Chicago Public Schools has permanently expanded a program that turns every student's school ID into a library card, giving any student access to more than 6 million books and research materials at all 81 Chicago Public Library locations.
The idea began as a 2022 pilot testing whether removing sign-up barriers would get more teenagers into libraries. It worked: library access rose 63 percent among economically disadvantaged students once membership paperwork was no longer required.
The expanded program, called the 81 Club, also introduced a digital access system called Sora, giving students and educators access to eBooks, audiobooks, research databases, and classroom materials from any device.
"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 Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, speaking at the library's Austin Branch.
