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PUBLIC MEETING
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REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY/CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY SYSTEM
REGULAR MEETING
Tuesday, May 19, 2009, 8:30 a.m.
Harold Washington Library Center
400 South State Street
Multi-Purpose Room, Lower Level
1. Approval of the minutes of April 21, 2009
2. Commissioner’s Report
3. Report of the Committee on Administration and Finance
4. Report of the Committee on Facilities
5. Chicago Public Library Foundation report
6. Other Business
7. Questions and Comments from the Audience
8. Executive Session
| Next Board meeting: | Tuesday, June 16, 2009 |
| 8:30 a.m. | |
| Harold Washington Library Center | |
| Multi-Purpose Room |
May 19, 2009
The regular meeting of the Board of Directors of the Chicago Public Library convened at 8:32 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 in the Harold Washington Library Center’s Multi-Purpose Room.
The following Directors were present:
| Present: | Jayne C. Thompson, President |
| Cherryl T. Thomas, Vice President | |
| Susan S. Hassan, Member | |
| Christopher P. Valenti, Member | |
| Julia Zhu, Member | |
| Absent: | Cristina Benitez, Secretary |
| Paul H. Dykstra, Member | |
| Mellody L. Hobson, Member |
Also in attendance were Commissioner Mary A. Dempsey, First Deputy Commissioner Karen Danczak Lyons, Deputy Commissioner Kathy Biel, Assistant Commissioners Laura Zupko, Amy Eshleman and several members of the staff. Also in attendance was Patty Siebert, Deputy Director of The Chicago Public Library Foundation.
Members of the Public: Yolande Wilbur, Library employee
I. APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
The minutes of the regular meeting of the Board, held on April 21, 2009 were reviewed and it was
RESOLVED THAT THE MINUTES OF THE APRIL 21, 2009 MEETING OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS BE APPROVED.
Board President Jayne Thompson introduced and welcomed to the Board Ms. Susan Hassan, Partner at, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP and Ms. Julia Zhu, Vice President of the Commercial Banking Group at Citigroup.
II.COMMISSIONER’S REPORT
Commissioner Mary Dempsey reported the following:
- The Chicago Public Library held its 15th annual All Staff Institute Day on May 6. More than 1200 Chicago Public Library employees attended and participated in this annual day of training and education. Special emphasis was placed on technology, reference and literature for children and adults, financial literacy, serving patrons and families with children on the autism spectrum, gathering staff input for the next CPL strategic plan.
- The Chicago Public Library continues its Money Smart financial literacy programs for the public and for employees. Given the current state of the City’s budget, the Library is placing special emphasis on counseling its employees about how to save now so that mandatory government shutdown days (furlough days) do not adversely impact them and their families later in the year. The Library Board will discuss budget matters further in the Executive Session at the conclusion of today’s meeting.
- A ribbon cutting marking the installation of a new glass façade and landscaping will take place today at 1:30 p.m. at the John Merlo Branch. The Library Board is invited to join Library staff and 44th Ward Alderman Tom Tunney at the event. The cost of these improvements was paid for by Alderman Tunney who used a portion of his aldermanic capital improvements menu money. The Library is grateful to him for his support and generosity.
- The new Beverly Branch Library located at 95th Street and Damen will have its “soft” opening to the public on Monday, June 8. Please mark your calendars now for the formal dedication with Mayor Richard Daley and local officials and neighborhood residents on Saturday, June 27.
- “Land of Lincoln Readers”, this summer’s reading program for children and adults officially begins on June 15 and runs through August 8. The Library’s cultural partner this year is the Chicago History Museum. The Library received significant funding support from the City of Chicago and the Chicago Public Library Foundation. Further details on private sector sponsors are included in the Foundation’s report later in the meeting.
- The American Library Association will conduct its annual conference in Chicago from July 9- 15, 2009 at the McCormick Place and at locations around the City. The Chicago Public Library will be hosting the Executive Board of the Urban Libraries Council and a number of committees of the American Library Association and the Urban Libraries Council during the conference. Once again, Library staff will be actively participating in and attending sessions
and the Chicago Public Library will have a presence at the recruitment booth. You Media, the new MacArthur Foundation funded program for teens, will be ready in time for the meeting and the Library will be conducting tours of the new You Media digital media space on the first floor of the central library for our guests.
- Pritzker Park renovations are nearing completion. The Chicago Park District is finalizing the inscription of literary quotes that will be installed on the walls. These quotes were selected by the Chicago Public Library. Greta Bever, the Assistant Commissioner for Central Library Services, has been coordinating some of the programs that the Library will sponsor in the park when it opens.
- The Chicago Public Library, like all City departments, is preparing a number of cost reduction scenarios at the request of the Office of Budget and Management and the Mayor’s office. It is the hope of the Library that there will be furlough days and non-personnel cost reductions in lieu of layoffs but much depends on the success of the City’s discussions with the various unions. The Library will discuss this further in Executive Session today with the Board and will proceed in a fiscally prudent manner.
- The Chicago Public Library is offering a series of lectures by MacArthur Fellow scientists. Internationally renowned ecologist and co-founder of the Blue Ocean Institute, Dr. Carl Safina, spoke on the ecology, wildlife and the oceans on May 13. Michael Poland, the New York Times food editor, and author of books on food and the environment was the featured speaker yesterday, May 19. This was a well-attended (over 600) event. Both events were hosted by Bill Kurtis.
- The Chicago Public Library Foundation/Chicago Public Library Donor and Partner Recognition Luncheon is Tuesday, June 16, at 11:45 a.m. Mr. Harold Holzer, a noted Lincoln scholar and head of the Lincoln Bicentennial Commission is the featured speaker at this annual thank you luncheon for the Library’s funders and partners.
III. ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE REPORT
President Thompson gave the report for the Administration and Finance Committee. The Committee met at the Harold Washington Library Center on Tuesday, May 12, 2009. There was no Schedule of Contracts and Requisitions for the month of May for the Committee to review.
President Thompson reported that Deputy Commissioner Kathy Biel presented a copy of the Chicago Public Library’s FY2010 System Per Capita Grant application for the Committee’s review. The Committee recommends that the Board approve submission of the application. This is the Library’s annual grant application to the State of Illinois’ Secretary of State’s Office. The amount requested is $2,752,623. The City receives approximately $8.1 million each year in state resources for the Library’s operating budget. This particular grant, which is one of 3 state grants that the Chicago Public Library receives, is used exclusively to support payroll and fringe benefits costs for staff in a variety of areas that include reference, interlibrary loan, and delivery. The application is reviewed by the City’s departments of Law, Office of Budget and Management, and Finance, and is due to the state by the end of May 2009.
A motion was made, seconded and passed that the Committee recommend to the full Board that it approve the submission of the grant application as presented. President Thompson moved that the Board approve the FY2010 System Per Capita Grant application. The motion was seconded and passed unanimously.
President Thompson reported that the Committee went into Executive Session to discuss the same matter which the Board will discuss later in the day’s meeting in Executive Session with respect to budget and real estate.
IV. FACILITIES COMMITTEE
Director Christopher Valenti presented the report for the Facilities Committee. The Committee met at the Garfield Ridge Branch, which is located at 6348 S. Archer Avenue. Director Morton Coburn, Director of Library Building Programs, reported briefly on the Library’s relationship with the Bridgeview Bank, which built the building that currently houses the Garfield Ridge Branch and leases it to the Chicago Public Library.
Director Valenti reported that Mr. Coburn presented the Library’s Capital Improvements Projects (Attachment A) and highlighted the following:
- Beverly. A few punch list items remain to be completed on this project. The Library anticipates being awarded the US Green Building Council’s silver LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certificate. Dedication of the branch is expected to take place on Saturday, June 27.
- West Humboldt Park (16,295 square feet) and the Greater Grand Crossing (8,871 square feet) branch projects are being designed simultaneously by Lohan Anderson, the AOR (Architect of Record) for these projects. The Board had the opportunity to review the conceptual designs at its last meeting and will have the opportunity to review the plans again as they go through the design phase.
- Dunning Branch. The Architect of Record for this 8,871 square foot Lohan Anderson prototype branch is Jackson Harlan.
- Little Village. This 16,295 square foot Lohan Anderson prototype branch will be constructed in tandem with a new City fire station and will replace the current Marshall Square branch.
Restoration of the mural in the Blackstone Branch is expected to take at least 3 months to complete. Contract for the restoration was awarded to Parma Construction. Scaffolding will be placed to allow patrons and staff may safely enter and exit the building.
Director Valenti reported that First Deputy Commissioner Karen Danczak Lyons presented the report for US Equities, the building management company for the Harold Washington Library Center. Routine maintenance and janitorial is ongoing and on schedule. The exterior work along the roof and acroteria continues and is expected to be completed in the summer.
Director Valenti reported that Michael Baker, Director of the Woodson Regional Library and Acting Central District Chief was present and introduced Garfield Ridge branch manager Stephanie Flinchbaugh who gave a brief report on the branch. Also present was 8th District Police Commander John Kupczyk who talked briefly about the Police Department’s relationship with the libraries.
Director Valenti reported that the Committee talked about the Pritzker Park renovation, the opening of the new Beverly Branch, and the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new façade and landscaping at the Merlo Branch.
Director Valenti reported that the Committee entered into Executive Session to discuss matters relating to personnel and real estate.
V. FOUNDATION REPORT
Ms. Patty Siebert, Deputy Director of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, gave the report for The Chicago Public Library Foundation (Attachment B).
VI. OTHER BUSINESS
President Thompson congratulated the Chicago Public Library on the success of this year’s All Staff Institute Day.
There was no further business.
VII. QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS FROM THE AUDIENCE
There were no questions or comments from the audience.
VIII. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Pursuant to Sec. 120/2a of the Open Meetings Act, President Thompson moved that the Board go into Executive Session to discuss a matter relating to personnel and real estate.
At the conclusion of the Executive Session, the Board returned to the public portion of the meeting.
As there was no further public business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.
Adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
________________________________
Cristina Benitez
Secretary
Attachment A
May 19, 2009 Board meeting, 4 pages
Report On CPL Capital Projects for May 2009
Prepared for the Facilities Committee
An Abbreviated Report
I. Summary Report:
Total Number of Building Projects in Progress …………3
The New Beverly Branch
T he New West Humboldt Park Branch
The Greater Grand Crossing Branch
$100,000 State Grants for Branch Libraries ………….…3
For: South Shore, South Chicago & Blackstone
II. New Buildings:
Beverly Branch Library and South District Chief’s Office: 1962 West 95th Street
The contractor’s work at the new Beverly branch facility is in its final phase prior to an anticipated soft opening on June 8th. The facility has a total area of 16,637 sq. ft. Twenty-three hundred and fifteen sq. ft. feet have been allocated to a new South District Office and south side storage center.
Contractor: Blinderman Construction Company.
- Construction meeting #53 was held on April 30 in the Beverly district office. The contractor is well advanced in reducing the items on the building’s punch list of items to complete.
- The building’s furniture schedule is in the hands of the appropriate vendors. One, Corporate Express, is ready to bring his order on site.
- The building’s door cores and keys are ready for delivery. These will replace the contractor’s door cores and keys.
- Key Dates:
The existing branch was closed to the public on April 6. Its book collection was transferred to the new building on April 23rd. The majority of its new book collection is now on site and is held in the building’s multipurpose room until opened for processing and shelving. A “Certificate of Occupancy” was issued to the contractor on April 29.
Observed on an April 30 site visit:
- The contractor will attend to a final painting of specified walls after the library staff has completed the greater part of its move-in activity.
- Case work items are in a final stage of assembly.
- The quartz counter top has been added to the circulation control counter.
- Lavatory rooms are operational with baby changing tables in male and female restrooms.
- Building systems are in a testing phase prior to a final check by our LEED commissioning agent.
- DGS engineers and library staff have yet to complete a training session on the mechanics of the building and on how to operate key systems. This will be done by the prime contractor.
On the Exterior of the Building:
- The planting of ground cover and tree placements will be done when a dry period is available.
- Where needed, cemented surfaces are now in place.
- Erection of vinyl fencing separating library property from adjacent private homes has been completed.
- To be completed is a small quantity of metal fencing on library property.
- A dry spell is needed for an application of anti-graffiti protective spray on the building’s brick walls.
West Humboldt Park Branch Library: 727-743 North Kedzie Avenue
Commissioned by the PBC, a new generation of CPL prototype branch library buildings is being designed by the architectural firm of Lohan Anderson. The West Humboldt Park Branch Library is the first of the larger buildings to be completed.
Concept and Design Development drawings have been thoroughly reviewed by the library’s administrative team, the CPL Board and the local alderman.
CPL staff meets weekly with the architects to discuss and review internal layouts for staff work areas and patron reading rooms. Soon to be started will be the construction documents for the bid phase of the project.
The project is TIF funded. To date, the Office of Budget & Management and the Department of Planning & Develop-ment have allocated over $5.5 million in TIF funds for site remediation, demolition and design.
Greater Grand Crossing Branch Library Project: 73rd Street and South Ellis Avenue
Lohan Anderson is also the AOR (Architect of Record) for an 8,000 sq. ft. prototype branch library building. Work on the building’s exterior and interior elements are being completed in tandem with the work on the West Humboldt Park building plans. Work completed thus far has been shown to the library’s administrative team, CPL Board, the Guy Comer Foundation and the local alderman.
The Illinois State Library has given the CPL a $100,000 grant toward the planning and design of the new library building. These funds have been transferred to the PBC.
III. Other Projects:
The Dunning Branch Library Project – 7536 West Addison Street on the Grounds of the Dever Public School
The Dunning building is to replace the West Addison storefront library. The library will occupy a portion of the grade school grounds; this property has been transferred from the BOE to the PBC. The architectural firm of Jackson Harlan has been engaged as the AOR. The AOR will be using the completed Lohan-Anderson drawings. There was a “Design Kick-Off Meeting” on March 18 at the PBC and CPL staff has begun attending weekly meetings on this new project.
Little Village / Marshall Square Branch Library – 2724 West Cermak Road
This library is to be constructed in tandem with a new city fire station on the same site. The AOR is to be the firm of Harley Ellis Deveraux and they will be using the new 14,000 sq.ft. Lohan-Anderson prototype plans for the New West Humboldt Park Branch library.
A “Design Kick-Off Meeting” was held for this project at the PBC on March 20 and CPL staff will be attending weekly meetings.
State Grants
Three $100,000 grants had been awarded to the CPL through the State of Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Two of the projects have been completed:
- Window replacement at the South Shore Branch.
- A roof replacement at the South Chicago Branch.
Yet to be Finished:
- The restoration of the murals in the dome of the Blackstone Branch Library.
The DCEO has approved a grant extension to 12/31/09. The murals have been appraised at $1,650,000 for insurance purposes.
The project was bid by the City’s Department of Procurement Services and of four vendors who responded to the bid the successful vendor is Parma Conservation Ltd. CPL staff has met with the vendor for a review as to how their work is to proceed.
Prior to the start of mural restoration the matter of repairing a roof leak in the mural dome will be attended to by the DGS at City expense. The contract was awarded last November and work will be started as soon as weather permits.
Report Compiled by
Morton Coburn, Director
Library Bldg. Programs
May 1, 2009
Attachment B
May 19, 2009 Board meeting
CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION
REPORT TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY
May 19, 2009
The Foundation is pleased to report very exciting news about the 2009 Family Summer Reading Program, Land of Lincoln Readers:
- Our new direct mail appeal to 2,000 donor and prospect households has been very effective in securing individual donor sponsorships for the program. To date, gifts ranging from $50 to $500 and totaling more than $10,000 will sponsor the program participation of over 1,000 children.
- We are so pleased to welcome a new funder, the Cubs Care Foundation, to the roster of Summer Reading Program donors. We learned last week that this philanthropic arm of the Chicago Cubs, who have assisted the Summer Reading Program in other ways, will provide an extremely generous gift of $50,000 this year.
- Long time program supporter Macy’s has just added another $40,000 to their 2009 funding, bringing their generous cash contribution to $75,000. Their support also includes in kind donations, including a program window display at the State Street store worth $10,000.
- And Citadel Group Foundation, which has long supported the Summer Reading Program, has approved a wonderful renewed grant of $100,000--bringing the amount raised to date for Land of Lincoln Readers to nearly $600,000.
- Requests totaling more than $100,000 are still pending, so we are enjoying a year of record success in securing funds for this huge City-wide program.
We are also very pleased to report on a new grant of $12,500 from the Brinson Foundation. For the past three years, Brinson has faithfully funded the training of Library staff in early literacy techniques as part of the Chicago Reads Together early literacy initiative. This new grant will augment previous trainings with sessions on child development for all Library staff who work with children.
Our good friends at Citadel Group Foundation have offered to assist the Foundation and the Library in another important way. A key goal of the CPL 2010 strategic plan is the measurement of CPL program outcomes, which the Library and Foundation have been working toward since 2006. Program evaluation is a funding priority of Citadel Group Foundation. These generous supporters have offered their assistance to the Library in working further on this strategic goal, which is very much appreciated.
Sandburg Dinner Co-chairs Francie Comer and Miles D. White are hard at work securing table sponsorships, which range from $10,000 to $50,000, for the 2009 dinner. We are very pleased that, through Miles White, Abbot Laboratories will fund a table at the $50,000 level. Please mark your calendar for Thursday, October 15 for this annual event that helps provide Foundation funding to the Library. We look forward to honoring internationally renowned author Salman Rushdie and hearing him in conversation with WTTW’s John Callaway.
Please also mark your calendars for the Library and Foundation Donor and Partner Recognition Luncheon, to be held on Tuesday, June 16. In keeping with this year’s celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln, Lincoln scholar and author Harold Holzer will be our featured speaker at this annual event, which recognizes all that the Library’s partners and the Foundation’s donors do to support the Chicago Public Library.