City Cast Portland logo
May 31, 2026

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

City Cast Portland

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

00:00:00
View all City Cast Portland episodes

Where would Portland 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 Portland

Stay connected to City Cast Portland and get ready to join the local conversation.

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

Latest Episodes

See all
May 29

Controversial Arts Tax Goes up, Progressive City Councilor Accused of Discrimination, and Budget Drama Continues

Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about our city's arts tax increasing for the first time in over a decade, a discrimination com...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
May 28

Possible State Ban on Fishing and Hunting? Plus, Renaming Cesar Chavez Blvd and Mailbag!

We’re talking about the new name being considered to replace Cesar E. Chavez Boulevard as well as the ballot initiative aiming to ban hun...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
May 27

Oregon’s Push For Universal Healthcare and a Controversial Parks Plan. Plus, Are Portlanders Really Doing OK?

We’re talking about whether Oregon is ready for universal healthcare, what it might take to save the city's parks system, and how Portlan...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
May 26

Portland’s New Italian Delis To Try Right Now, a Moderated Food Fight, and Tiny Home, Big Smell

We're talking about nightmare neighbors, the trend of recent deli and sandwich spots opening up in Portland, plus local food reporters Al...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
May 22

City Budget Amendment Drama, Trump’s Impact on the Governor’s Race, and Opera Meets Women's Soccer

We're talking about Portland City Council battling it out over the budget, and what's to come in November now that the primary election i...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
May 21

Who Wins Summer in the USA? Portland Makes Its Case

City Cast Twin Cities host Sean McPherson hosts this showdown where 12 City Cast reps, including City Cast Portland host Claudia Meza, co...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
May 20

Pearl District Bar Asks for More Police, Housing Leadership Shakeup, and Is Powell’s Selling ‘AI Slop’?

Today we're talking about what a shooting at a Pearl District bar reveals about security in the central part of our city, the ever-changi...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
May 19

Controversial Homeless Provider on the Chopping Block, Primary Procrastinators’ Guide, and Mailbag

It's primary election day! We're talking about the Metro Council races, as well as a proposed city budget amendment that would stop fundi...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
May 18

Primary Election Predictions, Multnomah Judge Ballot Battle, and an Alberta St. Food Crawl

Today on City Cast Portland, we're talking about the primary election: the governor’s race, the gas tax repeal vote, and possibly the mos...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art
May 17

'Your City Could Be Better': Do DC’s Hated Traffic Cameras Really Make the City Safer? — Presented By City Cast Portland

Would Portland be safer if there were more automated traffic cameras? In 2025, Washington, DC, brought in nearly $270 million from more t...

City Cast Portland podcast episode art