Chicago Public Library

What Chicago Public Library does

Chicago Public Library (CPL) is a municipal public library system operated as a department of the City of Chicago, founded in 1873 in the aftermath of the Great Chicago Fire. It provides free access to physical and digital library collections, computer and internet access, meeting and study spaces, and educational programming across 81 neighborhood branch locations and its flagship Harold Washington Library Center. The system is one of the largest public library systems in the United States and serves the full Chicago population, with targeted programming across children and families, teens, ESL learners and immigrants, and adult lifelong learners — supported by multilingual services in Spanish, Polish, Chinese, and Korean.

CPL's core technical platform is BiblioCommons, which powers the public catalog, patron account management, event registration, and reservations. Digital services are delivered through third-party integrations, including OverDrive (eBooks/audiobooks/magazines), Hoopla (streaming media), Flipster (digital magazines), Mango Languages, Brainfuse Adult Learning Center, and LinkedIn Learning (the last funded by the Chicago Public Library Foundation). Specialized in-house programs include YOUmedia (teen creative learning), Maker Lab, One Book One Chicago (citywide reading program), and the Renaissance Project (Black history research scholarships). Infrastructure enhancements include Chi100 solar panel and energy retrofit installations at multiple branches under a partnership with the Chicago Department of Environment and the Department of Fleet & Facility Management.

CPL is a non-revenue-generating public institution. Its funding is derived from City of Chicago municipal appropriations and private donations channeled through the Chicago Public Library Foundation. All library services — borrowing, eBooks, audiobooks, computer and WiFi access, study/meeting rooms, programs, and events — are provided free of charge to any Chicago resident with a free library card. The organization employs approximately 900 people and is governed by a Board of Directors, with CPL Commissioner Chris Brown leading the system.

Name

Chicago Public Library

Legal name

Chicago Public Library

Website

https://chipublib.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1873

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Chicago Public Library is a municipal department of the City of Chicago, operating 81 neighborhood branches and the Harold Washington Library Center to provide free physical and digital library collections, programming, and community services to all Chicago residents.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Public Library Services

NAICS

Libraries and Archives (519210), Libraries and Archives (51921), Web Search Portals, Libraries, Archives, and Other Information Services (5192), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Libraries & Information Services (BPAIACAO)

akta.pro secondary industries

Public Library Operations & Community Branch Management (EDAEAGAC), Digital Library & Electronic Resources Operations (e-Resources, Repositories, Licensing) (EDAEAGAF), Library User Services & Information Support (Reference, Research Help, Instruction Support) (EDAEAGAL)

Keywords

• Public library services
• Digital lending
• Community education
• Literacy programs
• Municipal library

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Public Library Services: Chicago Public Library is a department of the City of Chicago, funded through public tax revenue and the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Services are provided free of charge to all Chicago residents.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Chicago Public Library provides free lending of physical and digital collections (books, eBooks, audiobooks, magazines, movies, music) and free access to computer, WiFi, study, and meeting spaces across 81 neighborhood branches. It delivers free educational programming for all ages (story times, teens/tech programs, adult learning/ESL/citizenship prep, job search help) and digital learning platforms (LinkedIn Learning, Mango Languages, Brainfuse, The Reading Set). Services are free to all Chicago residents with a free library card.

Product overview

Chicago Public Library operates as a unified library system combining physical and digital services across 81 locations. The core offering includes physical book lending, digital content through BiblioCommons catalog, and specialized programs. Digital services span eBooks/audiobooks (OverDrive), magazines (Flipster), streaming content (Hoopla), language learning (Mango Languages), professional development (LinkedIn Learning), and adult learning (Brainfuse). Physical branches offer books, movies, music, community spaces, study/meeting rooms, and music practice rooms. Specialized programs include YOUmedia teen tech spaces, Maker Lab, One Book One Chicago, and the Renaissance Project research initiative. The flagship Harold Washington Library Center serves as the main branch with unique amenities including music practice rooms and specialized collections.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• The Reading Set: A first-of-its-kind book borrowing platform that allows patrons to reserve complete sets of titles for their book clubs, featuring more than 300 titles across multiple genres and languages.
• YOUmedia
• One Book, One Chicago
• Harold Washington Library Center

Products and services

• BiblioCommons Catalog Online library catalog and patron account management system powering CPL's catalog search, account access, event registration, and reservation systems. Available to all Chicago residents with a free library card.
• eBooks & Digital Magazines Digital lending service for eBooks and magazines through OverDrive and Flipster platforms, accessible via library card to all CPL patrons.
• Audiobooks Digital and physical audiobook lending through OverDrive and Hoopla platforms for patrons of all ages. Accessible via library card.
• Movies & TV Digital streaming service for movies and TV content available through the Hoopla platform with library card access.
• Music Digital music streaming and physical music CD lending available through Hoopla and library collections.
• Mango Languages Online language learning platform offering lessons in over 70 languages including English as a second language, accessible to all CPL patrons with a library card.
• Brainfuse Adult Learning Center Online learning platform providing citizenship test preparation, ESL resources, GED classes, and job seeking assistance for adult learners. Accessible via library card.
• LinkedIn Learning Online professional development platform (formerly Lynda.com) covering technical, business, software, and creative topics. Available to CPL adult cardholders, funded by the Chicago Public Library Foundation.
• YOUmedia Creative learning space for teens at Harold Washington Library Center and Albany Park branch, offering access to technology, media production tools, and mentorship programs.
• Maker Lab Hands-on maker space offering tools and equipment for DIY projects, crafts, and technology experimentation at Harold Washington Library Center.
• Renaissance Project Research scholarship initiative offering grants and programs for Black history research, with an inaugural research scholars cohort.
• Harold Washington Library Center Main central branch of Chicago Public Library, located at 400 S. State Street, featuring specialized collections, 8th floor music practice rooms with chamber rehearsal room and six practice rooms with pianos, and unique spaces including YOUmedia and Maker Lab.
• The Reading Set First-of-its-kind book club lending platform allowing patrons to reserve complete sets of titles for book clubs. Features 300+ titles across multiple genres and languages (English, Spanish, Polish, Korean).
• One Book, One Chicago Citywide reading program that selects one book for all Chicagoans to read and discuss, with associated events and programming at neighborhood branches.
• CyberNavigator Program Free one-on-one technology tutoring and computer help including email basics, internet safety, job searching, and digital literacy at select Chicago Public Library branches.
• Library Card and 81 Branch Access Free library card providing access to all 81 neighborhood branch locations across Chicago, offering books, digital resources, community spaces, study rooms, meeting rooms, and programming.
• Digital Museum Passes Pass program providing Chicago library cardholders free or discounted admission to partner museums; transitioned from physical to digital format in 2026 with expanded options reservable online.

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Chicago Department of EnvironmentcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2025Chicago Department of Environment (DOE) partners with CPL for the Chi100 renewable energy initiative. Solar panel installations and energy retrofits have been completed at South Chicago and Humboldt Park branches, with additional projects planned for Toman and West Lawn branches. The project is funded by the Chicago Recovery Plan.
• Chicago Department of Fleet & Facility ManagementcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 July 2025Chicago's 2FM (Department of Fleet & Facility Management) partnered with CPL to install solar panels and complete energy retrofits at library branches as part of the Chi100 initiative. Projects include lighting upgrades and high-efficiency HVAC replacements to maximize energy efficiency.
• Literacy ChicagocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLiteracy Chicago partners with CPL to provide English Language conversation groups at multiple branch locations including Albany Park, Blackstone, Budlong Woods, Harold Washington Library Center, Manning, Oriole Park, Rogers Park, and West Town. These free conversation groups help immigrants and ESL learners practice English through discussions about current events and life in Chicago.
• MatherminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMather, a non-denominational not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating Ways to Age Well, partners with CPL to offer the Grow-It-Together hydroponic gardening kit program. Illinois residents aged 55 and older can receive free gardening kits with hydroponic gardens, supplies, and seed packets through participating library branches.
• BrainfusecoreTechnology or IntegrationBrainfuse provides the Adult Learning Center through CPL, offering resources to help patrons prepare for the U.S. citizenship test and other adult education needs. The platform provides practice tests and study resources accessible with a library card.
• City Colleges of ChicagominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCity Colleges of Chicago offers free English and citizenship courses for Illinois residents through library locations, expanding adult education access across Chicago communities.
• Citizens Utility BoardminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCitizens Utility Board partners with CPL and the Department of Environment to co-host public workshops focused on solar energy, helping Chicagoans learn about the process, costs, and benefits of installing solar panels.
• ElevateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerElevate partners with CPL to host solar energy workshops as part of the Chi100 initiative, providing education on renewable energy solutions for Chicago homeowners and businessowners.
• 548 EnterpriseminorStrategic or Co-development Partner548 Enterprise partners with CPL to co-host solar energy workshops as part of the Chi100 initiative, helping residents understand solar panel installation processes and benefits.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• New York Public Library: Operates one of the largest public library systems in the U.S. with 92+ branches across Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island, offering lending, programming, digital services, and community partnerships at a scale directly comparable to CPL.
• Detroit Public Library: Municipal public library system serving Detroit with branch network, free digital content, and adult education programming. Comparable in serving a large urban population with significant demographic and economic diversity.
• Boston Public Library: Municipal public library system serving Boston with branch network, free digital lending, immigrant services, and youth programs. Comparable in scale, mission breadth, and urban-civic funding structure.
• Brooklyn Public Library: Independently operated public library system serving Brooklyn with branch network, free digital content, multilingual services, and youth/adult programming. Directly comparable to CPL as a large urban municipal library serving a diverse population.
• San Francisco Public Library: Municipal public library serving San Francisco with a branch network, BiblioCommons-powered catalog, digital lending, and diverse community programming. Uses the same core platform as CPL, making it a close operational and technological peer.
• Philadelphia Free Library: Non-profit-supported public library system serving Philadelphia with neighborhood branches, free digital content, ESL/citizenship prep, and youth programming. Directly comparable urban public library with similar funding mix and social mission.
• Los Angeles Public Library: Municipal public library system serving the City of Los Angeles with a large branch network, free digital lending, ESL/citizenship programming, and workforce development services — closely aligned with CPL's mission, funding structure, and program mix.
• Seattle Public Library: Municipal library system serving Seattle with branch network, digital lending, and community programs. Comparable operating model and civic funding model, with similar focus on equity of access across neighborhoods.
• Houston Public Library: Municipal library system serving the City of Houston with branch network, free digital lending, multilingual programs, and adult education services. Comparable in operating model, scale, and civic funding dependency to CPL.

Others

• BiblioCommons: Vendor of the library catalog and patron engagement platform used by CPL and a global consortium of public library systems. Acts as a technology provider rather than a service competitor, enabling CPL's catalog and digital service operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/chicago-public-library

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chicago Public Library