{"id":15846,"date":"2017-06-12T12:01:01","date_gmt":"2017-06-12T16:01:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/?p=15846"},"modified":"2017-06-21T22:15:03","modified_gmt":"2017-06-22T02:15:03","slug":"chicagoland-mini-tours-for-book-lovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/2017\/06\/chicagoland-mini-tours-for-book-lovers\/","title":{"rendered":"Chicagoland Mini-Tours for Book Lovers #alaac17"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>I moved to Chicago from Brooklyn nearly two years ago, and my explorations have barely scratched the surface of the multitude of excellent shops, eateries, and interesting places in town. To help me make a book lover\u2019s sightseeing guide, I asked some Chicagoland children\u2019s librarians and book people to suggest pilgrimage-worthy bookstores and nearby spots to visit.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p><center><iframe loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1fCgviw5iWU5A70A14CdX05c5Sv8\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\"><\/iframe><\/center><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Downtown and The Loop<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Andrew Medlar, ALSC past-President and Assistant Chief of Technology, Content and Innovation at Chicago Public Library said, \u201cI feel happy every time I step into <a href=\"http:\/\/www.sandmeyersbookstore.com\/Home_Page.html\"><b>Sandmeyer&#8217;s Bookstore<\/b><\/a>. A short stroll down Dearborn Street&#8217;s Printers Row from Chicago Public Library&#8217;s Harold Washington Library Center, Mr. &amp; Mrs. Sandmeyer have filled their shop with the latest &amp; greatest and favorite &amp; fabulous titles for kids and grown-ups alike for several decades now, and they and their fantastic staff are friends to all book lovers&#8211;especially of the children&#8217;s librarian variety.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Chicago author James Kennedy is the founder of the <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/90secondnewbery.com\/\">90-Second Newbery Film Festival<\/a><\/strong>, an annual nationwide event which screens kid-made movies that dramatize Newbery Medal and Honor books in about 90 seconds. When asked about Chicago bookstores he said there are \u201ctoo many to mention! Chicago is bursting with superior bookstores.\u201d One of his favorites is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.after-wordschicago.com\/\"><b>After-Words<\/b><\/a>, a new and used bookstore \u201chidden in plain sight in River North where Illinois dips under Wabash. Their two floors of new and used books is vast, eclectic, and seriously cheap.\u201d<br \/>\n<i>From the Loop, take the CTA red line \u201cEl\u201d train to Grand. <\/i><\/p>\n<h4><strong>North Side: Andersonville, Lincoln Square<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Stroll up and down Clark Street in Andersonville and you\u2019ll see hundreds of unique, \u00a0locally-owned businesses. At the center is <a href=\"http:\/\/www.womenandchildrenfirst.com\/\"><b>Women and Children First<\/b><\/a> bookstore, one of the largest feminist bookstores in the country. Check out smart and politically-minded displays, a large collection of lesbian and gay fiction and non-fiction, and the cozy circle of well-curated children\u2019s books. While you\u2019re in the neighborhood, explore its history in the lovely <a href=\"http:\/\/www.swedishamericanmuseum.org\/\"><b>Swedish American Museum<\/b><\/a>. If you\u2019ve brought small children with you, they\u2019ll enjoy the small children\u2019s museum within where they can play on a viking ship or blast off like Buzz Aldrin. Across the street, the charming <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yelp.com\/biz\/svea-restaurant-chicago\"><b>Svea Restaurant<\/b><\/a> serves a traditional Scandinavian breakfast and lunch. For a stellar pub experience, try <a href=\"http:\/\/www.hopleafbar.com\/\"><b>Hopleaf Bar<\/b><\/a>\u2019s vast menu of craft beers and solid food offerings.<br \/>\n<i>From the Loop, take the CTA red line \u201cEl\u201d train to Berwyn, or a car (35 minutes).<\/i><\/p>\n<p>More than one of the folks I interviewed mentioned <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bookcellarinc.com\/\"><b>The Book Cellar<\/b><\/a> in quaint Lincoln Square. James Kennedy emphasized that they sell \u201cnot only books, but also beer and wine. This makes for a raucous atmosphere at their in-store events, like their monthly comedy show by the Kates, or their annual adult spelling bee that I co-host.\u201d Across the street, you can feast at the award-winning <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/jerryssandwiches.com\/\">Jerry\u2019s Sandwiches<\/a><\/strong> or brunch at <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/cafeselmarie.com\/\">Caf\u00e9 Selmarie<\/a><\/strong>. Or just grab a coffee and people-watch on a bench in the public square.<br \/>\n<i>From the Loop, take the CTA brown line \u201cEl\u201d train to Western, or a car (30 minutes).<\/i><i><br \/>\n<\/i><\/p>\n<h4><strong>South Side: Hyde Park, Calumet Heights, Bronzeville<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Bookended by the scenic University of Chicago campus and the grand <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msichicago.org\/\"><b>Museum of Science and Industry<\/b><\/a>, Hyde Park is home to many cultural and intellectual gems. Margaret Coffee, National Accounts Manager of Schools and Libraries at <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.sourcebooks.com\/\">Sourcebooks<\/a><\/strong> recommended <a href=\"https:\/\/57th.semcoop.com\/\"><b>57<\/b><b>th<\/b><b> St Books<\/b><\/a> for their strong collection of children\u2019s and graphic novels. If you like a bookstore you can get lost in, this one is for you. But don\u2019t worry; the helpful and knowledgeable staff will make sure you find what you\u2019re looking for. A few blocks away you can brunch at neighborhood institution <a href=\"http:\/\/www.valoisrestaurant.com\/\"><b>Valois<\/b><\/a>, one of former President Obama\u2019s favorite eateries when he\u2019s in town. If you decide to explore the massive <a href=\"https:\/\/www.msichicago.org\/\"><b>Museum of Science and Industry<\/b><\/a>, you will swoon at the miniature <a href=\"http:\/\/www.msichicago.org\/explore\/whats-here\/exhibits\/colleen-moores-fairy-castle\/\"><b>Fairy Castle<\/b><\/a>, designed as an enchanting home to many familiar fairy tale characters.<br \/>\n<i>From the loop, take the Metra train to 55th-56th-57th, a CTA 6 bus to 57th St, or a car (25 minutes).<\/i><\/p>\n<p>Located in the middle of residential Calumet Heights, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.theundergroundbookstore.com\/\"><b>Underground Bookstore<\/b><\/a> is one of the few black-owned bookstores in Chicago and has been in business for 24 years. Children\u2019s librarians will appreciate their well-stocked Afrocentric children&#8217;s section. Down the street, check out <a href=\"https:\/\/www.yelp.com\/biz\/popup-dropoff-chicago\"><b>Popup Dropoff<\/b><\/a>, a take-only spot known for their fried chicken, catfish sandwiches, and \u201cworld famous Spaghedough.\u201d<br \/>\n<i>From the Loop, take the CTA J14 bus or a car (25 minutes)<\/i><i>.\u00a0 <\/i><\/p>\n<p>A few blocks north is the stately <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chipublib.org\/about-hall-branch\/\"><b>Hall Branch<\/b><\/a> of the <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chipublib.org\/\">Chicago Public Library<\/a><\/strong>, which was named for renowned African American surgeon, social activist and civic leader Dr. George Cleveland Hall. Once the workplace of pioneer librarian Charlemae Hill Rollins, this literary landmark was a meeting place for writers such as Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.<br \/>\n<i>From the Loop, take the CTA 29 bus or a car (19 minutes).<\/i><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Northwest Side: Wicker Park<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Along North, Division, Milwaukee and Damen Avenues, in Wicker Park, you\u2019ll find an impressive mix of hip boutiques, luxury stores, and vintage shops. <a href=\"http:\/\/www.myopicbookstore.com\/\"><b>Myopic Books<\/b><\/a>, just steps from the Damen Avenue stop on the Blue Line, has been rated the best used bookstore in the city. Behold their three floors of floor-to-ceiling shelves and hidden rooms and you\u2019ll see why! For a more minimal experience, enter the airy <a href=\"http:\/\/www.volumesbooks.com\/\"><b>Volumes Bookcafe<\/b><\/a>, a new coffee shop and bookstore with a stylish reading nook in the back for the kids. Programming for children goes beyond storytime; they also offer Blind Date with A Book, where kids get to take home their very own mystery book. The co-owners, both former teachers, are planning a Family Book Club, Creative Writing Workshops, Bookmaking Class and Volumes Summer Camp. While you\u2019re in Wicker Park, Lynn Mooney, co-owner of Women and Children First, recommended you sneak into the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.secretagentsupply.com\/\"><b>Secret Agent Supply Co.<\/b><\/a> where you can stock up on spying supplies as well as books. \u201cSecret Agent is the Chicago home of the national writing and literacy group 826,\u201d Lynn explained. \u201cThey have writing programs and also a robust program of publishing the work of the Chicago students. These collections are wonderful and carried by bookstores all over Chicago.\u201d James Kennedy also recommended that \u201cif you&#8217;re in Wicker Park, loading up on zines and graphic novels at the venerable <a href=\"http:\/\/www.quimbys.com\/\"><b>Quimby&#8217;s<\/b> <\/a>is a must &#8212; you&#8217;ll find much there what you can&#8217;t find anywhere else, and much more you didn&#8217;t even suspect existed.\u201d<br \/>\n<i>From the Loop, take the CTA blue line \u201cEl\u201d train to Division or Damen. <\/i><\/p>\n<h4><strong>Evanston, Illinois<\/strong><\/h4>\n<p>Fourteen miles North of the Loop, Evanston is the smart and vibrant home of Northwestern University and has a bustling commercial district. <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.betsybirdbooks.com\/\">Author<\/a><\/strong> and <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/blogs.slj.com\/afuse8production\/\">blogger<\/a><\/strong> Betsy Bird lives and works here, and recommended you visit <a href=\"http:\/\/www.bookendsandbeginnings.com\/\"><b>Bookends and Beginnings<\/b><\/a>, exclaiming that the shop \u201cboasts the <i>most <\/i>impressive collection of imported and translated children&#8217;s books I&#8217;ve ever seen in a bookstore to date.\u201d Children\u2019s Librarian power couple Patrick and Elisa Gall also call Evanston home, and they shared their favorite spots around town: \u201cFor tasty bagels and sandwiches try Dempster Street staple <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bagelartevanston.com\/\">Bagel Art Cafe<\/a><\/strong>. For some Midwest pie goodness you must go to <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hoosiermamapie.com\/evanston.html\">Hoosier Mama Pie Company<\/a><\/strong> (<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/www.hoosiermamapie.com\/chicago.html\">on Chicago Avenue, too<\/a><\/strong>). For top-quality burgers (veggie, too), crispy fries, and delicious shakes make sure to line up at <a href=\"http:\/\/edzos.com\/\">Edzo&#8217;s Burger Shop<\/a>. <strong><a href=\"http:\/\/foundkitchen.com\/\">Found Kitchen<\/a><\/strong> serves excellent farm-to-table food in a highly curated \u2018odds and ends\u2019 atmosphere. And don&#8217;t forget <a href=\"http:\/\/online-revolution.com\/\"><b>Comix Revolution<\/b><\/a> for all of your comic book-buying needs!\u201d<br \/>\n<i>From the Loop, take the CTA purple line \u201cEl\u201d train to Davis, or a car (35 minutes).<\/i><\/p>\n<p>While you\u2019re in Chicago, look up #MyChicagoBookstore, the social media presence of the Chicagoland Independent Bookstore Alliance (ChIBA), to find out about literary events in town.<\/p>\n<p>Which bookstores did we miss? Let us know in the comments!<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">**********************************************************************************<\/p>\n<p><i>Andrea Vaughn Johnson, former Coordinator of School Age Services at <\/i><a href=\"http:\/\/www.bklynlibrary.org\/\"><i>Brooklyn Public Library<\/i><\/a><i> and current member of the <a href=\"http:\/\/www.ala.org\/alsc\/aboutalsc\/coms\/pg4orgsupport\/als-localarrg\">ALSC Local Arrangements committee<\/a>, is also the full-time caregiver of a rambunctious four-year-old in Chicago, IL. They enjoy exploring Chicago\u2019s neighborhoods together and finding new books to add to his overflowing bookshelf.<br \/>\n<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chicagoland children\u2019s librarians and book people suggest pilgrimage-worthy bookstores and nearby spots to visit while in Chicago for the annual ALA Conference.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[913,210,134],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-15846","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-ala-annual-2017","category-books-2","category-guest-blogger"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15846","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15846"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15846\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15846"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15846"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.alsc.ala.org\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15846"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}