Last Tuesday’s Chicago Sun-Times contained a range of troubling headlines, from the passing of a beloved, progressive pope to anticipated layoffs within an economically challenged Chicago.
However, for those with a deep connection to their libraries, Shannon Tyler’s story on page 15 declaring that e-cards would be discontinued by the Chicago Public Library (CPL) hit hardest.
As a dedicated library enthusiast, the CPL holds a special place in my heart.
My history with the library stretches back decades; I even participated in selecting the design for the Harold Washington Library Center—a location that still resonates with me today.
While the library experience often requires navigating bureaucratic obstacles, I have a longstanding commitment to overcoming them, evidenced by my visits to libraries around the globe.
From the British Library in London to the New York Public Library and even the Library of Congress, I have reveled in the wealth of resources each library offers.
The British Library granted me a card valid for five years, and the Newberry Library went even further, providing me with a personal shelf for my checked-out books.
Now, however, Chicago’s library system offers transitory access to non-residents: a mere 90-day chit that cannot be renewed.
For anyone who has delved deeply into research, the idea of a time limit for accessing resources is almost comical—90 days often only scratches the surface of a topic.
I’ve even found myself setting aside a book for longer than that before fully engaging with its contents.
My frequent use of the CPL website stems from its ease of access, particularly for historical newspapers like the Chicago Defender and the Chicago Inter Ocean.
The writing quality of the Inter Ocean is so exceptional that I could almost feel compelled to resurrect its authors to shake their hands.
The Tribune archive, housing decades of articles, remains a resource I consult far more often than today’s Tribune.
In light of this, the idea of losing access to these invaluable resources because I reside in Northbrook feels like a cruel twist of fate.
In an effort to understand the reasoning behind this decision, I reached out to the library for clarification.
I was curious about what I had done to warrant this limitation on my access to such an important resource.
Patrick Molloy, the director of government and public affairs for the library, explained that the discontinuation of e-cards stems from heightened demand.
Interestingly, it’s not just suburban users; patron requests for library services are pouring in from across the country and even internationally.
People have been creating online library cards, checking out multiple ebooks, and thus causing significant wait times for others seeking digital reads.
Currently, more than 1 million Chicagoans hold library cards, which means that another 1.5 million individuals do not.
Molloy suggested that the system could withstand a few more patrons, mentioning the possibility of using alternative addresses to obtain a library card.
“Our policy is, your home address,” he noted, adding that they have been lenient in the past.
The library’s mission is not about restricting access but rather about facilitating more efficient service and improving the overall experience for their users.
Molloy firmly stated that their intention lies in ‘increasing access’ rather than limiting it, assuring me that there is common ground in our goals.
I once shared with someone the secret of writing a book: start writing and never stop, as nobody cares about your progress except yourself.
This same principle applies to libraries—persistence yields rewards.
In my travels, I found myself at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France’s Richelieu Reading Room; I only intended to admire its beauty rather than consult any materials.
When I arrived, however, the guard denied me entry, stating it was open only to researchers.
Despite the polite but firm request to leave, I did not give up.
Instead, I stayed, pleaded my case, and ultimately was granted access, albeit with a reminder not to disturb those using the library.
The effort to gain entry was undoubtedly worth it, highlighting a universal truth: libraries enrich lives in countless ways.
While I appreciate that the Chicago Public Library is striving to enhance user experience, I remain steadfast in my wish to be among those who have access to its treasures.
image source from：https://chicago.suntimes.com/columnists/2025/04/27/checking-out-chicago-harold-washington-public-library-reading-ebooks
