On Wednesday, May 13 , a formal announcement confirmed what had been rumored for several weeks:  that the Obama Presidential Library will definitely be coming to Chicago, and will be located near the University of Chicago, either in the Washington Park or Jackson Park.

This library will bring hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars to the city and have a significant economic impact on whichever  neighborhood finally is selected.  Along with the economic impact, the library is likely to lead to improved security for the area and to raise the profile of a community that long has been neglected.

Construction on the library will not begin until the end of the Obama presidency, meaning it is not scheduled to open until perhaps 2021.  Nevertheless, when completed, it will be the first presidential library to be located in an urban setting, and will be able to connect with academic institutions around Chicago, including Mount Carmel. With Chicago being a racially diverse city, the Obama Library has the opportunity to bring more people together and broaden connections between various groups.

Mount Carmel Student Council President Jeremiah Hilliard, who lives in the immediate neighborhood, feels the library is a good investment for the city and will be beneficial for all residents of the area. “It’s not just a library, but I see it as a monument of history for our first black president and a way for our community to get together.”

Senior Kaleb Ware, another resident of Hyde Park, can’t wait to see the library built. “I want to find out where it’ll be so one day I can see what all the talk is about.”