Celebrate Libraries

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“Reimagining” is looking at something in a new way – with a fresh perspective. A revised interpretation of something that may be well known, if not overlooked. Reimagining in Chicago describes the examination of something while present in the city and observing directly, personally. Please visit often as we organically grow and create Celebrate Libraries issuu 2024.

CELEBRATE LIBRARIES issuu 2023

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

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©
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.

Célébrer Bibliothèques issuu Winter 2023

Cette production de l’hiver 2023 présente des collages d’images intérieures et extérieures de la Maison de la littérature à Québec, Canada.

Celebrate Libraries Maison de la Littérature Québec, QC / Winter 2023

This Winter 2023 production features collaged interior and exterior images from the House of Literature in Québec City, Canada.

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 traffic 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
[email protected]

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/

Dr. Suzanne Karr Schmidt, Pop-Up Books, Newberry Library, Chicago, IL

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

ALLEGORICAL MYSTERIES, a new podcast, is coming in 2024 from Celebrate Libraries. Episodes explore the symbolism and hidden meaning in creations which grace our precious public libraries.

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

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

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.