ML - Michigan Avenue

2014 - Issue 6 - October

Michigan Avenue - Niche Media - Michigan Avenue magazine is a luxury lifestyle magazine centered around Chicago’s finest people, events, fashion, health & beauty, fine dining & more!

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photography by peter hoffman; shot at harold Washington library Man of Letters ChiCago PubliC library Commissioner Brian Bannon bridges the digital divide to bring the CPl into the 21st Century. by jason a. heidemann It's no surprise that Brian Bannon is a fan of Benjamin Franklin. "He's credited with having created one of the first public libraries in the US," enthuses the commissioner of the Chicago Public Library, who on this July day is dapper in a neatly pressed suit and geek-chic eyeglasses. "While it housed books," Bannon continues, "it's also where he did his early experiments with electricity and science. It was a demonstration lab for the leading ideas of the day, and we think that is really relevant for public libraries." Relevant indeed. Thanks to Bannon, the 12 million Chicagoans that pass through the city's 80 library branches each year—more visitors than to all of the city's cultural institutions combined—are able to do much more than just check out books. Recently ranked number one in the US (and three worldwide) by the Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, the CPL has become a crucible of innovation: a place where Chicagoans learn 3-D printing technology, master computer program- ming, and upload book reviews or share ideas through the library's online portal. Having recently accepted the 2014 National Medal for Museum and Library Science from First Lady Michelle Obama, this month Bannon turns his attention to the city's 15th Annual Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner held on October Brian Bannon has spearheaded popular programs at the CPL to teach new technologies, from laser cutting to computer programming. continued on page 62 michiganavemag.com  61 people View from the Top

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