The Newberry Library, by Kartemquin Films
I've had a thing for libraries for as long as I can remember. From visiting the local library in Turlock, California when we were visiting our family (which seemed exotic since we were living abroad for so many years where public libraries weren't as available) to the Urbana Free Library in Urbana, Illinois that I frequented during my high school and college years. I just loved having that many resources and that much knowledge at my fingertips, for free! Obviously, this was mostly pre-internet but I still feel that public libraries are incredibly important. I use our local branch of the Chicago Public Library all the time for myself and my students.
I started working at the Rare Book and Special Collections library at the University of Illinois during college and even worked at the wonderful Newberry Library's Special Collections department here in Chicago for a year in-between college and grad school. These experiences changed me and my artwork. Having access to such amazing artifacts, manuscripts, maps, atlases, books, etc. was absolutely inspiring.
Above is a short film that Kartemquin Films (Hoop Dreams, The Interruptors, etc) made about the Newberry Library, which is such an under-utilized resource in Chicago. I encourage you all to check it out if you haven't already- more info here.
