Editing Chicago Public Library (section)

==Current services==
In 1991, the [[Harold Washington Library|Harold Washington Library Center]] became Chicago's new central library. It is named for the late mayor [[Harold Washington]]. It was the world's largest municipal public library at the time of its opening. It is accessible from the [[Brown Line (Chicago Transit Authority)|Brown]], [[Orange Line (Chicago Transit Authority)|Orange]], [[Purple Line (Chicago Transit Authority)|Purple]] and [[Pink Line (Chicago Transit Authority)|Pink Line]] trains at the "[[Library-State/Van Buren (CTA)|Library]]" stop, from the [[Blue Line (Chicago Transit Authority)|Blue Line]] at the "LaSalle" and "Jackson" stops, as well as from the [[Red Line (Chicago Transit Authority)|Red Line]] at the "Jackson" stop.

In January 1994, Mary A. Dempsey was appointed Library Commissioner by Mayor Richard M. Daley and served in that role until January 2012. Under her direction, the Library launched the largest branch building program in its history, constructing or renovating 44 branch libraries; installed more than 2500 free public access computers and Wi-Fi throughout the library system; completed 2 strategic plans; established professional development and training programs for all library staff; and launched signature programs such as One Book, One Chicago; YOUmedia; the museum and Ravinia free admission programs; Teen Volume; Law at the Library; and Money Smart financial literacy programs for adults and teens. The library's success in revitalizing communities through branch library development was analyzed by Robert Putnam in 2003.<ref>Putnam, R. D., & Feldstein, L. M. (2003). "Branch libraries: The heartbeat of the community". In ''Better together: Restoring the American community'' (pp. 34–54). New York: Simon and Schuster.{{ISBN?}}</ref>

The "Charlotte Kim Scholar in Residence Program" took place from 1999–2008. Scholars included [[Camila Alire]] (1999); [[Leigh S. Estabrook]] (2002); [[Kathleen de la Peña McCook]] (2003); Joan C. Durrance (2004); Michael Stephens (2005); Maureen Sullivan (2006); George Needham (2007) and Patricia Martin (2008).<ref>{{cite journal|title=Charlotte Kim Scholars in Residence Program|journal=Reporter|date=October 2007|volume=25|issue=5|page=18|url=http://www.ila.org/pub/reporter/vol25no5.pdf|access-date=4 December 2013|publisher=Illinois Library Association|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130512105539/http://www.ila.org/pub/reporter/vol25no5.pdf|archive-date=12 May 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref>

''The Engaged Library: Chicago Stories of Community Building'' published by the Urban Library Council (2006) highlights several Chicago public libraries and their efforts in strengthening the community and effectively enhancing the well-being and capacities of urban neighborhood residents, associations, non-profits and public institutions.<ref>''The Engaged Library: Chicago Stories of Community Building'' Urban Library Council (2006)</ref>

Brian Andrew Bannon was appointed Library Commissioner effective March 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CPL History |url=https://www.chipublib.org/cpl-history |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=www.chipublib.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

Some of the free programming the Chicago Public Library offers include: The One Book, One Chicago program, The Summer Learning Challenge, Bookamania (held every November), Kids Museum Passport Program (allows patrons free admission to a variety of Chicago's world-class institutions), and Words and Music Program<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.chipublib.org/eventsprog/programs/words_music.php|title=Words and Music|work=Chicago Public Library website|access-date=2009-05-08|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090531073925/http://www.chipublib.org/eventsprog/programs/words_music.php|archive-date=2009-05-31}}</ref> (which provides patrons with free lawn tickets to selected Ravinia concerts). The library also offers a free homework help desk daily in order to serve struggling students after school.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Toppo|first1=Greg|title=Libraries' choice: Change or fade into oblivion|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/06/07/changing-libraries-digital-age/9862861/|access-date=28 March 2016|publisher=USA Today|date=2 June 2014}}</ref>

The Chicago Public Library offers free lecture series covering a variety of topics including: Law at the Library (a free monthly lecture series that offers participants the opportunity to speak with a legal professional about a variety of legal topics), Money Smart (a series of financial literacy programs), and Author Series.

The Chicago Public Library provides access to a large selection of databases, most of which are also available for use at home or other remote location with a Chicago Public Library card. Internet computers are available for anyone with a Chicago Public Library card. Also, anyone can use the Wi-Fi on their own laptops, tablets and smartphones without a library card.

In June 2013, the library announced a $1 million grant from the [[Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation]] establishing a partnership between the Chicago Public Library and the public library system of [[Aarhus]], Denmark.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hadro |first1=Josh |last2=Schwartz |first2=Meredith |date=August 2013 |title=$1 Million Grant To Fund Chicago, Aarhus Venture |journal=[[Library Journal]] |publisher=[[Media Source Inc.]] |volume=138 |issue=13 |page=15}}</ref>

That same month, the Library opened its Innovation Lab, featuring a Maker Lab with 3D software, milling machine, laser cutters, and 3D printers. The space has proven highly successful in offering free access to the latest in advanced manufacturing technology and was awarded the Chicago Innovation Awards Social Innovator Award in October 2013<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-10-31 |title=Chicago Public Library Wins Chicago Innovation Award for Maker Lab |url=https://www.chipublib.org/news/chicago-public-library-wins-chicago-innovation-award-for-maker-lab/ |access-date=2025-05-23 |website=www.chipublib.org |language=en-US}}</ref>.

In late 2013, a study released by the Information Science Department of Heinrich Heine University in Düsseldorf, Germany ranked Chicago Public Library first in the United States and third in the world, when comparing 31 major urban libraries taking leadership roles in supporting "smart cities" in a "knowledge economy."<ref>{{Cite report |title=Public Libraries in the Knowledge Society: Core Services of Libraries in Informational World Cities |url=https://www.phil-fak.uni-duesseldorf.de/fileadmin/Redaktion/Institute/Informationswissenschaft/siebenlist/Lehre/PS_I2/libri-2013-0024_63-4-295-319_Mainka_Stock.pdf |last=Meinka |first=Agnes |date=2013 |access-date=2021-03-06}}</ref>

Andrea Telli was appointed Library Commissioner effective June 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CPL History |url=https://www.chipublib.org/cpl-history |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=www.chipublib.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2019, CPL became the largest public library system in the United States to eliminate fines for borrowed overdue items. All existing fines were forgiven. There are still due dates, and patrons are still required to return items or replace them to continue their borrowing privileges.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://chicago.cbslocal.com/2019/09/30/chicago-public-library-eliminates-late-fines/ |title=Chicago Public Library To Eliminate Overdue Fines, Wipe Out Existing Debts |date=September 30, 2019 |work=CBS Chicago |access-date=2019-09-30 |language=en-US}}</ref>

Chris Brown was appointed Library Commissioner effective February 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CPL History |url=https://www.chipublib.org/cpl-history |access-date=2023-07-18 |website=www.chipublib.org |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2023, the CPL celebrated its 150th anniversary with an exhibit exploring the history of its branches.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CPL 150 Anniversary |url=https://www.chipublib.org/cpl-150-anniversary |access-date=2023-03-12 |website=www.chipublib.org |language=en-US}}</ref>