The Resource Center at the Old Town School of Folk Music is nestled in the basement of a 1930s Lincoln Square building.
While the school offers classes and events that celebrate music and cultural expression, its library serves as a dedicated safe space for reading and listening—complete with record players ready to spin your chosen LPs.
Anyone from the public is invited to access over 17,000 books, videos, and sound recordings during the library’s open hours. Three dedicated staff members recently tackled the project of automating their catalog, making their unique collection searchable by any guest. They’re also a Find More Illinois library!
Beyond providing patrons with a space to talk tunes, the library hosts a podcast that features archival recordings, partnered with StoryCorp for an oral history project, and has plans to expand their programming.
Specialized libraries are where niche interests and librarianships collide. If you’re a music aficionado, budding performer, or someone in between, Old Town School of Folk Music is your place to explore the sounds of the past and present.
Learn more about the resource center at www.oldtownschool.org/resourcecenter.