Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – June 16, 2015

Attention: This post is over 2 years old and the information may be out of date.Attention: This post is over 2 years old and the information may be out of date.

AGENDA

Tuesday, June16, 2015, 9:00 a.m.

Harold Washington Library Center

400 S. State Street

 

  1. Approval of the minutes of the regular meeting on May 19, 2015 (action required)
  2. Schedule of Requisitions, Contracts and Licenses (info only)
  3. Chicago Public Library Foundation Report (info only)
  4. Policy Change Recommendation: Increase Holds Limit (action required)
  5. Policy Change Recommendation: Library Card Replacement Fee Waiver for CPS Students (action required)
  6. CPL Capital Projects and Facilities Report (info only)
  7. Commissioner’s Report (info only)
  8. Other Business
  9. Public Comment

 

Next Board meeting:

Tuesday, September 8, 2015, 9:00 a.m.

Greater Grand Crossing Branch

1000 E. 73rd Street

 

Open Session Minutes

Physically Present:

Christopher Valenti, Barbara Bowman, Jodi Block, Josephine Gomez, Denise Gardner

Present by Means of Video or Audio Conference:

None

Absent:

Linda Johnson Rice, Lynn Lockwood, Chaka Patterson

 

Approval of the minutes

The Board voted (5-0) to approve the minutes of the May 19, 2015 Board meeting.

Schedule of Requisitions, Contracts and Licenses

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 (Apr 1- Jun 15, 2015) a total of 1274 invoices were paid totaling $2,205,721.93 to various vendors.

Chicago Public Library Foundation Report

Rhona Frazin, CEO of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, gave a report on recent fundraising efforts on behalf of the Library.

  • Planning/fundraising is underway for the Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner scheduled for October 21, 2015 at the Forum at UIC. This year’s Sandburg Award honoree will be Stephen Sondheim.
  • Cash and In-kind gifts to date total $850,000, with 14 sponsorships of $25,000 or more.
  • Since the Foundation’s last report, the Foundation has received several corporate and foundation grants totaling $75,000 in support of the 2015 Summer Learning Challenge, Early Literacy STEM training for Children’s Librarians and start up technology for CPL’s Demo Day Event.
  • The Library and the Foundation were invited to submit a request for $770,000 to PNC Bank to support an Early Literacy Vocabulary-Building Initiative for 2 years and also includes funding for Active Learning Centers in 6 branch libraries in Englewood and Pilsen/Little Village.
  • The Foundation launched an individual giving campaign seeking support in increments of $10/child for the Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge. The Foundation also received pro bono support of RPM Advertising, Apollo 13 Astronaut James Lovell and Anchorman Bill Kurtis for a 30 second PSA that was recorded at the Albany Park branch library and will air on Comcast family stations and WTTW.

Policy Change Recommendation: Increase Holds Limit

A request was made to the Board to allow the Commissioner authority to incrementally increase the number of holds a patron can place up to, but not to exceed, a total of 10. The current policy limits patrons to have up to 3 holds; this does not include hold requests that are “in transit” or “ready for pickup”.

The Board voted (5-0) to approve this policy change.

Policy Change Recommendation: Library Card Replacement Fee Waiver for CPS Students

As a partner in the ConnectED initiative, a new partnership with the White House and libraries across America to expand access to library resources for children, CPL will launch a library card campaign jointly with CPS to sign up every student with a library card. During this campaign, the Library is requesting approval to waive the $1 replacement card fee for students that may have been assigned a library card in the past to assure that all students receive a library card. The Board voted (5-0) to approve the $1 replacement library card fee waiver for CPS students during the library card campaign.

CPL Capital Projects and Facilities Report

Andrea Telli, Assistant Commissioner of Neighborhood Services presented the Capital Projects and Facilities report and gave update on the projects in planning and under construction:

Projects In planning

  • Legler – Phase 1: Window restoration and structural rehab of the stone steps; Phase 2: upgrade toilet rooms for ADA compliance; LED lighting in historic atrium laylight; roof replacement and masonry repairs. Allocation of $500,000 through the Madison/Austin TIF and augmented with Illinois Public Library Construction Act grant (IPLCAG)
  • Austin Branch – AC upgrades removed from scope; 2FM has rehabbed the AC system for longer life. Budget est $750,000 (revised from $630,000)
  • Douglass Branch – no changes
  • Sulzer – Phase 1: Building Envelope Rehab - Two alternative envelope repair scopes have been developed; require value engineering. An RFP will be issued for final design services. Phase 2 (pending funding): mechanical upgrades to cooling tower, chiller, boiler, air handling unit, and chemical and water treatment system; LED applicability and lighting upgrades; rehab of electrical systems including video and communications system; Fire alarm system upgrades.
  • Woodson – Phase 2a: Renovation of interior ceilings and light fixtures complete. Phase 2b: Phasing strategies have been simplified to facilitate library operations, scheduled to begin in the 4Q of 2015 through 3Q 2016; value engineering is complete to retain adequate IPLCAG funding for other projects. Woodson may close incrementally for 1 week during repairs. Budget est $8.1 mil (revised from $7.5 mil)

Projects Under Construction

  • Chinatown – 85% complete; Interior finishes and mechanical equipment connections are in progress. Light fixture installations are complete. Rest room fixture installations are in progress. Opening Summer 2015
  • HWLC Center Circle redesign and Materials Handling System – still awaiting cash registers; the Popular library circulation desk is closed to promote more usage of self-check units. Items in transit have been cut in half since John Telli has been leading the circulation team.

Commissioner’s Report

Commissioner Bannon announced CPL’s Quarter 3 (Jul-Sept) priority projects that included the following:

  • Wi_Fi Lending Hotspot Program
  • Digital Literacy Strategy
  • Digital Skills for Non-profits
  • On the Right Path Financial Education
  • OBOC 2015/2016
  • Early Learning Centers
  • ISTEAM Trucks
  • Reducing Transit Wait Time for Materials
  • CPL Brand Book
  • Innovation Challenge Framework
  • 2015 Tech Trend

Andrea Saenz, First Deputy Commissioner, presented a special report on the Cities for Citizenship program. In partnership with the Mayor’s Office of New Americans and other Cities for Citizenship partners, this program will provide naturalization workshops, free immigration legal assistance, financial coaching and other resources in communities that have a high concentration of immigrants. Over 40 librarians have been trained to be good resources at 10 library locations that were chosen to serve as Citizenship Corners; these branches include: Back of the Yards, Albany Park, Bezazian, Harold Washington Library Center, Little Village, Lozano, Northtown, Sulzer, Uptown and West Lawn. These locations will also offer on-site bi-monthly programs with Cities for Citizenship partners Centro Romero, Chinese American Service League, Chinese Mutual Aid Association, Erie Neighborhood House, Southwest Organizing Project, United African Organization and World Relief Chicago, to name a few.

Commissioner Bannon also announced:

  • Sasha Neri, Librarian, represented CPL on Fri, June 12th at the White House Week of Making that took place in Washington, DC where leaders in maker education conversed about ways to engage more youths in hands-on STEM learning.
  • On May 17th -22nd, 2015 the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation hosted the Global Libraries Summit which allowed participants an opportunity to explore ways to build and strengthen global libraries.
  • Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge: Explore and Soar launched June 8th at the Museum of Science and Industry. The program will run June 8th -Sept 1st. Over 500 preschool and primary school children attended the launch event along with the Chicago Public Library Foundation, Director Denise Gardner and many other sponsors.
  • CPL is working with a pro bono brand development agency to discover a new concept around CPL’s overall brand identity. Director Denise Gardner is leading this effort to sharpen CPL’s messaging through developing a new brand.
  • The final 2014-2015 One Book, One Chicago program occurred on May 26th, 2015. Author and NY Times columnist Charles M. Blow delivered a lecture titled “Mechanisms and Mythologies Conspiring against the Marginalized”. The next OBOC will launch Sept 2015.
  • Commissioner Bannon participated in the Chicago Forum on Global Cities May 27th – 29th, 2015. Hosted by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Financial Times, this three-day forum brought together leaders in major pillars of urban life to discuss ways to collaborate and improve our cities and the world.
  • CPL is in the process of developing workshops as part of the Smart Investing/ Financial Literacy Initiative. Workshops will begin Fall, 2015 and continue through Fall, 2016 and offer topics on banking services, credit, consumer protection, borrowing and investing. Director Chaka Patterson is consulting with CPL staff to identify the appropriate workshop presenters.

Other Business

None

Public Comment

The Board received comments from Rev. Doyle Landry regarding access to education and enrichment, Nicholas Davis, Founder of the Rap Literacy Project and Dr. Kimberly Martin, author.

Next Board Meeting

The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. at the Chinatown Branch, 2100 S. Wentworth Ave.

Commissioner’s Report

Guest: Andrea Saenz, First Deputy Commissioner

White House Week of Making Announcement

Sasha Neri, Librarian, traveled to Washington, DC to participate in the kick off to the White House Week of Making on Friday, June 12th. Leaders in maker education discussed how to engage more youths in hands-on STEM learning with low-tech and high-tech maker tools and opportunities. They also celebrated American innovation and ingenuity by featuring individuals who are making a significant impact in the lives of others with their inventions.

Micro-business platforms, such as Etsy, Maker's Row, and Made Right Here, discussed how their platforms enable entrepreneurship and how government policies can better support micro-businesses in the future. Conversations throughout the day also illustrated why making has a place in the library, and how the Chicago Public Library leads by doing. The day continued at the inaugural National Maker Faire at the University of the District of Columbia. The Week of Making continues through June 18, with events all across the nation.

Global Libraries Summit – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

On May 17th - May 22nd, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation hosted the Global Libraries Summit with key grantees and partners.  The purpose of the Summit was to provide participants with the time and space to explore how they want to build and strengthen the global libraries network.

June 8 SLC Launch

CPL launched the Summer Learning Challenge Explore and Soar at the Museum of Science and Industry on Monday, June 8th in celebration of our Rahm’s Readers program which runs this year from June 8- September 1.  Over 500 preschool and primary school kids attended and celebrated the launch of summer learning.  A special thanks to Director Gardner for being our board representative during the press conference and to Chicago Public Library Foundation and the many sponsors for underwriting this summer program.

Branding and Visibility

We have engaged a pro Bono brand development agency to explore a new concept around CPL'S overall brand identity, including unifying our various sub brands. This is a natural next step after our recent work, to sharpen our messaging, which Director Denise Gardner is involved in.

We are beginning to discuss the idea with stakeholders and hope you all will be able to join us at some point for a presentation and discussion of the concept.

Charles M. Blow

The Chicago Public Library presented the final program in the current One Book, One Chicago program initiative on May 26, 2015, celebrating Heroes: Real and Imagined. Author and New York Times columnist Charles M. Blow delivered a lecture titled “Mechanisms and Mythologies Conspiring against the Marginalized” and talked about the misconceptions and policies that work against the interests of marginalized people and contribute to maintaining their marginalized status.

This final One Book, One Chicago program was presented in commemoration of a Chicago hero, the late Mayor Harold Washington’s, his life and legacy. The next OBOC launch in September 2015.

Chicago Forum on Global Cities

Commissioner Bannon participated in the Chicago Forum of Global Cities May 27-29, 2015. The three-day forum, hosted by The Chicago Council on Global Affairs and the Financial Times, brought together leaders in the major pillars of urban life – business innovators, education visionaries, cultural luminaries, civic pioneers – to discuss how we can collaborate to improve our cities, and the world.

Sessions addressed global cities as world economic drivers, the importance of art education, the foreign policy of cities, sustainability, and security. There were big issues with big ideas.

Financial Literacy Initiative

Chicago Public Library is in the process of planning program workshops as part of the Smart Investing @ Your Library/On the Right Path financial literacy initiative. The Smart Investing initiative will fund financial literacy workshops at selected locations and is funded by the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Foundation, through the Chicago Public Library Foundation.

Workshops will begin in fall 2015 and continue through fall 2016. Workshops topics will include basics on Banking Services, Credit, Consumer Protection, Borrowing and Investing. As part of this project, Cybernavigators will be provided with information to better inform patrons about reliable online resources relating to these topics.

Director Patterson is consulting with CPL staff to help identify appropriate workshop presenters, all of whom must be approved by the FINRA Foundation. Director Patterson’s efforts are greatly appreciated.

Chicago Public Library Foundation Report

The Chicago Public Library Foundation is pleased to have this opportunity to report on the joint success of our fundraising efforts on behalf of innovative program initiatives at the Library.

As you know, fundraising and planning for the Carl Sandburg Literary Awards Dinner on October 21 at the Forum at UIC are well underway.  As a reminder, our Sandburg Award honoree this year is the most literary of all composer/lyricists Stephen Sondheim.  Mr. Sondheim, who has Grammys, Tonys, Oscars and Emmys to his credit will be adding the Library and Foundation’s highest honor to his long and well-deserved list of awards. We are delighted that he will appear in conversation with NPR Weekend Edition host Scott Simon. Columbia College Writing Professor Eric Charles May, whose debut novel is Bedrock Faith will be the recipient of the 21st Century Award.

As always, there will be a prominent author with ties to Chicago at each table.  This year we will welcome a wonderful class of writers—numbering 55 to date, including Mexican Chef Extraordinaire Rick Bayless, Advice Columnists Amy Dickinson and Margo Howard, Visual artist Nick Cave, former Buffalo Bills Coach Marv Levy and Chicago favorites Stuart Dybek, Tom Dyja, Rick Kogan, Alex Kotlowitz, Dr. Martin Marty, Sara Paretsky, Dr. Dana Suskind and Scott Turow.

This year’s Dinner is co-chaired by Foundation Board members Dr. Dina Yaghmai-Payvar and Bob Wislow, with honorary Co-Chair John Bryan.

I’m pleased to report that Cash and In-kind Gifts to date total more than $850,000, with 14 sponsorships of $25,000 or more.  Sun-Times SPLASH will be our media sponsor and the Sun-Times Foundation will once again be offering a double your dollars match to our fourth quarter donors.

Since our last report to the Library Board, we have received a number of corporate and foundation grants including:

  • Macy’s - $25,000 – 2015 Summer Learning Challenge
  • Motorola Solutions Foundation - $15,000 – Teen component of 2015 Summer Learning Challenge
  • The Brinson Foundation - $25,000 – Early Literacy STEM training for Children’s librarians
  • Microsoft - $10,000 – Purchase of start-up technology from vendors participating in CPL’s Demo Day Event

Last week, with significant collaboration with the Library staff, we submitted a major request at the invitation of PNC Bank of $770,000 –over two years for an Early Literacy Vocabulary-Building Initiative, which includes funding for Active Learning Centers in 6 branch libraries in Englewood and Pilsen/Little Village.  The Library will partner with Metropolitan Family Services and El Valor in this new initiative.

With the recent launch of Rahm’s Readers Summer Learning Challenge, the Foundation’s individual giving campaign, seeking support in increments of $10 per child is in full swing.  In addition to the Foundation’s own direct mail, social media and online campaigns, we are fortunate to have the wonderful pro bono support of RPM Advertising, Apollo 13 Astronaut James Lovell and Legendary anchorman Bill Kurtis in a wonderful: 30 sec. public service announcement seeking donations for the Summer Learning Challenge.  We are grateful for the assistance of the Library’s Marketing and Children’s services staff in production of this video, which was shot at the new Albany Park branch and which is already airing on the Comcast family of stations and WTTW. (play video)