Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – January 28, 2025

Agenda

  1. Approval of minutes for September 17, 2024 and December 12, 2024 meetings (action required)
  2. 2025 CPL Board of Directors Meeting Schedule (action required)
  3. Election of Officers (action required) 
  4. Administration and Finance Report (info only)
  5. 2025 Budget Update/Kelly Fund Approval (action required)
  6. Programming and Collections Update (info only)
  7. Policy Recommendation: Library Card and Borrowing Policy (action required)
  8. Operations and Facilities Report (info only)
  9. Commissioner’s Report (info only)
    • Gensler Strategic Planning Services 
    • Diagnostic Assessment and Vision for Harold Washington Library Center 
    • Customer Service Excellence 
    • Lifelong Learning Lookbook: Inspiring Growth and Connection
    • A Note of Appreciation for Ivy Walker
  10. Chicago Public Library Foundation Report (info only) 
  11. Other Business
  12. Public Comment

Next Board meeting: May 20, 2025, 9:00 a.m. /Woodson Regional Library, 9525 S. Halsted Street

 

Open Session Minutes

Board Members in Attendance

Physically Present: Linda Johnson Rice, Christopher P. Valenti, Lynn Lockwood, Jodi Block, Dominique Jordan Turner, Sandra Delgado

Present by Means of Video or Audio Conference: None

Absent: Michelle Boone

 

Approval of minutes for September 17, 2024 and December 12, 2024 meetings (action required)

The Board voted (6-0) to approve the minutes for the September 17, 2024 and December 12, 2024 meetings.

 

2025 CPL Board of Directors Meeting Schedule (action required)

The Board voted (6-0) to approve the 2025 CPL Board of Directors meeting schedule. The remaining CPL Board meetings in 2025 will be held on May 20th, September 16th, and November 18th.

 

Election of Officers (action required)

Directors Jodi Block and Lynn Lockwood were selected to serve on the nominating committee for the 2025 Election of Officers for the CPL Board of Directors. Directors are appointed for a one-year term.

Lynn Lockwood represented the nominating committee and proposed the following slate for 2024:

  • Linda Johnson Rice, President
  • Christopher P. Valenti, Vice President
  • Lynn Lockwood, Secretary

The Board voted (6-0) to approve the 2024 Officers for the CPL Board of Directors.

 

Administration and Finance Report (info only)

Teri Campbell, Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Finance, presented the Administration and Finance Report highlighting the following:

  • For the quarterly report on contracts and purchases made for magazines, books, databases, periodicals and articles of educational and instructional nature, purchases made between November 1 – December 31, 2024 for library purposes, magazines, books and periodicals totaled $1,638,154.40 for 3,167 invoices.
  • By the end of the year, CPL filled 133 full-time positions and 140 part-time positions, bringing our total to 273 new hires for 2024. Of the 134 full-time positions, we’ve added 67 librarians, 35 library associates, 77 clerks and 73 pages.
  • Chicago Public Library would also like to congratulate Michael O’Conner and Jose Rodriguez on their retirement from the library after a combined total of 73 years and 7 months of service.

 

Budget Update and Kelly Fund Approval (action required)

Teri Campbell, Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Finance, provided an overview of all sources included in the CPL budget request that was approved by City Council. For 2025, the total budget requested is $160, 786,869.

This includes:

  • City Operating budget - $97,260, 855
  • Services of DoIT and 2FM – $27,051,893
  • Other City Support - $32,019,121 (includes interest payments, benefits, unemployment insurance, workers' compensation, and HWLC property management)
  • Chicago Public Library Foundation’s budget - $4,400,000 (approved by the CPLF board, in support of in person programming and initiatives.)
  • And, for Chicago Public Library Board approval, CPL requested $55,000 from the Kelly Fund to support professional development training for staff and planning for special programs and events, including the Library’s annual All Staff Institute Day (ASID).

The Board voted (6-0) to approve the 2024 Kelly Fund Budget request.

 

Programming and Collections Update (info only)

First Deputy Commissioner Messner provided an update on programming and initiatives and shared a sneak peak of what CPL has planned for 2025. A collections update was also presented by Lindsay Laren, CPL’s Assistant Commissioner over Collections, Content and Access.

Jump Into Reading

Our Jump Into Reading initiative combines training for children's librarians in the ways children learn to read with parent education materials, a collection of decodable books, and special initiatives like Sit, Stay, Read, where children have the opportunity to practice their new reading skills with specially trained dogs. The program is currently being offered at 18 sites.

For 2025, we are working to further expand the initiative to include materials in Spanish and training for staff on the fundamentals of learning to read in languages other than English.

Special thanks to Shelley Hughes, Director of Children Services and Family Engagement, Lori Frumkin and Katie Eckhert for their extraordinary effort on this initiative. They presented this work at the Public Library Association Conference and where 600 people attended.

Everyone Serves Youth

To support our teams that interact with tweens and teens regularly, and their needs, CPL has brought a youth developmental training with behavior management strategies to all levels of public service staff, including branch managers and clerical staff. Our goal is to create welcoming spaces for every patron by providing all staff with the tools they need to feel confident and comfortable serving our youngest patrons.

Teen Services and YOUmedia Internships – We are excited to share that this school year Teen Services employed 83 interns where over 85% of them participated in a half-day orientation at HWLC. This provided them with an opportunity to connect with other interns, learn about customer service and outreach, and participate in team building exercises.

Teen Services internships were in high demand with approximately 650 applicants across all the internships.  Some popular internships to note include:

  • CPL’s newest internship which entailed coordinating Lit Night; a literary focused night for teens to celebrate all things literary. It's a party, a celebration of books, and a place for book-ish teens to meet one another; coming in fall 2025.
  • Chicago Teen Gamer's Guild interns visited Uchi Con, a gaming convention organized by the University of Chicago students this past weekend to see how near peers organize a con.
  • Expansion of our Radical Fit internship to two locations, one on the northwest side and one on the southwest side of the city.

Design Your Life: College and Career Saturdays

Our college and career series is back with four events throughout 2025. This year we are offering resume building and mock interview stations for teens to practice their skills and update their resumes. Stay tuned for an update on locations and dates coming soon.

Book Club Expansion

In 2025, our Adult Services team is looking to maximize the effectiveness of book clubs as a starting point for our adult literacy and information literacy programs. By expanding our book clubs, we can offer more opportunities for bringing together adults for discourse in a variety of subjects. Book clubs, when thoughtfully designed engage participants in reading and discussion while supporting their overall literacy, comprehension and analytical skills. We find that a book club discussion addresses and fulfills an important social need for adults, especially in a time of great loneliness caused by digital overconsumption. 

Our Adult Services staff, led by Kate Lapinski, is introducing a new service that empowers every adult in the city to start their own book clubs. Using the service MyTurn, anyone in the city of Chicago can reserve a set of books for their own book club groups. They will receive guidance in facilitation from our librarian staff and support in getting a new book club started. In addition to making sure all CPL locations have a book club group, we are inviting private book clubs to use our resources at the library to host their own versions of book clubs. Driven by the diversity of our collection at CPL, this will ensure that even private book clubs are getting access to a wealth of stories supported by the library. 

Patrons will have the option to select a book for their group and check out the book for a six-week period to host their book club.

Artist-in-Residence Program at Legler Regional Library

We are proud to announce that Austin-based photographer Kenn Cook Jr. has been named the 2025 Artist-in-Residence at Legler Regional Library, a cultural anchor on Chicago’s West Side. This is CPL’s second Artist-in-Residence program, building on the success of its inaugural residency, and it continues to highlight the power of art to inspire and connect communities.

Made possible through our partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), Cook’s residency will expand his celebrated #MyWestSideStory project, which captures the resilience and vibrancy of West Side communities through photography and storytelling. His initiatives will include family photo digitization, guided art walks, and the creation of a zine, preserving local history, fostering community pride, and challenging harmful stereotypes. 

2024 Collections Update

Lindsay Laren, Assistant Commissioner, Collections, Content and Access shared an update on CPL’s overall collections for 2024. Last year, CPL’s physical circulation outpaced 2023’s circulation every month. Our highest circulating branches were:

  • Harold Washington Library Center - 1,554,416
  • Sulzer Regional - 761,439
  • Logan Square - 279, 992
  • Lincoln Park - 270, 842
  • Lincoln Belmont - 266,448

Annually in January, our collection team publishes a list of the previous year’s most popular books, which factors in both hold and checkout data. The team is also able to see monthly data that shows more recent trends in how Chicagoans are reading. In 2024, the most popular adult fiction book of the year and in December was CPL’s 2024 One Book, One Chicago selection Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin (2024 OBOC).

Ms. Laren also highlighted that 167,956 total new library cards were issued to patrons in 2024. Of those, 81,418 were ecards, and 86,538 were physical library card signups. Of the physical cards, the branches with the most signups were:

  • Harold Washington Library Center, 7,840
  • Sulzer Regional, 3,307
  • Lincoln Park, 3,111
  • Merlo, 2,592
  • Bucktown-Wicker Park, 2,492

It’s also worth mentioning that 24 branches had more than 1200 new library cards for 2024, which is an average of more than 100 new library cards per month. Those branches include the previously listed branches, plus Logan Square, Edgewater, West Town, West Belmont, Northtown, Back of the Yards, Near North, West Loop, Uptown, Lincoln Belmont, Independence, Rogers Park, West Lawn, Lozano, Portage-Cragin, Little Italy, Legler Regional, Woodson Regional and Humboldt Park.

 

Policy Recommendation: Library Card and Borrowing Policy (action required)

Assistant Commissioner Laren and Assistant Commissioner Lipinski presented a policy recommendation to split CPL’s current Registration and Circulation policy into two distinct policies. Ms. Laren and Mr. Lipinski worked with the Library Card Policy Working Group to recommend this change for clarity and ease of future updating. These policies would be defined as:

  • Library card policy: what types of cards CPL provides and what is required to obtain one
  • Borrowing policy: the parameters around using cards for borrowing materials

Library Card Policy – to summarize major changes of the library card policy, the new policy will remove expiration dates for library cards; provide more flexible requirements for full access adult library cards; add limited access card for adults; and remove “E-cards” and repurpose online form as accessible online library card application.

Borrowing Policy – with the new borrowing policy CPL will recalibrate OverDrive/Libby and Hoopla limits to pre-pandemic levels to reduce wait times for patrons, proposing the following adjustments:

  • Reducing Overdrive checkouts from 15 to 10 
  • Reducing Overdrive holds from 12 to 5 
  • Reducing Hoopla checkouts from 8 to 5 per month 

The Board voted (6-0) to approve the separation of CPL’s current Registration and Circulation policy into two distinct policies, the Library Card Policy and Borrowing Policy.

 

Operations and Facilities Report (info only)

Deputy Commissioner Clemons shared an update on CPL operations and facility projects.

Since December the LOPE team has been finalizing our wrap up of capital projects and facility improvements that were started last year. Ms. Clemons shared a photo of the Avalon branch refresh that was completed last year and noted that other branch locations will receive a furniture refresh this year.

The 2025 CARE planning is underway, the LOPE team is working with 2FM to finalize this list of locations.

With the support of our CPL’s Computer Services and Contracts teams, sensors are being installed over the entryway at all CPL locations. These sensors are patron counters that allow us to track, in real time, the number of visitors that are entering the branch. Installation has been completed at 40% of our branches. Having sensors installed will aid our branches in having a better understanding of peak hours, at what times to increase staffing to provide adequate support for our patrons and the ideal time of day to offer additional programs based on visitation numbers. We anticipate the sensor installation will be completed by the end of Q1.

CPL continues our partnership with CDPH to provide mental health services at select library locations across the city. We have reevaluated the locations that house a mental health clinician and are making a few adjustments. The clinician that currently serves out of the Beverly branch will be sunsetting services soon and relocating to the Woodson Regional Library in early February.

The Library’s Safety Taskforce is collaborating with NAMI to help build a culture of safety and wellness at CPL. Using our learnings from listening sessions with staff and hosting focus groups with patrons and community organizations, the safety taskforce is really working to help develop recommendations on how to address safety and wellness at CPL.

Lastly, as part of our ongoing commitment to creating more welcoming experiences for patrons, CPL is rolling out staff name badges early this year. Badges will be worn while providing public service, attending outreach events, and at other times while representing CPL.

 

Commissioner’s Report (info only)

Commissioner Brown provided a level summary of Library initiatives, highlighting the following:

  • CPL is working with Gensler Strategic Planning Services to develop the library’s 2025-2030 strategic plan, to refine the library’s mission, vision, and values to address the evolving needs of Chicago’s communities.
  • In partnership with Civic Consulting Alliance (CCA) and Blue Cottage of CannonDesign Blue, CPL is conducting an intensive eight-week evaluation to analyze space utilization, gather stakeholder input, and benchmark against other central libraries nationwide to inform a forward-looking vision that aligns HWLC’s spaces and services with CPL’s strategic priorities.
  • Guided by CPL’s Staff and Organizational Development (SOD), the library has launched a system-wide initiative to redefine customer service. This working group is developing a framework to ensure staff are equipped to provide equitable, trauma-informed, and engaging service experiences, with goals of fostering patron learning, creating clear public service expectations, and empowering staff with de-escalation techniques and grounded in the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and access.
  • As part of CPL’s Lifelong Learning Campaign, we have created a Lifelong Learning Lookbook that also builds on the foundation of Chicago Public Library’s annual report that highlights our dedication to empowering patrons at every stage of life.
  • Commissioner Brown extended a heartfelt farewell to Director Ivy Walker for her dedication and support since her appointment in November 2018, as she concludes her service on the Chicago Public Library Board.

 

Chicago Public Library Foundation Report (info only)

Kate Nardin, Chief Development Officer of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, provided an update on behalf of the staff and Board of the Chicago Public Library Foundation and highlighted the following:

  • To date, the public broadcast featuring the 2024 Library Foundation Awards ceremony has been watched more than 18,000 times by library lovers worldwide.
  • The Year End Giving campaigns collected $54,000 from more than 420 donors.
  • The Foundation is organizing a convening for youth-serving nonprofits to develop alternate opportunities to support their work with students.
  • Tickets go on sale next week for the upcoming Night in the Stacks event, calendared for Friday April 4th.

 

Other Business

None

 

Public Comment

The board addressed comments from Washington Park community members that were advocating for a library to be built in Washington Park; an organization interested in connecting with library staff to learn more about opportunities and programs that the library offers; and appreciation for a job well done by the Chicago Public Library Foundation for producing the 2024 Library Foundation Awards and for making the recording accessible for all to view.

 

Commissioner’s Report

Gensler Strategic Planning Services 

Gensler’s strategic planning work will define the Chicago Public Library's (CPL) direction for 2025-2030, refining its mission, vision, and values to address the evolving needs of Chicago’s communities. This initiative, commencing January 13, 2025, will align closely with the concurrent Capital Strategy Plan to integrate strategic goals with facility planning. The process will incorporate staff and stakeholder engagement through surveys, focus groups, workshops, and benchmarking research, ensuring that national and international best practices are balanced with CPL’s own field-leading innovations. Deliverables include a strategic framework, bright spots assessment, and clear, actionable priorities to guide CPL’s evolution and enhance its longstanding programs and services. This plan will position CPL to continue as a global leader in library services and a transformative force in Chicago’s neighborhoods. 

To ensure alignment and transparency, Gensler will provide bi-weekly updates and milestone presentations for CPL leadership and stakeholders throughout the process. A comprehensive review of the 2020-2024 strategic plan will offer valuable insights into past successes and areas for growth, creating a strong foundation for future planning. The strategy will integrate CPL’s strengths with global best practices to drive impactful programs and services while informing the ongoing evolution of CPL’s core offerings. By blending innovation with continuity, this plan will empower CPL to meet the challenges and opportunities of the next decade. With a clear and forward-looking vision, CPL will remain a trusted resource and a catalyst for lifelong learning, discovery, and community engagement. 

Diagnostic Assessment and Vision for Harold Washington Library Center 

The Harold Washington Library Center (HWLC) has been a cornerstone of Chicago’s public library system for over 35 years, adapting to meet the changing needs of the city and its communities. Today, HWLC serves not only as a hub for research and information but also as a vital resource for digital literacy, workforce development, and equitable access to services. As economic inequality and the arrival of tens of thousands of migrants intensify demand for public resources, HWLC’s role as a lifeline for underserved populations has become even more critical. To ensure HWLC remains at the forefront of innovation and community service, CPL has partnered with the Civic Consulting Alliance (CCA) and Blue Cottage of CannonDesign to assess its current operations and reimagine its future. 

Through this collaboration, CPL and its partners are conducting an intensive eight-week evaluation to analyze space utilization, gather stakeholder input, and benchmark against other central libraries nationwide. These findings will inform a forward-looking vision that aligns HWLC’s spaces and services with CPL’s strategic priorities. The effort will culminate in a detailed report outlining actionable steps to address operational and capital needs starting in 2024. This partnership ensures HWLC will continue to be a vital, inclusive institution at the heart of Chicago’s civic and cultural life, ready to meet the needs of today and tomorrow. 

Customer Service Excellence 

In fall 2024, CPL launched a system-wide initiative to redefine customer service, responding to staff feedback from the last strategic planning process. Exceptional service is foundational to CPL’s mission, and this effort builds on our current strengths while introducing consistent standards and best practices. Guided by Staff and Organizational Development (SOD), a diverse working group has been developing a framework to ensure staff are equipped to provide equitable, trauma-informed, and engaging service experiences. Key goals include fostering patron learning, creating clear public service expectations, and empowering staff with de-escalation techniques and grounded in the principles of diversity, equity, inclusion and access. This initiative reflects CPL’s commitment to investing in our people and creating an inclusive environment where every patron feels welcomed and supported. 

To achieve these goals, the working group formed three subcommittees to craft a public service commitment, develop a training scope and sequence, and design in-person practice scenarios. Feedback was gathered from group leaders, the working group, and Senior Staff to refine these plans. The training program will combine asynchronous modules with in-person sessions, ensuring accessibility for CPL’s large and diverse workforce. Filming is underway to feature CPL staff in action, adding authenticity and relatability to the training materials. Once completed, this program will integrate public service commitments into staff training and set a clear standard for excellence across the system. With this initiative, CPL reaffirms its dedication to fostering meaningful connections and providing transformative experiences for all Chicagoans. 

Lifelong Learning Lookbook: Inspiring Growth and Connection 

The Lifelong Learning Lookbook builds on the foundation of Chicago Public Library’s annual report and the ongoing Lifelong Learning Campaign, highlighting our dedication to empowering patrons at every stage of life. Through vibrant visuals and compelling stories from diverse Chicagoans, it showcases how CPL’s programs and services foster curiosity, connection, and community. This lookbook reinforces CPL’s strategic vision of making learning accessible and impactful for all, positioning the library as a cornerstone for personal and educational growth. By illustrating the depth of our initiatives and their tangible benefits, the lookbook invites citywide engagement and emphasizes CPL’s vital role in shaping Chicago’s future. 

 Explore the Lifelong Learning Lookbook here: https://bit.ly/LifelongLearningLookbook 

A Note of Appreciation for Ivy Walker 

As Ivy Walker concludes her service on the Chicago Public Library Board, we extend our heartfelt appreciation for her dedication and support since her appointment in November 2018. During her tenure, Ivy has been a steadfast advocate for CPL’s mission and played an essential role in supporting transformative initiatives, including the Fine Free Policy, CPS Success Accounts for Students and Teachers, the CPL Equity Policy, and the Safety and Security Taskforce. Her encouragement for CPL to explore managing our endowment through minority- and women-owned businesses reflects her commitment to equity and will inform our future stewardship of the fund. Ivy’s thoughtful contributions and unwavering support have left a meaningful impact, and we wish her continued success in her future endeavors. 

 

Chicago Public Library Foundation Report

Kate Nardin, Chief Development Officer of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, provided an update on behalf of the staff and Board of the Chicago Public Library Foundation and highlighted the following:

Updates 

  • This past October, authors Ann Patchett, Cristina Henríquez, and Chance the Rapper celebrated public libraries at the 2024 Chicago Public Library Foundation Awards. To date, the public broadcast featuring the awards ceremony has been seen by more than 18,000 times by library lovers worldwide. We are currently working on the 2025 Awards and look forward to sharing more details with you all soon. 
  • As part of our Year End Giving campaigns, we deeply appreciate the more than 420 donors who contributed $54,000 to the Library’s work. Of these, we welcomed nearly 180 new donors!
  • We are very excited to be working with our partners at Amazon and Library leadership on an early March convening for youth-serving nonprofits to learn more about all the ways our Library can support their work with students through the lower barriers to access made possible by the 81 Club initiative. Many generous Library Foundation donors invested in getting the 81 Club launched, and the results to date have been very promising, as the First Deputy Commissioner has shared.  
  • Our annual Associate Board fundraiser, Night in the Stacks, will take place Friday, April 4 in the Winter Garden at Harold Washington Library Center. This high-energy celebration raises crucial funds to support the Library Foundation’s donor-powered programs. Tickets go on sale online February 6.