Founding Chicago Public Library Foundation Junior Board member, community supporter, and Senior Analyst at Data Sciences, Marc Levy recalls reading articles from the 1908 Cubs’ World Series championship at Harold Washington Library.
What book are you currently reading? Would you recommend it and why/why not?
Evicted by Matthew Desmond. It sheds a good deal of light on how hard it is get out of poverty and find safe, affordable, stable housing, particularly if one is an inner-city minority. The stories are moving and provide in-depth insight into how we might want to reexamine our biases around poverty.
What CPL branch library do you visit the most? Is there anything interesting about this branch/community that we should know about?
Undoubtedly, Harold Washington Library. It’s a convenient location within walking distance of my office and home. The branch is an inspiring place to go and I take advantage of the voluminous selection of books.
I remember one of my first visits to the Harold Washington Library was in eighth grade (circa 1998) for a history paper on the Chicago “Black Sox” World Series fixing scandal in 1919. I recall my meandering curiosity when reviewing microfilm from the Chicago Tribune and decided to go back to 1908 to read articles about the Cubs’ last World Series championship. Sadly, since then I haven’t read anything in a newspaper about the Cubs winning a World Series.
What is your favorite thing about being a member of the Chicago Public Library Foundation Junior Board?
The camaraderie among board members. There’s a collegial feel and a lot of passion for the library. These things are on full display in meetings and during events like the annual Night in the Stacks gala.
Tell us a fun fact about yourself.
I studied abroad in London… twice. Not surprisingly, in grad school at the London School of Economics, I spent copious amounts of time at one of my favorite spots on campus….the Shaw Library.
For more information on the Junior Board, visit cplfoundation.org/juniorboard.
