"I grew up in suburban Park Ridge, but when I reached junior high (1962-4), I had a history report big enough to work on at the old Chicago Public Library. I took the train downtown, and was introduced to a beautiful, but eccentric, temple of culture. I was more fascinated by what I saw than I was by the topic for my report. As you still can see today in the Cultural Center, this was a beautiful, impressive building, rich in detail. The walls were festooned with quotations that set a high-minded tone and encouraged study. The patrons were much more interesting than anyone I had seen in Park Ridge. I remember sitting down at a reading table next to an old man who looked like Buffalo Bill -- complete with the long hair and the beard. This was a wonderful introduction to a wider world of people, places and knowledge."