July 2025 at Sulzer Regional Library
A current list of upcoming events can be found at bit.ly/sulzerevents.
CPL’s Community Survey
At Chicago Public Library we serve one purpose—the people of Chicago. As our city grows and evolves, so must we. We’re embarking on a planning process to shape the next five years of CPL’s vision and we need your help!
CPL has launched a community survey to better understand how our spaces, programs, and services are working for patrons and non-patrons alike. We want to know what our communities use, like, and how the Library can better serve our them in years to come. The survey is open and accepting responses until the end of July. Take the survey here
Northside Neighborhood History Collection
Did you know that Sulzer Regional Library is home to the Northside Neighborhood History Collection (NNHC)— one of only three archives in the Chicago Public Library system? The NNHC documents the people and neighborhoods of Chicago’s North Side and is open by appointment to anyone interested in exploring local history.
As Sulzer prepares to celebrate its 40th Anniversary this September, the NNHC wants to hear from you! Do you have a favorite Sulzer memory or story you would like to share? For example:
Do you remember your first visit to the library?
Did you enjoy coming to Sulzer as a child or teen? What was your favorite thing to do?
Is there a library program that has meant a lot to you, such as story time, a club, or a group?
Have you attended a memorable event at Sulzer?
Is there a library resource (such as a book, digital collection, or online resource) that has been particularly meaningful to you?
Has the library played a role in helping you accomplish a goal or solve a problem?
Do you have a favorite place in the library to read, work, or play?
If so, please fill out this form by August 15. Your memory may be featured at the NNHC’s Open House on Saturday, September 13, from 2-4pm.
We look forward to hearing from you—thanks for helping us celebrate Sulzer and its role in the community!
Adult Programs
Wellness Wednesday with Trellus: Nutrition and wellness
Wednesday, July 16 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
This workshop focused on nutrition and wellness, specifically exploring the importance of healthy eating, portion control, mindful eating, and reading food labels. The session also covered strategies for making favorite foods healthier and understanding food choices.
Author Mike de la Rocha: Sacred Lessons: Teaching My Father How to Love
Thursday, July 17 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Join us for a powerful conversation with author Mike de la Rocha as he shares insights from his new memoir, Sacred Lessons: Teaching My Father How to Love. Through personal storytelling, de la Rocha explores vulnerability, intergenerational trauma, and redefining manhood as a path to healing and connection. A book signing and informal Q&A will follow the event. Full details.
50th Anniversary of "JAWS" - Film screening + shark expert talk with Q&A
Saturday, July 19 from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM
This summer marks the 50th anniversary of the first "summer blockbuster," which established Steven Spielberg as a director and left many wary of the beach. To celebrate, ISC will host a screening of "JAWS" alongside a Q&A with two shark researchers. They’ll share insights from their research, discuss the movie's background, and examine its impact on sharks and society. It’s a fantastic chance to enjoy the film and satisfy your curiosity about shark science!
Clothing Swap
Saturday, July 26 from 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM
Bring in your clean, gently used clothing to be sorted on site. You may drop off your clothing in advanced as early as 9 am at the check-in table in the lobby. The swap will begin at 11 am. You do not have to give in order to receive. Men's, Women's, Children's and Infant's clothing offered and accepted. Adult clothing will be in the large meeting room and Children's clothing will be in the small meeting room.
Please, do NOT bring dirty, stained or damaged clothing, underwear, bras, socks, shoes, jewelry, toys, or miscellaneous household items. Remaining items at the end of the swap will be donated.
A Musical Celebration of Disability Pride Month
Tuesday, July 29 from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Join Chicago drummer and bandleader Tommy Carroll for an interactive musical celebration of Disability Pride Month. Tommy will share stories about the development of his disability identity and experiences being a totally blind professional musician. Following a short demonstration of percussion instruments, Tommy will open up the floor for participatory drumming. This event will allow everyone to start learning to express themselves and their identity through sound, rhythm and music.
MAKER LAB PROGRAMS
Sulzer Maker Lab: Open Shop
Thursdays, July 10, 17, 24, 31 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Welcome to the Sulzer Regional Maker Lab! Drop in during Open Shop to work on personal projects or ask staff general questions regarding software or equipment. Use our Cricut electronic cutter, 3D printer, or sewing machine. Limited materials are available.
Bending Wood with Maker-in-Residence, Nicole Lowe
Sunday, July 13 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Bring your workshop home with you and learn how to free-form sculpt wood veneer into laminated sculptures using just some structural epoxy, HDPE, plastic wrap and sandpaper. This workshop is led by Maker-in-Residence, Nicole Lowe
Crafting Circle
Thursday, July 10 from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Do you like to knit or crochet? Maybe you like origami. Whatever kind of craft you enjoy, you can come and join a community of crafters. Once a month we will meet to work on our projects and hang out. Bring your own supplies and meet like-minded people.
BOOK CLUBS
Adult Book Discussion: Master Slave Husband Wife (Online via Zoom)
Wednesday, July 9 from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Join us for a discussion of Master Slave Husband Wife. An Epic Journey from Slavery to Freedom, by Ilyon Woo. The remarkable true story of Ellen and William Craft, who escaped slavery through daring, determination, and disguise, with Ellen passing as a wealthy, disabled White man and William posing as "his" slave. Please register online.
Comic Book Roundtable: The X-Men
Saturday, July 19 from 2:30 PM to 3:30 PM
Comic Book Roundtable is a meet-up group for adult fans with new topics every month. To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Giant-Size X-Men, this month we’ll be talking about the X-Men. Read or watch anything you'd like about the subject. Please contact us if you have any questions or suggestions for future topics! Please register online. Example Titles:
X-Men: Second Genesis. Volume 5, 1975-197 by Chris Claremont, Len Wein, Bill Mantlo, Bonnie Wilford, Dave Cockrum, John Byrne, Sal Buscema, Bob Brown, and Tony DeZuniga
X-Men: God Loves, Man Kills by Chris Claremont and Brent Eric Anderso
X-Men: Fatal Attractions by Scott Lobdell, Fabian Nicieza, Howard Mackie, and Larry Hama
Science Fiction/Fantasy Book Club: Brave New World
Tuesday, July 22 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM
This month the Sulzer Regional Library will be reading Brave New World by Aldous Huxley. In this futuristic setting, everyone belongs to everyone else and has their place in society. Everyone is happy with their lives. This is the story of a man and a woman who venture beyond these confines, they find a whole new world.
COMMUNITY CINEMA
Accessibility English subtitles for the deaf and hard of hearing will be available for these screenings.
Film Screening: Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
Wednesday, July 9 from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM
Join us for a screening of Gorillas in the Mist.This film is an adaptation of wildlife expert Dian Fossey's autobiography. Midwesterner Fossey (Sigourney Weaver) leaves the United States for Africa, where she studies the gorillas of Rwanda and Uganda. As Fossey develops a bond with the animals, she also becomes wary of the poachers who prey on them. Fearing that the gorillas will go extinct if humans continue to hunt them, she organizes a defense league to protect the animals; in doing so, though, she puts herself in a perilous situation ©Universal Pictures - 150 minutes – PG.
Family Programs
D&D for Kids
Monday, July 7 from 4:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Too young for our popular teen D&D programs? This program is for kids who are interested in playing tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs). We run entry-level campaigns that are easy to join with any level of D&D knowledge. For ages 10 to 13. Please register online.
LEGO® Club
Tuesday, July 15 from 2:00 PM to 2:45 PM
Calling all LEGO® enthusiasts and engineers! Join us for open-ended building and free play. Make friends while developing STEAM skills. For kids 5 to 12.
Making Art with Bernadette
Mondays, July 7, 14, 21, 28 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Be creative and make a nature-themed masterpiece with art teacher Bernadette Foch. For kids 6 to 13. Please register online.
Music Playhouse
Saturday, July 19 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
The Music Playhouse of Chicago is excited to offer this special program! Their music programs are not only fun but educational and developmentally beneficial as well. The program is research-based in child psychology and development, and the techniques are play-based, interactive and engaging. Kids actively participate in music-making and dancing. For ages 0 to 6 with a caregiver.
Summer STEAM Club
Tuesdays, July 8, 15, 22, 29 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Join us for a variety of fun STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) related activities! Weekly activities include disecting owl pellets, color changing slime, cyanotype prints and an egg drop challenge. For ages 6 to 13.
STORY TIMES
Baby Bookworms
Tuesday & Thursdays in July at 10:30 AM
Join our children's librarians for this special 25-minute story time for babies and their caregivers. We’ll share songs, rhymes and books while helping to build baby’s early literacy and social-emotional skills. For children birth to 18 months and their caregivers. Space may be limited. School groups and daycares need to make special arrangements to attend story time. Please call the library or email sulzerkids@chipublib.org for more information.
Story Time
Tuesdays & Thursdays in July at 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM
Join this story time especially for our littlest patrons! We’ll share songs, rhymes and books, plus suggestions for at-home activities. For kids 0 to 5 and their caregivers. Space may be limited.
Story Time in Welles Park
Wednesdays in July from 10:00 AM to 10:30 AM
Join Sulzer Regional Library in Welles Park for story time! We share songs, rhymes and books. For ages 5 and under with a caregiver. How to Attend No registration required. This event takes place outdoors. In case of rain, temperatures over 90 degrees or below 50 degrees or hazardous air quality, the program is canceled.
Story Time in Winnemac Park
Wednesdays in July from 11:00 AM to 11:30 AM
Join Sulzer Regional Library in Winnemac Park for story time! We share songs, rhymes and books. For ages 5 and under with a caregiver. How to AttendNo registration required. This event takes place outdoors. In case of rain, temperatures over 90 degrees or below 50 degrees or hazardous air quality, the program is canceled.
Tummy Time
Wednesdays in July at 3:00 PM
Fridays in July at 1:00 PM – No Story Time July 4th (Library Closed)
Join us for an introduction to story time for babies. This 20-minute interactive story time includes stories, songs, fingerplays and bounces specifically designed for babies who have not yet started walking. Stay after story time to share board books, interact with toys and practice tummy time activities. For babies 0 to 6 months and their caregivers.
Teen Programs
Please register for teen events online.
Nature Embroidery
Tuesday, July 1 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Whether or not you have embroidered before, we hope you'll join us for some nature themed embroidery. We'll have some templates to use or feel free to create your own embroidered art! For teens in high school.
Teen Manga Book Club
Thursday, July 3 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Join us for in the teen space if you’re a fan of Manga! This meeting we’ll be focusing on Delicious in Dungeon, but feel free to drop by even if you haven’t read it yet.
Pressed Flower Bookmarks
Tuesday, July 8 from 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM
Discover the art of flower pressing and then use those pressed flowers in a faux-resin bookmark. You can bring some flowers or plants to press if you'd like or else all supplies can be provided. For teens in high school.
Tie-Dye for Teens
Tuesday, July 15 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Bring a t-shirt or item from home to tie-dye. If you don't have anything to bring, we will provide a t-shirt. For teens in high school.
Teen Manga Book Club
Thursday, July 17 from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM
Join us for in the teen space if you’re a fan of Manga! This meeting we’ll be focusing on Assassination Classroom, but feel free to drop by even if you haven’t read it yet.
Pop-Up Program
Wednesday, July 23 from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Our teen library interns for the summer will be coming up with their very own program for other teens at the library! Join us for a fun, creative program led by your peers! For teens in high school.
Teen Book Club
Wednesday, July 30 from 5:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Join us for our monthly book discussion! Open to teens ages 13-18.
Additional Information
Attending an Online Event?
Automatic transcription is included in all CPL events using Zoom. Need live captioning for this event? Please call (312) 747-4072 or email access@chipublib.org Requests for live captioning must be made at least 14 business days before the event.
Attending an Event in Person?
Questions about visiting the library? Check out our Using the Library FAQs. Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email access@chipublib.org to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event.