Most Underrated Local Resource Worth Revisiting | Hipsqueak Awards 2012

MOST UNDERRATED LOCAL RESOURCE WORTH REVISITING Chicago Public Library

In 2011, our vaunted CEO Rahm Emanuel proclaimed the public library system too expensive; he reduced hours and laid off workers. The city protested as though Rahmbo were trying to strip Ditka of his Super Bowl bling, and now the libraries are back to regular hours, albeit with a reduced staff. Our families borrow just about every form of media imaginable from local branches, and on our kids’ fun-o-meter, weekly visits rank right next to toying around with the many steering wheels on the playground down the street (which is saying something). We also use the passes available at the library to make museum-going an affordable, frequent activity. A world-class city needs a world-class public library system, and Chicago has one. With a reported 60,000 kids participating in 2012’s summer reading program, it ought to be supported.