Andrew Golota and his son offer the program’s first English and Polish bilingual reading
Chicago Public Library has released the latest celebrity Story Time, as heavyweight boxer Andrew Golota becomes the latest Chicago notable to read a book to children virtually through CPL’s Live From the Library program. Kids and families are now able to watch the former heavyweight boxer and his son Andrew as they join #LiveFromTheLibrary with a bilingual reading of a children’s book about the special bond between a father and son. Together, they read a heartwarming book in English and Polish, called I Love My Dad/Kocham Mojego Tatę by Shelley Admont.
“Our libraries are more than just buildings to check out books, they’re our community meeting places, early-education and job-training centers, and where our young people are empowered to explore their passions and pursue their dreams,” said Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot. “Today, that mission is more urgent than ever as our residents – particularly our children – seek new ways to grow and learn while staying safe amidst the COVID-19 crisis. ‘Live from the Library’ stands as a wonderful resource in that effort, and I’m grateful to the librarians and notable Chicagoans for their commitment to promote literacy and open new worlds of imagination and wonder across our city’s neighborhoods.”
Live From the Library was launched in 2020 with regular readings by a combination of librarians, authors, celebrities, and other notable public figures with Chicago connections reading children’s stories through CPL’s Facebook page and Instagram page. These children’s book read alouds continue to be available on demand as Chicago Public Library seeks to bring communities together through the love of storytelling.
Born in Warsaw, Poland, Andrew Golota is a long-time Chicagoan who has always been civically engaged in Chicago, which has a large Polish American population. In addition to being proud to join other notables by reading to kids through Live From The Library, Golota has also previously recorded Public Service Announcements in Polish and English, spotlighting the importance of everyone being counted in the census, among other things.
“It is important that we offer multilingual story options through Live From the Library, as we work to make our programs more accessible to Chicagoans and partner with folks like Andrew Golota and leaders of various Chicago communities,” said Chicago Public Library Commissioner Chris Brown. “Working with notable Chicagoans brings credibility and attention to the importance of early literacy and allows us to reach so many Chicago kids, including those in multilingual households.”
Chicago Public Library has partnered with an expanding list of notable participants in this program, such as Barack & Michelle Obama, Chelsea Clinton, Jeff Tweedy, Oprah Winfrey, Gabrielle Union, Kristen Bell, Jane Lynch, Common, Taye Diggs, John C. Reilly, Cecilia Suarez, Michael Shannon, Jon Seda, Jennifer Beals, Sebastian Maniscalco, Keke Palmer, Denise Richards, Bonnie Hunt, LisaRaye McCoy, Duke University Basketball Coach Mike Krzyzewski, Billy Crystal, Isiah Thomas, Eddie Vedder, Fall Out Boy’s Pete Wentz, Michael Peña, Candace Parker, Dolly Parton, Julie Andrews, Lupe Fiasco, Hebru Brantley, Matthew Broderick, John Lithgow, Lil Rel Howery, Cecily Strong, Ed Asner, Laura Ceron, Gillian Flynn, Michelle Williams from Destiny’s Child, Joe Mantegna, Marlee Matlin, Henry Winkler, Delroy Lindo, Alan Arkin, Freddy Rodriguez, Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Andrew Golota, Chicago Bear Allen Robinson, Alan Alda, CM Punk, Jennie Finch, Kay Adams and several others, including members of Chicago Improv and theater ensembles, cast members from movies and TV shows filmed in Chicago, representatives from the major Chicago professional sports teams, and members of the local and national media.
People can still view previously released videos at https://www.facebook.com/chipublib/live.
In addition to prioritizing working with notable Chicagoans, Chicago Public Library has been able to promote more diverse children’s book content through Live From the Library, demonstrating to kids from various backgrounds that the Library has a variety of books, including many that are relevant to them.
CPL launched Live from the Library in response to the COVID-19 epidemic that temporarily closed all libraries for the first time in over 150 years. While the branches have since reopened, it will take time before all Chicagoans are comfortable attending large, in-person programs. Chicago Public Library will continue to provide Live From the Library, and other virtual reading programs, learning courses, e-books and overall online resources, in order to provide equal access to information, ideas and knowledge to all Chicagoans.
About Chicago Public Library
Since 1873, Chicago Public Library (CPL) has encouraged lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment and knowledge through innovative services and programs, as well as cutting-edge technology. Through its 81 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest-quality author discussions, exhibits and programs for children, teens and adults.
For more information, please call (312) 747-4050 or visit chipublib.org. To follow CPL on social media, visit us on Twitter (@chipublib), Facebook (@chipublib) or Instagram (@chicagopubliclibrary).