Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – December 18, 2018

Attention: This post is over 2 years old and the information may be out of date.Attention: This post is over 2 years old and the information may be out of date.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

December 18, 2018, 9:00a.m.

Harold Washington Library Center

400 S. State Street

Lower Level, Multi-Purpose Room

  1. Approval of minutes for the October 16, 2018 and November 20, 2018 meetings (action required)
  2. 2019 Kelly Fund Budget (action required)
  3. 2019 Board of Directors Meeting Schedule (action required)
  4. CPL Capital Projects and Facilities Report (info only)
  5. Commissioner’s Report (info only)
    • 2018 Key Accomplishments and Look Ahead
  6. Other Business
  7. Public Comment

Next Board meeting:

January 15, 2019, 9:00am

Harold Washington Library Center

400 S. State Street

Lower Level, Multi-Purpose Room

 

Open Session Minutes

Physically Present: Linda Johnson Rice, Christopher Valenti, Lynn Lockwood, Jodi Block, Barbara Bowman, Patricia Gaytan Perez, Dominique Jordan Turner, Alexi Giannoulias, Ivy Walker

Present by Means of Video or Audio Conference: None

Absent: None

 

Approval of minutes (action required)

The Board voted (9-0) to approve the minutes for the October 16, 2018 and November 20, 2018 meetings.

 

2019 Kelly Fund Budget (action required)

Deputy Commissioner Roberson presented a budget request of $100,000 from the Kelly Fund. The Kelly Fund is an endowment that is managed by the Chicago Public Library Board of Directors and is comprised of individual gifts that have been given to the Library. The requested funds will be allocated for professional development for staff, All Staff Institute Day and special programs and events such as the annual Cindy Pritzker Lecture. An increase in the requested amount from previous years will allow for more robust trainings for staff and added support for the annual Cindy Pritzker Lecture.

The Board voted (9-0) to approve the 2019 Kelly Fund budget request. 

 

2019 Board of Directors Meeting Schedule (action required)

Commissioner Bannon presented the 2019 CPL Board of Directors meeting schedule as follows:

  • January 15, 9:00am, Harold Washington Library Center, 400 S. State Street
  • September 17, 9:00am, Independence Branch, 4022 N. Elston Avenue
  • April 16, 9:00am, Whitney Young Branch, 7901 S. King Drive
  • November 19, 9:00am, West Loop, 122 N. Aberdeen Street

The Board voted (9-0) to approve the 2019 CPL Board of Directors meeting schedule.

 

CPL Capital Projects and Facilities Report (info only)

Andrea Telli, Assistant Commissioner of Neighborhood Services presented the following CPL capital projects:

Now Open

Chicago Bee - Project Scope: full renovation and reconfiguration of first floor to include an Early Learning Play Space and YOUmedia; relocation and expansion of adult reading room and community room; repairs to envelope and parking lot; upgrades to mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems; new flooring, paint, ceiling tile, lighting, and furniture, installation of additional power and data. Milestones and Current Activity: project is now complete, branch re-opened to the public with a ribbon-cutting event on December 4, and a community celebration/family day on December 15.

Active Projects

Whitney Young – Project Scope: renovation and addition to existing library. Milestones and current activity: project is 99% complete, commissioning still in progress; punch list issued December 3 with anticipated completion in January 2019; Library furniture has been installed with equipment to follow in the next week; staff is working on opening preparation activities including programming and outreach; the branch is expected to open in early January.

West Loop Branch - Developer: Sterling Bay, proposed 17,000 sq. foot library in an existing office building, Design architect: Skidmore, Owings & Merrill. Milestones and current activity: interior construction is complete; interior and exterior graphics are complete; exterior metal façade installation is nearing completion with steel portal and first floor window replacement to follow; Library move-in and commissioning is nearing completion; branch opening is scheduled for early January.

Independence Branch - Developer: Evergreen Real Estate Group, new construction 16,000 square foot public library building in a planned development with 44 senior housing units, Design Architect: John Ronan. Milestones and current activity: building is 80% complete with the contractor working on the terrace, curtain wall and metal wrap; the tribune staircase, drywall, painting and radiant ceiling panels are in progress; turnover dates for 2FM was December 10, with the opening day collection scheduled for delivery on December 18; selected furniture has been delivered with the bulk of the furniture to be delivered on January 19; branch staff will begin opening preparations on December 26; the library is currently scheduled to open the fourth week of January.

Little Italy (previously named Roosevelt) - Developer: Related Midwest, new construction 16,000 square foot branch library in a planned development with 73 multi-family housing units, Design Architect: Skidmore Owings & Merrill. Milestone and current activity: the building is 77% complete; site concrete work continues at the north sidewalk, aprons and asphalt paving in process; the trees on the south walk trees are planted with the east and north trees to follow; interior tile in the library is complete with drywall and taping nearly finished; the final library ceiling work has begun; last day of service at the existing branch was December 1, and branch staff are packing for the move to the new location; opening day book collection will be delivered on December 19 and the branch staff will begin opening preparations at the new location on December 26; the library is currently scheduled to open the fourth week of January.

Northtown Branch - Developer: Evergreen Real Estate Group, new construction 16,000 square foot public library building in a planned development with 44 senior housing units, Design Architect: Perkins + Will. Milestones and current activity: building is currently 66% complete with the curtain wall, roofing, framing, and HVAC in progress; 2FM installation of low voltage is scheduled for January 16, with the library IT to follow; the opening day collection has been scheduled for delivery on January 23, with the bulk of furniture delivery occurring on February 12; last day of service at the existing location was December 15, and branch staff are now packing for their move; staff are expected to begin opening preparations at the new location on January 18 for an opening the third week of February.

Douglass – Project Scope to Include: exterior masonry repairs and new energy efficient roof; build-outs of an Early Learning Play Space and teen area; new flooring and paint throughout; new Circulation Desk and installation of additional power and data; upgrades to community room and staff work areas. Milestones & current activity: CPL is working on a finishes and furniture plan for the library; abatement has begun; construction is expected to last 6-8 months with the branch scheduled to reopen in late 2019.

Jefferson Park – Project Scope: Scope is currently in development but includes refresh and possible reconfiguration of public areas, upgraded circulation desk, installation of additional power and data, paint and flooring. Milestones and current activity: designs are in progress with CPL and 2FM; the library is currently scheduled to close January 19 and we are working with Alderman Arena on scheduling a community meeting; construction will begin in late February and will last approximately 6-8 months; the branch is scheduled to reopen in late 2019.

South Shore – Project Scope: Full renovation with addition of early learning and teen spaces; project scope includes envelope repairs incorporating roof, windows and doors, repairs to elevator, interior doors, replacement of interior stair case, upgraded circulation desk, new lighting, flooring and paint throughout. Milestones and Current activity: designs are in progress with CPL and 2FM; the library is currently scheduled to close January 26 and we are working with Alderman Mitchell on scheduling a community meeting; construction will begin in late February and will last approximately 8 months; the branch is scheduled to reopen in late 2019.

Merlo – Project Scope: Full gut renovation with addition of Early Learning and Teen spaces. Milestones and current activity: weekly design meetings continue with the PBC and architects; 60% construction documents have been released and survey, environmental reno/demo and geotech services are underway; the branch will close to the public on February 27, 2019 with construction to begin on April. 4; project completion anticipated in early 2020.

Altgeld - CHA project management: Site to combine a CPL library branch with an early childhood center, Design Architect: Koo & Associates. Milestones and Current Activity: Site prep-work continues; geothermal wells have been installed; the furniture plan has been finalized; CHA continues to work with the New Market Tax Credit consultant on securing funding for the library portion of the project; project is scheduled to be complete in late 2019.

Obama Presidential Center Branch – (No change) Project Scope: proposed 5,000 sq. foot branch library on the Obama Presidential Center campus; Design architects are Tod Williams and Billie Tsien. Milestones and Current Activity: project is in design development and regular meetings are now being held between the OPC staff and CPL.

Other Projects

2FM’s CARE program – Select CPL locations will be undergoing 2FM’s CARE program: “Clean and Repair Everything.” These projects include in depth seasonal and deferred maintenance, carpet replacement or cleaning, paint and a general refresh of the facility on the part of CPL and 2FM staff. Projects will require short term closures of 4 to 6 weeks and will take place between September 2018 and January 2019. Milestones and Current Activity: West Belmont branch is currently closed and will reopen on 1/14/19; West Town branch currently closed and will reopen on 1/2/19; Uptown branch closed 12/17 for replacement of carpet throughout, will reopen 1/14/19; Austin branch will close 1/2/19 for front door/window replacement and entry vestibule lighting installation.

Harold Washington Library Center – CPL will be working on the relocation and redevelopment of a number of service areas including Circulation, Computer Commons, Newspapers & General Periodicals, Assistive Services, and Materials Movement in the coming months. Milestones and Current activity: removal of obsolete and unused card catalog cabinets on the 8th floor to make room for the relocation of the HWLC Design/Build models. 

Commissioner’s Report (info only)

Commissioner Bannon provided a year-end review of CPL’s investments in people, programs and new expansions. Highlights included:

  • several branches opening in 2019 including 3 new co-located libraries with housing in partnership with the Chicago Public Housing Authority, along with CPL’s 82nd branch coming soon in the Obama Presidential Center;
  • 2018 Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge had record attendance of over 110,000 children reading more than 108 million minutes;
  • more than 9.7 million items were circulated through November 2018;
  • an increase in participation in CPL’s Homework Help program, which continues to be the largest, most comprehensive free program of its kind in the nation;
  • CPL’s STEAM team became the first library in the nation to offer early literacy programming in laundromats;
  • CPL also launched a Social Worker in the Library pilot in partnership with AMITA Health to provide licensed social workers in branch libraries;
  • Two new digital collections were added to the CPL website, Chicago Park District Records and Philip David Sang Collection; in addition to receiving the cataloged Charlie Trotter Archives;
  • CPL’s One Book, One Chicago selection I’ll Take You There: Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers, and the Music That Shaped the Civil Rights Era by Greg Kot, engaged nearly 56,000 Chicagoans and the book circulated approximately 5,861 times during the program; and
  • The YOUmedia program will expand to 11 additional branches, this expansion brings the total to 23 free digital media labs around the city for teens. 

Other Business

None

Public Comment

The Board addressed comments from the audience regarding concerns at the Richard J. Daley branch and Water Works branch and excitement surrounding the opening of the Independence branch.

Next Board Meeting

The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 9:00 a.m. at the Harold Washington Library Center located at 400 S. State Street.

 

Commissioner’s Report

2018 Year End Review

With 80 locations across the city, CPL is an innovative and inclusive library system for all ages, with universal access, world-class programs, and design excellence. This commitment to excellence, and our responsiveness to evolving patron needs, have resulted in demonstrable impact – increasing literacy, bridging the digital divide, and creating spaces for children, youth and families to play and learn side by side who advance the mission of reading, learning and knowledge. We remain an anchor in our communities and serve our patrons effectively.

As we round out the year, it is our investments in capital that have elevated our service delivery to our communities. During Mayor Emanuel’s tenure, CPL has driven one of the largest capital investments in recent history. Through city investment and innovative partnerships, the Library has seen $275 million of new capital projects. Capital investments have included building improvements and branch expansions that enrich communities throughout Chicago.

Truly unique partnerships were created between CPL and other city agencies, like with Chicago Housing Authority. This year, we’ve developed three co-located library and housing projects in Irving Park, West Ridge and the Near North Side set to open in January 2019, designed by world renowned architects. These buildings will serve as beacons of design excellence across Chicago’s communities.

CPL’s dedication to design excellence extends beyond the buildings. Investments in people and programs has allowed us to lead the way locally, nationally and globally, as a 21st-century center of learning. CPL circulates over 10 million items per year and provide state of the art digital content for download and streaming. Chicago Public Library also:

  • Is the biggest provider of free digital access in the city;
  • Provides 24/7 access to library services through the CPL website and apps for android and Apple devices where patrons can read eBooks and magazines and listen to audiobooks; get homework assistance; learn new languages and stream movies, TV and music.
  • Offers the largest, most comprehensive free after-school homework help program in the country, with both in-person and online options;
  • Provides one-on-one support and digital tools aimed at helping people improve computer skills, as well as prepare for the workforce and apply for jobs;
  • Is the largest provider of preschool literacy programs in the city.

Branching Out: Building Libraries, Building Communities in 2018

The Library continues to invest in Chicago neighborhoods. CPL announced, broke ground or cut ribbons on multiple modernization and infrastructure projects at neighborhood branches in 2018. All new libraries include Early Learning Play Spaces, YOUmedia for teens, technology, and additional meeting and study space. Key Branching Out milestones in 2018 include the following:

  • Construction is wrapping up on three new co-located libraries with housing in partnership with the Chicago Housing Authority under the community benefits agreement to build public libraries and affordable housing together, designed by world-class architects. Opening in early 2019 are:
    • A new 16,000 square foot Independence Branch, co-located with 44 senior housing units in a new planned development at 4022 N. Elston, designed by John Ronan Architects.
    • A new 16,000 square foot Little Italy Branch, co-located with 73 multi-family housing units at 1328 W. Taylor Street, designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merill.
    • A new 16,000 square foot Northtown Branch, co-located with 44 units of senior housing in a new planned development at 6800 N. Western designed by Perkins + Will.
  • In December, CPL will open a new 17,000 square foot 21st Century library branch will open in the West Loop to serve the fastest growing neighborhood in Chicago. This will be CPL’s 81st location.
  • The Whitney Young Branch in Chatham will reopened in December after a complete renovation to the existing 10,210 square foot, one-story building, as well as a new 4,172 square foot addition. This project has new programmatic elements linked to the Chatham economic development and jobs, in collaboration with the Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership.
  • CPL reopened both the north and south regional libraries this year after significant renovations and announced that, for the first time since the 1970s, CPL will open a new West Side Regional Library.
    • South Regional: The $8.9 million Woodson project, which was funded through a state construction grant and managed by Fleet & Facilities Management, included an entire removal and replacement of the exterior shell of the building.
    • North Regional: The $7.5 million Sulzer renovation project, also managed by 2FM, was funded through the Western Avenue North TIF.
    • West Side Regional: The Legler branch library will begin offering 7 day services in 2019
  • CPL and the Obama Foundation announced via joint letter of agreement with the Obama Foundation that a new public library branch will be located in the future Obama Presidential Center. This new service point will serve as CPL’s 82nd library and neighborhood anchor and the first in the nation to be housed within a presidential center.
  • CPL has worked with the Department of Fleet & Facilities Management on significant neighborhood branch renovations and programmatic investments at multiple locations, including the Chicago Bee Branch ($2.32 million) in Bronzeville, the Kelly Branch ($1.95 million), and the Austin Branch ($1.5 million).

The following is an overview of the Library’s 2018 operations:

  • 2018 Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge participation was at an all-time high. Over 110,000 kids read more than 108 million minutes over the summer, representing a 19% increase in minutes read over 2017.
  • During the 2017-2018 academic year, CPL delivered over 118,000 Homework Help sessions with certified teachers, including in-person help, live online assistance, Test Prep sessions, and writing lab submissions.
  • During the first ten months of 2018, nearly 7.2 million patrons visited a Chicago Public Library location to use computers, seek reference assistance, check out materials, attend an author program, take part in a children’s program, attend a workshop, view an exhibit, or simply find a quiet place to read or study.
  • The Library’s website received over 43.3 million page views and over 9.9 million visits through November 2018, offering patrons 24/7 access not only to the catalog and rich online account services, but also to extensive sources of online information through subscription databases and resource and reading recommendations for all ages prepared by CPL librarians.
  • CPL circulated more than 9.7 million items through November 2018.
  • As is the case across the country, the public library is the only access to computers and online information for many residents.
  • Chicago Public Library provided 1.5 million people free access to the computers in the library this year.   
  • The Library provided over 3.3 million free Wi-Fi sessions through all locations in 2018.
  • There are more than one million active library card holders in the city. That’s one-third of all Chicago households.

Below are some of the exciting programmatic initiatives and accomplishments from this year:

  • Participation went up again for CPL’s Homework Help Program, which continues to be the largest, most comprehensive free program of its kind in the nation. The more than 118,000 sessions with certified teachers represents a 90 percent increase over five years, since the program was expanded to branch locations citywide and online tutoring through Brainfuse. A recent Chapin Hall analysis also indicates that CPL is reaching students who are most in need of academic support.
  • Participation and engagement in the award-winning Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge were both at an all-time high, with more than 110,000 children - representing an approximately 83% increase over 6 years - reading a total of 108 million minutes this summer. CPL remains the only public library system in the nation to receive an award from the National Summer Learning Association for excellence in summer learning, and solidifying CPL’s national leadership in summer learning at public libraries. The CPL team and partners at the Museum of Science & Industry released the bestselling book Summer Matters: Making All Learning Count.
  • CPL’s STEAM Team became the first library in the nation to systemically offer early literacy programming in laundromats with Laundromat Story Hours, in partnership with Libraries Without Borders and the Too Small to Fail Foundation.
  • More than 13,000 teens participated in YOUmedia workshops through November 2018, representing a slight increase over the same period the previous year. General attendance at YOUmedia increased by 16% to over 46,000 teens for the same period.
  • CPL launched a Social Worker in the Library pilot in partnership with AMITA Health to provide licensed Social Workers in branch libraries, offering an invaluable service to library patrons with case management and referrals to health care and social services. In just under three months of the pilot, the social worker has worked with 155 patrons, between two branches.
  • CPL’s CyberNavigator program once again served as a reliable resource for Chicago job-seekers. CPL CyberNavigators in neighborhood branches throughout the city have helped at least 1,000 people find new jobs in each of the past two years – and that’s just those who self-reported.
  • Partnered with the Chicago Park District to digitize and make publicly available more than 61,000 photographs from the 19th century to 21st century. This photography collection documents the social and cultural importance of Chicago’s park system.
  • CPL renewed our commitment to our digital collections, launching a redesigned digital collections website to make it easier for our patrons to find thousands of images, documents and artifacts from CPL’s special collections. The updated site is now easy to use on devices of all sizes, including tablets and phones.
  • We also added two new digital collections to the site in 2018:
    • Chicago Park District Records: Photographs: 10,000 photographs from the Chicago Park District document how the city’s parks have grown, changed and been enjoyed for more than a century. Archival collection housed in Special Collections at Harold Washington Library Center.
    • Philip David Sang Collection: Published and unpublished materials chronicle the struggle of Africans and African Americans through the Middle Passage to the civil rights movement. Archival collection housed in Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection at Woodson Regional Library.
  • CPL’s Special Collections Division received and cataloged the Charlie Trotter Archives. The collection was processed and is now open to the public, along with an exhibit at Harold Washington Library through the beginning of 2019. This collection includes photographs, menus, handwritten recipes and drawings by Charlie Trotter as well as artifacts, such as plates from the restaurant. It demonstrates the development of one of Chicago’s major fine dining restaurants and the charitable events, mentoring and educational outreach programs to students and young chefs.
  • CPL created an expanded new Exhibits Unit, focused on a robust series of exhibits at the Harold Washington Library, as well as support for branch exhibitions. This has resulted in a 230% increase in exhibitions to-date this year.
  • From designing, installing and hosting the first ever “African American LitFest” in February to partnering with non-profit organizations and agencies, to Consulate Generals of Japan, Mexico and Lithuania, exhibitions coordinated through the Exhibits Unit have been a true reflection of the literary and cultural diversity of Chicago’s citizenry and library patrons.
  • CPL launched the City’s latest partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository at the Douglass Branch – the Healthy Student Market program. The Food Depository supplies semi-monthly distributions of fresh produce and nutritious groceries for families with children enrolled in city-supported Head Start programming in North Lawndale. This pilot initiative is part of the recently launched Forward Together: A Roadmap to Reduce Food Insecurity across the City of Chicago between the City and the Food Depository.
  • The Library partnered with the Illinois Writing Project on Write Across Chicago, an initiative to encourage writing through workshops, write-ins and programming at CPL libraries, culminating in Grand Celebration at the Harold Washington Library.
  • CPL partnered with Chicago Innovation to co-host the annual Chicago Innovation Summit, engaging hundreds of Chicagoans and providing the first free, public program and expo.
  • CPL’s Maker Lab saw over 50,000 visitors this year. Staff offered 558 programs focusing on making, 3D printing, digital design, laser cutting and more to over 4,000 program participants.
  • CPL’s One Book, One Chicago selection I’ll Take You There: Mavis Staples, the Staple Singers, and the Music That Shaped the Civil Rights Era by Greg Kot, engaged nearly 56,000 Chicagoans on the topic of Music: The Beat of Our City through over 140 programs, events, including walking tours, art exhibits, discussions, music performances and more, to bring people, businesses and civic agencies together to engage with the book and theme during the 2017-2018 season. I’ll Take You There circulated approximately 5,861 times via print book and eBook formats during the program.
  • Chicago Public Library was the largest convener of “On The Table” discussions hosted at library branches citywide in partnership with Chicago Community Trust.
  • CPL’s Authors in the Library Series, the Library presents high profile authors and other civil and cultural events on the mainstage at the Harold Washington Library Center. CPL recently hosted Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor for a discussion of her recent children’s book with 700 people from around Chicago.

CPL will continue to offer the following initiatives and programs in 2019:

  • CPL continues to offer the largest, most comprehensive free homework help program in the country. In-person Teacher in the Library assistance is available at CPL branches throughout the city, as well as online homework help seven days per week in both English and Spanish.
  • CPL has begun a series of parent engagement workshops to encourage parents and caregivers to learn more about issues that pertain to raising their children, such as parent workshops on Early Math skills, the importance of Play and more.
  • The Library’s travelling STEAM team continues to conduct STEAM-based story times to pre-school aged children throughout Chicago. Introducing these skills at a young age will make children more successful and school-ready.
  • CPL continues to participate in the 2018 Art Design Chicago initiative through a program grant awarded to the Chicago Public Library Foundation from the Terra Foundation for YOUmedia teen programming to explore Chicago connections to the practice of printmaking. Teens have created original work and mounted an exhibition that is traveling to various CPL branches.
  • The 2018-2019 One Book, One Chicago selection is Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick. CPL will offer a variety of events and programs, including art exhibits, discussions, performances and more, to bring people, businesses and civic agencies together to engage with the book and theme – Imagine the Future. The program runs through April 2019.
  • Library branches continue to serve as community centers, offering free meeting spaces to neighborhood groups, serving as early voting locations and providing workshops on topics like financial management, legal issues, energy efficiency and computer literacy.
  • CPL’s Maker Lab, the award-winning advanced manufacturing lab, will continue to bring together people of all ages to explore their creative interests and strengthen Chicago’s economic competitiveness and expand to the following locations: Woodson Regional Library, Whitney Young branch, and Altgeld Branch.
  • CPL will continue to offer the award-winning Learning Circles program, and will continue to expand digital skills through the CPL-created online tool, Chicago DigitalLearn, and will develop new content modules to support basic technology skills.
  • CyberNavigators will continue to guide Chicagoans through the digital world and assist with online job search, communication and workforce readiness.
  • Patrons across the city will continue to have access to CPL’s Digital Collections 24/7. Stream movies, music and download ebooks, audiobooks and digital magazines. Learn a new language with Mango Languages, explore Chicago’s history through our digital archives, or listen to interviews with African Americans who have made significant contributions in American life or culture through HistoryMakers – all for free with your CPL card.

Below are some of the exciting new projects and initiatives for 2019:

  • The Library will continue to invest in Chicago’s neighborhoods with new capital projects. By 2019, over $275 million will have been invested in people, programs, technology and spaces throughout the city since 2011, representing one of the largest periods of investment in CPL’s history. The Library is increasingly seen as an essential community anchor in all Chicago neighborhoods. All new libraries will include Early Learning Play Spaces, YOUmedia for teens, technology, and additional meeting and study space.
  • The following branch projects will open in 2019 as the community benefits collaboration continues with the Chicago Housing Authority to combine public libraries, public housing, and strong civic architecture.
    • A new 16,000 square foot Little Italy Branch co-located with 73 multi-family housing units at 1328 W. Taylor Street zoned in PD 896.
    • A new 16,000 square foot Northtown Branch will be co-located with 44 units of senior housing in a new planned development at 6800 N. Western.
    • A new stand-alone Altgeld Branch will be built on a shared campus with a childcare center within the Altgeld Gardens public housing.
  • The Legler Branch Library will be converted into a West Side Regional Library in 2019, providing the west side with a regional hub for the first time since the 1970s. By turning Legler into a regional library, we are ensuring expanded services, enhanced spaces, increased accessibility and resources for the entire West Side community. Legler Regional Library will be a cultural and educational destination for children, youth, families and adults living in all communities on the West Side. Interior and exterior improvements will include the addition of multiple community and study spaces, an increase in collections, and transformative early learning and YOUmedia spaces. It will also include the first ever art studio at CPL and Maker Space for adults.
  • CPL will complete several significant rehabilitation and modernization projects in 2019, including a completely gut rehabbed Merlo Branch Library, as well as completing major rehab projects at the Douglass, South Shore and Jefferson Park Branch Libraries.
  • CPL and the Obama Foundation will complete the design of the new state-of-the-art public library branch, which will serve as Chicago Public Library’s 82nd branch and will be located in the future Obama Presidential Center.
  • The Library will launch a new Workforce Essentials program to connect adult job-seekers with the basic training, and resources needed to find jobs, as well as offering small business resources.
  • Create and staff 15 additional early learning play spaces at Libraries across the City, bringing the total to 40 in 2019. Librarians and partners in these library-based early learning centers will provide research based programs and services to support brain, language and social development, increasing high quality early learning experiences for Chicago’s children while engaging and supporting families as their child’s first teacher.
  • The nationally recognized YOUmedia program, which builds on young people’s interest in technology and creating by connecting teens with skilled mentors to engage them in active learning in a teens-only space, will expand to 11 additional branches. This expansion brings the total to 23 free digital media labs around the city, creating links between students' academic studies, their personal passions, and opportunities to engage with peers who support and share their interests.
  • Ready, Set, Learn: A new strategy for birth-age 8 will focus on early literacy skills for pre and emerging readers, which will align our early childhood offerings to the Center for Childhood Creativity’s School Readiness Checklist. This will include programming and services such as expanded music and movement programs and ‘mini-makers’ programs that are being prototyped in Thomas Hughes Children’s Library in 2018.
  • CPL will unveil a new Information Literacy Campaign focusing on a new strategy to help teach the skills and knowledge to employ an effective use of information retrieval for children K-8. This work is being done in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin-Madison iSchool.

Looking Ahead

Libraries are in a renaissance. The Library means something different to everyone and Chicago Public Library continues to provide world class services to every citizen of Chicago. From CPL’s youngest patrons enjoying Early Learning spaces to adult learners utilizing Workforce Development services, the Library is working to increase reach and impact.

Our library spaces and the skilled librarians on staff help children build early learning skills, enrich their understanding of science, technology, engineering, art and math, and discover the world around them. Teens are introduced to new interests, educational and career opportunities through mentor-led programs. We help Chicagoans compete in our workforce, guiding them with tools and support to learn basic digital skills and apply for jobs. We create collaborative spaces in which community members come together to share, to make and to create. Adults keep their love of learning, doing and reading alive through the diverse programs offered by the library.

Thanks to the support of Mayor Emanuel, the members of the City Council, the Chicago Public Library Board, the Chicago Public Library Foundation, and the members of the Chicago City Council, Chicago Public Library is a national and international leader in libraries and learning. We will continue serving Chicagoans with innovative ideas, impactful programs and enlightening resources.