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6 unusual facts about Chicago Public Library


Jacques Marquette

The Legler Branch of the Chicago Public Library displays “Wilderness, Winter River Scene,” a restored mural by Midwestern artist R. Fayerweather Babcock.

John B. Duff

On November 12, 1985, he was the first non-librarian appointed as the commissioner of the Chicago public library system.

Marjorie Joyner

Currently, her papers reside in the Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of African-American History and Literature at the Chicago Public Library.

Newberry Library

Later, however, a cooperative arrangement was entered into with the Chicago Public Library and other libraries under which the field of knowledge was roughly divided among them, and a policy of non-duplication of books was adopted.

Oscar G. Mayer, Sr.

At the urging of the Mayor of Chicago, Carter Harrison, Jr., Mayer became involved in Chicago civic organizations, starting in 1912 when he was named to the board of the Chicago Public Library.

The Transfer Agreement

1985 Carl Sandburg Award of the Friends of the Chicago Public Library for best non-fiction book of 1984 for the book The Transfer Agreement.


James Compton

He has also been Board President of the Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Board of Education, and is a Life Trustee of the Field Museum of Natural History.

Leo Lerner

He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Public Library and of Americans for Democratic Action, founder of the Independent Voters of Illinois (IVI), and President of the Citizens Schools Committee.


see also