For 10 years, CPL Teen Services has designed experiences that support interest driven learning, digital literacy and community building. As a relatively new department, Teen Services is constantly learning about the teens that use library spaces and how to best support them. Recently, CPL staff identified a lack of resources for LGBTQIA+ youth. This provided an opportunity to build a new program initiative in partnership with local thought leaders, makers and other city institutions that centered on equity.

Library staff directly supported LGBTQIA+ youth by offering new programs and resources with a focus on gender identity, equity, creativity and self-expression. For the first time in CPL history, our staff partnered with the Chicago Park District’s Queering the Parks to provide an outdoor resource fair and celebration for Chicago’s queer community. Through these opportunities, CPL successfully supported inter-generational mentorship opportunities by connecting young patrons to queer elders both virtually and in-person.

This initiative created new partnerships to fully activate CPL as a welcoming space for the LGBTQIA+ community. Radical Fit will continue to support interest driven learning for queer youth through programs, resources, and representation with input from key partners. Building on successes from the past year, CPL looks forward to shifting from virtual programs to in-person, further developing staff cultural competencies through professional development and planning annual events with Queering the Parks.