Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – April 19, 2016

Attention: This post is over 2 years old and the information may be out of date.Attention: This post is over 2 years old and the information may be out of date.

AGENDA

Tuesday, April 19, 2016, 9:00 a.m.

Bezazian Branch

1226 W. Ainslie Street

 

  1. Welcome and History of Bezazian branch (info only)
  2. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on March 15, 2016 (action required)
  3. Schedule of Requisitions, Contracts and Licenses (info only)
  4. Kelly Fund Investment Allocation (action required)
  5. CPL Capital Projects and Facilities Report (info only)
  6. Commissioner’s Report (info only)
    • 2nd Quarter Priority Projects
    • Special Report: YOUmedia
    • Connect Chicago
    • ChiTeen Lit Fest
    • ASID
  7. Chicago Public Library Foundation Report (info only)
  8. Other Business
  9. Public Comment

 

Next Board meeting:

Tuesday, May 17, 2016, 9:00 a.m.

Harold Washington Library Center

400 S. State Street

Lower Level Multi-Purpose Room

 

 

 

Open Session Minutes

Physically Present:

Linda Johnson Rice, Christopher Valenti, Josephine Gomez, Jodi Block

Present by Means of Video or Audio Conference:

None

Absent:

Chaka Patterson, Barbara Bowman, Lynn Lockwood, Denise Gardner

 

Welcome and History of Bezazian branch (info only)

Mark Kaplan, Branch Manager welcomed the Board to the Harold A. Bezazian branch. It was named in honor of an Uptown resident who died fighting to liberate the Philippines during the Second World War. The branch serves the Edgewater and Uptown communities and displays collections that reflect the neighborhood’s ethnic diversity. Bezazian branch features Russian and Chinese-language materials, Citizenship Corner, a CyberNavigator, Homework help and also has a community meeting room that holds up to 60 people.

Approval of the minutes (action required)

Due to lack of a quorum, the minutes of the regular meeting on March 15, 2016 were not approved.

Schedule of Requisitions, Contracts and Licenses (info only)

Maria Kellner-Ligammari, Director of Procurement, presented the quarterly report on contacts and purchases made for magazines, books, databases, periodicals and articles of educational and instructional nature. For this quarter (Jan 1 - Mar 31, 2016) a total of 1113 invoices were paid totaling $2,686,339.47 to various vendors.

Kelly Fund Investment Allocation (action required)

Timothy Schlindwein of Schlindwein and Associates gave an investment review of the Chicago Public Library Kelly Fund. At this time, there are no recommended changes to the investment allocation and no action for the Board to approve.

CPL Capital Projects and Facilities Report (info only)

Andrea Telli, Assistant Commissioner of Neighborhood Services, presented the Board with updates on the Independence branch, major maintenance/repair projects and projects in planning:

Updates

  • Independence – Branch contents are currently being cleaned and treated J.C. Restoration Inc.; the claims process for artwork that was on display at the time of the fire is nearing completion; the landlord has begun his process to make repairs to the building’s structure and 2FM is currently negotiating a new lease with the landlord; the branch is expected to reopen in Q1 2017.
  • Maintenance/Repair Projects
    • Legler – Phase 1: Entry stair rehabilitation project - notice to proceed was given to JOC on February 26th for the entry stair rehabilitation project, substantial completion anticipated for July 2016. Phase 2: window restoration and replacement of the front doors; upgraded toilet rooms for ADA compliance; LED lighting in historic atrium laylight; roof replacement, masonry and parapet repairs.
    • Sulzer – Scope: complete masonry façade repair work on 100% of the building elevations; demolish existing roofing system down to metal decking and install new two-ply modified bitumen roofing system; install new heavy gauge aluminum gutters; install new skylight in broken frames to match existing. Current activity: masonry repair work has begun in the rear of the building. Upcoming activity: fire alarm work on interior to begin by end of April, contingent on permit; mechanical and elevator work to begin in May due to long lead materials. ** Correction from January 19th Board meeting: repairs are being funded through the Western Avenue North TIF ($5mil)

Projects in Planning

  • Early Learning Areas – final design meetings and cost estimations for the early learning spaces at Little Village and West Pullman are in progress; PBC has solicited bids from JOC contractors using their Bid safe program; anticipated completion Summer, 2016. Early learning spaces at the remaining 15 branches and HWLC Thomas Hughes are being designed by Gensler; architects of record (to execute the program and vision) include Studio ARQ and Onyx; design kick-off to be forth-coming; PBC is in the process of prequalifying contractors for the sites; phased through 2017.
  • Whitney Young – Scope: repurpose and expand existing building for a new and larger library; the new library could include an early childhood area for children, YOUmedia digital lab for teens, computer commons, additional seating, new state of the art furniture and equipment, additional meeting and study spaces and refreshed collections; budget approx. $5 mil for construction and $1mil for interior remediation. Press announcement occurred on April 18th with Mayor Emanuel, Ald. Sawyer and Commissioner Bannon; CPL has engaged PBC to begin the design and development process for the new library.
  • Woodson – Scope: new terra cotta façade with metal panels in the rear of the building with matching color; new energy efficient and insulated windows, exterior doors and entrance with automatic push pads for accessibility; new curtain wall which will bring natural daylighting into lobby and 2nd floor; film with digital images applied on glass on south and southeast elevations; new energy efficient and insulated roof; new modern interior and exterior security cameras; renovation and modification to the lobby and monumental stairway; construction of two new 2nd floor study rooms. Estimated project timeline: Bid advertised on March 4th; Pre-bid conference held at Woodson on March 14th; site visit conducted on March 22nd; Bid opens on May 1st; Contract will be awarded 3Q 2016; construction begins depending on long lead materials 4Q 2016/1Q 2017.

Commissioner’s Report (info only)

Commissioner Bannon informed the Board of the priority projects that were completed in Quarter 1 and the new priority projects for Quarter 2 which include:

Completed projects in Q1:

  • Douglass Branch Upgrades
  • Above and Beyond Launch and Installation
  • Launch Digital Literacy Curriculum
  • Harold Washington Library Master Plan
  • CPL Brand Book
  • Fine Amnesty

New projects in Q2:

  • On the Table

Director of Teen Services, Jeremy Dunn and the staff from YOUmedia updated the Board on programs and activities that are happening in YOUmedia locations across the city. YOUmedia opened at the Harold Washington Library Center in 2009 as the first space dedicated to teens at CPL. Since its conception, the department has developed 21st century digital learning spaces for teens at 12 CPL locations. The YOUmedia staff creates program design using the connected learning model: interest powered; production-centered; peer-supported; shared purpose; academically oriented; and openly networked. Most recently YOUmedia teens participated in the ChiTeen Lit Fest, a two-day festival that presented teens with excellent networking opportunities, and a chance to query headlining authors and artists in a fun, social atmosphere. They also host monthly Open Mic sets that showcases teen’s talents and brings in an average of 200 teens to watch.

Commissioner Bannon also announced:

  • On Sat, April 16th, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and a coalition of public and private partners launched Connect    Chicago, an initiative that will expand digital access and training resources across the city of Chicago.
  • All Chicago Public Library locations will be closed on Wed, May 4th, 2016 for All Staff Institute Day.

Chicago Public Library Foundation Report (info only)

Rhona Frazin, Chicago Public Library Foundation President and CEO, shared the following recent activity:

    • On May 25, Alice Walker, will receive the Carl Sandburg Award and will appear in conversation with CPL Board President Linda Johnson Rice, who is co-chairing the evening with Foundation Director Graham Grady.
    • On October 26, when the Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner will once again be presented, this year’s honoree for nonfiction is Erik Larson and Scott Turow will be presented with the award for Fiction. Both will appear in conversation with NPR Weekend Edition host and author Scott Simon. The 21st Century Award will be presented to Chicago-based short story writer Amina Gautier.
    • The Chicago Public Library Foundation Junior Board sponsored the “Night in the Stacks” event, celebrating all things “Made in Chicago. The evening grossed nearly $176,000 a 28% increase from last year’s gross revenue of $126,000
    • The Chicago Public Library Foundation recently received nearly $19,000 from The Hive for YOUmedia; $20,000 from Cubs Care for the Summer Learning Challenge and $10,000 from the Peggy and Steve Fossett Foundation.

Other Business

None

Public Comment

None

Next Board Meeting

The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at 9:00 a.m. at the Harold Washington Library Center.

 

 

Commissioner’s Report

Guests: Jeremy Dunn, Director of Teen Services & the YOUmedia Team

2nd Quarter Priority Projects

Completed projects in Q1:

  • Douglass Branch Upgrades
  • Above and Beyond Launch and Installation
  • Launch Digital Literacy Curriculum
  • Harold Washington Library Master Plan
  • CPL Brand Book
  • Fine Amnesty

New projects in Q2:

  • On the Table

Connect Chicago

On Sat, April 16th, Mayor Rahm Emanuel and a coalition of public and private partners launched Connect Chicago — a civic leadership initiative to make Chicago the most skilled and connected digital city in America.

Connect Chicago will expand digital access and training resources across the city by expanding evidence-based programs in partnership with trusted institutions with a history of serving low-income Chicagoans. Initial investments announced include the citywide expansion of the Chicago Public Library’s CyberNavigator program, which provides computer tutors who help provide access to information resources for adults and youth. The expansion will take CyberNavigators from 48 public library branches to nearly all of the 80 branches across the city, creating an additional 350-400 new training hours per week across Chicago.

Connect Chicago will also fund the integration of digital skills training into Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), Chicago Financial Opportunity Centers’ programming. Under this investment, LISC Chicago projects to train 1,000 more residents in digital skills during 2016 – 50 percent more than their current capacity. In 2011, LISC Chicago found that patrons who participated in digital skill training alongside other support services at financial opportunity centers were 50 percent more likely to get a job than those that didn’t.

Connect Chicago brings together the public and private sectors to focus on neighborhood economic development. Private sector partners include Cisco, Clarity Partners, Comcast, Get IN Chicago, Gogo, The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Microsoft, Motorola Mobility Foundation, The Otho S.A. Sprague Memorial Institute, and Sprint. Over the next three years, Connect Chicago aims to raise at least $10 million to strengthen Chicago’s digital foundations and expand this network of programming.

ChiTeen Lit Fest

Chicago-area teenagers, ages 13-19, were invited to join together for the first-ever ChiTeen Lit Fest, on April 15th and 16th, 2016. Chicago Public Library partnered with Columbia College Chicago to launch the city’s first-ever literature festival “for teens and by teens”. The festival was held at two locations, including the Harold Washington Library and Columbia College Chicago with appearances by Grammy, Oscar, and Golden Globe winner Che “Rhymefest” Smith; acclaimed poet and novelist Erika L. Sanchez; award-winning playwright and actress Nambi E. Kelley; and award-winning novelist and essayist Ben Tanzer. The program also included workshops with festival headliners and activities, such as “Got It Covered: Publishing Your Work,” “8Bit Lit: Storytelling in Gaming,” and “Power to the People: Social Justice in Writing”.

The two-day festival began with a kick-off party on April 15th which presented teens with excellent networking opportunities, and a chance to query headlining authors and artists in a fun, social atmosphere.

Developed and managed by Teen Advisory and Marketing Committees, the ChiTeen Lit Fest aimed to provide a safe and creative space for young adults to unlock and discover their unique voices through the literary arts. The event brought together young people from across Chicago to celebrate their talents as they expressed themselves through exceptional and authentic art forms.

The ChiTeen Lit Fest was presented through a cohesive partnership with Chicago Public Library, Columbia College Chicago, After School Matters, Poetry Foundation, Center for College Access and Success, UIC College of Education, and Kuumba Lynx. Support for the event was provided through the Chicago Public Library Foundation and the Hive Chicago Fund for Connected Learning at the Chicago Community Trust.

Announcement

All Chicago Public Library locations will be closed on Wed, May 4th, 2016 for All Staff Institute Day.

 

Chicago Public Library Foundation Report

The Board and Staff of the Chicago Public Library Foundation are pleased to share recent activity with the Chicago Public Library Board.

Last week, the Foundation and the Library announced the winners of this year’s Carl Sandburg Literary Awards. At 6 p.m. on May 25, Alice Walker, Pulitzer Prize winning author of The Color Purple and many other works of poetry, fiction and non-fiction will receive the Sandburg Award in a special, free, ticketed public event in the Winter Garden of the Harold Washington Library. Ms. Walker will appear in conversation with CPL Board President Linda Johnson Rice, who is co-chairing the evening with Foundation Director Graham Grady.

The festivities continue on October 26, when the Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner will once again be presented in the Forum at the University of Illinois-Chicago. This year’s honoree for nonfiction is Erik Larson, author of bestselling works including: Devil in the White City, In the Garden of Beasts and Dead Wake. Scott Turow, author of many popular legal thrillers including Presumed Innocent, Innocent and Identical will be presented with the award for Fiction. Both will appear in conversation with NPR Weekend Edition Host and Author, Chicago native Scott Simon.

The 21st Century Award will be presented to Chicago-based short story writer Amina Gautier. Ms. Gautier is the author of three prize-winning collections titled: Now We Will Be Happy, At-Risk, and The Loss of All Lost Things.

The Dinner will be co-chaired by two wonderful Foundation Directors Dave Casper, President & CEO of BMO Harris Bank and Wendy Berger, CEO of WBS Equities. As always one of the highlights of the Dinner will be an author with ties to Chicago seated at every table. Presenting Sponsor of the Dinner is BMO Harris Bank. Early commitments as Lead Sponsors have come from Rolex and Advanced Resources. Please mark your calendars to be with us on May 25 and October 26.

We are also pleased to report that a sold out crowd of young business and civic leaders filled the Winter Garden on April 6 for a festive evening of Night in the Stacks, celebrating all things “Made in Chicago. Sponsored by the Foundation’s Junior Board. The evening grossed nearly $176,000—a whopping increase of 28% over last year’s gross revenue of $126,000. Thanks to Commissioner Bannon and members of his team, Board President Linda Johnson Rice and the Corporate and Private Events staff for their help in making this a fun and memorable evening.

Finally, as we wait for word on a number of grant proposals now pending with funders, I am happy to share with you recent gifts to the Foundation of nearly $19,000 from The Hive for YOUmedia; $20,000 from Cubs Care for the Summer Learning Challenge and $10,000 from the Peggy and Steve Fossett Foundation.