Chicago’s Newberry Library Shows Off Visitor-Friendly Renovation

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

If you’ve strolled along West Walton Street in the heart of Chicago’s Gold Coast, you might have walked past the stately edifice and wondered whether the Newberry Library was a private club or members-only reading room.
But, since opening in 1887, the library has been free and open to the public, as well as to researchers and scholars.
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But, however grand, at 131 years old, the Newberry was showing its age. A major renovation was announced in January. This weekend, the public is invited to the “rebirth” of the venerable institution, which remained open during the renovation.
Designed by Ann Beha Architects, the $12.7 million project, covering 23,000 square feet of the first floor and lower levels of the library, took nine months to complete. The library so far has $10 million toward that from individual donors, foundation support and its ongoing endowment.

Learn More, Read the Complete Article
From The Newberry Library
See Also: Welcome to Our New Welcome Center and Remodeled Bookshop
See Also: Nearing End of Construction, the Newberry Will Begin Unveiling Renovated First-Floor Spaces August 14
See Also: The Newberry Library Digital Collections

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