Students at a local Chicago library got the surprise of a lifetime last week when former President Barack Obama walked through the doors to help kick off the holiday season.

On December 9, 2025, a group of elementary schoolers was gathered at the Bessie Coleman branch of the Chicago Public Library for what they thought was a normal field trip. Instead, Mr. Obama walked in wearing a Santa hat and carrying a stack of books.
He spent the morning reading to the kids, choosing a book about Bessie Coleman, the first Black woman to become a pilot. After the story, he sat down with the students to talk about their own goals. The kids shared their dreams of becoming everything from doctors to professional athletes, while the former president encouraged them to keep working hard in school.

Before leaving, Mr. Obama made sure the students were ready for the cold Chicago weather. He gave every child a new book to take home, along with a warm winter hat and gloves.

This surprise visit is part of a series of events leading up to the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in 2026. For the students, however, it wasn’t about politics or buildings; it was about the excitement of meeting a leader who took the time to read them a story and celebrate the holidays. Events like this serve as a great reminder that even the busiest people in the world can find time to give back to their community.

Source: “Barack Obama in Santa hat surprises school children during South Side library visit.” Chicago Sun-Times, 9 Dec. 2025, https://chicago.suntimes.com/news/2025/12/09/obama-surprises-washington-park-element