There are never more than 2 staffperson scheduled at a branch at a time; sometimes there is just one. Some of the people you see shelving books and helping out behind the desk are volunteers!
It would make so much more sense to raise private funds to support a library bookmobile instead of maintaining the branches. Or maybe we can get Northwestern to buy us one! :-)
Hello, haven't you been paying attention?! 36 people are being laid off from the City of Evanston and not all of them are low-paid part-timers. No, they may not be making $100,000 a year, but they are making over $75,000. And guess what - these are real people who live in Evanston, own homes and pay taxes. Yes, they pay the exorbitant Evanston taxes just like you do. They have families to support. And they are going to lose their jobs in this economy, through no fault of their own. They are victims. Your cavalier attitude about cutting people's jobs is callous. Yes, the City needs to cut the budget. Yes, no one wants more tax hikes. But how about showing a little sensitivity to the poor City employees who are losing their jobs.
Perhaps the people who whine about access to libraries are not aware that the CTA bus runs down Central and is clean and fast and they should not be afraid to ride [there is not the riff-raff they probably expect]. The CTA train run can take them to the Main library---the 201 use to do that also until they decided to skip the two senior centers and City Hall !
I have to wonder how much of the argument for the north branch at least is that they don't want to be around what they consider the "riff-raff" at the Main library. The branches are probably a haven for those who don't want to associate with such people or probably people with incomes lower than $80,000. But start a rally to take care of the poor or promote Evanston as an integrated community and they will be first in-line---as long as they don't actually have to meet any of those people.
Surely anyone who has worked for a private company will recognize the way things go:
Someone is hired as the 'savior of the company' or the best _______ there is and we must pay them $$$ to get them to come here. If the company makes alot of money those people are given big bonuses and 'ordinary people' nothing. If the company has losses it is blamed on the 'ordinary' worker and the 'saviors' are given big payouts so they won't leave.
After a few years it is obvious that person did not produce what was expected and they are let go and a new 'savior' comes in and the prior one is labeled a failure who should never have been hired [though the Board/management never takes responsibility] and they may even imply the former 'savior' took all kinds of valuable documents and [his hand-selected] people with him.
You will probably hear this argument made more and more about the bankers and others on Wall Street. Any one who has worked there or really any corporatation will recognize this and that most of the highly paid management could be as easily replaced with someone from the phonebook. There are very good and successful managers, but they are only recognized years later after several business cycles---for most companies it is a crap-shoot as to whether a manager(s) will perform better than anyone else. On Wall Street this is called the "traders option"---bet big and if it turns out you get a big bonus, if it is a loss you just go to the next firm, and then the next,..., and may even land back a prior company when they forget how bad you were or now thing you have "learned so much" from working a many companies.
Part of the issue here, which has been lost in the shuffle, is the fact that the South branch needs thousands of dollars (as high as 180-300K?) in renovations just to be brought into ADA compliance. Obviously the hue and cry of eliminating only one branch cannot be ignored.
How much tax revenue would be generated if the North branch were sold and made into a bookstore/internet cafe? Property back on the tax rolls AND generating sales tax. And people can still have a place to linger over books. Think of how Borders and B&N are reading rooms now!
BTW--if the northsiders really need a place to gather, why not utilize the Christian Science Reading Room a mere block from the branch library?
Despite all the 'grand plans' the Council cannot even provide re-cycle bins downtown, other shopping districts or even at City Hall---look at all the cans and bottles on the front lawn and even more so along Asbury.
If even the über-liberal Kennedy clan fights to keep wind power out of the far shores of their resorts, can you imagine what it will be like in Evanston to get any windpower or even solar panels---the liberals will start whole movements to protest the despoiling of some imagined view they think they now have or noise or some pseudo-claim they invent.
Now is the time to let the libraries go. We need to re-allocate funds and we don't need to cut more staff or more services in the city to keep branches open. The South Branch is shabby and is largely used by retirees to read the newspaper. It will take additional city funds to maintain it and make it ADA accessible. The North Branch is better maintained but is still a place where most people go to hang out or pick up books that were transferred from the Main library. The building is owned by the city and is therefore an asset that can be sold to generate more revenue.
Yes, brainstorming ideas to help the library serve the community better is great. If people want to raise private funds to support library outreach services, how about a bookmobile. It would do most of what the branches do, would require fewer staff and would reach further into under-served neighborhoods.
The branches have outlived their usefulness. No other community of comparable size has branches. Even larger communities with branches are re-thinking the model in these difficult economic times. When will Evanstonians learn to live within their means?!
Sounds like another tax by the liberal elite who are used to having everything handed to them, don't want to have to travel more than a few blocks for anything and want on those who can't afford more taxes to pay for their "style of living."
While those north of McCormick and east of Chicago Ave. can probably afford a new tax, I suspect those from roughly Howard to Dempster and Chicago Ave. to Ridge and south of McCormick will not welcome a tax.
And the idea of having to petition to avoid a tax strikes me as a liberal ploy since the lower the income status, the harder it is to get petitions signed---just look at studies concerning census cooperation.
If people absolutely want branches, perhaps the better way is for those in the area who want it to 'adopt' the branch and pay its expenses or have the branches charge for each book checked out.
After all this is a luxury for those who supposedly want to walk to the branch---though I suspect we would find 90+% drive---so like any luxury they should pay for it.
Just like with the historic district in NE Evanston, the rich liberals [with the most valuable property] will find ways to get themselves excluded and places like NU dorms included.
I was surprised by your comparison. I don't disagree with the observations you made in the conditions of the buildings, but I guess my opinion was made bias by good "customer service". In my experience, the friendliness of the South Branch staff and spacious children's room makes the South Branch a more desirable destination for my family. The South Branch staff greets patrons, offers assistance, and invites patrons to upcoming library events. The staff at the South Branch are truly pleased to see you enter their doors. I have been to the North Branch less than 10 times, but I have never had anyone greet me or my family or offer assistance. If the branch libraries close, I hope that the friendly and hardworking staff of the branch libraries will continue to brighten the day of patrons and children at the Main Branch.
Robyn Gabel is the best choice for progressives and moderates in the 18th district race. I am continually impressed by her proven leadership.
It was no surprise to us that in 2005 Robyn was awarded the prestigious Chicago Community Trust's Leadership Fellow grant, recognizing Robyn's outstanding record of leadership and community involvement. This award is the local equivalent to the McArthur Foundation genius grants.
Robyn is a life long progressive fighter who effectively works with civic leaders and individuals across the political spectrum.
The folks of the 18th district to be well represented in Springfield, so experience and knowledge are vital. Recently at the Faith Temple Church in Evanston, a woman asked Robyn for help with her disabled foster child. Robyn knew the woman should call to get help and gave the woman the phone number and name of the adminstrator to call. She also gave the woman her phone number for follow up.
Deb, my wife, and I are delighted to support Robyn Gabel as our next 18th district state representive.
Bill's article describes a nice, recently upgraded branch library on the wealthy north side. South of downtown, the more crowded branch library is noisy and not as well painted.
The branch library on the west side of Evanston was closed many years ago.
I find it odd that supporters of the branch library have chosen Martin Luther King Day to rally in favor of perpetuating this situation.
Perhaps August 27 (Chuckie Dawes' birthday) would be a more appropriate day for the rally.
I think I and other taxpayers are willing to take the risk that professional staff will leave. Where are these people going to go precisely? We have an official unemployment rate of 10% with a real unemployment rate of 17% or higher. No one is hiring!
You state that professional staff are "grossly underpaid in comparison to the demands and responsibilites of their position." You did not say that they are underpaid compared to the compensation that they would be able to get in the private sector. If these people are so underpaid, then why do they not look for work elsewhere? Are they just doing it out of the goodness of their hearts?
No, I think the reason they do not seek work in the private sector is because they realize that they have a cushy job with little to no risk of being laid off and would most definitely have to take a pay & benefit cut if they had to get a job in the "real world."
Why is your campaign so focused on "saving" branch libraries for a select few rather than "expanding" branch libraries so they serve everyone? If they are such a valuable community resource why isn't there a West or Howard/Oakton branch? If the argument is that they cost little for what they return (or even save money) isn't expanding the system the obvious choice? If anything west and far south Evanston are more in need of community investment.
Why not keep the branch library system but relocate them to these neighborhoods? I'm guessing you wouldn't be for that either.
As it stands now your campaign is not very inclusive and comes off as a loud group wanting to shuffle their cuts off on to the rest of us. Of course I'm no marketing or public relations expert.
This is silly. There is no need to hold a rally. Anyone who wants to keep the branch libraries open can do so by digging into their wallet and paying to keep them open. The libraries could continue to function as a 501(c)(3) organization supported by private contributions.
Robyn Gabel is the true progressive fighter for the 18th district. I am continually impressed with her progressive democratic values and actions. As our state representative, I trust that she will hold our values high in these difficult political times.
In 2005, the Chicago Community Trust recognized Robyn's supurb leadership by awarding her its leadership award. This award is the local equivalent to the McArthur Genius Grants.
Robyn doesn't just sell her ideas to people. She seeks people's opinions and learns about their needs so she can represent and advocate for those needs.
Robyn takes people's individual needs seriously. Recently, at Faith Temple, when a mother asked Robyn to help her with her foster child's special education needs, Robyn new exactly who and which state agency the mother should call.
Steve, Naima and I are thrilled to support Robyn Gabel as our next state rep!
That's a ridiculous suggestion. The professional staff at the Civic Center are grossly underpaid in comparison to the demands and responsibilities of their position. Do you want to encourage another mass exodus like the ERI? These individuals are holding our city together.
"Both Grover and Bobkiewicz said they have been inundated with letters from concerned members of the community who do not want to see the branch libraries shut down.
Grover said she recognizes the important position the branch libraries hold in the Evanston community.
“Seventy-five thousand people found their way to the North Branch library in 2009,” she said. “That’s a lot of foot traffic on Central Street, and my primary concern is not the hardship for the patrons of the branch libraries, but the implications of it’s closing for the local businesses." Full article here.
One person has already questioned this 75,000 figure. Can anyone tell me if Alderman Grover was quoted correctly?
I find it hard to believe 75000 people visited the North Branch in a year. Even 75000 visits seems hard to believe - if the place is open 250 days a year, that would be 300 people visiting every day - the place never seems that crowded.
Enquiring Minds want to know.
Reply:
Working on getting more data about library usage. Hope to have it within a couple of days.
-- Bill
Council approves staff to seek RFPs for businesses to buy bus shelters that they can then advertise on. Really? This seems like a stickier issue than City Council made of it. Does Evanston want to create space for miniature billboards to be brought down to pedestrian level? I can appreciate the need for shelter while waiting outside in the elements, but there must be alternatives that do not involve selling our public space and creating visual pollution. And who will determine the location of the shelters? Will they go where there is the greatest public need? Or will they go where the advertisers expect to get the best return on their investment? I do not expect that the public need will coincide with the advertisers’ expectations.
Reply:
Sure there's an alternative. Raise taxes to build bus shelters. Want to try selling that idea this year?
-- Bill
I encourage all business owners in Evanston to attend this event. Evanston is one of a handfull of Illinois cities chosen to participate in a green energy assistance plan known as ComEd’s Community Energy Challenge where businesses and residents can get monetary assistance by choosing energy efficient uprgrades- namely an entire change of your business lights could off-set your investment today and help you realize enrgy savings for years to come. I'm sure Com Ed can send a representative to perform a break-even or opportunity-cost analysis.
Happy New Year!
Dan Mennemeyer
Evanston Chamber Treasurer
Given the city of Evanston's admitted lack of enforcement of its own existing ordinances--such as the one against engine idling and the use of gas powered leaf blowers--I don't see this having much of an impact
It's bad enough that school children have to 'run the gauntlet' of homeless people lined up in front of the main library, now you want to provide another attraction for them? They congregate at every Starbucks and Grocery store already, shaking their cups. Bad idea. Unless, of course, you want our fine library to start looking like a Greyhound bus station.
There are never more than 2 staffperson scheduled at a branch at a time; sometimes there is just one. Some of the people you see shelving books and helping out behind the desk are volunteers!
It would make so much more sense to raise private funds to support a library bookmobile instead of maintaining the branches. Or maybe we can get Northwestern to buy us one! :-)
Hello, haven't you been paying attention?! 36 people are being laid off from the City of Evanston and not all of them are low-paid part-timers. No, they may not be making $100,000 a year, but they are making over $75,000. And guess what - these are real people who live in Evanston, own homes and pay taxes. Yes, they pay the exorbitant Evanston taxes just like you do. They have families to support. And they are going to lose their jobs in this economy, through no fault of their own. They are victims. Your cavalier attitude about cutting people's jobs is callous. Yes, the City needs to cut the budget. Yes, no one wants more tax hikes. But how about showing a little sensitivity to the poor City employees who are losing their jobs.
Perhaps the people who whine about access to libraries are not aware that the CTA bus runs down Central and is clean and fast and they should not be afraid to ride [there is not the riff-raff they probably expect]. The CTA train run can take them to the Main library---the 201 use to do that also until they decided to skip the two senior centers and City Hall !
I have to wonder how much of the argument for the north branch at least is that they don't want to be around what they consider the "riff-raff" at the Main library. The branches are probably a haven for those who don't want to associate with such people or probably people with incomes lower than $80,000. But start a rally to take care of the poor or promote Evanston as an integrated community and they will be first in-line---as long as they don't actually have to meet any of those people.
Surely anyone who has worked for a private company will recognize the way things go:
Someone is hired as the 'savior of the company' or the best _______ there is and we must pay them $$$ to get them to come here. If the company makes alot of money those people are given big bonuses and 'ordinary people' nothing. If the company has losses it is blamed on the 'ordinary' worker and the 'saviors' are given big payouts so they won't leave.
After a few years it is obvious that person did not produce what was expected and they are let go and a new 'savior' comes in and the prior one is labeled a failure who should never have been hired [though the Board/management never takes responsibility] and they may even imply the former 'savior' took all kinds of valuable documents and [his hand-selected] people with him.
You will probably hear this argument made more and more about the bankers and others on Wall Street. Any one who has worked there or really any corporatation will recognize this and that most of the highly paid management could be as easily replaced with someone from the phonebook. There are very good and successful managers, but they are only recognized years later after several business cycles---for most companies it is a crap-shoot as to whether a manager(s) will perform better than anyone else. On Wall Street this is called the "traders option"---bet big and if it turns out you get a big bonus, if it is a loss you just go to the next firm, and then the next,..., and may even land back a prior company when they forget how bad you were or now thing you have "learned so much" from working a many companies.
Part of the issue here, which has been lost in the shuffle, is the fact that the South branch needs thousands of dollars (as high as 180-300K?) in renovations just to be brought into ADA compliance. Obviously the hue and cry of eliminating only one branch cannot be ignored.
How much tax revenue would be generated if the North branch were sold and made into a bookstore/internet cafe? Property back on the tax rolls AND generating sales tax. And people can still have a place to linger over books. Think of how Borders and B&N are reading rooms now!
BTW--if the northsiders really need a place to gather, why not utilize the Christian Science Reading Room a mere block from the branch library?
Despite all the 'grand plans' the Council cannot even provide re-cycle bins downtown, other shopping districts or even at City Hall---look at all the cans and bottles on the front lawn and even more so along Asbury.
If even the über-liberal Kennedy clan fights to keep wind power out of the far shores of their resorts, can you imagine what it will be like in Evanston to get any windpower or even solar panels---the liberals will start whole movements to protest the despoiling of some imagined view they think they now have or noise or some pseudo-claim they invent.
Now is the time to let the libraries go. We need to re-allocate funds and we don't need to cut more staff or more services in the city to keep branches open. The South Branch is shabby and is largely used by retirees to read the newspaper. It will take additional city funds to maintain it and make it ADA accessible. The North Branch is better maintained but is still a place where most people go to hang out or pick up books that were transferred from the Main library. The building is owned by the city and is therefore an asset that can be sold to generate more revenue.
Yes, brainstorming ideas to help the library serve the community better is great. If people want to raise private funds to support library outreach services, how about a bookmobile. It would do most of what the branches do, would require fewer staff and would reach further into under-served neighborhoods.
The branches have outlived their usefulness. No other community of comparable size has branches. Even larger communities with branches are re-thinking the model in these difficult economic times. When will Evanstonians learn to live within their means?!
Sounds like another tax by the liberal elite who are used to having everything handed to them, don't want to have to travel more than a few blocks for anything and want on those who can't afford more taxes to pay for their "style of living."
While those north of McCormick and east of Chicago Ave. can probably afford a new tax, I suspect those from roughly Howard to Dempster and Chicago Ave. to Ridge and south of McCormick will not welcome a tax.
And the idea of having to petition to avoid a tax strikes me as a liberal ploy since the lower the income status, the harder it is to get petitions signed---just look at studies concerning census cooperation.
If people absolutely want branches, perhaps the better way is for those in the area who want it to 'adopt' the branch and pay its expenses or have the branches charge for each book checked out.
After all this is a luxury for those who supposedly want to walk to the branch---though I suspect we would find 90+% drive---so like any luxury they should pay for it.
Just like with the historic district in NE Evanston, the rich liberals [with the most valuable property] will find ways to get themselves excluded and places like NU dorms included.
I was surprised by your comparison. I don't disagree with the observations you made in the conditions of the buildings, but I guess my opinion was made bias by good "customer service". In my experience, the friendliness of the South Branch staff and spacious children's room makes the South Branch a more desirable destination for my family. The South Branch staff greets patrons, offers assistance, and invites patrons to upcoming library events. The staff at the South Branch are truly pleased to see you enter their doors. I have been to the North Branch less than 10 times, but I have never had anyone greet me or my family or offer assistance. If the branch libraries close, I hope that the friendly and hardworking staff of the branch libraries will continue to brighten the day of patrons and children at the Main Branch.
Robyn Gabel is the best choice for progressives and moderates in the 18th district race. I am continually impressed by her proven leadership.
It was no surprise to us that in 2005 Robyn was awarded the prestigious Chicago Community Trust's Leadership Fellow grant, recognizing Robyn's outstanding record of leadership and community involvement. This award is the local equivalent to the McArthur Foundation genius grants.
Robyn is a life long progressive fighter who effectively works with civic leaders and individuals across the political spectrum.
The folks of the 18th district to be well represented in Springfield, so experience and knowledge are vital. Recently at the Faith Temple Church in Evanston, a woman asked Robyn for help with her disabled foster child. Robyn knew the woman should call to get help and gave the woman the phone number and name of the adminstrator to call. She also gave the woman her phone number for follow up.
Deb, my wife, and I are delighted to support Robyn Gabel as our next 18th district state representive.
Sincerely, Steve Cohn
Bill's article describes a nice, recently upgraded branch library on the wealthy north side. South of downtown, the more crowded branch library is noisy and not as well painted.
The branch library on the west side of Evanston was closed many years ago.
I find it odd that supporters of the branch library have chosen Martin Luther King Day to rally in favor of perpetuating this situation.
Perhaps August 27 (Chuckie Dawes' birthday) would be a more appropriate day for the rally.
I think I and other taxpayers are willing to take the risk that professional staff will leave. Where are these people going to go precisely? We have an official unemployment rate of 10% with a real unemployment rate of 17% or higher. No one is hiring!
You state that professional staff are "grossly underpaid in comparison to the demands and responsibilites of their position." You did not say that they are underpaid compared to the compensation that they would be able to get in the private sector. If these people are so underpaid, then why do they not look for work elsewhere? Are they just doing it out of the goodness of their hearts?
No, I think the reason they do not seek work in the private sector is because they realize that they have a cushy job with little to no risk of being laid off and would most definitely have to take a pay & benefit cut if they had to get a job in the "real world."
Why is your campaign so focused on "saving" branch libraries for a select few rather than "expanding" branch libraries so they serve everyone? If they are such a valuable community resource why isn't there a West or Howard/Oakton branch? If the argument is that they cost little for what they return (or even save money) isn't expanding the system the obvious choice? If anything west and far south Evanston are more in need of community investment.
Why not keep the branch library system but relocate them to these neighborhoods? I'm guessing you wouldn't be for that either.
As it stands now your campaign is not very inclusive and comes off as a loud group wanting to shuffle their cuts off on to the rest of us. Of course I'm no marketing or public relations expert.
I have no problem with the libraries staying open, but only if they are funded with private money, not with taxpayer money.
This is silly. There is no need to hold a rally. Anyone who wants to keep the branch libraries open can do so by digging into their wallet and paying to keep them open. The libraries could continue to function as a 501(c)(3) organization supported by private contributions.
Robyn Gabel is the true progressive fighter for the 18th district. I am continually impressed with her progressive democratic values and actions. As our state representative, I trust that she will hold our values high in these difficult political times.
In 2005, the Chicago Community Trust recognized Robyn's supurb leadership by awarding her its leadership award. This award is the local equivalent to the McArthur Genius Grants.
Robyn doesn't just sell her ideas to people. She seeks people's opinions and learns about their needs so she can represent and advocate for those needs.
Robyn takes people's individual needs seriously. Recently, at Faith Temple, when a mother asked Robyn to help her with her foster child's special education needs, Robyn new exactly who and which state agency the mother should call.
Steve, Naima and I are thrilled to support Robyn Gabel as our next state rep!
There are two rallies scheduled to support the branches, on Martin Luther King Day. Go to www.branchLove.org to learn more about times.
That's a ridiculous suggestion. The professional staff at the Civic Center are grossly underpaid in comparison to the demands and responsibilities of their position. Do you want to encourage another mass exodus like the ERI? These individuals are holding our city together.
The Daily Northwestern reports:
"Both Grover and Bobkiewicz said they have been inundated with letters from concerned members of the community who do not want to see the branch libraries shut down.
Grover said she recognizes the important position the branch libraries hold in the Evanston community.
“Seventy-five thousand people found their way to the North Branch library in 2009,” she said. “That’s a lot of foot traffic on Central Street, and my primary concern is not the hardship for the patrons of the branch libraries, but the implications of it’s closing for the local businesses."
Full article here.
One person has already questioned this 75,000 figure. Can anyone tell me if Alderman Grover was quoted correctly?
I find it hard to believe 75000 people visited the North Branch in a year. Even 75000 visits seems hard to believe - if the place is open 250 days a year, that would be 300 people visiting every day - the place never seems that crowded.
Enquiring Minds want to know.
Reply:
Working on getting more data about library usage. Hope to have it within a couple of days.
-- Bill
Council approves staff to seek RFPs for businesses to buy bus shelters that they can then advertise on. Really? This seems like a stickier issue than City Council made of it. Does Evanston want to create space for miniature billboards to be brought down to pedestrian level? I can appreciate the need for shelter while waiting outside in the elements, but there must be alternatives that do not involve selling our public space and creating visual pollution. And who will determine the location of the shelters? Will they go where there is the greatest public need? Or will they go where the advertisers expect to get the best return on their investment? I do not expect that the public need will coincide with the advertisers’ expectations.
Reply:
Sure there's an alternative. Raise taxes to build bus shelters. Want to try selling that idea this year?
-- Bill
I encourage all business owners in Evanston to attend this event. Evanston is one of a handfull of Illinois cities chosen to participate in a green energy assistance plan known as ComEd’s Community Energy Challenge where businesses and residents can get monetary assistance by choosing energy efficient uprgrades- namely an entire change of your business lights could off-set your investment today and help you realize enrgy savings for years to come. I'm sure Com Ed can send a representative to perform a break-even or opportunity-cost analysis.
Happy New Year!
Dan Mennemeyer
Evanston Chamber Treasurer
Just wondering what Oak Park IS doing about their budget crisis?
Given the city of Evanston's admitted lack of enforcement of its own existing ordinances--such as the one against engine idling and the use of gas powered leaf blowers--I don't see this having much of an impact
It's bad enough that school children have to 'run the gauntlet' of homeless people lined up in front of the main library, now you want to provide another attraction for them? They congregate at every Starbucks and Grocery store already, shaking their cups. Bad idea. Unless, of course, you want our fine library to start looking like a Greyhound bus station.