Digital Divides And The Future Of The Chicago Public Library

Gapers Block:

Wednesday it was announced that Chicago Public Library (CPL) commissioner Mary Dempsey is resigning.

Dempsey was appointed by then-Mayor Richard M. Daley and served for 18 years. Under Dempsey, the CPL built 44 new libraries and created programs such as One Book, One Chicago. Her resignation comes after a contentious situation this month due to the branches closing on Mondays due to budget and staff cuts.

Read the whole story: Gapers Block

Comments

[urbancitygirl]

09:01 AM on 01/31/2012

Innovate or parish...

[crookedcountyillinois]

11:07 PM on 01/28/2012

I just don't see how anyone could possibly use the Library branch downtown, amidst the smell of body odor and human waste, coming from all the homeless people who are just "hanging out."

Let's not pretend that intended library usage is not going to be impacted by what is now a makeshift homeless shelter.

[makenithappen]

01:34 AM on 01/29/2012

Crook.. Have you been to the Harold Washington Public Library downtown? It has free open access wifi, a huge collection of children's literature, knowledgeable library staff, Youmedia the new teen library space, and the "winter garden" which is debatably one of the most beautiful public study spaces in the city. While you're too busy pretending to be the repulsed 1% (dunno, maybe you are, nevertheless), hundreds of people per day are using one of the largest public library buildings and it's staff for much more important reasons than stalking, demeaning and sniffing homeless patrons.

[crookedcountyillinois]

10:51 PM on 01/30/2012

The Harold Washington Public Library is exactly what I was referring to, and, yes, I've been there plenty of times.

While it might be a world-class facility, with plenty of educational materials and staff; it still carries the pungent aroma of body odor and feces. And there are countless rows of homeless people just "hanging out" (i.e. no study resources, etc.), and, depending on the weather outside, especially this time of year when it's cold, it is easily overtaken by the homeless.

And I don't have to pretend to be repulsed by the aroma of people who haven't bathed wafting through the air because, like everyone, I am disgusted by it; and it's a bit more than a distraction when it happens.

No one's stalking, demeaning, or "sniffing" homeless patrons. But let's not pretend that a world-class educational facility isn't wasting public dollars makeshifting as a loitering station for the City's homeless.

[wolfvampire]

09:15 PM on 01/28/2012

The Internet will kill them off. It is just a matter of time. They serve no useful function now.

[Hermione1973]

01:31 AM on 01/29/2012

Yes, because we all know that every bit of knowledge in every publication throughout the world can be found on the internet. Educate yourself.

[wolfvampire]

08:01 AM on 01/29/2012

I can't stand pompus people.

[PrunellaC]

02:08 PM on 01/28/2012

Libraries are one of those things that people in general don't really appreciate, and they don't understand the value libraries provide.. Yes, they take a ton of money to run, but they are crucial to the cultural and intellectual lives of their communities.

That Dempsey was able to find funding to build so many branch libraries is, IMO, pretty amazing.

BTW, to the best of my knowledge, the One Book, One City concept was developed by Nancy Pearl of Seattle Public..

[A Dub]

05:23 PM on 01/28/2012

Was at the library earlier today. They are absolutely the best thing that ever was. I could live there!

[Romano54]

10:50 PM on 01/28/2012

Bringing the libraries to the citizenswill be Dempsey's legacy. City hall does not realize the value to the average person and not for bad press they would not be open today. Killing them would remove a thorn in the mayor's side.