Editor’s Note: A previous version of this story first published on June 13, 2024.
After the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, Queen Victoria of Great Britain donated 8,000 books that would become the foundation of the Chicago Public Library collection.
While none of those original books are currently in circulation, at least one title from around that time can still be checked out today.
A Curious City listener wanted to know what is the oldest library book still in circulation. Press play to hear the search for the oldest book, and read the story here.
Related Posts:
- The Book Club: “Cleavage,” “Eurotrash” and “The Eights” News “Eurotrash,” by Christian Kracht; translated by Daniel Bowles (W.W. Norton & Co., 2024) "Eurotrash," by Christian Kracht; translated by Daniel Bowles (W.W. Norton & Co., 2024) This work of autofiction is a sequel to Kracht’s 1995 debut novel, “Faserland.” It’s a bittersweet tale of a privileged Swiss man, repelled by…
- ‘Spiraling out of control’: A California law to help sex-abuse victims is creating an insurance crisis for public schools, local agencies News Six years ago, a new California law opened the gates for victims of long-ago childhood sexual assault to sue the public entities they say had failed to keep them safe — schools, juvenile detention centers, shelters for foster children and more. Assembly Bill 218 significantly expanded the statute of limitations…
- ‘Spiraling out of control’: A California law to help sex-abuse victims is creating an insurance crisis for public schools, local agencies News Six years ago, a new California law opened the gates for victims of long-ago childhood sexual assault to sue the public entities they say had failed to keep them safe — schools, juvenile detention centers, shelters for foster children and more. Assembly Bill 218 significantly expanded the statute of limitations…
- New Illinois law guarantees immigrant students access to public education News When immigration enforcement operations in Chicago ramped up in January, a woman named Maria saw the chilling effect it had on the Belmont Cragin community firsthand. As a parent-mentor at Lloyd Elementary in the Northwest Side neighborhood, she said some students expressed fears that they or their family members would…
- Giants Put Former First-Round Pick on Notice With Strong Public Statement Sports New York Giants assistant general manager Brandon Brown (pictured) addressed the media ahead of the preseason finale on August 19, and he had a strong message for former first-round cornerback Deonte Banks. According to The Athletic’s Dan Duggan, Brown gave an “interesting answer” in “response to a question about Deonte…
(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)