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Lit

Libraries

Asher Library at the Spertus Institute of Jewish Studies The library on the eighth floor of the new Spertus facility is home to 110,000-plus items of Jewish interest (both fiction and nonfiction), including a large rare book collection, and a reading room that looks out over Grant Park. You must be a member of the Spertus Society to check out materials, but anyone is welcome to read in the library.  Mon-Wed 10 AM-6 PM, Thu 10 AM-7 PM, Fri 10 AM-3 PM, Sun 10 AM-4 PM, 610 S. Michigan, 312-322-1700 or spertus.edu. —Jerome Ludwig

Chinatown Branch Library As befits its location, this Chicago Public Library location has sizable collections in Chinese Heritage and English as a Second Language.  Mon-Thu 9 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 9 AM-5 PM, 2353 S. Wentworth, 312-747-8013. —JL

Harold Washington Library Center When it opened in October 1991, HWLC was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the largest municipal library building in the world. Monthly author events are held in the 385-seat auditorium on the lower level.  Mon-Thu 9 AM-9 PM, Fri-Sat 9 AM-5 PM, Sun 1-5 PM, 400 S. State, 312-747-4300 or chipublib.org. —JL

Bookstores

Powell’s Bookstore This branch of the Portland-based chain (whose roots are in Chicago, where in 1970, according to the company’s Web site, Michael Powell opened his first bookstore as a U. of C. grad student) also serves as a warehouse for its stores in Lakeview and Hyde Park. The stock consists of used books and remaindered general-interest titles.  Mon-Fri 10:30 AM-6 PM, Sat 10 AM-6 PM, Sun noon-5 PM, 828 S. Wabash, 312-341-0748. —JL

Prairie Avenue Bookshop An independent store specializing in architecture and design, with a huge selection of books both new and used.  Mon-Fri 10 AM-6 PM, Sat 10 AM-4 PM, 418 S. Wabash, 312-922-8311 or pabook.com. —JL

Printers Row Fine & Rare Books The ambience here is classic bookstore, with glassed-in offices, oriental rugs, and even a working Victrola and a Thomas Edison talking machine. But the service is resolutely contemporary: owner John Lapine has a warehouse of 500,000 specimens of 16th-through 20th-century literature and can get you signed first editions of everyone from Ernest Hemingway to Toni Morrison. Tue-Fri 10 AM-7 PM, Sat-Sun 11 AM-5 PM, 312-583-1800, printersrowbooks.com. —Heather Kenny

Sandmeyer’s Bookstore Another venerable independent, Sandmeyer’s has been family owned and operated at the same location since 1982. It’s a general-interest bookstore with specialties in fiction, travel, and children’s titles.  Mon-Wed, Fri 11 AM-6:30 PM, Thu 11 AM-8 PM, Sat 11 AM-5 PM, Sun 11 AM-4 PM, 714 S. Dearborn, 312-922-2104 or sandmeyersbookstore.com. —JL

Selected Works After 23 years in a basement at 3510 N. Broadway, Keith Peterson moved his used-book shop to the Fine Arts Building last year. In addition to carrying a lot of literary fiction, poetry, philosophy, and art, Peterson says he’s the only game in town for used musical scores. Mon-Sat 11 AM-8 PM, Sun 11 AM-4 PM, 410 S. Michigan, second floor, 312-447-0068. —JL

Events

Citywide Undergraduate Poetry Festival This annual Columbia College event invites student poets from 12 area colleges to read their work.  Thu 4/3, 5:30 PM, Columbia College Concert Hall, 1014 S. Michigan, colum.edu. —JL

Columbia College Story Week Festival of Writers Presented by the college’s fiction writing department, this annual fest features readings, book signings, and panels with local and national writers. It starts this weekend; see this issue’s Lit & Lectures listings for details.  Sun-Fri 3/16-3/21. —JL

Printers Row Book Fair Founded in 1985 by the Near South Planning Board and later taken over by the Tribune, this annual fair bills itself as the “largest free outdoor literary event in the midwest.” It attracts upwards of 200 exhibitors, including publishers, literary organizations, and booksellers hawking new, used, and collectible fare. In addition there are dozens of author readings, panel discussions, and kid-friendly programs.  Sat-Sun 6/7-6/8, 10 AM-6 PM, Dearborn & Polk, 312-222-3986 or chicagotribune.com/printersrow. —JL

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