Opening Up Open Books
By Staff in Arts & Entertainment on Jan 5, 2010 9:20PM
Special To Chicagoist By Betsy Mikel
It's time to start working on those resolutions. Some of us at Chicagoist would like to put more money towards good causes this year, but budgets are mighty tight. We're sure glad we can shop for reasonably priced books at the Open Books storefront. Although the bookstore has only been open since November 21, Open Books has been working since 2006 to improve the low-literacy rate in Chicago, which, according to an article published on the organization, is as high as 37 percent.
All titles on the Open Books shelves have been donated, but don't think that means they are unsold garage sale leftovers. There are plenty of current titles available for sale. Last we checked, the store still had a copy of Amy Blooms yet-to-be-released Where The God of Love Hangs Out for $12.50 and Michael Pollan's In the Defense of Food for $8. Open Books offers a selection of 50,000 smashingly organized books for every taste and every age. Little people can read comfortably inside their very own kid-sized house in the corner of the store while big people can relax and browse in the adult-sized comfy chairs beside the fireplace. The Open Books store exists for a larger purpose than to simply build revenue and expand the organization. The bookstore also acts to promote visibility about illiteracy, a handicap that hinders people from simple tasks such as reading their prescriptions, but a shameful problem most people do their best to hide. According to statistics on the Open Books site, 20 percent of adults in America read below 5th grade level and 44 percent of 4th grade students in America can not read aloud fluently.
The best part about patronizing Open Books is knowing exactly where the proceeds are headed. The nonprofit operates many of its literacy programs in brightly decorated classrooms above the store. Open Books offers four programs, which include creative writing field trips for adolescents and high schoolers and a writing workshop for adults. These programs are run by Open Books staff and volunteers and help both kids and adults improve their writing in everything from poetry to resumes. Sales from the bookstore help maintain and expand these programs to reach more Chicagoans.
If you'd like to learn more about Open Books and the work their team is doing in the city, visit the store at 213 W. Institute Place. It's right by the Chicago el stop. Store hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Saturday.