Going Underground in Chicago

Underground Library at the Chicago Zine Fest

A new model for the library?  Underground?  The librarian history lover in me was suspicious... why do we need a new model when the old model seems pretty perfect, a least for me.  Which is, of course, the problem - everyone is not me.  An underground library implies an alternative approach, something subversive, radical, even revolutionary - I had to find out more.    
The Chicago Underground Library opened my eyes and brain to a new way of sorting the library.  C.U.L is a “location specific” library that collects independent and small press materials.  Their holdings include books, magazines and newspapers of any and all types that are created in or by Chicagoans from any time period.   They accept ALL materials, regardless of their “perceived quality or importance” in order to get an in-depth view of the community.  They have completely eliminated the literacy gatekeeper, otherwise know as the librarian.

A video clip on their website provides a little tour that shows off some of their diversity.  There are shelves of books made by students, tiny handmade books, poetry chapbooks, works by self-published authors and neighborhood newspapers.  Their goal is to “map the evolution of Chicago’s communities and movements and encourage the production of new media by providing context, inspiration, and programming designed to support collaboration.”  They hope to encourage people and groups to come together and collaborate to reach new creative heights and allow connections to emerge.

Nell Taylor, the founder of the library, talked to Nina Simon on her blog last year.  Taylor explained that by keeping track of everyone involved in the publication of item (from photographers to interns) CUL hopes to record the migration of ideas across the country through individuals and their interactions with different communities.  They are currently working on software that could be used for collections like this in other cities.   

One of Taylor’s ideas that I though was particularly interesting  was to encourage patrons to value items without judging them by the way they look, or by the importance that other people place on them.  The Underground Library encourages people to think for themselves about what they value, enjoy or are inspired by.  A little different from out current library model that sets up books, provides lists and tell us what we “should” enjoy or what is “good” writing.   Honestly, I am usually pretty happy to have the guidance as I wade through oceans of books, but I also see how our system prevent media from being included in library collections based on subjective criteria.

Thanks to a storm that buried some of the collection in a snowbank this winter, the library has gone mobile while they search for a new home.  In the meantime they are putting together “Pop Up” library exhibits in Chicago neighborhoods that offer specific materials based on interest or location.  I hope Taylor eventually finds a new home, above ground, for her important collection and continues mapping the literacy of the city - I wonder if she’s talked to the the library, they might have just the space she’s looking for.