Little Free Libraries are scattered around Chicago’s Southwest Side, small wooden boxes with glass doors perched on front lawns, in front of homes, libraries, and outside of churches. They’re a part of a grassroots book-sharing network that has grown to 200,000 libraries across America.
The idea is to take a book, leave a book, or just take one for free. No library card. No late fees. No returns. This ensures that young children and readers have access to free books and can keep reading all year-long.
Those interested in starting their own Little Free Library can pick a legal location, build or buy a library box, register it online, and create a steward account. It’s that easy!
Check out the Little Free Library locations in the Clear-Ridge area:
Elliott’s Little Free Library, 5736 S Neva Ave., Chicago.
Natoma Reading Nook, 5336 S. Natoma Ave., Chicago.
Kozi Little Library, 5221 S. Narragansett, Chicago.
Little Free Library of Melvina, 5200 S. Melvina Ave., Chicago.
Mayfield Library, 5130 S. Mayfield, Chicago.
Mina Little Library, 5152 S. Menard Ave., Chicago.
Eileen Whelan Library, 5251 S. Linder Ave., Chicago.
Margaret’s Lemonade Stand Library, 5644 S. Narragansett Ave., Chicago.
GRCC – ALL EXTERIOR CONTRACTORS Library, 6100 block of South Massasoit.
Foran Funeral Home Little Free Library, 7300 W. Archer Ave., Summit.
Lopez Library, 6056 S. 74th Avenue, Summit.
For more Little Library locations in Chicago and the surrounding suburbs, check out the Little Library Location Map. Click the purple magnifying glass in the upper right-hand corner, search by city, state, and zip code, and then click search. From there, several red pinpoints will be available for viewing, including the name, address, and description of the Little Library.
Garfield Ridge Satellite Senior Center:
Film Screening: Untamed (Drama – 1955) is on Wednesday, August 19. Film synopsis: When a potato famine hits, a husband and a wife leave their home in Ireland to make a new start in South Africa, not realizing the journey will be just as hard. Cast: Tyrone Power and Susan Hayward.
Cooking with Chef Gloria D. Hafer will be hosted on Friday, August 21, at 12:30 p.m. Professional chef Gloria D. Hafer will be the instructor for cooking demonstrations. Each demonstration includes a sample of whatever is cooked for the first 25 participants to sign up on the day of class. There is a limit of 25 samples for each demonstration. The first 25 to sign in on the cooking class sign-in sheet on class day will be identified as “tasters” for that day’s class. This sign-up sheet will be at the front counter, and it begins at 8:30 a.m. on the day of class.
Kindness Rocks! Join the senior center for a rock painting and sharing project on Tuesday, August 25, at 10 a.m. Paint your own “kindness rock” by painting kind pictures and words on river rocks. Once your rock is painted and dry, you will place it in the landscaping out front of the center for others to look at and even take.
Bases Loaded Bingo Party is on Friday, August 28, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Seniors can put on their favorite team T-shirts/colors and join the celebrations! Your advance ticket purchase includes admission to the party, lunch, one chance in the Guessing Game, one chance to win a door prize, and two free bingo cards to play through the ten games with gift certificate prizes. Additional cards will be available for purchase at 50 cents each (cash only). There will also be a raffle. Raffle ticket cost is: One for $1 or Six for $5. Tickets must be purchased by Friday, August 21, or until all seats are full, whichever comes first.
Ukulele Club with the senior center is on Thursday, August 27, 1-2 p.m. Join the senior center, most of whom are just beginners who like to ham and sing easy ukulele songs together. If you play or want to learn, bring a ukulele and jam with the music there. You can also come along to sing or enjoy the company. No registration required.
Cook County Sheriff’s Office Presents: Galls and Fire Prevention seminar on Monday, August 31, at 10 a.m.
Midway Chamber of Commerce:
The Garfield Ridge Farmer’s Market is open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Archer and Narragansett. Fresh goods, local vendors, Midway Chamber Marketplace merch, and a new Saturday morning tradition brought to you by the Midway Chamber of Commerce!
The chamber is still accepting applications for the Midway Retail Market Portable Sheds, a new small business incubator located at Archer and Narragansett. This program is designed to help local entrepreneurs test their business ideas, build a customer base, and grow into a permanent storefront within the Midway community. Applications are open for Artisan and handmade goods, apparel & retail brands, pre-packaged food vendors, and unique small business concepts.
Veterans/Military Pole Banners are back! The chamber is giving residents the chance to honor their active military, ROTC, or veteran with a personalized photo pole banner. The banners will be displayed on Archer Avenue or 63rd Street! The deadline to order is September 30. The price is $160 per banner. The chamber’s goal is to have them installed before Veterans Day and keep them up for the remainder of the year. Banner Info needed: Name, Branch of Service, photo. After placing your order, please send an email with the photo and include your invoice number and contact info, email address midwaychamber@gmail.com. Residents who would like to have their banner from last year rehung must pay the banner fees and bring their banner to Midway Storage to be rehung.
Join the chamber for a sweet twist on bingo at the Midway Marketplace! It will be held on Friday, August 28, from 5-7 p.m. Bring the whole family for an afternoon or evening filled with fun, laughter, and plenty of candy prizes. Play easy-to-follow bingo games for a chance to win delicious treats and other sweet surprises. Whether you’re young or young at heart, Candy Bar Bingo is a fun activity for all ages! Admission is free. No registration required. Just bring your lucky Bingo spirit and your sweet tooth!
A little spooky, a little sunny, and a whole lot of fun! Join the chamber for the Midway Marketplace Summerween Pop-Up on Sunday, August 23, from noon to 4 p.m. It’s where summer meets Halloween for a family-friendly afternoon of local shopping, themed treats, trick-or-treating, spooky goods, creative vendors, and community fun. Costumes are welcome, and participating vendors will have something special for trick-or-treaters!
YSV Candles & Gifts:
Home School 101 Forum is on Thursday, August 20, from 6-7 p.m. It’s a conversation for curious parents to hear from homeschooling moms about their personal journeys, the benefits of homeschooling, common challenges, and practical tips for getting started. This will be a welcoming space to ask questions, connect with other families, and learn what homeschooling is really like. All families are welcome, whether they’re exploring the idea or seriously considering homeschooling their children. Register here.
Clearing Library:
Film Screening: Five Nights at Freddy’s (2025) is on Thursday, August 20, from 2-4 p.m. Film synopsis: When Abby sneaks out to reconnect with Freddy, Bonnie, Chica, and Foxy, it sets into motion a terrifying series of events, revealing dark secrets about the true origin of Freddy’s, and unleashing a long-forgotten horror hidden away for decades. PG-13.
Mahjong Club is on Friday, August 21, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Come and play Mahjong at the library. With roots in 19th-century China, you’ll be sure to enjoy its long-lasting appeal!
Medicare 101 is Saturday, August 22, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. Learn about the parts of Medicare: What do Part A, B, C, & D mean? When should I enroll? If I am working, do I need to enroll in Part B? Are all supplemental plans the same? Find unbiased answers to these and other questions you may have. Presented by MA3 Healthcare Solutions. For more information, call (708) 484-9545.
Junk Journaling Workshop is on Sunday, August 23, from 1-3 p.m. Have you tried junk journaling? Turn your junk into a beautiful journal at our 4-part workshop. Learn techniques and share your ideas. Use the library’s supplies or bring your own.
Route 66: 100 Years of History is on Monday, August 24, from 6-8 p.m. Join Route 66 historian and tour guide Ed Kozak as he presents the story of Historic US Route 66, celebrating 100 years in 2026. Trace the history of the road and see some great sites right here in Illinois on the Mother Road that are worth checking out and exploring. Ed has become the number one tour guide for Route 66 in Illinois, escorting dozens of groups on a fun-filled journey of history and nostalgia in the Land of Lincoln.
Chicago Parks:
Circus in the Park at Vittum Park is on Thursday, August 20, 6-7 p.m. CircEsteem brings an exciting mix of aerial and ground circus arts to Night Out in the Parks. Our talented youth Performance Troupe will showcase skills in aerial silks, trapeze, juggling, tumbling, and more. Following the performance, audience members are invited to join an interactive workshop led by the troupe, offering a fun, hands-on introduction to circus arts. This engaging experience highlights creativity, teamwork, and confidence while inviting the community to play, learn, and connect through the joy of circus. No registration or fees.
The Pieces by Aloft Circus Art at Valley Forge is on Friday, September 11, from 6-7 p.m. Get ready to look up! In The Pieces, six performers build giant, wobbly towers using ladders—climbing, balancing, and daring each other to go higher. What starts as a tricky challenge quickly turns into an exciting adventure full of teamwork, big risks, and surprising saves. Will the structures stay up… or come crashing down? With thrilling acrobatics, playful energy, and larger-than-life shapes, this high-flying circus show is perfect for all ages. No words needed—just action, suspense, and plenty of “whoa!” moments. Come watch as the performers discover how working together can turn something unstable into something amazing.
Cider with the Sanderson Sisters at Normandy Park is on Saturday, September 25, from 5-7 p.m. Meet and greet with the sisters from Hocus Pocus. Bounce house, music, face paint, arts & crafts, best costume contest & bring an already carved Jack O’Lantern for the best carved pumpkin contest! This is a popular event, and registration fills up quickly. So reserve your spot today at the Chicago Park District Website, under Normandy Park’s events section.
Community Parishes:
Two Holy Martyrs Parish is collecting female and adult hygiene products until September 30. Donations include heavy and regular menstrual pads, all sizes of adult diapers, and liners. No tampons will be accepted. Collection boxes will be at St. Symphorosa and St. Rene Goupil-affiliated parishes. All donations will be given to help people aged 25-65 + in need of hygiene products at the Pilsen Food Pantry.
Cub Scout Pack 4439 invites interested families to join them on Thursday, August 27, from 6:30-7:45 p.m. at St. Symphorosa Sharp Center, 5940 W. 62nd St., for Cub Scout Kickoff and Information Night. Learn how your family can get involved with the Cub Scouts, a fun, hands-on program for youth in grades K-5. For more information, contact cubscoutpack4439@gmail.com.
The St. Faustina Kowalska Parish Religious Development Program has openings for this coming 2026-27 school year in the 11- to 16-year-old group and the 22 and older group. If you or someone you know has a loved one with cognitive and intellectual disabilities who would be interested in joining our SPRED Program, please reach out to the parish office (773-767-2411), and they will put you in contact with the parish SPRED chairpersons, Bernadette Kowalczyk and Manny Toledo. Lastly, if any adults over the age of 21 are interested in learning about becoming SPRED catechists, please contact the parish office.
St. Faustina Kowalska Parish Religious Formation Program is now open. If your child attends a public school and you are looking for a Religious Education Formation Program for your child to learn and grow in the Catholic faith, as well as receive the Sacraments of First Holy Communion and Confirmation, please contact Maria Horbal, our Parish REF Program Coordinator, at 773-842-4999.
St. Daniel the Prophet’s registration for Religious Education Classes for 2026-27 is now in progress for children in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade. Consistent class attendance is necessary for the proper education and the formation of your child. Registration forms can be picked up and dropped off at the rectory. You may also go to the school on the following Tuesdays to register your child/children: August 18 and 25, from 6-8 p.m.
St. Daniel the Prophet Youth Ministry invites 7th and 12th-graders to build a place where faith, friendship, and fun come together. Youth Ministry will be held at the St. Vincent DePaul Room, close to the chapel, after 10 a.m. Sunday Mass, from 11:15 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. Register with Sr. Cynthia Ngerem SSPC at youthminister@stdan.net.
CAPS Meeting:
CAPS Beat 811 combined Garfield Ridge Neighborhood Meeting is on Tuesday, August 18, 7-8 p.m at St. Faustina Ward Hall, 5151 S. McVicker. Residents hear from their 13th and 23rd aldermanic representatives, the Midway Chamber of Commerce, Chicago Parks representatives, and a guest speaker.
CAPS Beat 813 Meeting is on Tuesday, August 25, 7-8 p.m. at West Lawn Park Field House, 4233 W. 65th St.
CAPS Beat 814 Meeting at Vittum Park Field House, 5010 W. 50th St., will hold its next meeting in September.