Like institutions across the nation, CPL closed its doors in March 2020 in response to COVID-19. The shut-down meant that 300,000 Chicago children were suddenly cut off from the social support and learning opportunities found at school, the library, and others. CPL wanted to help fill the gap by providing literacy programming and from a familiar, trusted provider: the local library. Even better, the programming would feature friendly, well-known figures from Chicago’s cultural, civic, business and sports communities.

CPL worked with the CPL Foundation and ad agency FCB to develop a flexible structure. Each celebrity reader filmed themselves on a smartphone, while librarians augmented stories with related songs, rhymes, and crafts. The content was carefully selected to reflect Chicago’s incredible diversity (including stories in 7 different languages) and to meet accessibility and curriculum standards. The resulting programs were posted on Facebook and Instagram so they could be accessible from any device, anywhere in the city.

LFTL has created more than 250 videos that have amassed more than 2 million views from 35 countries. The program used minimal ad spending, relying on organic features in local and national media and word of mouth. CPL’s social media followers rose by over 25% in the program’s first months, bringing more patrons into CPL’s network. LFTL’s also evolved to meet users’ needs. As students have returned to in-person schooling, the library has relied on the strength of LFTL to promote new story time and literacy programs.