Board of Directors

CPL has a wide array of things to cover today, from electing board officers and policy recs on library-use guidelines, to info on CPL’s free Narcan initiative, new COVID mitigations and Sunday hours, as well as updates on CPL Obama branch!

Starting with agenda items that require action, Chris Valenti of the board is starting off with the election of 2022 officer, proposing Linda Johnson Rice as President and Christopher P. Valenti as VP, and Lynn Lockwood as Secretary. https://t.co/Uf38S8jdGq

No comments or questions were made regarding the nominations, all officers being approved with the motion being seconded by board member Michelle Boone

Teri Campbell reports on the CPL’s finances, announcing that CPL spent $2m on new library materials last year, bringing new books, magazines, and other materials to our neighborhood https://t.co/r7an41frBf

Library use guidelines have been updated to be more accommodating, including updating the appeal process:
Level 1 violations: patrons will be asked to leave for the day
L2: harassing behaviors will be suspended on a weekly basis
L3: police would be called, and 30 day suspension https://t.co/v215KbdRUs

Commissioner Chris Brown recommends making provisions to CPL’s circulation policies, which would affect the length and limit of borrowing and holding CPL materials
Cardholder hold’s increased from an 8-hold limit to up to 12 at one-time.

CPL Programming Updates:
In teen services: Radical Fit will be working to provide a safe space for Chicago teens to explore gender affirming looks and DIY projects, and What’s Your Lense? https://t.co/OZ5FHS0pnE

Led by Gloria Cassens, What’s Your Lense? Serves 14-24 y/o’s exploring their artistic skill, here’s the programs 2021 portfolio!

Furthermore, Chicago Teen Gamers Guild (CTGG) has 12 teens cultivating youth gaming programs to build an audience to compete in gaming conventions! https://t.co/MWoUPhBvea

In Adult Services: CPL will be hosting promotional virtual events Feb. 2nd at 6p.m. for U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s book, “Just Help!” and a joint panel with Chicago’s Coalition for the Homeless Feb. 8th, which will be featuring photographs by Jeff Wolin https://t.co/zwj5YQps2X

For Black History Month, CPL will be hosting various events, from book discussions, topical film screenings, and putting programs together will local orgs! https://t.co/ESMzJvqKpo

Moving in to Project and Facilities reports:
Ground broke on the Obama Presidential Center Branch, and CARE projects are being finalized for 2022 across various CPL branches https://t.co/RcQ3A7dHez

The Obama branch has had a couple of hiccups recently, breaking ground in September despite environmental concerns regarding the destruction of a thousand trees in Jackson Park
https://www.ehn.org/barack-obama-presidential-center-chicago-2654814450/designing-with-creativity

An injunction to stop the project was denied in the summer and no ruling was made in the Seven Circuit court panel hearing held in November, but “according to the Obama foundation, 90% of the centers grounds will be open to the public.”
https://www.courthousenews.com/seventh-circuit-hears-challenge-to-obama-presidential-center/

Due to COVID cases rising, food and drinking is no longer allowed at CPL branches, KN95 masks are being distributed to staff after CPL’s branches at Daley and Galewood-Month https://t.co/5Z8G4j3dWg

Narcan is available at 14 of CPL’s branches, with hopes of increasing to 27 by the end of the year https://t.co/GFksRssrNF

That concludes today’s meeting coverage, for more on Chicago’s public systems follow @CHIdocumenters. Bye now!! 🤗✨