Chicago City Wire

Chicago Public Library Board of Directors met Jan. 17.

Here is the minutes as provided by the Board:

1. Approval of minutes for the November 15, 2016 and December 20, 2016 meetings (action required)
2. Schedule of Requisitions, Contracts and Licenses (info only)
3. 2017 Kelly Fund Budget (action required)
4. Policy Amendment: Decrease Time for Books on Hold Shelf (action required)
5. Policy Amendment: Unattended Children and Disruptive Behavior Policy (action required)
6. CPL Capital Projects and Facilities Report (info only)
7. Commissioner’s Report (info only)
   • Special Report: Digital Skills Initiative Update
   • 1st Quarter Priority Projects
   • Retirement: John Telli, Division Chief of General Information Services
   • All Chicago Public Library locations will be closed on Jan 16, 2017
8. Chicago Public Library Foundation Report (info only)
9. Other Business
10. Public Comment

Next Board meeting:

March 21, 2017, 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, Denise Gardner, Barbara Bowman, Jodi Block,

Present by Means of Video or Audio Conference:

None

Absent:

Lynn Lockwood, Patricia Gaytan Perez

Approval of the minutes (action required)

The Board voted (6-0) to approve the minutes of the November 15, 2016 and December 20, 2016 meetings.

Schedule of Requisitions, Contracts and Licenses (info only)

Baronica Roberson, Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Finance, presented the quarterly report on contacts and purchases made for magazines, books, databases, periodicals and articles of educational and instructional nature. For this quarter (October 1 – December 31, 2016) a total of 1774 invoices were paid totaling $2,840,767.52 to various vendors.

Kelly Fund Budget Update (action required)

Baronica Roberson, Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Finance, presented the 2017 Kelly fund budget request. The budget request for 2017 totaled $56,412 and included $45,000 for Professional Development; $10,000 for Special Programs and Events; and a $1,412 carryover from the previous year.

The Board voted (6-0) to approve the 2017 Kelly Fund budget.

Policy Amendment: Decrease Time for Books on Hold Shelf (action required)

To improve the availability of our physical resources for patrons, CPL recommended a decrease in the amount of time an item is left on the hold shelf for pickup from 9 days to 6 days. Sundays and holidays will not be counted within the 6 day period. CPL initially allowed patrons 9 days to pick up items since paper notices were being sent in mail; notices are now sent electronically or via phone calls.

The Board voted (6-0) to approve the decrease in the amount of time an item is left on the hold shelf from 9 days to 6 days.

Policy Amendment: Unattended Children and Disruptive Behavior Policy (action required)

As a safety precaution for children and the Library, CPL presented a recommendation to the Board requesting to amend the Unattended Children and Disruptive Behavior Policy. The request was to increase the permissible age of children that are left in the Library unattended for extended periods of time from age 7 to age 11. The current policy states: Parents may not leave children under age 7 unattended in the library. Disruptive children, attended or unattended, age 7 or older may be asked to leave the library after one warning.

The Board voted (6-0) to approve the allowable age for children unattended in the Library from age 7 to age 11. 

CPL Capital Projects and Facilities Report (info only)

Rodney Freeman, Assistant Commissioner of Central Library Services gave an update on the Thomas Hughes Children’s Library at HWLC which is currently under construction and Andrea Telli, Assistant Commissioner of Neighborhood Services presented the Capital Building Projects and Facilities report on neighborhood libraries.

Projects Under Construction

• Thomas Hughes Children’s Library – Current activity: Demolition started on 12/26 and completed the first phase on 1/11/17; demolition on the lay lights begin on 1/16/16 and should be completed.
• Nancy Spero Exhibit – The Nancy Spero exhibit that was initially located in the ceiling in the North corridor at HWLC has been temporarily located to the Grand lobby.

Projects In Planning

• Early Learning Spaces – No new update: Early Learning spaces have been completed at the West Englewood, Little Village and West Pullman branches; an Early Learning space at Lozano is in progress; Early Learning spaces at Budlong Woods, Legler, Suzler and Toman are forthcoming.
• CPL-CHA Partnership – New libraries will be built for the Altgeld, Northtown, Roosevelt and Independence branches. Part 1: evaluation of qualifications, Dec 9-23, 2016; Part 2: evaluation of selected architectural firms, Jan 19-Mar 8, 2017; Part 3: selection of design firms for each project, March 2017. CHA will select the architect for Altgeld, architects for the remaining branches will be selected through the CHA Housing/Library Design Competition. Request for qualifications for the CHA Housing/Library Design Competition was issued 12/9/16; due 12/23/16; 32 firms were deemed qualified and are currently being evaluated in Phase 1 of the Design Competition; the Phase 1 evaluation committee will put forward 3 firms for each of the three locations by Jan 19.
• Whitney Young – Scope: Renovation and addition to the existing 10,400 sq. ft. library. Current activity: design development phase has begun; weekly meetings are held with the PBC, AOR, 2FM and CPL.Major Maintenance and Repair Projects
• Sulzer – Current and upcoming activity: façade tuck pointing, damaged brick replacement and masonry is 99% complete. Window replacement is 65% complete, including 3 large curtain wall windows over the front entry and the curtain wall window on the North façade. Interior window finish trim and exterior window cladding installation is currently in progress; skylight installation is in progress and near completion; elevator improvements are in progress; metal gates on the first floor have been removed and painting of exterior components will begin in the spring.
• Legler – Current activity: planning is in progress for a JOC project with additional interior repairs and specific renovations to the Children’s Area to implement the Early Learning Program.
• Mabel Manning – Current and upcoming activity: Fire alarm replacement is 75% complete; 2FM received a Memorandum of A from Procurement on January 10.
• North Austin – Current and upcoming activity: contractor begun installation of duct-work in the Children’s area, which requires closure of the section prior to 3pm; during the last week of the project (1/30/17) all work will take place in the Community Room which has been closed for the entire project; all work expected to be completed by 2/3/17.
• Blackstone – Current and upcoming activity: roofing repairs will begin once 2FM has the Notice to Proceed; remaining exterior work is tentatively scheduled to begin in the spring when the weather is suitable for the masonry repairs; once exterior repairs are complete and water infiltration has been fixed, interior repairs will begin. Estimated completion in 6 months.

Projects Under Construction

• Woodson – Construction Update: Contractor – Ujamaa Construction
  • 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.
  • Current activity: the east façade will receive the new exterior wall metal panel finish in the next few weeks.

Commissioner’s Report (info only)

Mark Andersen, Director of Learning and Economic Advancement, gave a presentation on CPL’s strategy for providing digital skills to all patrons. In recent years, CPL has begun to look at ways to close the digital divide and increase digital proficiency for Chicagoans who lacked the skills needed to make the most out of online tools and resources, including online job boards and applications, educational information, and consumer products. CPL began to partner with lead workforce development and adult education providers in Chicago to custom design an online learning tool. In partnership with Connect Chicago, Chicago Public Library launched Digital Learn, a portal that caters to the needs of new computer and internet users. Digital Learn, a module-based learning software, provides step by step instructions on how to use the internet and allows patrons to advance through each module at their own pace. With the expansion of the CyberNavigator program across all CPL locations, this additionally supplements the support and training being offered to patrons.

Commissioner Bannon provided the Board with an update on the following:

• As part of CPL’s strategy to provide the ultimate experience for patrons, CPL will focus on several priority projects in the first quarter of 2017 which include, but are not limited to: digitizing key CPL collections; continue to work with CHA on the buildout for new libraries for the Northtown, Independence and Roosevelt branches; development of a new tween space in the Thomas Hughes Children’s Library; an internship pathway pilot program for YOUmedia participants; and pursuing an electronic payment processing option for patrons to pay all fines and fees via credit card.
• After nearly 30 years of service, John Telli, Division Chief of General Information Services, is retiring from CPL on January 31, 2017.
• All CPL locations will be closed on Mon, Jan 16, 2017 in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

Chicago Public Library Foundation Report (info only)

Rhona Frazin, President and CEO of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, provided the Board with an update on fundraising activities since mid-November. Ms. Frazin reported that the Foundation provided more than $5.5min in budget support to the Library in 2016. Highlights of recent grant activity includes:

• $250,000 in support of YOUmedia teen programming from our generous friends at Allstate
• $250,000 from Connect Chicago in continued partial support of CyberNavigators city-wide expansion for this year
• And, $250,000 from the James and Madeleine McMullan Family Foundation for the Summer Learning Challenge, Teachers in the Library and CyberNavigators
• Funding for TIL and the CyberNavigator branch positions will be coming from a $60,000 grant from Bears Care; ; $40,000 from the Barker Welfare Fund; $25,000 from the A. Montgomery Ward Foundation and $25,000 from Shawn Donnelley to the Donnelley Family Adopt A Branch Fund
• Microsoft has generously contributed an additional $25,000 toward enhanced digital access for library patrons
• Funding for the Summer Learning Challenge is off to a solid start with an increased grant of $50,000 from the Helen Harrison Fund, and $50,000 from Dr. Scholl Foundation. KPMG will again collaborate with First Book and the Library in support of Rahm’s Little Readers materials and prize give-away books for 2017
• The Foundation’s Junior Board will be presenting Garden of the Curious, its 3rd Annual Night in the Stacks event, to benefit the Library, in the Harold Washington Library Winter Garden on Mark your calendars for March 31st

Other Business

None

Public Comment

Comments from the audience were addressed in regards to adding a Screen Reader or Jaws software to computers to support the Digital Learn program; adding an accessibility piece to CPL’s strategic plan; returning Talking Book cartridges to Springfield on behalf of Talking Book Center patrons and an update on the Independence Library.

Next Board Meeting

The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2017 at 9:00 a.m. at the Harold Washington Library Center.

Commissioner’s Report

Special Guest: Mark Andersen, Director of Learning and Economic Advancement

• 1st Quarter Priority Projects for 2017:

Access for All - Internet to Go Wind Down, Annual Library Card Campaign, Archive Digitization, Legler Branch Upgrades, Independence Branch Library, CPL/CHA Partnership, New Altgeld Branch Library, New Northtown Library, New Roosevelt Library, Sulzer Regional Library Renovation, Woodson Regional Library Renovation, Whitney Young Library Renovation

Supporting Economic Advancement - Expanding Digital Skills through Chicago DigitalLearn, Learning Circles for Online Learning, Smart Investing@your Library Program

Nurturing Learning - Early Literacy Services, Early Learning Spaces in Branch Libraries, Thomas Hughes Children’s Library Renovation, Tween Services Development Plan, “Maker” Teacher Bootcamp, Teen Lit Fest, YOUmedia Internship Pilot

Strengthening Communities - On the Table, 2017 DPLAFest, Chicago Voices with Lyric Opera of Chicago, Cindy Pritzker Lecture, Gwendolyn Brooks Centennial Celebration, Harold Washington Summit

Serving Patrons Effectively - Assistive Technology Center, “Reading Chicago Reading” One Book One Chicago Study, Performance Management Cycle, Materials Management & Processing Strategy, Online Fine Payment, Customer & Collection Management Platform Implementation, Self-Check Expansion, Citywide Network Enhancements, Online Store

• John Telli, Division Chief of General Information Services, the department that includes the Information Center, Newspapers & General Periodicals, Interlibrary Loan, and Patron Account Services will be retiring on January 31 after nearly 30 years at CPL. While John has spent his entire career as a librarian CPL, he has held positions that have had an impact on many departments and have touched the lives of patrons of all ages:
  • He started in 1987 working as an associate for the library’s literacy programs
  • He then became a children’s librarian at North Austin Branch
  • From 1993-1996, he managed a collection of materials and resources for Head Starts called the Head Start Resource Library
  • He was a librarian in the Social Science and History Department
  • He’s been branch manager at three locations: Chicago Lawn, Bessie Coleman and West Belmont
  • He was the Head of the Information Center in GIS
  • And since 2013, he has been the GIS Division Chief

With each new position, John dove in and committed to bring high-quality and inclusive library services to the citizens of Chicago, has handled challenges with a calm and thoughtful demeanor, and has been a valued colleague to many, may staff. We congratulate John on his retirement and present him with his Gold Library Card.

• All Chicago Public Library locations will be closed on Mon, January 16, 2017 in recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday.

Chicago Public Library Foundation Report

The Chicago Public Library Foundation Board and Staff are pleased to present this report to the Chicago Public Library Board, bringing you up to date on the positive results of our collaborative fundraising activities since mid-November.

We are now preparing to close the books on a successful 2016, during which time we provided more than $5.5 million in budget support for a range of outstanding strategic priority programs at the Library.

Highlights of recent grant activity include:

• $250,000 in support of YOUmedia teen programming from our generous friends at Allstate;
• $250,000 from Connect Chicago in continued partial support of CyberNavigators city-wide expansion for this year;
• And, $250,000 from the James and Madeleine McMullan Family Foundation for the Summer Learning Challenge, Teachers in the Library and CyberNavigators.

Additional funding for Teacher in the Library and CyberNavigator branch positions will be coming from a $60,000 grant from Bears Care, the Chicago Bears Charity; $40,000 from the Barker Welfare Fund; $25,000 from the A. Montgomery Ward Foundation and $25,000 from Shawn Donnelley to the Donnelley Family Adopt A Branch Fund.

Microsoft has generously contributed an additional $25,000 toward enhanced digital access for library patrons.

Finally, funding for the Summer Learning Challenge is off to a solid start with an increased grant of $50,000 from the Helen Harrison Fund, and $50,000 from Dr. Scholl Foundation. Additionally KPMG will once again be collaborating with First Book and the Library in support of Rahm’s Little Readers materials and prize give-away books for 2017.

We look forward to sharing more funding updates on the many grants that are now pending with funders for these and other Library programs. We also hope you will mark your calendars for March 31, when the Foundation’s Junior Board will be presenting Garden of the Curious, its 3rd Annual Night in the Stacks event, to benefit the Library, in the Harold Washington Library Winter Garden. Those of you who have joined us in the past, know that this is a fun and energetic evening which engages young leaders in the mission of the Library.