It’s supposed to be the owl of wisdom dramatically bestowing books, and hence learning, upon humanity. Instead, the decoration atop the Harold Washington Public Library Center is simply scary. Squint, and you’ll see a scaly, beady-eyed creature presiding over the scene, keeping a watchful eye out for miscreants and deterring any Chicagoan with a foolish impulse to read.
I warped this photo a teeny bit.
