We interrupt this broadcast…
BEN: Faithful readers, you probably noticed a bit of a hiatus in our posting – life has been busy! But, we’re back – in fact, we never stopped visiting libraries, but we got more than a little behind on writing blog posts. In the spirit of the adage, “don’t let perfect be the enemy of good,” we’ll be posting in a more abbreviated style going forward.
Now, back to your regularly scheduled blog post!
Neighborhood Spot: Ezankaya
Our guides and special guests for this visit were our friends Chris and Holly, Edgewater residents and library connoisseurs themselves! Our original sushi spot destination was closed, so they took us to Ezankaya (technically right across the neighborhood boundary of Devon Ave in Rogers Park) for a pre-library lunch. A super cool vibe, great sushi, and a menu featuring Thai street food far beyond the typical. Highly recommended!
To the Library!
SAM: Mr. Chris, the children’s librarian, has a fantastic librarian origin story. As a law firm middle manager, he found himself wanting more out of his career and an opportunity to give back. Influenced by his wife Mary, the children’s librarian at the West Town branch, he spent four years attending library school part-time before making his exit from the corporate world. Now he and Mary collaborate on storytime ideas and a science club! Mr. Chris isn’t the first career-changer librarian we’ve met, and I’m sure he won’t be the last.
BEN: The Edgewater branch’s collection is currently undergoing a reorganization by topic – superheros, biography, Spanish language – reflecting the freedom each branch has to allow the local community to drive its structures and priorities.
Mr. Chris also shared great appreciation for the highly active Friends of Edgewater Library support organization – something of a rarity in the CPL system.
Bonus Neighborhood Spot: Lickity Split
SAM: After the library visit, Chris and Holly took us to get some frozen custard at a nearby shop called Lickity Split Frozen Custard Sweets. The weather was perfect and the rain held off until shortly before we got in the car, before it started to pour.
What about Transit?
DANIEL: The Edgewater Branch has pretty good CTA access. CTA Routes 22, 36, 84, 136, 147, 151, and 155 all stop within 0.5 miles of the library. Thorndale Station on the Red Line is 0.2 miles from the library.
As for Metra, Peterson/Ridge Station on the UP-North Line is 0.9 miles from the library.
If you really wanted to get to the library on Pace, then I guess you could take Pace to Howard, then take the Red Line south, but like… WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Street parking is no problem. 👍
CTA Bus: ✅
CTA Train: ✅
Metra: ✅
Pace: 😐
Parking: ✅
4/5! Pretty good!
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