# Chicago Public Library > Chicago Public Library app for account management and catalog search. (iPhone/iPad app by City of Chicago.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chicago-public-library/id742936884 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [City of Chicago](https://appshunter.io/developer/1441580122) - Category: Books, Reference - Price: Free - Rating: 3.44/5 from 63 App Store ratings · 47 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.0 · 21 MB - Languages: English, French, Japanese, Russian, Chinese, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese - Released: 2013-11-13 - Data updated: 2026-06-20 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chicago-public-library/id742936884/reviews.md ## What is Chicago Public Library? Which branch has the book I want? What's available now from my For Later shelf? When are my DVDs due? Use CPL's app to manage your account and find new titles. Features: - See what you have checked out - Place holds - Renew materials - Search the CPL catalog - Keep track of what you've read and would like to read - Browse new and on order titles - Find upcoming events at your preferred location - View hours, locations and contact information - Use the app to show your library card when checking out materials in person - Scan the barcode of a book, DVD or CD to search for it in CPL's catalog ## Key features - Manage checked out items - Place holds on materials - Renew borrowed items - Search library catalog - Track reading history - Browse new titles - Find library events ## Recent user reviews (10 of 47) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chicago-public-library/id742936884/reviews.md ### 3/5 — Not great *2026-02-11, version 2.21.0* App is CONSTANTLY having issues. At least twice a month it logs me out & then I can’t get back in despite entering in the correct login credentials. Please fix this!!! It’s so frustrating. ### 3/5 — Please add notifications! *2026-01-25, version 2.21.0* Love the library and this app is intuitive and super helpful, but often I miss the holds that I’ve placed when they’re available because the app has no notifications. I have to remember to keep checking the app to see if any of my books are available yet and half the time I miss them. I imagine this is annoying for the library when people ask for holds and don’t come pick them up. If that’s happening a lot throughout the system this app lacking a notification feature may be to blame. ### 1/5 — App changed *2025-08-02, version 2.19.0* This app was once easy to access and use, but the format is different now. The cps system is wonderful, but using this app is frustrating. I’m repeatedly logged out, or can’t log in at all. So there goes the great system of requesting books or knowing when to pick up. But it did work, for years and years, so why the current mess?? ### 4/5 — pretty sweet! *2025-01-03, version 2.17.1* as someone who mainly just borrows physical books and doesn't use audiobooks through here, it's a pretty good app given that it's made by a government agency. it has a lot of sweet features and i personally think it at least goes beyond the bare minimum. i'm sure there's better library apps but from my experience i love it. visit your local public library! ### 3/5 — Add Library Card to Apple Wallet *2024-12-09, version 2.17.1* Please make the library cards compatible with Apple Wallet. I’d like a virtual card instead of plastic ones. ### 3/5 — Add Library Card to Apple Wallet *2024-09-23* Please make the library cards compatible with Apple Wallet. I’d like a virtual card instead of plastic ones. ### 2/5 — About What You Would Expect From the City of Chicago *2024-04-09, version 2.14.0* Works sometimes, doesn’t work at others. Pretty much what I expect from this city. No telling how much tax money they have spent on this unreliable app. ### 1/5 — Not opening since 4/2/2024 *2024-04-03, version 2.14.0* Deleted and reinstalled and still will not open ### 3/5 — Why?? *2024-03-04, version 2.13.0* Love the app. Super easy to use… EXCEPT it logs me out constantly! Sounds like other people have the same issue. Feels like this should be an easy fix, CPL. ### 3/5 — Just one improvement please *2023-05-09, version 2.10.0* I love love love that there is a library app and that I can listen to audiobooks for free. HOWEVER, whenever I listen to my audiobook for a long time or open another app, it takes me out of the browser and I have to go through all the steps to get back to the control panel(?) page. It still plays in the background but I can’t pause it or rewind. I have to: Open the app > Go to my borrowed books > Access the book > Open in browser and > find my place I left off. Very frustrating. ## Frequently asked questions about Chicago Public Library ### What can I do with the Chicago Public Library app? The app allows you to manage your library account, including seeing what you have checked out, placing holds, and renewing materials. You can also search the CPL catalog, track what you've read, browse new titles, and find upcoming events at your preferred branch. ### How do I use the app as a library card? You can use the app to display your library card when checking out materials in person at a branch. This provides a convenient digital alternative to carrying your physical card. ### Is the Chicago Public Library app free to use? Yes, the app is completely free to download and use. There are no subscription fees or in-app purchases required to access its features. ### What information can I find about library branches? The app provides essential information about library branches, including their hours of operation, physical locations, and contact details. This helps you plan your visits and get in touch with your local branch. ### Can I search for specific books or media using the app? Yes, you can search the entire Chicago Public Library catalog directly through the app. Additionally, you can scan the barcode of a book, DVD, or CD to quickly search for its availability within the CPL system. ## Version history (last 5 releases) ### 2.23.0 — 2026-06-16 Improved VoiceOver support for library carousels Enhanced device security detection Security and networking improvements Bug fixes and stability improvements ### 2.22.2 — 2026-03-25 Resolved an issue that required some users to log in every time they opened the app. ### 2.22.1 — 2026-03-17 - Links that previously opened in an external browser now open directly inside the app, allowing for more seamless in‑app browsing. - Various bug fixes and performance improvements. ### 2.22.0 — 2026-03-10 - Links that previously opened in an external browser now open directly inside the app, allowing for more seamless in‑app browsing. - Various bug fixes and performance improvements. ### 2.21.0 — 2025-12-04 Resolved splash screen loading issue on older iPadOS versions. Corrected duplicate or incorrect opening hours display in iOS 26. Fixed PIN/Password reset errors causing login failures and account logouts. Removed large blank space in Format filters on iOS 18; layout now displays correctly. ## Apps similar to Chicago Public Library | App | Rating | Price | Category | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Aviation Dictionary Offline](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/aviation-dictionary-offline/id1523244920) | — | Free | Books | | [BplusC Bibliotheek](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bplusc-bibliotheek/id1276480300) | — | Free | Books | | [StoryGraph: Reading Tracker](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/storygraph-reading-tracker/id1570489264) | 4.5 (3,414) | Free | Books | | [Bookclubs: Organize & Connect](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/bookclubs-organize-and-connect/id1485140274) | 4.7 (27) | Free | Books | | [Swahili Bible Offline](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/swahili-bible-offline/id951316680) | 4.4 (5) | Free | Books | | [Quran Audio mp3 : Urdu, Arabic](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/quran-audio-mp3-urdu-arabic/id914295960) | 5.0 (1) | $4.99 | Books | ## More apps by City of Chicago - [CHI311](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chi311/id1441580123) - [My CHI. 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User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-20.*