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| Photograph © Wayne Lorentz/Artefaqs Corporation |
Yesterday I read about the marginalia collection at the Newberry Library in Chicago and decided to travel westward (digitally) to check it out. The Newberry is another example of a private/public library with plenty of funding and an abundance of exhibits, speakers, collections and programs for the public. Increasingly I am noticing the gigantic gap between true public libraries (supported by tax dollars) and independent libraries (supported by private donations and foundations). I wonder if we are headed back in the direction of the ‘private’ library and what that would mean for children, people living in poverty and the thousands of small rural communities that stretch across the country? But I digress. Let’s stick to the books for today.
The Newberry is an independent research library, open to the public, with a non-circulating collection of books concentrated in the humanities. To get a ‘readers card’ at the library you must be at least 16 years old, show proof of a permanent address and have a research topic that is appropriate for the Newberry’s Collection, but the public is welcome to visit anytime and the huge variety of classes, groups, speakers, seminars, exhibits and events offered to the public is unmatched by any of the libraries I have researched.
Walter Loomis Newberry was a man ahead of his time. He lived from 1804-1868 and was a wealthy businessman involved in the railroads and banking (sounds familiar). He had a dream of his own, to create the first public library in Chicago. He believed, "We must encourage every thing that tends to enlighten and polish the human mind.... We purpose to lay the foundation of a library which we hope to see go on increasing until it becomes the pride and boast of our city." (1841). For whatever reason he did not embark on his dream during his lifetime, but left his dream in his will to be implemented by others. As a good husband and father he also added a clause to his will that made his fortune unavailable until his family was no longer dependent on it. His daughters and wife lived until 1885, they clearly weren’t in any hurry to get to work building a library either, public or private, and so the money sat idly by, waiting. By the time Mrs. Newberry moved to greener pastures, The Chicago Public Library was in full swing and Newberry’s $2.1 million fortune needed a new purpose. The library trustees decided to create a “research library for scholars” instead that would compliment the public library. The collection focuses on the history and culture of Western Europe and the Americas.
The library takes its mission of civic engagement, life long learning and service to a diverse community very seriously, its calendar is like a university catalog (without the high tuition). Chicago Magazine calls their lecture series the best in the city and sites recent talks about Satchel Paige, Shakespeare and Hyde Park’s influeunce of President Obama - what a line up! As it turns out, Newberry’s best laid plans not only created a sanctuary for research but also provided almost daily opportunities for Chicagoans to learn that will surely keep their minds gleaming.
The Newberry is an independent research library, open to the public, with a non-circulating collection of books concentrated in the humanities. To get a ‘readers card’ at the library you must be at least 16 years old, show proof of a permanent address and have a research topic that is appropriate for the Newberry’s Collection, but the public is welcome to visit anytime and the huge variety of classes, groups, speakers, seminars, exhibits and events offered to the public is unmatched by any of the libraries I have researched.
Walter Loomis Newberry was a man ahead of his time. He lived from 1804-1868 and was a wealthy businessman involved in the railroads and banking (sounds familiar). He had a dream of his own, to create the first public library in Chicago. He believed, "We must encourage every thing that tends to enlighten and polish the human mind.... We purpose to lay the foundation of a library which we hope to see go on increasing until it becomes the pride and boast of our city." (1841). For whatever reason he did not embark on his dream during his lifetime, but left his dream in his will to be implemented by others. As a good husband and father he also added a clause to his will that made his fortune unavailable until his family was no longer dependent on it. His daughters and wife lived until 1885, they clearly weren’t in any hurry to get to work building a library either, public or private, and so the money sat idly by, waiting. By the time Mrs. Newberry moved to greener pastures, The Chicago Public Library was in full swing and Newberry’s $2.1 million fortune needed a new purpose. The library trustees decided to create a “research library for scholars” instead that would compliment the public library. The collection focuses on the history and culture of Western Europe and the Americas.
The library takes its mission of civic engagement, life long learning and service to a diverse community very seriously, its calendar is like a university catalog (without the high tuition). Chicago Magazine calls their lecture series the best in the city and sites recent talks about Satchel Paige, Shakespeare and Hyde Park’s influeunce of President Obama - what a line up! As it turns out, Newberry’s best laid plans not only created a sanctuary for research but also provided almost daily opportunities for Chicagoans to learn that will surely keep their minds gleaming.
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