City Cast Madison logo
May 31, 2026

'Your City Could Be Better': How Chicago's Libraries Meet Community Needs — Presented By City Cast Madison

City Cast Madison

'Your City Could Be Better': How Chicago's Libraries Meet Community Needs — Presented By City Cast Madison

00:00:00
View all City Cast Madison episodes

Where would Madison be without its libraries? Chicago is opening its 82nd public library branch in June, and loaning out books is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what these institutions offer residents. City Cast CEO David Plotz talks with City Cast Chicago podcast host Jacoby Cochran about how Chicago’s libraries have evolved to meet community needs, from opening a food pantry inside a branch to turning student IDs into automatic library cards — and how they could be even better. Plus, are the Chicago Bears still the Chicago Bears if they move to Indiana?

Is there something your city is doing that we should be talking about? Email David now! 

We’re also on Instagram: @yourcitycouldbebetter

Looking to advertise on Your City Could Be Better? Check out our options.

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Hey Madison

Sign up for your free daily toolkit to get the most of the city you love.

Can't subscribe? Turn off your ad blocker and try again.

Latest Episodes

See all
October 15

How a Former Badger Changed Cinema

Did you know the iconic 1976 film “Car Wash” has a Madison connection? The film’s director, Michael Schultz, studied at UW-Madison where...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 14

Madison Halloween Lore, a Decade of Wurk, and Another Brewers Win

For the second year in a row, UW-Madison students who live on campus will be charged $100 to host one guest over Halloween weekend. The u...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 13

An Insider’s Guide to Madison’s Writing and Literary Scene. Plus, Books Every Madisonian Needs

The Wisconsin Book Festival Fall Celebration kicks off this Thursday. The yearly tradition brings more than 80 authors to Madison for boo...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 11

‘Your City Could Be Better’: A St. Paul Cell Phone Ban Teens Might Actually Like — Presented By City Cast Madison

Another Madison school year has begun — how are cell phones being handled? In Minnesota, one high school is demonstrating that a strict n...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 9

Police Monitor Drama, More Parents Say No to Laptops, and Little Free DVD Library

This week, a Madison Alder made a motion for the Common Council to consider terminating the city’s contract with Interim Independent Poli...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 8

Madison Restaurant News, Wage Gap for Latina Workers, and Nobel Prize Winner at UW

Today is Latina Equal Pay Day, which marks, on average, when in the year a working Latina woman has earned as much as a white, non-Hispan...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 7

How the State Is Failing Disabled Wisconsinites

More than 7,000 disabled Wisconsinites are waiting for help navigating the state’s employment development program due to funding cuts. Ci...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 6

Alders’ Group Chat Raises Eyebrows, Young Blood Taps Out at Northstreet, and Go Brewers!

Why were a dozen Madison city council members in a Signal group chat? Madison 365’s Rob Chappell broke the story last week, and on today’...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 5

Madison’s Newest Alt Publication. Plus, Will Body Cams Prevent Police Violence?

The Yahara Flyer is a new single-sheet monthly publication in Madison from the co-founder of the now-defunct news website Tone Madison. S...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art
October 4

‘Your City Could Be Better’: This Basketball Court Is Saving Residents From Floods — Presented By City Cast Madison

When Madison looks for inspiration for the future, does it look to the Netherlands? That’s what designers and officials in New York City...

City Cast Madison podcast episode art