, Choir Director. (They are making their first appearance as part of the Library’s series of “Holiday Concerts.”)
Holiday Concerts: Hubbard High School Friday, December 6, 2019 12:15PM – 1:00PM
Today’s program will feature the Hubbard High School Advanced Honor Choir with Sharon Quattrin Campagna, Director of Choirs.
Holiday Concerts: Walter Payton High School Tuesday, December 10, 2019 12:15PM – 1:00PM
Holiday Concerts: Leo Catholic High School Wednesday, December 11, 2019 12:15PM – 1:00PM
Today’s program will feature the Leo Catholic High School Choir with La Donna Hill, Music Director. (They are making their first appearance as part of the Library’s series of “Holiday Concerts.”)
Holiday Concerts: Members of The Chicago Gay Men’s Chorus Thursday, December 12, 2019 12:15PM – 1:00PM
Holiday Concerts: Chicago Bar Association Brass Ensemble Friday, December 13, 2019 12:15PM – 1:15PM
Today’s program will feature the Chicago Bar Association Brass Ensemble with Michael D. Poulos, Conductor.
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About the Chicago Public Library
1871: After the Chicago Fire, Thomas Hughes, a member of British Parliament and children’s author who had visited Chicago in 1870 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.
