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Chicago Library CommissionerMary Dempsey with MayorRichard M. Daley

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n Our Kind f

How the Chicago Public Library is changing the city)gy8arberandlinda Wallace

Building or renovating 52 libraries in 17 years would be a feat for

any comnnunity. That this renaissance occurred in Chicago—the

city that "makes no small plans"—is perhaps not surprising. That it

has occurred when many library systems are struggling10 keep branches open—and that the quality of theconstruction rivals its quantity—is.

Today the nondescript storefronts and dilapidatedbuildings ihat once characlerized the Chicago Pub-lic Library system are largely gone. Almost 70% ofits 76 branches are new or extensively renovated.Jull'Service libraries. In neighborhood after neigh-borhood, Chicago's new libraries have demonstratedtheir power to transform. Not only does library usesoar, the neighborhoods themselves are revitalized.Aldermen now vie to have new or renovated librariesin their neighhorhoods—and community residentssing their praises.

And while it may not be the largest library-build-ing project (Los Angeles has built 67 libraries since1989), Chicago's revitalization reflects an exceptionalpartnership forged by Mayor Richard M. Daley withLibrary Commissioner Mary Dempsey. Thetwo share a visioaof the library as an integralpart of education, a center of community life.and catalyst for economic development. Lastyear Dempsey was named one of the "PublicOfficials of the Year" by Governing magazine.

It was Daley who lured Dempsey. then a prominentattorney, back to libraries in 1994. Dempsey had earlierearned a master's in library science from the Univer-sity of Illinois and. while working at the Chicago firmof Sidley and Austin, was lured into the library and citygovernment. Her charge: Create a world-class libraryfor a world-class city.

Dempsey responded with the library's fkrst strategicplan. Developed with input from the lihrary board.staff, and community, the approach provided a map forrebuilding the library's infrastructure.

"This is a big city witb a significant and diverse popula-tion," said Jayne Carr Thompson, president of the CPLBoard of Directors. "We needed to look at the establishedsystem and determine which communities had a need forlibrary services and weren't getting them, and how wecould reallocate services in a way that made more sense."

The plan gave the mayor what he needed lo sell the

"Make no small plans; they have no magicto stir men's blood and probably themselves

will not be realized."—Daniel H. Burnham, Chicagoarchitect and city planner (1846-1912)

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City Council on a $65-million library bond issue in 1997.Two years later he asked for—and got—a second bondinitiative tbat included funding for police and fire sta-tions and another $44 million for library construction.CPL also received about $7 million from tbe State ofIllinois. Tbese funds boosted tbe CPL capital programby $116 million, permitting construction of 20 libraries.Tbe remaining 32 libraries were built or renovated witba variety of fundi ng sources from the city and state.

Visitors at the Bycktown.branch can locktheir b ik^ to reading-related racks.

"Sometimes being a good steward of tbe taxpayers'dollars and serving tbeir library needs wben tbere isn'tenougb capital money means being resourceful andcreative with developers, landlords, and alternativefinancing," explained Dempsev-

Tbe library bas benefited from some creative financ-ing tbanks to tbe mayor's insistence tbat all city depart-ments work togetber. One brancb sits on land donatedby Cbicago Public Scbools. Otbers sites were purchased

using TIF funds (Tax Increment Financing,wbicb allows tax dollars to be reinvested inibeir taxing district). Tbe park. fire, and[jolice departments bave also cooperated in.site acquisitions.

Wbile tbe city's Public Building Com-ttiission awards contracts and oversees tbeImilding projects. Dempsey empbaslzesI hat sbe and CPL's building managers. Mortl^orburn and Tim Hickey, keep a watcbfulrye. and tbat tbe library board bas ulti-mate autbority. "Tbe buildings bave to bewelcoming and pbysically attractive." sbesaid. "Tbat is my responsibility. Tbe biggestmistake a director can make is to cede tbatresponsibilitv."

The new LoganSquare librarywas dedicatedOctober 1,2005.

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Dempsey is closely involved in all aspects of the "The capital commitment is only the beginning," he said.huilding program, from searching for locations—"Al- "Our city council, led hy the mayor, has cheerfiiily taken

ways walk the site""—through construction. She visitsbuilding worksites regularly, putting on a hard hat andpeppering the workers with questions.

The mayor too stays personally involved, sometimeshelping to negotiate land deals and attending everybranch opening. "WeVe top-of-mind with the mayor."said Dempsey. noting that she sometimes receivesnewspaper clippings with a note from Daleyasking. "Can we do this?"

"We are lucky in Chicago to have a con-tinuity of leadership that other cities don'thave," she continued. "We have a mayorwhoreally loves tbis city. He gets the value ofthe library for lifelong learning. He speaksfrom the heart. If it's remotely connected tolifelong learning, he wants the library to bepart oiit."

Paul H. Dykstra. secretary of the libraryboard of directors and chair of the

board's Administration and Finance Com-mittee, admitted he bad no idea of how bigtbe library-building project would become.

on the increased operating cost. It was one of those raretbings that hrought unanimity. . . tbat libraries are ter-rific for a community and could have a positive effect."

Alderman Patrick O'Connor, wbo has representedthe 40tb ward since 1984. noted tbat Daley benefitedfrom a ilourisbing economy in the late 1990s. Daleyalso bad tbe success ofthe city's central library, whicb

Budlong Woods is one of twobranches under considerationto recieve the "green building"certification granted to six otherCPL branches.

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opened in 1991. to huild on. But O'Connor points outthat "Having money is one thing. Having tbe visionto spend it appropriately is another. It happened herebecause we bad a mayor who bad tbe vision to say tbisis what we need to do to he a world class city."

O'Connor's ward previously lacked a library. Thenew Budlong Woods hrancb replaced a rundown hotelin his ward. Today the library is a popular destinationfor children and families. "From a user point of view.it's a very good huilding." he explained. "It's easy to

find what you want and tbere's a belp desk when youwalk in."

Like all the new branches. Budlong Woods is amultipurpose facility. Many community groups hostmeetings there, as does O'Connor. It also serves as apolling place. The alderman notes with pride tbat anew mixed-use building across the street bas copiedtbe library's architecture. "The lihrary set the tone forredevelopment in that area," he said. "It's been verypositive."

THE DALEY NEWSTime magazine has said Chicago'sMayor Richard M. Daley "is widelyviewed as the nation's top urbanexecutive." First elected in 1989,his bold, sometimes controversialsteps have consistently includedlibraries, and his 2007 re-electioncampaign featured librariesamong his accomplishments. TheChicago Public Library Foundationrecently awarded Daley its firstLibrary Champion Award for hisnationally recognized and inspir-ing commitment to Chicago'slibraries and literacy.

AMERICAN LIBRARIES:Why are you such a librarybooster?DALEY: The library is really

an education anchor and a

community anchor, some-

times more than a school

in the sense of their hours.

They deal vi/ith all types and

ages of people. You'll see

immigrants with their chil-

dren. . . people filling out

their resumes, doing term

papers, relaxing, reading a

book. It's all part of what I

think America should be.

To what do you attribute

the success of Chicago's

library-building program? Mayor

Thank the taxpayers of the City of

Chicago. They have invested in im-

proving education. Whether it's the

library or the schools, we understand

and appreciate what can pull people

out of poverty.

How do you see the library's

building program in economic

development?What you see is many times business-

es will do something in and around

the library. [For example,] they will

open a coffee shop. People [realize]

the city invested X amount of money,

Daley visits with a young reader at Vodak-East Side.

whether it's 8 or 10 or 12 million dol-

lars. That's a big investment. Then re-

tail thinks, "The city is investing here.

We should start investing here."

How do you respond whenpeople ask, "Who needs librariesanymore?"

I think you have to understand what

a library does. It's more than the

internet, more than a bookstore.

It's part of the community, an edu-

cational place for all ages to go to.

To me, it's a wonderful experience

to go there. In a knowledge-based

society and economy

we'd better be promot-

ing more and more

libraries.

What advice doyou have for othermayors andcommunities?

I would ask them to

come to Chicago and

find out what we're do-

ing, how we're doing it,

our financing, and the

reaction of the public.

I think they would be

amazed at how they

can reclaim parts of

their city and how many

people are there at the

library.

O'Connor's advice to other public officials: "Don't buyinto tbe idea tbat because tbe internet exisis librariesaren't a desirable commodity for your community. Theability to use them for civic purposes and to bringpeople any number of tbings is a good way to enhanceany community. Tbe library as a function is tbe purestform of enjoyment. It's open year round and providesaccess to the world."

The system's Near North hranch. which opened in1997, has received national attention for its role in

belp. One patron hosts board games after scbool onWednesdays. Another leads a reading and discussionprogram.

"People absolutely love it," confirmed security of-ficer Donna Claybourne. "Tbey use it. It's a lovely place.People come in and say, 'Oh, tbis is it!' They're glad tobave it here."

While many times larger than its two storefrontpredecessors, tbe new Buck town-Wicker Park branchsometimes suffers baby carriage gridlock witb up to 80

"Having money is one thing. Having thevision to spend it appropriately is another.'

1 urning around a depressed, high-crime area. Ten yearslater, a coffee shop, hundreds of new town bouses, anda new police station bave been added to tbe busy retailarea. Wbile otber city departments such as parks andpolice played a role, the library is widely credited forjump-starting the revitalization,

Tbe system's newest hranch. Vodak-East Side, openedin August 2006. replacing a smaller storefront brancbtbat opened in 1974. Located on tbe city's far southeastside, the area is heavily populated by Hispanic im-migrants. A classic example of "If you build it. they willcome." the new branch's circulation in its first fourmonths nearly equaled the former branch's statistics forits entire last year. Vodak-East Side Manager RicbardMcLeiland points to nearby businesses that now sportspit'i'ier looks.

Santos Nodal, a recent college graduate studying forthe electrician's exam, said be is a frequent user of tbenew library. He rememhers the old one as dark andcramped. "It wasn't a place I wanted to go to as a kid."

"Construction of a library sends a strong message: Iftbe city cares enough to build a lihrary, they must careabout me." said Dempsey. She tells of going to vote andhaving an election judge—who lives in another part oftbe city—thank ber for a new lihrary. "We didn't usedto hear "I love the library.'" said Dempsey. "We lost ageneration of library users, but they are now comingback."

Tbe Wesi Pullman branch, which opened in July2005, serves a largely African-American, mixed-in-come community. Located in an area that previouslydid not bave a lihrary, tbere are now lines of peoplewaitingto get in.

Branch Manager Dewana Dorsey notes that grate-ful residents have been quirk to volunteer their

preschoolers and their parents turning out for story-times. Tbe free Wi-Fi—available at all CPL branches-isa popular service in this neighborhood, which is well onits way to renewal.

G rand and cozy. Gracious and comfortable. Warm.Exciting. Vihrant. Solid. Soaring. Airy.

These are some of tbe words brancb managers use todescribe their libraries.

Designed in "contemporary prairie" style witbbrick exteriors and largely wood interiors. CPUs newand renovated hranches convey a consistent image.Architectural firm Antunovich Associates designedfour prototypes—ranging from ahout 7.000 to 16.500square feet—to accommodate various sites and allow foreconomies of scale. All of the hranches bave clear sigbtlines for easy supervision. Over tbe past four years, theconstruction cost averaged at $285 per square foot.

Eacb library opens into a central two-story clere-story that floods the library with light and makes theinterior appear more spacious. Indeed, some peopleask how to get to the nonexistent second floor. Thiscentral area contains computers, study tables, and thereference help desk witb the children's room, peri-odicals, young adult, adult, and reference collectionssurrounding it.

Tbe library's abbreviated mission statement ("Read.Learn. Discover.") is prominently embedded in thefloors or walls of eacb new building. Rest rooms andcommunity rooms with modern projection systemsand seating for up to 125 people are located off theentrance hall. All branches are fully accessible todisabled people.

While tbe overall effect is consistent, the newlibraries are not cookie-cutter. Eacb has customized

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lighting, color schemes, and furnishings, includingcomfy, oversized reading chairs. Distinctive touchesinclude reading garden.s (where space permits), bi-cycle racks in the shape of the word "hooks," andartwork—thanks to a Chicago requirement that allpuhlic buildings invest 1.33% of their construction orrenovation budget on original art.

Each branch receives its own special collections,often in foreign languages. As part of its grandopening, each library receives $400,000 for newmaterials. The materials are selected by hranchstaff, who know their users' needs and interests, incooperation with the library's collection develop-ment department.

Six branches bave received LEED (Leadership inEnergy and Environmental Design) certificationfrom the U.S. Green Building Council, officiallydesignating tbem as "green buildings." Two otberbranches are currently under consideration forreceiving certification. Among otber things, the cer-tification recognizes a high level of indoor air quality,use of recycled materials, and energy-eificient light-ing, heating, and cooling systems.

"We're really proud of not just building greatlibraries." said Cbristina Tcben. a member of thelibrary board's Facilities Committee, "but showinghow on a puhlic budget you can build buildings thatare environmentally responsible."

T he libra rys building program is winding down.One library—in the Beverly community in

southwest Chicago—is still to he built witb bondfunding. Dempsey says tbe library will continueto explore funding to replace and update olderbuildings.

She sees the library's biggest challenge as raisingpublic awareness. "We are built for everyone touse. rich and poor alike. We are critical to qualityof life. We're here for lifelong learning. It's up to usto get the message out there in a consistent, positivefashion: 'Here's what we can do for you. . . your husi-ness.your family.'"

CPUs new strategic plan. Chicago Public Library2010. calls for development of a marketing strategy.Dempsey said the new approach will he as criticalas the last one in helping the lihrary prepare forthe future. She said a strong focus on staff develop-ment, initiated as part ofthe first strategic plan, willcontinue.

"Investing in people is the most important thingwe can do." sbe said. "If we don't have a well-trained.competent, and confident stafi, it doesn't matter bowbeautiful tbe buildings are." I

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