Note: This article was updated Jan. 12 to clarify a statement made in the above video to correct information about the property tax levy uses.

What began in an old remaining water tower after the Great Chicago Fire has since grown to 81 locations across the city.

And after 150 years, the Chicago Public Library (CPL) has some of its own stories to tell.

Most recently, the city announced the Chicago poet laureate program, which will “increase awareness of Chicago’s historic contributions to the literary arts while celebrating and honoring the efforts of Chicago’s working artists,” according to the city’s website.

In recent years, CPL has reached major milestones — becoming one of the first big city libraries to eliminate late fees and allowing more than 100,000 formerly blocked accounts to start anew. 

“This is just a way of sort of making sure that everyone in our city always has access to the library in their neighborhood,” Chicago Public Library Commissioner Chris Brown said.

In addition to no overdue fines, the library’s property tax levy was raised by a fraction to increase library access on Sundays. All CPL branches now operate seven days a week and visitation has increased by 35%, according to library officials. 

“Now everyone throughout Chicago can go into their neighborhood library every day of the week,” Brown said.

Brown said children’s collections have also been “refreshed” in 20 libraries on the South and West sides.

As it celebrates its 150th anniversary, Chicago Public Library hopes to continue sharing its legacy and future with visitors of all ages. Through exhibits and podcasts, CPL will highlight stories emerging out of its own walls and programming — with Chance the Rapper and Noname, to name a few. 

Overall, Brown said he hopes the Chicago Public Library can highlight how the library is central to the Chicago story.