On a chilly Tuesday afternoon in December 2025, the Bessie Coleman branch of the Chicago Public Library in Woodlawn became the scene of unexpected holiday magic. The source? None other than former President Barack Obama, who surprised a group of Burke Elementary School students during their story time and coloring activity. Sporting a bright red Santa hat and a wide grin, Obama’s entrance lit up the room, as witnessed by library branch manager Valerie Carter. "He came in the room, and [the children's] eyes just lit up," Carter told reporters, capturing the sense of wonder that swept through the group of two dozen children, ranging from kindergarteners to second graders.
According to pool reports from the event, the students had been learning about Black heroes—including Obama himself—when the 44th president strolled in. Their excitement was palpable as they shouted his name, eager to interact with the man they recognized from their lessons. Obama, not one to miss a chance for humor, surveyed the focused children and quipped, "Everybody seems to be working hard. I thought we were gonna have a little Christmas party, and everybody’s doing their homework. What’s happening?" The laughter and chatter that followed set the tone for an afternoon few would soon forget, as reported by the Chicago Sun-Times and Politico.
Obama’s visit wasn’t just about spreading cheer—it was also a preview of the programming planned for the new public library branch that will open as part of the Obama Presidential Center in June 2026. The center, a $850 million project spanning 19 to 20 acres in Jackson Park, has been under construction since 2021 after years of legal wrangling and planning delays. The campus will feature a museum, auditorium, gardens, parkland, a 225-foot museum tower, and a multipurpose athletic facility called Home Court, which recently became the first building on the site to reach completion.
During his visit, Obama read "Flying Free: How Bessie Coleman’s Dreams Took Flight" by Karyn Parsons—a fitting choice, given that the library branch is named after the pioneering aviator. The book, purchased from Call & Response, a Black woman-owned bookstore in Hyde Park, tells the story of Bessie Coleman, the first African American female pilot. Obama didn’t just read; he engaged the children by pausing to explain words like "unfurl," "triumphant," and "segregation." He even broke down the mechanics of flying a plane, prompting questions and sparking curiosity among his young audience. As Fox News reported, the students were learning about leadership qualities that day, and Obama’s presence provided a living example.
At one point, Obama invited the children to share their dreams for the future. The answers ranged from doctor and veterinarian to firefighter, dancer, and even president. Obama encouraged them, saying, "You’ve got a long way to go, but I think you could be a president … it’s possible." This simple, heartfelt encouragement resonated with the children and library staff alike, reinforcing the event’s spirit of inspiration and possibility.
The visit also included thoughtful gestures. Each student received a winter hat, gloves, and a book to take home, a small but meaningful gift as the city braced for winter. Obama took time to greet library staff and community members before departing, leaving behind not just memories but tangible reminders of the day’s warmth and generosity.
Obama’s stop at the library was just one part of a busy week in Chicago, where he was checking on the progress of the Obama Presidential Center. The center, announced in May 2015, has faced its share of hurdles. Lawsuits, such as the one filed by Protect Our Parks in 2018 over the transfer of parkland to the private Obama Foundation, delayed the project for years. Federal reviews were required due to the site’s historical status and the need for road overhauls in Jackson Park, with final clearance not coming until late 2020. The groundbreaking didn’t take place until 2021, but construction has accelerated in the past year, with Home Court hosting events for board members and supporters—including Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch—just days before Obama’s library visit.
Throughout the week, Obama emphasized his vision for the center as a dynamic hub for the South Side community. "We want to create a campus, a place where the public gathers for a range of things that puts them face to face with each other and get them to meet and be in dialogue and conversation and exposed to new ideas with each other," he explained during a recent visit to the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Arkansas, as cited by the Chicago Sun-Times. The center’s mission is particularly focused on investing in civic leadership among young people, a theme that was front and center during his interaction with the Burke Elementary students. "Our job and the center’s job is to train them," Obama said, highlighting the role he hopes the center will play in nurturing the next generation of leaders.
The Obama Foundation has described the center as "a lively community hub, economic anchor and beacon of democracy right here on the South Side of Chicago." The inclusion of a Chicago Public Library branch is meant to symbolize the center’s commitment to accessibility, learning, and community engagement. The story time event, with Obama reading to children and fielding their questions, served as a preview of the inclusive, educational programming that will be a hallmark of the new facility.
Obama himself seemed to relish the opportunity to connect with the students. After the visit, he shared a video on X (formerly Twitter), writing, "I had fun reading to some Burke Elementary students at the Chicago Public Library today. When the Obama Presidential Center opens next year, we’ll have a new branch of the library for the community to enjoy." The message, simple yet heartfelt, captured the essence of the day: a celebration of learning, community, and hope for the future.
As the city of Chicago looks ahead to the center’s long-awaited opening in June 2026, events like Obama’s surprise library visit offer a glimpse of the impact the project aims to have—not just as a monument to a presidency, but as a living, breathing space for inspiration, dialogue, and growth on the South Side and beyond.
