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This year, for our 35th Anniversary, we’re honoring our roots, celebrating everything we’ve built together, and dreaming big about the future—and you’re invited to be part of it all!

Expect exciting events, special programs, and stories that spotlight the amazing people who helped grow our library into the vibrant hub it is today.

To mark the occasion, Friends has already made a generous gift to help refresh and expand the Edgewater Branch Library’s collection—and you can join in!

Support our Befriend A Book campaign by donating $35 (or any amount!) to help us keep the library’s shelves stocked.

Let’s make this anniversary year one for the books!

Upcoming Programs & Events

View additional programs & events at the Edgewater Branch here.

August 2025

No Member Meeting in August - We’ll see you in September!

11| Book Sale Collection Begins | See Book Sale page for details

September 2025

1-14 | Book Sale Collection Continues | Collection ends on Sunday, September 14 | See Book Sale page for details

12| Friday, 10-11 a.m. | The No Book Club | In person | Edgewater Branch Library | Betty A. Barclay Community Room, 2nd Floor | No registration needed

13 | Saturday, 2 p.m. | Sibling Revelry 2 — Poetry Reading & more with writing sisters Anara Guard & Gay Guard Chamberlin | Edgewater Branch, Betty A. Barclay Community Room, 2nd Floor |Back for a return engagement, Anara & Gay will share stories about books and libraries, talk about wordcraft and writing. They’ll also have copies of their books for sale. | Free and open to the public. | No registration required.

14 | Book Sale Collection Ends

27 | Saturday, 10-11 a.m. | September Member Meeting | In-person | Edgewater Branch Library, Betty A. Barclay Community Room, 2nd Floor | Arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and conversation or stay after; feel free to bring breakfast snacks to share with all. No registration needed.

27 | Saturday, 2-3 p.m. | The Prairie School: From Edgewater to India, By Way of Australia | In-person | Edgewater Library, Betty A. Barclay Community Room, 2nd Floor | This historical presentation — with an Edgewater connection — highlights the lives and architecture of Walter Burley Griffin and Marion Mahony Griffin, who both worked with Frank Lloyd Wright.

Even before winning the international competition to design Canberra, the capital city of Australia, the couple was uniquely influential to the architecture of the early 1900s. Walter Burley Griffin designed two Prairie-style houses in Edgewater, which are on the National Register of Historic Places and are designated a Chicago Landmark.

The visual presentation by Douglas Snider, AIA, an architect and Griffin enthusiast, will include an overview of the couple's work and highlight their lasting legacies on the world of design.| No registration required.

29 | Monday, 1-2 p. m. | The No Book Club | Virtual Meeting | Register Now

October 2025

4| Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m. | Friends Annual Book Sale | Edgewater Branch Library, Betty A Barclay Community Room, 2nd Floor

5 | Sunday, 1:30-4 p.m. | Friends Annual Book Sale | Edgewater Branch Library, Betty A Barclay Community Room, 2nd Floor

2025 Book Giveaway

In 2025, Friends of the Edgewater Library in partnership with Women & Children First bookstore started a new book-giving program. Library patrons may choose a free book from the selection next to the self-service checkout machine on the first floor. See all our 2024 Bag of Books winners here.

Quick Hits

• Got a question? See our FAQs.

• Want to be a member? Find out more and join us.

• Looking for something interesting to watch? Check out our video gallery.

• Want more resources or information on a recent program, see the video gallery or our Frendz blog or search on the subject or program name.

• Want to support us through event sponsorship or as a community partner? Learn more about sponsorship and community partnership opportunities.

• Looking to have some fun with others by working on a committee? See our committee descriptions.

Check out these virtual events on the CPL website. The Edgewater Branch Library is now open on Sundays from 1-5 p.m.

• Edgewater Branch events

• Author events

• Book Club events

• History and genealogy

• Art, Movies, & Performances

Upcoming Events, continued

October, cont.

10| Friday, 10-11 a.m. | The No Book Club | In person | Edgewater Branch Library | Betty A. Barclay Community Room, 2nd Floor | No registration needed

11 | Saturday, 2-3 p.m. | Books on the Chopping Block celebrating Banned Books Week, October 5-11 | In-person | Edgewater Branch Library | Betty A. Barclay Community Room, 2nd Floor | Actors from Edgewater-based City Lit Theatre perform passages from the Top Ten Banned Books of 2025. | No registration required.

19-25 | National Friends of the Library Week | We’re working on programs and an Open House during this week. Please check back in the coming weeks for full details.

25 | Saturday, 10-11 a.m. | October Member Meeting | In-person | Edgewater Branch Library, Betty A. Barclay Community Room, 2nd Floor | Arrive at 9:30 a.m. for coffee and conversation or stay after; feel free to bring breakfast snacks to share with all. No registration needed.