Always be aware of your local history, and keep an eye on popular culture.  My former stomping ground of DeKalb, Illinois played a pivotal part in the real-life tragedy that inspired the recently-released movie “Changeling“.  Kudos to historian Phyllis Kelley (full disclosure:  I worked with her daughter, Librarian Patsy Lundberg) for being a key member of the group which built the Joiner History Room collection that allows for such gems to be unearthed.

The DeKalb Daily Chronicle has the story, as does the Chicago Tribune.

Thanks to Patsy for the heads-up!

The Library Fix is the title of Garrison Keillor’s current column, and presents his take on the long-term role that libraries can play in society.  It also appears in today’s Chicago Tribune, though you may need to register for access.

It also reminded me of the first library I worked in, a Carnegie library in Brookfield, IL.  It was warm in summer, cold in winter, drafty, and the antithesis of ADA compliance, but it was a charming building.  Its replacement is a good library building, but doesn’t have the same charming feel to it.