The Obama Foundation and the Chicago Public Library to Launch New Exhibits Showcasing President Obama’s 2025 Reading List

Ahead of the opening of a new library branch in the Obama Presidential Center next year, this new campaign will be featured across all 81 Chicago Public Library branches. Get a peek at President Obama’s handwritten reviews on the Foundation’s social media channels.

August 27, 2025 at 11:15 AM CDT

CHICAGO — As the summer draws to a close, President Barack Obama is sharing his highly anticipated annual reading list — with a special twist: deepening The Obama Foundation’s strong partnership with the Chicago Public Library and sharing handwritten reviews of his picks. 

The Foundation and CPL have previously announced that the Obama Presidential Center will host the city’s newest public library branch on the center’s 19.3 acre campus in Jackson Park. Next month, each of the existing 81 CPL branches will feature displays highlighting a selection of the President’s favorite summer books for 2025, along with limited edition bookmarks. Patrons will be able to visit various branches to see the displays through late Spring when the Obama Presidential Center opens.

“President Obama’s summer reading list has become an annual cultural moment for so many, and this collaboration with the Chicago Public Library expands on that impact while supporting local libraries and literacy for people of all ages,” said Valerie Jarrett, CEO of The Obama Foundation. “We are excited to continue this momentum at the Obama Presidential Center with a brand-new public library branch opening in 2026.”

As the future home of this new CPL branch, the Center will help continue President Obama’s championing of the arts, recognizing their power to spark conversation, inspire change, and open minds to new perspectives. It will be a state-of-the-art public library space with a range of offerings including a President’s Reading Room that will showcase a collection of books curated by the President along with other artifacts related to the Obamas’ lives as readers, writers, thinkers, and public servants. Visitors will also be able to take advantage of interactive digital media spaces and amenities for children, informational and vocational resources for adults. This unique partnership will increase access and assure that more South Side residents will be within walking distance of a public library.

“Libraries play a powerful role for many people in their childhoods and throughout their lives,” said Chris Brown, Chicago Public Library Commissioner. “We are proud to partner with The Obama Foundation on this campaign to highlight President Obama’s 2025 and past reading lists as part of our shared commitment to enhancing what public libraries can bring to the communities they serve.

The Obama Presidential Center is set to open in Spring 2026. To learn more about the upcoming collaboration between The Obama Foundation and the Chicago Public Library visit obama.org or follow us on Instagram (Opens in a new tab) .

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Contact: Emily Bittner, press@obama.org

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