Public Libraries: “Chicago Public Library Celebrates 150 Years of Sharing Stories” (Includes a Conversation with Library Commissioner Chris Brown)

From WTTW-TV (PBS):

What began in an old remaining water tower after the Great Chicago Fire has since grown to 81 locations across the city.

And after 150 years, the Chicago Public Library (CPL) has some of its own stories to tell.

[Clip]

In recent years, CPL has reached major milestones — becoming one of the first big city libraries to eliminate late fees and allowing more than 100,000 formerly blocked accounts to start anew.

“This is just a way of sort of making sure that everyone in our city always has access to the library in their neighborhood,” Chicago Public Library Commissioner Chris Brown said.

In addition to no overdue fines, the library’s property tax levy was raised by a fraction, which Brown said has helped CPL increase its collection budget by 30%.

Learn More, Read the Complete Article, View Video

Filed under: Libraries, News, Public Libraries