Williams Science Center

Tucked away within Chicago State University, the Williams Science Center isn’t just another building. It holds a hidden gem, a treasure trove of environmental knowledge. This is the home of the Calumet Environmental Resource Center, or CERC for short. Williams Science Center, specifically room 208, houses this unique library and meeting place. CERC was born in 1991. It was a collaborative effort between Chicago State University’s Fredrick Blum Neighborhood Assistance Center, the Center for Neighborhood Technology, and the Chicago Legal Clinic. The Williams Science Center became the hub for understanding and addressing environmental challenges in the Calumet Region. Think of CERC as a giant repository of information. It’s a place where residents, government officials, and environmental organizations converge. They come to learn, to connect, and to find solutions to pressing environmental concerns. Within the Williams Science Center’s walls, CERC houses over 3,000 reports, documents, maps, photographs, and other resources. This collection focuses specifically on the Calumet region, covering southeastern Chicago, Cook County, and northwestern Indiana. It’s a comprehensive archive. It holds government documents, industry profiles, and scientific research papers. These resources offer valuable insights into past pollution and current toxic hazards. This knowledge empowers community groups. It helps them formulate effective strategies to tackle local environmental issues. If you plan to visit, remember Michael Siola. He’s the research specialist in charge of the collection at the Williams Science Center. CERC is open by appointment, Monday through Friday, so it’s always a good idea to call ahead. This allows them to coordinate your research and ensure you have the best possible experience within the Williams Science Center.