Chicago is finally getting rid of the barriers that used to stop students from actually using the city’s massive library system. On Tuesday, city officials announced that “The 81 Club” is going citywide, essentially turning every Chicago Public Schools (CPS) student ID into a fully active library card.
The program, named after the city’s 81 library branches, means students can walk into any branch and grab what they need without having to prove where they live or wait for a parent to sign a stack of forms.
The big win here is the data-sharing deal between CPS and the libraries. Since the two systems are finally talking to each other, the “application” process is basically dead.
“With this expansion, every student — no matter their ZIP code, school enrollment or their age, will have access to library cards and programs and resources that make their lives more enriched,” said Mayor Brandon Johnson at the Austin Branch on Tuesday.
This change is a lifesaver for foster kids, undocumented students, and those moving between homes who usually get blocked by the library’s “proof of address” requirements.
We already know this works. A pilot version of the program in 2022 saw library use explode. According to the research group Chapin Hall, library access for kids in lower-income areas shot up 63% , and it hit 81% for English language learners. In spots like Englewood and West Englewood, more students are now using their school IDs to check out books than there are people with traditional library cards.
Teachers are also getting a massive toolkit out of this. They now have a direct line to Sora, a digital platform with millions of eBooks and audiobooks, plus a bunch of other teaching resources.
To celebrate the launch, the city is even rolling out limited-edition cards that feature artwork actually made by students.
Bottom line, if a kid in Chicago has their school ID, they have the keys to 6 million books and online tools. No red tape, no barriers, just access.
