Tom Wolfe to Receive 2008 Carl Sandburg Literary Award. Chicago Mystery Writer Theresa Schwegel Selected as 21st Century Honoree
Author and journalist Tom Wolfe has been selected to receive the 2008 Carl Sandburg Literary Award, presented annually by the Chicago Public Library Foundation and the Chicago Public Library in honor of a significant body of work that has enhanced public awareness of the written word.
The 21st Century Award, honoring recent achievement in writing by an author with ties to Chicago, will go to crime fiction and mystery writer
Theresa Schwegel. Both awards will be presented at a fundraising dinner for the Chicago Public Library Foundation on October 15, 2008 at the Harold Washington Library Center, chaired by civic leaders Deborah Bricker and John Bryan.
Awards to be Presented by Chicago Public Library and Chicago Public Library Foundation at October 15 Dinner at Harold Washington Library Center. Sponsorship and table reservation packages are now available.Seating is strictly limited.For reservations and information contact Rebecca Spence (312) 201-9830 ext.25 or e-mail rspence@cplfoundation.org.
The 2008 Summer Reading Program is here!
Funded through the City of Chicago and the Chicago Public Library Foundation, the Chicago Public Library's 31st Summer Reading Program for children celebrates nature, the environment and conservation in partnership with the Chicago Department of Environment, Garfield Park Conservatory, the Chicago Park District and Chicago Wilderness. Participating children will read, report on books of their choosing and have fun with green programs and projects. Children will receive a sticker for their book log for each book read, win book prizes and earn a Read Green, Live Green t-shirt by reading lots of books!
Chicago Public Library Foundation and Chicago Public Library 2008 Donor and Partner Recognition Luncheon
Award-Winning Chicago author Stuart Dybek
The Chicago Public Library Foundation and the Chicago Public Library welcomed 150 donors, partners and friends to the 2008 Annual Recognition Luncheon June 18 in the Winter Garden of the Harold Washington Library. Award winning Chicago author Stuart Dybek delighted the group with stories about the colorful characters of his childhood and the important role the public library played during his childhood in Chicago's Little Village neighborhood.The luncheon followed the annual meeting of the Board of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, where three new Directors, Civic Leader Michelle L. Collins; Eugene J. Godbold, President, Commercial Real Estate Banking, Bank of America, Illinois; and Miles W. McHugh, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, RR Donnelley & Sons Company.
Raymond Chandler's The Long Goodbye selected for spring One Book, One Chicago
Creator of private eye Philip Marlowe, author Raymond Chandler transformed 20th Century detective fiction with his distinct brand of witty, hard-boiled dialog. The Long Goodbye followed Chandler's earlier Marlowe stories The Big Sleep, Farewell, My Lovely, The High Window, and The Lady in the Lake. In The Long Goodbye, Chandler introduced a more complex Philip Marlowe. Set in atmospheric 1950's Los Angeles, The Long Goodbye features an older, more solitary Marlowe in a story of love and murder that examines friendship, justice and compassion amid endless cigarettes and gin gimlets.
Poet Nikki Giovanni Honored With 2007 Carl Sandburg Literary Award
World-renowned poet, writer, commentator, activist and educator Nikki Giovanni was awarded the 2007 Carl Sandburg Literary Award from the Chicago Public Library Foundation and the Chicago Public Library at an Awards Dinner on October 17 at the Harold Washington Library Center. An audience of five hundred supporters of the Chicago's Public Lbrary enjoyed the wit, charm and literary genius of Ms. Giovanni as she read her poetry and shared moving stories about her life. The Carl Sandburg Literary Award is presented annually in recognition of a significant body of work that has enhanced the public’s awareness of the written word and reflects the Chicago Public Library’s commitment to the freedom to read, to learn and to discover.
Also honored at the Awards Dinner was Sara Gruen, author of the New York Times bestseller, Water for Elephants, who received the 2007 21st Century Award honoring recent achievement by an emerging literary voice with ties to Chicago.
Bookamania—a celebration of books for the whole family!
Watch for news about Bookamania 2008, to take place at the Harold Washington Library Center on Saturday, November 22.
Last year, over 4,000 children and their families celebrated Bookamania 2007.
This day-long free celebration of books for children ages 3–10 years old was made possible by a generous grant from Target Corporation through the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Target will also sponsor Bookamania 2008.
Mayor Daley Announces $1 Million Bank of America Grant to the Chicago Public Library Foundation
At a ceremony March 1st at the Harold Washington Library Center, Mayor Richard M. Daley announced a grant of $1 million to the Chicago Public Library Foundation from the Bank of America Foundation, a gift that will provide free computer training to the public at the Chicago Public Library.
Mayor Daley was joined at the ceremony by John Brennan, President of Bank of America Illinois, who presented a check to Chicago Public Library Commissioner Mary Dempsey, Chicago Public Library Foundation Chairman Jim Donnelley and directors of the Chicago Public Library.
“One of the most important ways Bank of America creates opportunities for our customers and communities is through a grant like this to the Chicago Public Library,” said Bank of America’s Brennan. “It’s not just about providing access to computers, but educating Chicagoans on how to effectively and efficiently utilize the technology. Whether it is applying for college, conducting research for a school report, or submitting a resume for an online job opportunity, our support of the Library will enhance the lives of families across our community.”
