Books, jars, and fishing poles
SAM: Daniel and Nathan are always looking for new ways to decorate their room (“The Cozy Den”), so the Sherman Park branch’s family event was something both of them were very excited about: making luminary jars. Afterward, we were fortunate to have an opportunity to interview Bria, the adult librarian, who organized this event.
Among Sherman Park’s unique features is a set of fishing poles available to patrons once fishing season begins in June. Bria mentioned that she hopes that the library will get funding to partner with another organization that can provide programming to teach kids and teens how to fish. She also shared that she wishes patrons would utilize more of the resources CPL offers, such as cyber navigators and resume templates. She appreciates that she sees regular patrons and can watch the kids grow up.
BEN: This tiny branch building opened in 1937 and is named after John B. Sherman, one of the founders of the Chicago Stock Yard and Transit Company, once located just to the north in the Union Stock Yard meatpacking district. Even in a small space like this, CPL manages to shoehorn in both children’s and adult areas as well as a small activity/meeting room.
SAM: After the event, we took a walk/scootered around the library’s namesake, Sherman Park. It felt like a fall afternoon in the middle of April.
What about transit?
DANIEL: This library, located in Sherman Park near Garfield and Racine streets, is (in my opinion) a bit underserved. The closest CTA buses are the #44, #51, and #55. The Garfield Red Line Station, located 1.4 miles from the library (or a straight shot on the 55), also has access to the #24, #59, and #174. Both at 3.8 miles from the library, Metra’s 35th/Lou Jones on the Rock Island District and the Metra Electric’s 55th/56th/57th station are your options for Metra. For Pace, just go to downtown.
As for the future, I want shorter wait times on the 55, and weekend service on the 44. Once the SouthWest Service moves to LaSalle Street Station from Union Station, the Rock Island and SouthWest Service should be combined for part of the route, and a station should be built at Garfield Blvd.
There’s no parking lot, but parking is not a big problem here 🙂
By the way, I really like the park around the library. Here’s my review:
CTA Bus: ☑️
CTA Train: ☑️
Metra: 😐
Pace: 😐
Parking: ☑️
Overall: 4. Not bad, but you could do more.
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