Chicago Public Library-Obama Presidential Center Branch, Chicago, Illinois

The Obama Presidential Center opened to the public with a ceremony full of fanfare two weeks before the ALA Annual Conference in Chicago, Illinois. When Rachael arrived in Chicago for the conference, she knew she had to see it for herself. Specifically, she wanted to see the Obama Presidential Center branch of the Chicago Public Library.

It was a busy day, full of visitors! There was even a line of people waiting to enter the library. When Rachael finally entered the library, she immediately saw how excited everyone seemed to be inside. There were several groups of people chatting together or simply browsing the materials.

The library is a single floor space that is mostly open concept. The first area when you first enter is dedicated to adult materials. Fiction and nonfiction materials were readily available. As you continue into the room, the space opens up into a children’s area. Reading material for younger readers was on the shelves and the main floor space held a couple of comfy chairs. A great story time spot!

A laptop bar with several work spaces and additional seating separated the adult space from the children’s. As you’re exploring the space, be sure to look up! There is a stunning mural that stretches the length of the room. It’s well worth taking your time to look at it so you don’t miss any of the small details.

The area next to the children’s area is the President’s Reading Room. It's the only space in the library that has a door. All of the materials in this room were personally curated by the former President and First Lady. It spans over 3,000 texts of fiction and nonfiction, all significant to the couple in some way. Unfortunately, this is a non-circulating collection. There were also some items on display that came from their personal collections. The large table and many chairs located in this room certainly made it felt welcoming to grab a book from the shelf and stay a while.

Moving on from the President's Reading room, there is a community space. Full of tables and chairs, it overlooks an enclosed patio with a statue within. What Rachael saw next was certainly her favorite part. An impressive maker space!

There is a large area to encourage programming, a sink with counterspace, and a recording studio. A librarian noticed Rachael admiring the space and began talking with her about the different programming they aim to do in the space. This librarian was incredibly friendly and was ready to show off all the things it had to offer. A teen area shares this space. There are teen materials for browsing a couple of tables with chairs to be used as work or hangout spaces.

The last corner of the library is a multi-purpose area. There are more tables and chairs, a printing service station, and materials for tweens lined on the outer shelves. The library currently has a station for visitors to add to a time capsule, a living record where visitors can add their thoughts for inclusion. This space included a door that opens out onto a patio. It was here that an impressive bronze statue was on display and outdoor seating could be found.

And this concluded Rachael’s visit to this branch, and what a wonderful visit it was! The atmosphere was electric, the staff was friendly, the collection was interesting, and the seating was plentiful. And getting that sneak peak of what the library hopes to do from the librarian was exciting! This library will make a positive impact on its community in the years to come. How thrilling it is to watch it unfold! If you ever find yourself in Chicago, stop by.