5/5 Ann F. 7 years ago on Google
The
Newberry
Library
is
a
Chicago
treasure
and
a
gift
to
scholars,
especially
historians
and
genealogists.
The
library
always
has
at
least
one
exhibit
on
books
and
publishing,
all
available
for
free,
as
well
as
exceptional
reading
rooms.
The
reading
rooms
are
like
many
European
libraries.
Instead
of
open
shelves
for
browsing,
you
select
items
from
the
catalogue
and
ask
for
them
to
be
brought
to
you.
While
you
do
need
to
apply
for
a
researcher
card,
you
don't
have
to
be
affiliated
with
any
institution,
and
the
basic
service
is
free.
Naturally,
you
do
have
to
pay
for
copying
or
reproducing
materials.
The
Library
is
home
to
several
wonderful
special
collections,
including
medieval
manuscripts,
documents
about
Native
American
nations,
maps,
and
materials
on
the
history
of
the
book.
The
catalogue
is
available
online.
The
building
is
a
Chicago
landmark,
especially
after
the
multi-year
cleaning
that
revealed
it
as
made
of
salmon-colored
rather
than
dark
brown
stone.
The
Library
also
hosts
free
tours
and
there
are
also
many
paid
programs
and
classes.
There's
a
small
but
very
fine
book
shop,
specializing
in
material
about
Chicago,
books
about
books,
and
local
authors.
There's
a
booksale
every
summer
as
well,
with
used
and
collectable
books
at
generally
good
prices.
Public
transportation
is
easy
from
downtown
or
anywhere
on
the
Red
Line.
It's
about
four
blocks
from
the
Clark
and
Division
Red
Line
stop,
and
the
22,
36,
and
156
buses
stop
very
close.
The
22
bus,
in
fact,
stops
right
at
the
door.
The
nearby
plaza
is
a
pleasant
place
to
linger.