Shanlie Ann Stead says she’s had a lifelong love of libraries and, as she recollects it, she personally experienced how far that love could go — straight from a library to her own apartment’s walls. She tells a story of being at the Waukegan library several years ago and noticing stacks of paintings. She says she perked up when a passing librarian said “‘You know, you can check those out.’”

Shanlie took the library up on the offer. She couldn't help but wonder what other treasures area libraries offer up for the check-out. Reporter Tanveer Ali did some digging in the stacks.

For the full story complete with area librarian glamour shots, visit: http://www.wbez.org/series/curious-city/libraries-beyond-books-108170