But first, boba!
BEN: You haven’t had Chicago’s best milk tea until you’ve been to Gathers Tea Bar, a mandatory stop anytime we’re in the vicinity of Little Italy / University Village. With our boba fix managed and a walk/scooter session at nearby Arrigo Park under our belts, it was library time.
To the library!
BEN: CPL’s website shares the long history of a public library presence in this area, starting with a reading room opened in 1891 at the nearby Hull House settlement house (now a museum managed by UIC, which is 100% worth a visit all on its own). The current building – a uniquely high-ceilinged, open layout with ample space for kids programming and studying – opened in 2019.
Eric and David at the circulation desk told us about the great diversity of branch patrons, including students from UIC, folks from the medical district nearby, and those seeking the branch’s significant Chinese-language collection.
This is also one of just two CPL branches that are integrated into Chicago Housing Authority facilities, the other being Altgeld (our visit #10!). The upcoming 82nd branch in the Obama library complex will be a third such collaboration.
Speaking of public housing…
BEN: Eric and David also alerted us to the National Public Housing Museum right across the street, housed in the last remaining building of the Jane Addams Homes. The door was open and we popped in, but the museum wasn’t yet open to the public. Definitely on the list for a future visit.
What about transit?
DANIEL: The Little Italy branch’s transit is not very little. CTA Bus Routes 157, 60, 9, X9, 12, and 7 all stop within a 0.6 mile radius of the library. The Loomis entrance of Racine Station on the Blue Line is half a mile from the library. Additionally, the Pink Line’s Polk Station is 0.6 miles from the library. Yes, the library has a parking lot.
Pace’s Route 755 stops at the intersection of Harrison and Racine, but that stop is ONLY DROP OFF. There is a stop where you can catch the bus back at Harrison and Paulina. As for Metra, I would just take the train into downtown and transfer to the Blue Line from there.
CTA Bus: ☑️
CTA Train: ☑️
Metra: 🤷
Pace: ☑️
Parking: ☑️
Overall: 4.5? I’m not really sure… (Lol)
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