Exclusive Dolly Parton Film Screening Chicago

ONE NIGHT ONLY…

Open Books, in collaboration with The Music Box Theater, is proud to present “The Library That Dolly Built”, a feature-length documentary film which showcases the history, impact, and future of America’s largest non-governmental children’s literacy program, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. The film features the music of Dolly Parton and is narrated by actress, author, and the film’s producer, Danica McKeller.

Please join us on Thursday, April 2 to learn the history of the Imagination Library, celebrate literacy, and enjoy narration about one of America’s most-prized possessions, Dolly Parton!

Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit Open Books’ efforts to take the Imagination Library program city-wide and enroll as many low-income children as possible.

Open Books became the official Chicago affiliate of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 2018. Children (ages 0-5) enrolled in the Imagination Library receive one free, brand-new book each month, mailed directly to their home, until the age of 5. Open Books works closely with a network of partners – residents, neighborhood leadership, and community organizations – to ensure that families whose children need books can get them and, in turn, build their very own home library.

More than two-thirds of Chicago is covered by book deserts – neighborhoods with no bookstores and few if any books available for purchase anywhere else. Research shows that, in middle-income neighborhoods, the average home contains 13 books per child; low-income neighborhoods contain a single book for every 300 kids. Open Books intends to change this, and the Imagination Library serves as a key initiative in our efforts.

 

Get your tickets: https://musicboxtheatre.com/films/the-library-that-dolly-built

Back To School Block Party at Open Books Pilsen

Open Books, 2nd District Illinois State Representative, Theresa Mah, and 25th Ward Alderman Byron Sigcho Lopez invite you to a Back To School Block Party at Open Books Pilsen!

We will be giving away free backpacks, books, school supplies, giving out free haircuts, and more to gear up for the school year! There will be food, drinks, music, a special storytime, as well as arts & crafts! This event is co-sponsored by:

Chicago Children’s Museum
El Valor
SER Central States
Mural Park
ESDC
National Museum of Mexican Art
Gads Hill Center
ChicaGO Commons
Contratiempo
Frida Kahlo Community Organization
& more! RSVP NOW SO WE HAVE A GOOD COUNT!

A Wrinkle In Time – Storytime Event With SAIC

We will be discussing Hope Larson’s graphic novel adaptation of Madeleine L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time. Along with the discussion, we will be looking at, touching, and examining works of art that are thematically relevant to the story. This includes exploring dimensionality through interaction with 3D printed/laser cut reproductions of museum objects. There will also be a sculpture making activity inspired by the protagonists travels through the 5th dimension.  

Make The Case 2017

Join us for MAKE THE CASE 2017 at Moonlight Studios!

Make the Case is a fun-filled evening where teams of local literacy supporters go head-to-head trying to decorate the coolest, most creative bookcase they can in three hours. Spectators are invited to cheer on the teams; enjoy food, drinks, and music; and submit their votes for the best case. At the end of the evening, the winning team receives fabulous prizes and bragging rights for a year. After the event, Open Books stocks the shelves with engaging, age-appropriate, high-quality books through our Book Worm Angels program, and donates them to classrooms and nonprofit organizations throughout the city. In 2015, more than 300 people attended Make the Case, helping to grant more than 125,000 books in the 2015-2016 school year.

There will also be music, raffle prizes, open bar, food and fun!

More info coming soon!

Make The Case 2017

Join us for MAKE THE CASE 2017 at Moonlight Studios!

Make the Case is a fun-filled evening where teams of local literacy supporters go head-to-head trying to decorate the coolest, most creative bookcase they can in three hours. Spectators are invited to cheer on the teams; enjoy food, drinks, and music; and submit their votes for the best case. At the end of the evening, the winning team receives fabulous prizes and bragging rights for a year. After the event, Open Books stocks the shelves with engaging, age-appropriate, high-quality books through our Book Worm Angels program, and donates them to classrooms and nonprofit organizations throughout the city. In 2015, more than 300 people attended Make the Case, helping to grant more than 125,000 books in the 2015-2016 school year.

There will also be music, raffle prizes, open bar, food and fun!

More info coming soon!