2014 Annual Report
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2014 ANNUAL REPORT Chicago Public Library + Chicago Public Library Foundation CPL What can a library do for a diverse, growing city? How about reimagining the ways NEW we access information, inspire learning and engage communities? What can a WEBSITE S: library foundation do for a global city? Become a catalyst for change with visionary philanthropic investment. The powerful partnership of Chicago Public Library and the Chicago Public Library NEW Foundation is creating a new era for our city and its libraries. Following the launch of its 2015-2017 Strategic Plan, the Library has redefined itself and is creating 21st century learning opportunities for all Chicagoans. And the Foundation is fueling END this ambitious work with an urgent sense of purpose. In fact, recently CNN Money I identified Chicago Public Library as the primary reason Chicago ranks among the most innovative cities in the world. Here’s why: 24/7 R • The Library launched a new website in 2014, with an investment of more F than $1 million from the Foundation. Between the April launch and the LIBRARY end of 2014, the new site had received approximately 43 million page views and 7.7 million visits. Through this site, the Library continues to expand its digital offerings – free to patrons -- with access to Zinio, an online newsstand and Hoopla, an online portal to books, music, movies and television. EAR • Since its opening in July 2013, the Library’s award-winning Maker Lab With support from the Chicago Public D has served over 137,000 visitors, who can access 21st century technology such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and digital design tools. A grant to the Library Foundation, CPL launched a Foundation from Motorola Mobility Foundation extended the Lab’s new cutting-edge, patron focused support through December 2015. website that redefines Library • 83,000 Chicago school children read over 66 million minutes and Services. Now patrons can access the extended their learning over the summer by participating in Rahm’s library from their homes, schools, Readers, the library’s Summer Learning Challenge, funded by the Chicago Public Library Foundation. workplace, coffee shop – anywhere through this online presence. And we are just getting started. We will continue to exceed patron expectations and surprise our city. That’s where you, our generous partners, come in. You play a crucial role in ensuring that our programs and services stay relevant and responsive. We simply could not accomplish what we do without you. Last year 9.5 million patrons came to Chicago Public Library. Want to know what they were looking for? This annual report has the answers. The website, catalog and mobile 140,000 patrons have created 8,500 patrons have downloaded apps are all “software as a accounts for an interactive the iPhone/iPad and Android RHONA FRAZIN BRIAN BANNON service,” allowing for continuous experience in which they can apps and accessed it more President and CEO Commissioner innovation while reducing costly read and write reviews of items, than 163,500 times – allowing Chicago Public Library Foundation Chicago Public Library in-house infrastructure and keep lists of what they’ve read them to manage their library staff technical expertise. or want to read and follow account and discover the Robert A. WISlow Linda JOHNSON RICE Chairman President, Board of Directors other patrons’ suggestions. library’s collection from their Chicago Public Library Foundation Chicago Public Library mobile device. THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY + THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION 1 HOME WORK TEACHER IN THE LIBRARY HELP THE GOMEZ FAMILY For the Gomez family, Chicago Public Library’s Teacher in the Library (TIL) is a family affair. Four days a week the three Gomez boys come to the Austin Irving Branch to do their homework after school. This program is made possible by generous donors to the Chicago Public Library Foundation. “It’s a good habit,” says their dad Hugo. “The discipline keeps them on task. They get their homework done and then they are free to play outside.” Monday through Thursday, the Gomez boys are met by Gary Yamagiwa, who works with them, and as many as 60 other students each week. Gary is one of several dozen “Gary is nice, friendly, helpful and certified teachers who make up the TIL corps. Trained Homework Helpers, most typically a good teacher.” Pictured L-R: Christopher, Hugo, college students, also provide in-library Kevin, Uncle Ricardo Rodriguez, Griselda, CHRISTOPHER, KEVIN AND TONY Gary, Tony and Isabella. afterschool help to students. The Library’s Homework Help program also includes at the compliment and offers, “I like to read. online real-time, one-on-one assistance Science fiction, Goosebumps, even available through the Library’s website from Shakespeare. Last year I read A Midsummer 2pm to 11pm every day. Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet.” THE LIBRARy’s HOMework HELP CHRIStopher Gary, a retired Senn High School math “These boys are terrific,” Gary says proudly. hopes to become teacher, came to the Austin Irving Branch “Some students are dropped off to do their a lawyer. three years ago. That’s when he met the homework, but Griselda and Hugo Gomez Gomez family, who had started coming to take turns bringing their children to the KEVIN HOMework HELP the Library for homework help several years library and stay, keeping a watchful eye on aspires to be a earlier, when their oldest son Christopher their family. In fact, regardless of the weather, AVAILABLE teacher or doctor. was in third grade. Today, Christopher, age even in our worst snow storms, the Gomez 13, is joined by brothers Kevin, entering 5th family is always here after school.” TONY 85,296 grade, and Tony, entering 3rd grade. The IN HOMework HELP wants to become a brothers take turns with Gary, working on “Four days a week our kids are working TEACHER IN THE LIBRARY everything from math to social studies. hard,” explains father Hugo. They learn chef, like his uncle ALL SESSIONS DELIVERED DURING and dad. LIBRARY BRANCHES THE 2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR responsibility. School has become very 80 “These kids love to learn,” says Gary. “I help important to them. And their grades are Kevin with reading and math. Tony gets some very good.” ISABELLA assistance in language arts. “Christopher plans on becoming has gone far past me in language arts, Joining her brothers this fall will be 6-year-old a teacher. demonstrating high-level analysis of the Isabella, who will be entering first grade and 8,089 ONLINE SESSIONS work, including poetry.” Christopher smiles looking to Gary for a little homework help. 2 THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY + THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY + THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY FOUNDATION 3 CYBER NAVI GATORS CYBERNAVIGATORS THE WASHIngton FAMILY It’s a Cyber world but for thousands of Chicagoans, finding their way in the digital age is daunting. While nearly everyone today has a mobile phone, many do not have a home computer or home internet access. For a significant percentage of Chicagoans, computer skills. Venice had completed a the online vocabulary of “download,” certificate degree in construction and was “upload,” browser,” and “flashdrive” is like looking for a job. “He helped me build my a foreign language. And today, nearly every resume, set up email and learn how to apply job application is an online process, creating for a job online,” reports Venice. “Today I look a huge barrier to employment for those who at my resume and feel better about myself who lack digital skills. and more confident. Jay changed my life.” That’s where CyberNavigators come in. “Jay has taught me how to use PowerPoint, Supported entirely with private donations build a newsletter with Publisher, manage from the Foundation, this far-reaching email and now we are starting to learn Excel,” program helps Library patrons build their says DeNise. “We keep coming back because digital skills and access digital information in of Jay. He’s helped us advance and put our ways that many of us now take for granted. mind at ease about technology. And, he loves In 48 library branch locations, computer tutors his students.” Pictured L-R: DeNise Washington, Jumoke (Jay) Amoakon, and Venice Washington like Jumoke (Jay) Amoakon work with Library patrons to set up email accounts, create Jay feels a deep sense of satisfaction working resumes, find needed information and with patrons. practice their keyboarding skills. He helps people recover S “Some people just want to know how to email, find CYBERNAVIGATORS LEARN listen to music or play a video. Some patrons employment, computer basics have a laptop, but don’t know how to use and check it or do not have internet access at home,” airfares for trips patron explains Jay. “Frequently people come in to they’d like OVER 3 MILLION SEARCH for jobs apply for a job. They are impatient because to take. WIFI SESSIONS & HELP they don’t understand the basics and need S to build a resume before they can apply,” he “I think my BUILD 2.9 MILLION says. “But once they complete an application oldest patron coMPUTER SESSIONS IN 2014 resumes 2,800 they feel a huge sense of accomplishment, was a woman FREE gator and that brings them back for more help.” in her 90s. She had a laptop but didn’t know VI FIND how to play a video her family sent of her PUBLIC-acceSS A healthcare benefits Two patrons who have been returning to grandchildren playing basketball,” Jay recalls. coMPUTERS N THE LARGEST work with Jay for three years at the Chicago 99,700 ER Bee Branch are DeNise Washington and “He taught me you are never to old to learn PROVIDER IN CYBernaVIgator 48 EXplore CYBER her daughter Venice.