Conrad Sulzer Regional Library
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Conrad Sulzer Regional Library is one of two regional libraries in the Chicago Public Library system in Chicago. It was named for Conrad Sulzer, the first non-native settler in Lakeview. Lakeview is now a neighborhood in Chicago. The library is located in the Lincoln Square neighborhood at 4455 N. Lincoln Ave. It is a full service library and ADA compliant. As with all libraries in the Chicago Public Library system, it has free wi-fi internet service.
It was designed in 1985 by the architectural firm of Hammond Beeby and Babka, now known as Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge, Inc. They also designed the Harold Washington Library. Some people say the building is neo-classical. [1] , but others say it is van der Rohe inspired [2] [3] It has custom made furniture in a German mythological theme. It was a replacement for the Frederick H. Hild Regional Library, which now is home to a branch of the Old Town School of Folk Music. Alderman Eugene Schulter was instrumental in getting funding and the political support for the library. It was opened to the public in the fall of 1985.
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[edit] Controversy
[edit] Mysterious book removal
In 2001, books from the Sulzer branch were mysteriously being removed from the shelves. According to community activists, as many as 35,000 books were being removed. When Alderman Schulter went to see what was happening, at the behest of some community activists, he was denied entry. In addition, a Chicago Sun-Times photographer was also denied access to the library. According to Library Commissioner Mary Dempsey, the alderman was not ordered to leave the library and the removal of books were part of standard procedure for older, damaged or less popular books. [4] [5] [6] [7]
At the time, rumors were being circulated that Sulzer library might be downgraded from a regional library. It also may have been a result of then-director Leah Steele's refusal to take a position at the Harold Washington Library. She was subsequently fired.
As a result of the lawsuit and media exposer, Commissioner Dempsey agreed to form a citizen advisory committee, promised not to remove Sulzer's regional status, and guaranteed continuing Sulzer's Media Center.
[edit] External links
[edit] References
- ^ Chicago Public Library Digital Collection.
- ^ Conrad Suzler Library.
- ^ Culture in Lincon Square.
- ^ On the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institution.
- ^ Dempsey hits article critical of Sulzer weeding.
- ^ Weeding, Director at Heart of Chicago Library Fracas.
- ^ Chicago Weeding Flap Leads to Lawsuit.
