Board of Directors Meeting Minutes – September 16, 2025

September 16, 2025, 9:00 a.m.

Merlo Branch

644 W. Belmont Avenue

Agenda

  1. Welcome to the Merlo Library (info only)
  2. Approval of minutes for the May 20, 2025 meeting (action required)
  3. Administration and Finance Report (info only)
  4. Programming and Data Update (info only)
  5. Operations and Facilities Report (info only)
  6. Commissioner’s Report (info only)
    • Harold Washington Library Center: Driving Downtown Visitation and Vitality  
    • Chicago Public Library 2024 Annual Report: Sharing Our Story  
    • Chicago Zine Fest at CPL: Positioning Harold Washington as a Cultural Stage  
    • Justice Sonia Sotomayor at Harold Washington Library Center  
    • Capital Strategy Launch and Strategic Planning Update  
    • Investing in Safety: Training and Taskforce Final Report 
    • Legler Regional Food Pantry Pilot 
    • Edgewater and Beverly Pride Events: Inclusion in Action, Commitment to Free Expression  
    • Media Updates & Upcoming Press Opportunities 
  7. Chicago Public Library Foundation Report (info only)
  8. Other Business
  9. Public Comment

 Next Board meeting: November 18, 2025, at Little Village Branch, 2311 S. Kedzie Avenue

 

Open Session Minutes

Board Members in Attendance

Physically Present: Linda Johnson Rice, Christopher P. Valenti, Jodi Block, Sandra Delgado

Present by Means of Video or Audio Conference: None

Absent: Lynn Lockwood, Dominique Jordan Turner, Michelle Boone

Welcome to the Woodson Regional Library (info only)

Michael Conlon, branch manager of the Merlo library, kicked off the meeting with a brief history of the branch. The branch was originally named the Lake View branch but was later renamed in 1993 after local community leader and long-time politician John M. Merlo. The Merlo branch is a resource hub serving the Lakeview, North Halsted and Wrigleyville communities, featuring dedicated spaces for all patrons including a YOUmedia space for teens, maker lab for our creative adult patrons and an early learning play spaces for children. Popular programing at Merlo includes its story time series for children of all ages, the Lego club, and a recording studio certification course for teens to learn the basics of sound recording, Logic Pro, and exporting audio files, to mention a few.  

Approval of minutes for May 20, 2025 meeting (action required)

The Board voted (4-0) to approve the minutes for the May 20, 2025 meeting.

Administration and Finance Report (info only)

Our newly promoted Deputy Commissioner of Finance and Administration, Mary Robinson 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 May 1 – August 31, 2025, totaled $3,598,580.63 for 6,295 invoices.
  • The 2026 budget season is approaching for select city departments. The timeline is as follows:
    • Aug 8 through Sept 12 – budget requests are submitted
    • Sept 10 – kick off of departmental budget meetings
    • Beginning mid Oct – Mayor’s budget speech and budget release
    • Late Oct through early November - departmental budget hearings take place

An overview of CPL’s 2026 budget will be shared once it has been approved by City Council.

  • Between May through August the library hired 37 FTE’s and an additional 60+ transfers have occurred throughout the system. CPL has also internally promoted 39 staff from part-time to full-time since the beginning of year.
  • Promotions and new hires for this quarter include:
    • Mary Robinson, promoted to Deputy Commissioner of Administration and Finance on June 16,
    • Rachael Everson, promoted to Project Manager of Strategy, Learning, Collections and Partnerships on June 16,
    • Shenita Mack, promoted to Central Library Director at HWLC on July 16, and
    • Lastly, Francis Comstock joined CPL as the Public Relations Representative III on Aug 25th.
  • We would also like to congratulate the following staff on their recent retirements:
    • Laura Morgan - Librarian II at HWLC- SSHAM; 35 years of service 
    • Frances Lovato - Library Clerk at Edgewater; 31 years of service
    • Susan Lumpkins - Library Clerk at HWLC- Interlibrary Loan; 29 years of service
    • Lois Russell - Library Clerk at Scottsdale; 21 years of service 
    • Reginald Riley -Motor Truck Driver at Shipping & Transportation; 28 years of service
    • Derrick Greenwood - Library Clerk at Austin; 26 years of service
    • Ramona Ross - Senior Library Clerk at Austin; 23 years of service
    • John Blount – Senior Library Clerk at Whitney Young; 33 years of service
    • Lorraine D Minor – Senior Library Clerk at HWLC- Circulation; 11 years of service
    • Christopher Popa – Librarian III at HWLC- SSHAM; 26 years of service
    • Frances Jones – Head Library Clerk at Austin; 33 years of service
    • Bing Liu – Library Associate at Woodson; 21 years of service
    • Eva Rodriguez Arroyo – Head Library Clerk at Lozano; 32 years of service
    • Cynthia Clemons – Administrative Assistant at HWLC- Staff Development; 30 years of service
    • Sandra Sereda– Library Clerk at Archer; 11 years of service
  • In connection with CPL’s Equity in Action plan, over 400 library staff have completed the City’s Equity 101 training, establishing a shared foundation in racial equity, systemic injustice, and the responsibilities of public service. The library has also been awarded the Institutional Transformation Award for its efforts surrounding equity; and a big shoutout goes to Eric Reyes, CPL’s Equity Officer, for being awarded the Equity Champion Award.
  • The library also continues to promote hiring by participating in job fairs throughout the city and speed hiring events. Between April and September, speed hiring events were held for Librarian IV, Library Page and Head Library Clerk positions.

Programming and Collections Update (info only)

First Deputy Commissioner Messner provided an update on current and upcoming programming and initiatives at CPL.  

Summer at CPL

This season’s Summer at CPL reading initiative Growing Minds, Growing Green concluded on August 3rd. The theme of this year’s program was nature with a focus on sustainability, local wildlife, and urban gardening. The Children’s Services and Family Engagement department reported that more than 90,000 children attended the 3,500+ programs that were offered this summer. Teens were also given opportunities to explore their environments through field trips, exploring nature right outside our library doors, and learning how to bring elements of sustainability and respect for our natural world into the indoors. Also, participation by our adult patrons continues to increase with 1,636 adults successfully completing the Summer at CPL for adults challenge, up from 415 in 2024.

81 Club

This fall, over 300,000 CPS students will get automatic 81 Club library accounts through a data-sharing agreement between Chicago Public Library (CPL) and Chicago Public Schools (CPS). After the 2025-26 rosters are finalized in September, student accounts will be activated in October. This initiative enhances access for CPS students and teachers, allowing CPL and CPS to drive school library engagement and card use moving forward.

One Book, One Chicago

The 2025 One Book, One Chicago selection is Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez. Olga Dies Dreaming follows successful but troubled siblings Olga, a wedding planner for the elite, and Prieto, a rising congressman, as their lives unravel when their radical, absent mother resurfaces just as Hurricane Maria devastates Puerto Rico. The novel explores themes of political corruption, class, identity, and familial trauma, forcing the siblings to confront their pasts and the true meaning of the American Dream against the backdrop of a natural disaster.

From September through November, One Book, One Chicago will explore themes and ideas from the book with programming across Chicago. The season finale event will be held on Thurs, Nov 20, with Xochitl Gonzalez in conversation with Donna Seaman.

Latine Heritage Month at CPL 

The Chicago Public library is celebrating Latine Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15. This year’s theme “My Culture Lives/ Mi cultura vive” celebrates the rich and diverse culture that Chicago communities are proud of. The resilience of the Latine people will be showcased through literacy, arts and music programs held throughout the library system. To commemorate this month, Arly Aguirre, an aspiring cartoonist who works with India Ink has created a black and white coloring sheet for CPL patrons to print and color.

Presidential Reading List/ Obama’s Top Reads

To build excitement and anticipation, CPL is launching a citywide reading campaign, Obama’s Top Reads leading up to the opening of our newest branch at the Obama Presidential Center.

Beginning September 15, patrons will be invited to engage with the story of the Obama Presidential Center and explore President Obama’s 2025 Summer Reading List (and past lists) — collections that reflects his love of literature and belief in the power of stories to inspire and unite. The campaign will spotlight CPL and Chicago’s excitement through photos and stories shared on our social media channels. The Obama’s Top Reads campaign will run from September 15 thru October 15.

Data Dashboard Update

Sam Zucker, CPL’s Chief Analyst, shared an overview of the library’s newly established data dashboard. Since February, the data team has been in the planning and development phase with a goal to roll out the dashboard to all CPL branches by the end of the year. The data dashboard will support the library in identifying trends related to program offerings and circulation statistics based on usage, and more. Some of the areas highlighted as it relates to circulation trends include top books by quarter, books circulated by age group, book type (fiction vs. non-fiction), and year-to-date stats on physical books.

 

Operations and Facilities Report (info only)

Deputy Commissioner of Library Operations and Patron Experience, Maggie Clemons shared an update on CPL operations and facility projects.

Safety Updates

CPL is taking deliberate steps to ensure community safety by partnering with key organizations and offering various workshops and training sessions. From May to August, CPL will host gun safety awareness workshops across multiple Chicago locations at no cost. These sessions will educate residents on the impact of gun violence, provide lifesaving "Stop the Bleed" training to handle gun injuries, offer information on anonymously turning in unwanted firearms, and distribute free gun locks. Additionally, trauma-informed trainings will be available to help individuals understand the effects of trauma, learn techniques for navigating complex situations, and develop conflict resolution and de-escalation skills.

Through initiatives like "Take Back the Block," CPL demonstrates a strong commitment to fostering community engagement, reducing violent crime, and prioritizing the safety and development of the neighborhoods we serve.

Video Game Night

In collaboration with the Mayor’s Office of Community Safety (MOCS), Teamwork Englewood, and the 7th Police District, the Kelly Branch will host an after-hours Video Game Night on September 26. This event will feature an evening of gaming, prizes, food, giveaways, and activities suitable for all ages. Three additional programs are scheduled for select weekend nights throughout the fall and winter seasons. This community safety initiative aims to create safe and welcoming environments for youth and families in areas most affected by violence. The Late-Night Video Games Series builds on this effort by engaging young people in secure spaces within the community during critical times.

ShowerUp

The Chicago Public Library is enhancing its social service collaborations at the Harold Washington Library Center this fall. ShowerUp at CPL fosters community, upholds dignity, and inspires hope through mobile showers and personal care. Inside the ShowerUp mobile unit, guests will find private, comfortable "shower suites" equipped with a clean shower and sink, plenty of hot water, and all the essentials for a refreshing experience. While waiting or after freshening up, guests can enjoy a cup of coffee and learn about library resources and social work support.

The ShowerUp program will be held on Mondays from 9AM- noon on September 8, October 6, November 10, November 24, December 8 and December 15. Social workers from Hartgrove and Garfield Park Behavioral Health centers will also be onsite.

Celebrations and Milestones

Sulzer’s 40th Anniversary

This year, the Sulzer Regional Library celebrates its 40th anniversary. Serving as a central hub for the Lincoln Square community, the library is named after Conrad Sulzer, a Ravenswood resident and Swiss immigrant. It is one of three regional libraries in the Chicago Public Library system, alongside the Woodson and Legler regional libraries.

On August 15, 2025, a new exhibit opened on the 1st and 2nd floors of Sulzer to commemorate its anniversary. This exhibit features photographs from the Northside Neighborhood History Collection, documenting the library’s planning, construction, and opening day. These images provide a glimpse into the past and highlight the strong community support for the library’s creation. The exhibit will be available until October 15, 2025.

This upcoming weekend, the library will host special birthday-themed events, including a Birthday Story Time and a musical performance by the Dreamtree Shakers for kids on Saturday. Additional programming to honor Sulzer’s anniversary will continue throughout the rest of the year.

Capital Updates

CPL is actively participating in city-wide energy retrofit programs, including the Municipal Buildings Retrofit initiative and the Chi100 renewable energy initiative. These efforts have involved installing solar panels and upgrading HVAC systems. Library locations selected to participate in this program include South Chicago, Humboldt Park, West Lawn and Toman. CPL is also integrating energy-saving features into new library constructions and renovations, adhering to LEED certification standards, upgrading lighting, and incorporating water-saving fixtures.

CARE Projects

Branches that are currently participating in the Clean and Repair Everything (CARE) initiative include Lozano and Bucktown-Wicker Park.  

 

Commissioner’s Report (info only)

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

  • A recent study affirmed the Harold Washington Library Center’s role as a civic anchor and economic driver for Chicago. Visits to HWLC resulted in almost 200,000 additional trips to other spaces in the downtown area.
  • Check out CPL’s accomplishments from this past year in the 2024 Annual Report. The report celebrates CPL users and highlights the reach and impact of our library system, including over 5 million branch visits citywide, 1 million in-person computer users, and over 160,000 newly issued library cards this year, to mention a few.
  • On July 19 the library hosted Chicago Zine Fest at Harold Washington Library Center with more than 1,700 attendees connecting independent publishers, artists, and readers together in a single civic space.
  • Later this week, the library will host U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to share her new children’s book Just Shine. Andrea Sáenz, President & CEO of The Chicago Community Trust, will moderate the public program.
  • In partnership with Gensler and DPD, CPL has launched its first-ever Capital Strategy. The strategy will focus on stewardship of our buildings while also envisioning flexible and equitable spaces for the future.
  • As part of the library’s commitment to investing in staff and public safety, over 200 staff recently participated in conflict prevention and de-escalation training led by nationally recognized trainer Ryan Dowd.

To further share the library’s efforts in providing safe and welcoming spaces, Nesha Saunders, District 6 Chief, shared an overview of the library’s Safety Taskforce’s final report. The report was developed in partnership with NAMI Chicago and provided an understanding of how safety is perceived by patrons and staff at libraries locations across the system. 

  • In partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository, a new food pantry pilot launched at the Legler Regional library in Garfield Park. Patrons can access the food pantry weekly on Sundays 1-4PM and Thursdays 4-7PM.
  • Drag Story Times were held in June at Edgewater and Beverly branches in recognition of Pride month featuring age-appropriate books and songs on kindness and belonging by performers rooted in Chicago’s youth and queer communities.
  • CPL earned 383 media mentions between June – August reaching approximately 2.3 million people. Coverage outlets included the Chicago Sun-Times, Yahoo! News, Chicago Tribune and Fox 32 Chicago.

 

Chicago Public Library Foundation Report (info only)

Brenda Bui, President and CEO of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, shared an update on behalf of the staff and Board of the Chicago Public Library Foundation, highlighting the important work the Foundation is currently undertaking.  

  • The Chicago Public Library Foundation’s Associate board is hosting a One Book, One Chicago themed trivia night later this month on September 25.
  • Get ready for the 2025 Library Foundation Awards on October 21, honoring Percival Everett, Jose Olivarez and Mary Dempsey. The ceremony will be held in person with a broadcast released soon after on November 5.
  • Kendra Scott and Jeni’s Ice Cream have recently shown fundraising support, raising $1000.
  • Fundraising efforts continue as the Foundation welcomes 32 new monthly donors to the summer recurring gift campaign.
  • All are encouraged to sign up for the Foundation’s e-newsletter to stay in the loop on upcoming events and learn about the impact donors help make possible at our libraries.

 

Other Business

None

 

Public Comment

The following remarks were addressed to the board during the public comment portion of the meeting:

  • Patrons are enjoying the Renaissance program and applaud the library on their continuous efforts at ensuring that programs are as accessible and special accommodations are provided when necessary.
  • An interest in AI for seniors programming.
  • Representative from the Rebels for Peace organization inquired about how the library can expand programming for youth located on the Southside of Chicago.
  • A Washington Park community representative is requesting that the library still consider building a library for their residents, potentially in partnership with the Park District.
  • Professional photographer, Kiko shared information about their photography program which teaches photography skills to teens and adults on the Southside of Chicago.

 

Commissioner’s Report  

Harold Washington Library Center: Driving Downtown Visitation and Vitality

The Harold Washington Library Center is Chicago’s largest free civic space, serving residents daily with access, learning, and connection. In 2024, it welcomed 721,000 visits, with each averaging 150 minutes of use, making it both a cultural and social destination. A joint project with the Urban Libraries Council shows that central libraries across the nation not only fulfill their mission but also generate downtown traffic essential to post-pandemic recovery. At Harold, those visits translated into nearly 190,000 additional trips to restaurants, cafés, shops, and cultural spaces in the Loop. This analysis dovetails with our CannonDesign and Civic Consulting Alliance work, affirming the library’s role as both a civic anchor and an economic driver for Chicago’s downtown.

Chicago Public Library 2024 Annual Report: Sharing Our Story

The 2024 Annual Report marks our accomplishments from the past year as we head into budget season and City Council hearings. It celebrates CPL users and staff while helping civic leaders and media understand the reach and impact of our library system. Across 81 branches, Chicagoans engaged with us at record levels:

  • 5 million branch visits citywide
  • 167,492 new library cards issued — the highest ever
  • 14 million+ books, films, and resources shared
  • 312,267 new items added to the collection
  • 30,694 programs reaching 515,000+ attendees
  • 67 million website visits
  • 2 million Wi-Fi sessions
  • 1 million in-person computer uses
  • 43,828 CyberNavigator digital literacy trainings
  • 34,791 homework help sessions

The report also reflects how CPL extended beyond our walls—supporting migrant families with bilingual programs, expanding public health access with free Narcan at every branch, providing resources through CityKey, and welcoming national voices like Joy Harjo, Ada Limón, and Nikole Hannah-Jones. Together, these numbers and stories reflect our role in building equity, literacy, and community connection across Chicago.

Chicago Zine Fest at CPL: Positioning Harold Washington as a Cultural Stage

Harold Washington Library Center hosted more than 1,700 attendees for Chicago Zine Fest on July 19. The event brought independent publishers, artists, and readers together in a single civic space. Special thanks go to the Zine Fest team, co-organizer Alex Nall, and CPL staff—especially Oscar Arriola—for their leadership. Hosting this event reinforced Harold as a cultural hub for creative voices and publishing innovation. CPL remains committed to making libraries centers of artistic expression and community storytelling.

Justice Sonia Sotomayor at Harold Washington Library Center

On September 20, CPL will welcome U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor to Harold Washington Library Center. She will share her new children’s book Just Shine, which celebrates authenticity and belonging. The illustrations by Chicago artist Jacqueline Alcántara reflect the diversity and creativity found in our neighborhoods. Andrea Sáenz, President & CEO of The Chicago Community Trust, will moderate the public program. This extraordinary opportunity—secured through the Library Foundation and bookseller partner ¡Viva! Los Libros—underscores CPL’s role as a civic stage for democracy. With additional support from the Foundation, we are able to provide bus service to bring youth from across the city and supply books for young attendees, ensuring full participation in this remarkable civic moment.

Capital Strategy Launch and Strategic Planning Update

CPL has launched its first-ever Capital Strategy in partnership with Gensler and DPD’s Planning NOW agreement. Over 15,000 residents shared feedback through a citywide survey, now being analyzed to guide our work. This fall, we will convene civic leaders, designers, and agency partners for planning roundtables. The strategy will focus on stewardship of our buildings while also envisioning flexible and equitable spaces for the future.

Investing in Safety: Training and Taskforce Final Report 

CPL is investing in staff and public safety through best-practice training, expanded wellness supports, and systemwide standards. On August 20, more than 220 staff participated in conflict prevention and de-escalation training led by nationally recognized trainer Ryan Dowd. Originally developed for McDonald’s Corporation, the program equips employees with practical tools across the stages of pre-conflict, conflict, and crisis—helping staff reduce risk, support patrons with care, and know when law enforcement engagement is appropriate. 

Alongside this training, CPL has reached a major milestone with the completion of the Safety Taskforce’s final report, developed in partnership with NAMI Chicago. The Taskforce gathered more than 1,600 patron survey responses and over 300 staff responses, alongside focus groups and site observations, to understand safety across the system. The findings revealed a significant contrast in perceptions: patrons generally reported feeling safe in library spaces, while many staff expressed concerns, citing exposure to verbal and physical aggression. The final report underscores that library safety is deeply connected to broader citywide challenges and sets forward a comprehensive plan for short-, mid-, and long-term improvements. Implementation is already underway, with new security onboarding standards, peer navigator pilots, post-incident wellness checklists, transparent safety trend reporting, and expanded crisis response training moving into place. 

Legler Regional Food Pantry Pilot 

CPL has launched a new food pantry pilot at Legler Regional Library in Garfield Park, in partnership with the Greater Chicago Food Depository. This twice-weekly pantry—operating Sundays from 1 to 4 p.m. and Thursdays from 4 to 7 p.m.—evolves from the former monthly market model into a new approach that uses library space in alignment with GCFD’s current strategy. Libraries are often neighborhood connecting points, not only for information and digital access, but also for essential resources like healthy food. The pilot builds on our long-standing partnership with GCFD, through which CPL has helped connect Chicagoans to nearly 200,000 out-of-school-time meals. By situating this service in an inclusive public space, the pantry also helps reduce the stigma often associated with food insecurity, making it easier for families to access the support they need. 

Edgewater and Beverly Pride Events: Inclusion in Action, Commitment to Free Expression

In June, CPL hosted Drag Story Times at our Edgewater and Beverly branches as part of Pride Month. These events serve LGBTQIA neighbors and families while affirming our commitment to intellectual freedom. The programs featured age-appropriate books and songs on kindness and belonging, presented by local performers rooted in Chicago’s youth and queer communities. CPL ensured safe and welcoming environments with staff, security, and local police coordination. Alongside our Book Sanctuary work and Theaster Gates’ Altar for the Unbanned, these programs affirm CPL’s role as a defender of free speech.

Media Updates & Upcoming Press Opportunities

Between June 1 and August 31, 2025, Chicago Public Library earned 383 media mentions with an estimated reach of 2.3 billion and an advertising value equivalency of $20.9 million. Coverage was led by the Chicago Sun-Times, Yahoo! News and the Chicago Tribune, with high-impact articles on MSN and Yahoo highlighting CPL’s role as a cooling center during extreme heat and the new branch at the Obama Presidential Center. A strategic partnership with FOX 32 Chicago amplified literacy in the city through multiple features, including an hour-long Summer at CPL special and ongoing coverage that showcased library programs and leadership. Key themes in coverage positioned CPL as a vital civic hub: a cultural anchor through the Obama Presidential Center branch, a public safety resource during heatwaves, a gathering space for community events and protests, a multifunctional provider of everyday services and an active partner in public health.

 

Chicago Public Library Foundation Report

Brenda Bui, President & CEO 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:

Upcoming Opportunities to Engage  

  • Join the Foundation’s Associate Board at their September 25 Get Carded: Noche de Trivia event! Join us for a One Book, One Chicago-themed trivia night at Stay and Play Game Cafe in Irving Park. Tickets are $40 and raffle tickets are available even if you can’t attend the event. More information is available at https://cplfoundation.org/events.  
  • The 2025 Library Foundation Awards will be held in-person on October 21 and the free event broadcast released shortly afterward to be enjoyed by anyone, anywhere. Our announcement video featuring honorees Pulitzer Prize-winning author Percival Everett, poet and cultural champion José Olivarez, and library visionary Mary Dempsey, has more than 24,000 views so far! More information about the event and supporting our Library through tickets or sponsorships is available on our website at cplfoundation.org/awards.  Remember, the free public broadcast featuring highlights from the event will be available via YouTube starting November 5! 
  • Recent social fundraisers at Kendra Scott and Jeni’s Ice Cream raised over $1,000 in support while spreading awareness of our work with the Library. There are a number of additional collaborations planned with Jeni’s in the coming weeks—so keep an eye out for events near you.  

Celebrations & Reminders  

  • Monthly giving is an important (and budget-friendly) way to consistently support our Library. As a result of our summer recurring gift campaign, we have welcomed 32 new monthly sustaining donors – surpassing our goal of 20! 
  • We welcome everyone to join the Library Foundation community. Sign up for our e-newsletter at cplfoundation.org to hear about the impact donors help make possible at our Library and be the first to know about upcoming events.