Guide to the Chicago Public Library

by jessicajoy
-
August 14, 2009

Rate Guide

(1)

4 discussions
|
1 comment
-
expand all

Chicago has a fantastic library system, and if you aren't already, you should definately take advantage. Hardly anything is free these days, but the library is! And the CPL doesn't just offer books anymore... now you can also check out dvds, audio books for your Ipod, and museum passes!

Get a Library Card

Library cards for the CPL are free as long as you can show proof that you live in Chicago. Adults (14 and up) just need to present a valid photo ID with their Chicago address. If you don’t have an ID with a Chicago address, then you will need two forms of identification and one must have your Chicago address on it. (Examples include utility bills, a personal check, or a letter/mail that you have recieved at your Chicago address within 30 days.)

Children 13 and under must have their application signed by a parent or guardian with a valid ID.

Add Comment

CPL Online

Chicago Public Library has a fantastic website that allows you to search for any book, movie, publication, audio book, etc. that they have in their system. If they don’t have what you are looking for available at your local branch, you can easily put a hold on that item and it will be shipped to your branch as soon as it becomes available.

To login, go to www.chipublip.org and click on ‘My CPL’ on the far right near the top. Now you must login by entering your library card number and zip code.

Add Comment

Place an Item on Hold

Once logged in you can see your checked out items, due dates, status of holds, and personal information. Use the search at the top to look for books, movies, and downloadable items. Let’s say you want to search for the book Devil in the White City by Erik Larson. (A book that everyone living in Chicago should read!) Your search will probably come up with several results. Find the book you are looking for and look to the far right to see what form of media the book is in. (Book, Audio Book on CD or Casette Tape, or eAudiobook.) Click on the one you want to see which branches have it available. If your local branch doesn’t have it, click ‘Place on Hold’ at the top and then select your branch from the dropdown menu to have it sent there. The library will notify you via email once it is available for you to pick-up.

Add Comment

Check-out Museum Passes!

The Kraft Great Kids Museum Passports program is pretty cool. It allows you to check out a pass for 4 (2 adults and 2 kids) for one week to any of the 13 participating Chicago museums. Keep in mind that museum passports cannot be reserved or put on hold. You must check them out at the main desk of any CPL branch, and there are a limited number of passes for each museum. Once you get a pass, use it that week! Passes cannot be renewed and there is an overdue fine of $1.00 per day. You may only check out one museum passport at a time.

Here is a list of participating museums:

Add Comment

Adler Planetarium

1300 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

Offering more than simply a night sky show, the Adler Planetarium has interactive exhibits and displays that serve to educate visitors about the history and future of astronomy and travel into space. The StarRider theater shows exciting virtual reality programs on astronomical phenomena while the Sky Theater presents more traditional renderings of the night sky and fun historical programming. Special classes and workshops for children are offered throughout the year, where hands-on activities serve to excite a love of science and education. Located on the shore of Lake Michigan, the planetarium is part of Chicago's Museum Campus, which also includes the Shedd Aquarium and the Field Museum of Natural History.

Add Comment

Brookfield Zoo

3300 Golf Rd, Brookfield, IL 60513

This 216-acre zoo is great for children, and includes a butterly museum and lots of interactive activies. A nice change from the crowded (but lovely) Lincoln Park Zoo.

Add Comment

Chicago Children's Museum

700 E Grand Ave, Chicago, IL 60611

Packed with innovative areas designed to encourage thought and inspiration, the Chicago Children's Museum also offers daily art projects and short programs for kids and families. Designed for children 10 and younger, visitors can dig up dinosaur bones or explore life at sea on a three-story ship, learn about safety around the house or explore the world of Kids Town. Located right in downtown, the museum is part of the Navy Pier family entertainment area, which also has traditional carnival-style rides, an IMAX theater and daily performances tailored to a young audience.

Add Comment

Chicago History Museum

1601 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60614

An ever-changing variety of items speaking to the history of America's third largest city are displayed at the Chicago History Museum. With a collection of over 22 million pieces, exhibits open to the public are constantly changing and feature everything from past clothing fashions to antique books to works of art. The Sensing Chicago area is dedicated to providing children with a fun way to experience Chicago's past and present, and other areas throughout the museum have exhibits specifically tailored for kids. Conveniently located on the southwestern corner of Lincoln Park, it is less than a mile from the Lincoln Park Zoo.

Add Comment

DuSable Museum of African American History

740 E 56th Pl, Chicago, IL 60637

The oldest museum dedicated to exploring the cultural and social history of African Americans, the DuSable Museum of African American History speaks to the art, music, rituals and people that have been significant in creating a sense of cultural identity. Exhibitions of art and antiques, photographs and documents are complimented by a diverse selection of programs, including documentaries, guest lecturers, concerts and programs for children. It is in the Washington Park neighborhood in south Chicago, set within the park just west of the University of Chicago.

Add Comment

The Field Museum

1400 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

Areas of scientific study including zoology, paleontology, geology, botany and anthropology are unified at The Field Museum, where exhibits are divided by field, location or period of time. Innovative and interactive areas serve as a draw to all ages, with typical museum-style exhibits providing a stable grounding to the many galleries. Play Lab offers children a fun place to explore and learn, and visitors of all ages are fascinated by Sue, the most intact Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton in existence. The museum is part of the Museum Campus of Chicago, near the John G. Shedd Aquarium and Adler Planetarium.

Add Comment

McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum

445 North Michigan Avenue Chicago, IL 60611

The McCormick Tribune Freedom Museum is the nation’s first museum dedicated to freedom and the First Amendment.

Add Comment

National Museum of Mexican Art

1852 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608

Celebrating Mexican culture and history through a collection of more than 5,500 works of art spanning two millennia, the National Museum of Mexican Art is the only museum of Latino art accredited by the American Association of Museums. Hand-made textiles, propaganda posters and figurines from lost civilizations fill the display areas of the museum, with special temporary exhibits highlighting select artists and styles. It sponsors a range of cultural events in its own performance space, including theatrical performances, traditional music concerts and book readings. The museum is located at Harrison Park, about a mile south of the University of Illinois at Chicago's West Campus.

Add Comment

Museum of Science and Industry

57th St & Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60637

Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry presents important scientific and technological achievements of the past and present through fun and interactive exhibits. Some of the museum's most popular areas are ToyMaker 3000, where a series of robots construct toys in a demonstration of automated manufacturing processes, and IMAGING: Tools of Science, with a number of areas that show the uses of imaging in modern life and the technology behind various imaging methods. Other special shows and display areas at the museum, including fascinating educational videos in the Omnimax theater and tours of the authentic German U-505 submarine, are available for an additional charge. The lakeside museum is located in the Hyde Park neighborhood on the southern side of Chicago, just east of the University of Chicago and its fascinating Oriental Institute Museum.

Add Comment

The Notebaert Nature Museum

2430 N Cannon Dr, Chicago, IL 60614

The Notebaert Nature Museum celebrates critters, creatures and people's connections with nature through interactive exhibits. Museum exhibits include a butterfly habitat with over 250 types of butterflies and "Mysteries of the Marsh," which explores Illinois creatures that live in the wetlands. It is located in Lincoln Park, part of Chicago's hip neighborhood of the same name, among many restaurants and attractions including the Lincoln Park Zoo and the Chicago History Museum.

Add Comment

John G. Shedd Aquarium

1200 S Lake Shore Dr, Chicago, IL 60605

My personal favorite out of the 13 museums that you can go to with the pass. Beautiful fish, great exhibits, and if you pay a little extra you can see the dolphins and whales.

Add Comment

Downloadable Media

If you’re going on a long trip, want something to listen to while working out, or you just don’t like to read, now you can download audiobooks, music, and videos from the CPL website FOR FREE and put them right on your Ipod, Iphone, or other mp3 player of choice. Cool, right? (Although, a lot of the collection is in WMA format, so you’ll need to check for that before you download a book so that it is compatible with your system or player.)

You can also download video files! Watch them on your computer or transfer them to your portable media player. (Most videos are only compatible with PC and WMV.)

It works similarly to put a hold on an item. Search for a title, find a version that says ‘eAudiobook’ next to it, and add to cart. When you’re done, proceed to checkout and you’ll probably have to re-enter your library card number and zipcode. Then there will be a button to download your media. Keep in mind that it will expire 3 weeks from the day you download it.

You can also go to http://overdrive.chipublib.org browse the whole collection of downloadable media, and choose only the formats that are compatible with your computer. You can also browse by new releases, most popular, recently returned, or genre.

The Chicago Public Library has made a great FAQ for first-time users. If you have any problems, go here; for answers.

Add Comment

Rent DVDs for free!

The Chicago Public Library is no Blockbuster, but they do have a pretty good selection of movies to rent. You can go right to your local branch and rent a title that they have available, or do a search on the website and place a movie on hold to pick-up later. Either way, you’re watching movies for free and that’s definately better than paying for them.

Add Comment

Yep, it’s true. Every CPL branch has free wireless internet for your web surfing pleasure.

You can also reserve one of their computers with Internet if you don’t have a laptop.

View Comment (1)

Library Events

Okay, I’ll be honest and say that I’ve never been to a library even in Chicago, but I know they have them. They get authors to come in for readings, story times for children, free tutoring sessions, art workshops, lectures, book discussions, and a lot more. Check out the website for information on upcoming events and programs near you.

Add Comment

Guides We Think You'll Like

Discussions

: by hi_liner 11/20/2008 Reply

I know a guy (well, not actually, but I know him from a forum) who bought a homeless guy a sandwich… and then they became myspace friends. I was surprised about some homeless guy having Internet access, but I never thought about the library. It’s all coming together.

: by tmamone 11/11/2008 Reply

Here’s a tip for any one that wants to use any library’s computers: If there is some one who needs to get some schoolwork done, and you’re doing nothing but playing the Mafia game on MySpace, please let the other person use your computer first.

: by jessicajoy 11/06/2008 Reply

Well I guess that is… smart? Try to find a sugar mama who will get them off the streets. Those guys should check out my Gold Digger guide.

All Discussions (4)

About The Author

jessicajoy

Wrigleyville, Chicago

Living in Chi-town and occasionally working in the film biz, writing, and celebrating being young and alive! I am also a very soon-to-be Auntie! Read my guides and I will kiss you.

Guide to the Chicago Public Library

Find a Branch Near You

Albany Park Branch

Altgeld Branch

Archer Heights Branch

Austin Branch

Austin-Irving Branch

Avalon Branch

Back of the Yards Branch

Beverly Branch

Bezazian Branch

Blackstone Branch

Brainerd Branch

Brighton Park Branch

Bucktown-Wicker Park Branch

Budlong Woods Branch

Canaryville Branch

Chicago Bee Branch

Chicago Lawn Branch

Chinatown Branch

Clearing Branch

Coleman Branch

Daley Branch

Douglass Branch

Eckhart Park Branch

Edgebrook Branch

Edgebrook Branch

Edgewater Branch

Gage Park Branch

Galewood-Mont Clare Branch

Garfield Ridge Branch

Hall Branch

Harold Washington-HWLC Branch

Hegewisch Branch

Humboldt Park Branch

Independence Branch

Jefferson Park Branch

Jeffery Manor Branch

Kelly Branch

King Branch

Legler Branch

Lincoln Belmont Branch

Lincoln Park Branch

Logan Square Branch

Lozano Branch

Manning Branch

Marshall Square Branch

Mayfair Branch

McKinley Park Branch

Merlo Branch

Midwest Branch

Mount Greenwood Branch

Near North Branch

North Austin Branch

North Pulaski Branch

Northtown Branch

Oriole Park Branch

Portage-Cragin Branch

Pullman Branch

Roden Branch

Rogers Park Branch

Roosevelt Branch

Scottsdale Branch

Sherman Park Branch

South Chicago Branch

South Shore Branch

Sulzer Regional Branch

Thurgood Marshall Branch

Toman Branch

Tuley Park Branch

Uptown Branch

Vodak-East Side Branch

Walker Branch

West Addison Branch

West Belmont Branch

West Chicago Ave Branch

West Englewood Branch

West Lawn Branch

West Pullman Branch

Whitney M. Young Jr. Branch