John Speck Memorial Library

Did you know that the John Speck Memorial Library consists of one the nation's largest collections of climbing guides, mountaineering books and historical materials? It also contains the Club’s history which includes a photo archive, newsletters dating back to 1945 and many historical year books and trip reports through the years.

We are now happy to report that the Library’s hours are being expanded and integrated with a CMC Saturday Morning Climbing Meet Up at First Ascent in Arlington Heights. Beginning Saturday, March 7, 2026 the Library will be open from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM on Saturday mornings (exception being weekends when there is a Club outing). Come join fellow CMC Club members, enjoy each other’s company and browse through the John Speck Memorial Library.

The library is also open the last Sunday of each month from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. 

CMC Members are allowed to checkout books from the library. A required patron account will be created at the Library and takes only minutes. The CMC Library Catalog is online and can be browsed HERE.

Another way to get involved in the Club and its administration is to volunteer at the Library. If interested, reach out to Club Librarian Ron Eberle @ librarian@chicagomountaineeringclub.org. Library assistants help run the library, process returns, organize the collection, and improve the online catalog. We are also investigating hours during the week as well. 

The library is located inside First Ascent Climbing Gym, 701 Rohlwing Road, Arlington Heights, IL 60005. For all inquiries, please contact the CMC Librarian at librarian@chicagomountaineeringclub.org.