Chicago Architecture

Although early spring snow squalls remain a possibility for communities along the Great Lakes, songbirds are returning to Northern neighborhoods and lawns are greening. As with the return of migratory birds, Celebrate Libraries® is preparing for another trip to Illinois to marvel at Windy City architecture and continue our exploration of Chicago’s historic research library–The Newberry. Opened in 1893, the building was designed by the firm of architect Henry Ives Cobb.

Newberry Library is located downtown on the Near North Side between the Gold Coast and Magnificent Mile. Walkable Washington Square Park faces The Newberry from across West Walton St. and provides a natural respite from city sounds and concrete.

CL plans to explore The Newberry’s archives for answers to an architectural mystery that has been nudging us for the past year. Upcoming podcast interviews will feature expert interviews about Cobb, Washington Square Park and Newberry Library. We also intend to review a UNESCO application to grant special status to a group of 19th century Chicago skyscrapers.

Robin and Jon Voils
Celebrate Libraries®
Founded 2015
contact@celebratelibraries.com

An Allegorical Mystery

A summer 2023 visit to Newberry Library in Chicago excited our imaginations. We were eager to see a pop-up book exhibit at The Newberry after our previous adventure in Québec City at the Maison de la littérature (House of Literature). The pop-up book installation was fascinating for its breadth and we were led on a private tour by exhibition curator Dr. Suzanne Karr Schmidt.

Upon reviewing materials provided by the Library, we were alerted to an architectural mystery. The Chicago Sunday Tribune published an illustration to announce The Newberry’s opening in November 1893. A group of what seems to be six or seven allegorical figures appear as relief sculptures above the primary door on West Walton Street. When we visit the Library today we may wonder what happened to the allegorical figures and why the original design for the public entry facing Washington Square Park was never completed. Celebrate Libraries will explore this and other questions in an upcoming four-part podcast series beginning in summer 2024. 

Enjoy a past interview with Dr. Suzanne Karr Schmidt by following this link: https://podcast.celebratelibraries.com/2023/06/dr-suzanne-karr-schmidt-pop-up-books-newberry-library-chicago-il/

ALLEGORY

Two Definitions of Allegory:

A symbolic fictional narrative that conveys a meaning not explicitly set forth in the narrative. Allegory, which encompasses such forms as fable, parable, and apologue, may have meaning on two or more levels that the reader can understand only through an interpretive process.

Encyclopaedia Britannica

An allegory is a story, poem, or painting in which the characters and events are symbols of something else.

Collins Dictionary

Québec City Hosts UNESCO Cities of Literature Conference

The Ville de Québec (Québec City) will have the honor of hosting the annual meeting of UNESCO Cities of Literature from October 9-13. For the occasion, a program of literary activities will be offered free of charge to the general public. https://quebecvilledelitterature.ca/en/

Useful Links:

https://www.citiesoflit.com/quebec-city

https://quebecvilledelitterature.ca/en/network/

https://www.ville.quebec.qc.ca/en/citoyens/patrimoine/quartiers/vieux_quebec/interet/maison_de_la_litterature.aspx

Pop-Up Books through the Ages exhibition on view at Newberry Library in Chicago

Celebrate Libraries® traveled to Chicago on June 15 for a private tour of Pop-Up Books through the Ages at Newberry Library. The exhibition’s curator, Dr. Suzanne Karr Schmidt, explained in fascinating detail the centuries-long development of engineered moveable paper objects leading to the advent of pop-up books.

The handsome installation was well-attended and we only wish we had one more day to spend at The Newberry. Free and open to the public Tuesday through Saturday, the exhibition closes on Saturday, July 15, 2023.

Listen to a recorded interview with Dr. Karr Schmidt by clicking the following link: https://podcast.celebratelibraries.com/

A video presentation inspired by our visit will be coming in 2023.

For more information about the exhibition: https://www.newberry.org/calendar/pop-up-books-through-the-ages

Four Writers Discovered Celebrate Libraries Maison de la littérature Québec, QC

This video presents the words of four writers who completed residencies at Maison de la littérature (House of Literature) in Québec City, Canada. Music by French composer Claude Bolling, courtesy Frémeaux & Associates.

Cette vidéo présente les propos de quatre écrivains ayant effectué des résidences à la Maison de la littérature à Québec, Canada. Musique du compositeur français Claude Bolling, courtoisie Frémeaux & Associés.

Celebrate Libraries Maison de la littérature Québec, QC / Spring 2023

Bienvenue sur Celebrate Libraries Podcast®.
Nous espérons que vous apprécierez de feuilleter les pages de notre publication numérique alors que nous nous connectons avec des personnes intrigantes qui nous rejoignent dans un voyage d’exploration et de découverte.

Welcome to Celebrate Libraries Podcast®.
We hope you enjoy leafing through the pages of our digital publication as we connect with intriguing people who join us on a journey of exploration and discovery.

Appointment of the 10th Parliamentary Poet Laureate

Marie-Célie Agnant, one of the four Maison de la littérature associated writers we are working with, was recently honored by the Canadian government for her commitment to literature. Read more below.

February 1, 2023 – Ottawa – The Speaker of the Senate, the Honourable George J. Furey, and the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Honourable Anthony Rota, announced today the appointment of Marie-Célie Agnant as Canada’s new Parliamentary Poet Laureate, effective January 1, 2023. Ms. Agnant is the 10th poet to hold this office, succeeding Louise Bernice Halfe – Sky Dancer. Marie-Célie Agnant was selected by the Speakers from a short list of candidates submitted by the Selection Committee, chaired by Dr. Heather Lank, Parliamentary Librarian, and composed of Raymond Théberge, Commissioner of Official Languages; Leslie Weir, Librarian and Archivist of Canada; and Jesse Wente, Chair, Canada Council for the Arts (represented by Joanne Larocque-Poirier, Chief of Staff and Corporate Secretary). Born in Haiti, Marie-Célie Agnant has lived in Quebec since 1970. Active in the literary scene for 27 years, she has a substantial body of work for which she has won awards both within Canada and abroad. She has published three books of poetry, including Femmes des terres brûlées, which won the 2017 Alain-Grandbois poetry award from the Académie des lettres du Québec. Through her poetry, she explores themes, both timeless and contemporary, such as equality, justice, solitude, the status of women and racism.