Chicago: More Schools, Libraries to Share Facilities, Emanuel Says as Public Library Within-A-School Opens

Update: It’s worth mentioning that placing a public library inside a school is not a ‘new’ idea.
Examples:
1. The West Branch of the Aurora, IL. Public Library is located inside the Washington Middle School. Aurora is about approx. 40 miles west of Chicago.
2. What about schools in libraries? The new San Diego Central Library (formally opening in about a month) will be home to the e3 Civic High School.
From the Chicago Sun-Times:

Mayor Rahm Emanuel said Thursday he plans to duplicate across the city the cost-saving, library-within-a-school model that will make its debut at Chicago’s new Back of the Yards High School.
Chicago built 59 new libraries during the 22-year reign of former Mayor Richard M. Daley.
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“They [schools and libraries] have the same mission: to educate our children. It shouldn’t be in separate buildings. It should be in a single building,” the mayor said.
“So, here in the Back of the Yards, we’re embarking on not only a first, but on what will become copied and mimicked all across the city: putting neighborhood libraries in our schools because they serve the same community. They serve the same purpose.”
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The new 8,000-square-foot library-within-a-school will be open six days a week. It will be staffed during school hours by city librarians working alongside a full-time CPS teacher-librarian responsible for ensuring that the library collection meets the needs of the rigorous IB curriculum.

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See Also: Pilot Project: New Chicago High School Will House Public Library (June 13, 2013)

Filed under: Libraries, News, Public Libraries