Chicago Found a Shockingly Simple Way to Improve the Lives of 315,000 Kids
By Luis Prada
Published on April 11, 2026.
Chicago has introduced a program that automatically turns every Chicago Public Schools student ID into a fully functional library card, giving over 315,000 kids immediate access to books, databases, tutoring, and digital learning tools. The program was developed with the help of Mayor Brandon Johnson and the Chicago Public Library. The city used its existing infrastructure to eliminate barriers between students and their access to the library. The result led to an increase in library access among economically disadvantaged students and an 81 percent increase among English language learners. The innovative program also includes student-designed library cards that give kids a sense of participation and ownership.
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