Event—Public Programming

NewberryFest

Celebrate all things Newberry with collection presentations, information sessions, and so much more at this open house event!

Join us for NewberryFest, an event designed to help you learn more about the Newberry. The event will take over the first floor of the library, providing unique opportunities for engagement, education, and enjoyment! 

This event is a free and open to all; register below to receive updates and reminders.

  • Come face-to-face with extraordinary items from our collections and have your questions answered by our expert librarians and curators. 

  • Enjoy a lineup of talks that will help you navigate all the Newberry has to offer, learn about using our collections, and give you a glimpse into programming at the library. 

  • Visit the Newberry Bookshop. All attendees at NewberryFest receive 10% off their purchase!

  • Visit our latest exhibition, Making and Impression: Immigrant Printing in Chicago
Register

Used Book Sale

Visit our used book sale in the lobby. Art books, cookbooks, fiction, and more will be for sale at unbeatable prices. This is the place to fill your favorite tote with the books that will make up your 2025 reading list!

Speaker Schedule

The following talks are designed to help you navigate all the Newberry has to offer. Each talk will last for approximately 30 minutes. 

  • 4:30pm: Newberry 101, with Reading Room Librarian for Public Service Keva Kreeger, is your introduction to using the Newberry's world-class collection

  • 5:30pm: Matthew Rutherford, Curator of Genealogy and Local History, will lead Genealogy 101 and give you the tips and tricks you need to start tracing your family history

  • 6:30pm: Learn about upcoming programs, exhibitions, and classes from Vince Firpo, Vice President for Public Engagement, at Public Engagement 101

Coloring and Cocoa

Enjoy cookies and cocoa while coloring reproductions of items from the Newberry's collection. Decorate a unique bookmark for your Valentine (or keep it for yourself)!

Sign Up for Our Mailing List

Let's get on the same page. Start receiving updates about Newberry programs, collections, and digital resources right in your inbox.