CHICAGO FREE FOR ALL!

Hi everyone, my name is Lynn and I want to welcome you to the Chicago Free For All!

Chicago Free For All is where you can come and find out about all the
FREE activities in Chicago.

There are thousands of free things to see and do in Chicago throughout the year that are
FREE FOR ALL.

In addition, from time-to-time I’ll also include some best buys and some steals and deals.

​Armed with all this information you can make the most of your visit to Chicago and have a
​FREE FOR ALL.
Chicago Free For All
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Chicago Public Library

4/8/2016

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Welcome to the 14th installment of ChicagoFreeForAll.com   Each week I’m sure you will find lots of events that meet your interests and are Free For All! If you haven’t read all my posts, I suggest you start at the beginning (1/1/2016). The posts are organized is a manner that will help you plan your time in Chicago starting downtown (the city center).
 
This week I want to introduce you to some of the thousands of programs offered by the Chicago Public Library.
 
The Chicago Public Library ​is comprised of the main library building downtown, (the Harold Washington Library), 2 regional libraries and more than 70 neighborhood branches. All locations provide free access to the collections of books, newspapers and magazines, DVDs, audio books and music. They are also great places for internet access and WiFi connections as well as internet research databases for FREE.

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But the Chicago Public Library is not your grandmother’s library. Beyond the books all of the libraries are cultural centers offer a wide variety of programs and exhibits for babies, preschoolers, school-aged children, teens and adults for FREE. Currently there are almost free 3,000 events listed on the website. These activities are great any time, but especially good to attend when the weather is not the best for being outside.

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To make it easy to find free events you can search events on the website by several categories.
 
Time
 
            Today
            Tomorrow
            Next weekend
            Next 7 days or
            Enter any time span

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Location
            By zip code
            or select a specific library location 


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Event Type
 
            Art, Movies & Performances
            Author Events
            Book Clubs
            Book Sales
            Business, Law & Money
            Celebrations
            Computer & Technology
           Continuing Education
            Crafts, Games and Play
            DIY
            Health & Science
            History & Genealogy
            Jobs & Careers
            Lectures
            Story Time
            Tours
            Workshops
            Writing & Poetry. 

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Programs
 
   Affordable Care Act
   Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
   Chicago Cities for Citizenship
   CyberNavigator
   Hispanic Heritage Month
   Law at the Library
   Maker Lab
   Money Smart
   Native American Heritage Month
   One Book, One Chicago
   Poetry Fest
   Pride Month
   Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge
   ScienceConnections
   Smart investing @ your library
   Women’s History Month
   YOUmedia

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or Audience  
            Babies
            Kids
            Preschoolers
            Toddlers
            Teens
            Adults
            Seniors
            All Ages

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KIDS MUSEUM PASSPORT
 
One of my favorite offerings administered by the Chicago Public Library is the Kids Museum Passport. This program offers FREE admission to a number of Chicago area museums and attractions including: Adler Planetarium, Museum of Science Industry, Brookfield Zoo, Chicago Children’s Museum, Art Institute of Chicago, Shedd Aquarium, Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago History Museum, Chicago Botanic Garden, Museum of Contemporary Art, DuSable Museum of African-American History, National Museum of Mexican Art, National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture. 

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A limited number of passports are available at each location and are given out on a first come, first served basis.  You can keep and use the Museum Passport for 1 week. 
You must be a current CPL cardholder and a resident of Chicago. Unless otherwise noted, a group must include at least one child under 18 and no more than two adults per pass.



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​For more information about any of the services, programs and exhibits, check out the Chicago Public Library website or follow them on Facebook, Twitter @chipublib Instagram @chicaopubliclibrary.

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​Note Most events and exhibits are FREE and open to the public, Some require advanced registration and/or are open to those holding a current Chicago Public Library Card.


But if you don’t have a library card and/or you are coming from out of the city, state or country you can apply for a FREE temporary library card. All you will need is a government issued photo ID and you’re in!

ART IN THE LIBRARIES
Most of the libraries are adorned with art. Wander around any of the libraries and see if you can find mosaics, textiles, sculptures, busts, architectural artifacts, photographs, antiques, portraits, temporary and permanent exhibits and inspirational and humorous quotes. All the pictures in today’s blog were taken at the Harold Washington Library downtown.


So, don’t forget to check out what is going on at any of the Chicago Public Libraries and enjoy all there they offer that is Free For All! I hope you see it’s not your grandmother’s library!
  
 
All information was correct at the time of this post, but before you come, please check the website to get the most up-to-date information.
 
Thanks, as always to Chicago Greeter Bill Feldman for his support and advice.
 
Want to receive announcements of new posts? Send your email address to chicagofreeforall@gmail.com  and I will notify you of new posts on ChicagoFreeForAll.com.
 
If you know of a free event in Chicago you’d like me to share, email me at chicagofreeforall@gmail.com
 
Don’t forget to sign up for a free Chicago Greeter visit (see 1/1/2016 post) at www.chicagogreeter.com
 
Next week I'll have some updates for you. Until then, I hope to see you in Chicago!
 



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    Hi, I am Lynn and I have been a professional tour guide in Chicago for more than 15 years.  I worked on the tour boats and successfully completed the rigorous training with the Chicago Architecture Foundation and the Frank Lloyd Wright Trust.  I specialize in customizing itineraries to help guests make a personal connection to the city.  Whether learning about Chicago history, exploring our world-class architecture and public art or getting to know the famous and infamous characters from ​the past and present, I deliver a unique and memorable experience. ​

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