A Little History
The collection was started by the docents at Glessner House. When the two organizations separated in the mid 1990s, the collection was moved to CAF at 224 South Michigan in their original shelves. The books were classified using the Library of Congress system which is an excellent system for a small library with limited subjects in the collection. Many books were added through purchases and donations over the past 20 years and with the help of Donna Gabanski, Class of 1994, sitting as chair of the Library Committee . In 2006, the library at 224 was remodeled with new shelving and furniture through the generous donation of Barry Sears, Class of 1992.
The work of the Library Committee in 2018 was focused on evaluating the books and files to reduce duplication and eliminate materials that were no longer useful. The way we access information is much different today than it was in the 1980s and 1990s. Newspaper articles on buildings and Chicago events can be retrieved on line so files of fading newspaper clippings are unnecessary. Some files and pamphlets can still be found in the library file cabinet along the glass wall.
Once the Chicago Architecture Center opened and the library was ready, the library committee re-shelved the books. The collection is ready for all CAC volunteers to use. Shelf labels have been added to help locate books and a brief guide to the Library of Congress System can be found at the end of this article. This guide to the system will be stored on The Bridge.
Non- Circulating Books
There are two shelves labeled “Library Use Only”. These books are references that may not be checked out. Most of them are large so you probably wouldn’t want to carry them home. In some cases, there is also a circulating copy.
Browsing Shelf
Books on the Browsing Shelf are not catalogued, but may be of interest. Take them home, add to the shelf, read them in the library.
Checking out a book
You may check out books for a period of 3 weeks. Print your name and date you took the book on the card; then place the card in the card file on the cabinet. When you return the book, place it in the wire basket and a member of the library committee will replace the card and re-shelve the book. If you are reading a book in the library and are not sure where it was placed, leave it in the basket.
Latest Additions to the Collection
Skyscraper by Dan Cruickshank (2018) Call Number NA 6230 C78
Built: The Hidden Stories Behind our Structures by Roma Agrawal (2018) Call Number TA 633 A36
Art Deco Chicago Designing Modern America ed. Robert Bruegmann (2018) Non circulating
Art for the People by Heather Becker (2002) Call Number ND2638.C4 B43
Suggestions for books to be purchased can be emailed (dg*******@co*****.net) or placed in the Library mailbox. Also suggestions for magazines are welcome as subscriptions are being considered.