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HomeMy WebLinkAboutVolume 08 - 1991 IIIOAK BROOK LIBRARY ASSOCIATION B U L L ET I N Spring 1991 Open Forum: the Future of Our Library The following letter was sent to the candi- you would provide, with regard to the Oak mission.We presume that you have opinions dates for President of the Village Board. The Brook Library,if you are elected to serve the independent of whatever recommendations OBLA Board of Directors thanks the three Village as President. Specifically,we would you receive,and it is those opinions we would candidates for sharing their views with the like you to address the questions of(1)library like you to share. OBLA membership. expansion; (2) its financing; and (3) its Please limit your response to 400 words. relationship to the quality of service for Your response will be published verbatim. Dear Candidates: Villagers. The Oak Brook Library Board would like to We are aware the Village Board is awaiting Note:The order of presentation was chosen let its members know the type of leadership recommendations from the Library Com- by lot. . �( ap :Wt. i; t y Joe Rush Dick Winters Karen Bushy The Oak Brook Library was originally There is abundant evidence that support for The Oak Brook Library and its future is of founded by members of the Oak Brook Civic a new library is strong in Oak Brook and only serious concern to me. On other occasions Association. In 1971,during my second term awaits mobilization. Oak Brook has great I have made the statement that a library in office as Trustee,the Village accepted the resources which can be devoted to the library reflects its owner — whether that is my responsibility of operation and providing full- cause; but,the cultivation of such resources personal library at home, a corporation's time paid librarians. In 1973,I suggested that will require careful planning, selecting business library,a university collection,etc. we"charge"the library for rent and services achievable goals, and the commitment of I do not feel that the Oak Brook Library, as which had previously been donated.This was much time and effort. it now exists, does a good job of reflecting a financial bookkeeping maneuver to Clearly, by current standards and its owners—the residents of Oak Brook.We establish a budget significant enough to expectations, the Oak Brook Library is have grown past it in size,depth of collection, permit our library to join the DuPage Library woefully inadequate to meet the needs of our services available, etc. System. community.Independent study of the 5,000 The possible land acquisition costs,design Now that our Library is part of the DuPage square foot facility shows that a 44.9 percent fees,construction costs and eventually higher Library System,all of our members with their increase in space is needed just to bring the operating costs for a new library would be validated library cards can check out books present level of service into compliance with considerably higher than the approximately from any other system library such as generally accepted levels of patron $250,000 per year we currently budget for Hinsdale, Elmhurst,Westmont,and Downers convenience and staff efficiency. The same the library. It appears that is about all the Grove.Our library members have the choice study concludes that a new building program Village budget could absorb, given our of either personally using any of the system is required to provide additional space,and current and projected income availabilities. library facilities or having the Oak Brook to provide more efficient, more service- The Village attorney has spelled out three Library personnel search the county for their oriented space, now and for the foreseeable basic financing opportunities: the Village needed books using our county-wide ter- future. library as it now operates, a"local" library, minal. The books can be delivered to Oak No longer is a library merely a collection which would allow the Village Board to Brook.Our members can return books from of books and magazines, if ever it was. The maintain control over the library and finance any system library to Oak Brook for delivery public library of today is a multimedia the new library out of a levied tax, or we to the appropriate library. This makes our complex in which books, newspapers and could vote ourselves a Library District,which little library a big one, at no cost to the journals are linked with information would be a separate taxing jurisdiction. resident. management and retrieval,records,cassettes, I would prefer that we not opt for a separate (continued on page 2) slides and other audiovisual material in order elected Library Board,only because I sense Joe Rush Dick Winters Karen Bushy The Village's current 5-year long-range to provide for the educational,vocational and no enthusiasm on the part of taxpayers to financial plan is very tight. It will require informational,as well as leisure needs of the burden themselves with yet another taxing diligent administration to prevent undue whole community. Today public libraries body and another line on their real estate tax deficit spending and still provide the excellent have become absolutely essential focal points bill. A "local" library would seem most Village services we currently enjoy. in the cultural life of people. prudent in our situation. There is currently a recommendation Municipalities nationwide are responding The input of as many residents as are before the Village Board from the Library with construction activity. Between July 1, willing to give their time and their opinion Commission to change the present "Free" 1989 and June 30, 1990, 250 public library is critical.Now that we have had some focus Library to a Local Village Library. Included projects were completed — 127 new groups and some beginning research on in the proposal is a new$2.4 million building buildings and 123 additions and renovations needs,options and solutions,it is time to have of 24,000 sq. ft. (almost 5 times larger than — in 44 states, at a cost of $292 million. several open meetings of sufficient length and present),increased staff of one additional full- Another 833 library projects were in some convenient times so that we have the thinking time and three additional part-time stage of proposal or construction. of the residents of Oak Brook before us at employees, and a budget of approximately These new construction, additions, every stage of the planning. I would suggest $900,000 for the first year. The Village's remodelings, and renovations were funded at least one Saturday morning and two current library budget is about$260,000 per 71.4 percent from local sources, 12.6 percent evening presentations to the public now,with year. There would be many new services from state sources, 6.0 percent from federal ample time for the residents to digest the available from the new facility. However,the sources,and 10.0 percent from gift sources. options and then comment on the funds needed for this proposal could only be Many libraries involved residents in projects components of the various options and generated through property taxes. by having them donate their time and labor proposals,as well as on the total concept.By The library serves less than 44 percent of as well as their money.Several projects were staying"in tune"with what the residents feel the residents. The necessary tax on a house completed using gift funds and volunteer fills their needs (now and future) and what with an equalized assessed valuation of labor exclusively. As service comes to the they are willing to pay for, we will have a $100,000(market value$300,000)would be people,the people come out in force to serve most successful new library. about $130 annually. Therefore, I would the library. want any library issue of this magnitude to Few building project issues are more be put before the residents in the form of a frustrating,or can cause more delay,than the referendum as was done for the Sports Core. resolution of funding. In these days of"beltall - It is the resident's right to make these choices. tightening" and "creative financing" it will As your next Village President, it will be be necessary to consult a financial specialist my job to help provide the type of library the knowledgeable about new or less commonly residents want. A referendum will make it used methodologies for funding libraries. clear. Libraries do not come into being without Library Events vision, imagination and determination of individuals who not only give support NI themselves, but also encourage others to do National Library Week is being held April so.It is essential that our concern—that our 14-20. To honor the occasion, the library is library is being left behind — be asking students in grades first through sixth communicated. to design a bookmark. "We want them to From the President All of us who have rattled the tin cup, create a bookmark that depicts reading, the whether quietly or aggressively,can relate to Oak Brook Public Library or just books in an After four years of studies and dis- the challenge which is ahead of us. original design,"librarian Laura Shurman said Fortunately,"pride of place"is characteristic of the sixth annual celebration in the Village. cussion, the time has come for the Contestants must be cardholders and enter proposal for a new library to take flight. of Oak Brook.There is no way one can ever The recent recommendations of the put a dollar value on an atmosphere staffed Library Commission (see story) to the by people who want and like to serve others. • Village Board's committee-of-theI cannot imagine any kind of sustained public • • whole is the latest,and hopefully last, support for a library that does not have that ��-j'\o NAL `/13nARY. example of a prelude of a process to kind of atmosphere. Good PR doesn't just 111444 come. "happen." Results of the 1988 NIU survey of All my life I have been connected with residents show that more than 50 libraries.There is no doubt in my mind that a new Oak Brook Public Library percent of Oak Brook turns to other would be their bookmarks on official forms,which are a great investment for the future of our libraries, primarily because the citizens—and that a decision to provide it available at the library. Deadline for the materials they need are not available contest is Saturday, April 20, at 4 p.m. in our present library.This survey was would prove to be one of the wisest moves "A winning bookmark will be chosen from made by the community — one fully done more than two years ago. Isn't it consistent with Oak Brook's vision and each grade,"Shurman said."Winners will get about time changes started happening? a book from the Oak Brook Library The time for these changes to start values. Association and the winning bookmarks will is now. As long as there is foot- Present the right package,at the right time, be printed." draggingthe residents of Oak Brook and Oak Brook voters will do the right thing! gg� gShurman also emphasized the next , will continue to turn to other libraries. installment of the Story Time sessions,which The plans are ready— now we need started in March. Two sessions are being to start putting these plans into action. held:one on Mondays at 2 p.m.and the other — Thomas B. Doyle11111 on Tuesdays at 10:30 a.m.Children ages 3-4 OBLA President are invited to join in on the fun and get involved in a lifetime habit of books. Village Board Looks Toward New Library The Oak Brook Library Commission Plans for a new building focus on a 20-year square-foot facility with an additional 12,000 approached the Village Board's committee- plan,the average time span before a building square feet available for future expansion. of-the-whole in mid-February to discuss the updating. Population projections target more Construction fees were estimated at $2.4 process of setting up a new library in the than 11,000 residents living in the Village, million.A tax of approximately 13 cents per Village.Librarian Joanne Fritter discussed site which makes a change in the library structure $100 of estimated assessed valuation would options of a new facility as well as what the mandatory. retire bonds and cover operating expenses. cost would be to taxpayers. Among the possible sites discussed for the While members of the Village Board The inadequacies of the current library new building, two were favored: an area seemed receptive to the idea of a new library, were reviewed, as well as the aspects of a north of the Sam Dean room on the Village concerns about costs were the main issue new facility.Currently,the building is 5,000 complex and McDonald's property at the end raised. square feet, well below the Illinois State of Spring Road. For the last site, parking The Board leaned toward an advisory Library's standard of 7,400 square feet would remain on Village property.Other sites referendum to give residents a voice on the minimum for a village the size of Oak Brook. discussed were the Mayslake property,on the new facility and to ascertain whether or not Fritter told the board that besides Sports Core property just east of the main there would be Village support of the tax inadequate storage space,sufficient areas for entrance or along Forest Gate Drive in necessary for the new library. offices and studying are lacking in the current Central Park. Copies of the plan discussed at the meeting facility. The library has no public meeting The services that the library would provide are available at the Oak Brook Library and room or conference room and there is not would be determined before architectural may be checked out for review, Fritter said. enough parking space.Also,the current set- final drawings were completed to ensure that up of the library makes supervision difficult all needs were met before construction e.a for the staff. began. Tentative plans call for a 12,000- I 1 co, Additional 1990 Members Mr. & Mrs. Louis Aldini Mr. & Mrs. Carl C. Hanke, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. William R. Watson, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Robert P. Allen Mr. & Mrs. Hans Hasen Mr. & Mrs. Erich R. Weber Dr. & Mrs. F. Amirparviz Mr. & Mrs. Richard Heidecke Mrs. Charles Wegner Mr. & Mrs. James V. Andersen Mr. & Mrs. Fred lozzo Mr. & Mrs. William Weltyk Mr. & Mrs. Walter C. Barber Dr. & Mrs. Hushang Javid Mr. & Mrs. James Zakovec Mr. & Mrs. Thomas Baryl Mr. Lawrence Jenkins Mr. & Mrs. Norbert Zienty Mr. & Mrs. James R. Bass, Jr. Mrs. Lilia M. Juarez Mr. & Mrs. J.H. Batogowski Mr. & Mrs. John A. Karoly Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth Beard Mr. Robert L. Kelsey Dr. & Mrs. Robert A. Beatty Mr. & Mrs. Richard K. Klink Dr. & Mrs. Francisco Y. Belizario Mr. & Mrs. Gerald A. Kolschowsky Dr. & Mrs. John V. Belmonte, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Frank Lakosil Mr. & Mrs. Vincent A. Bicicchi Mr. & Mrs. Dennis R. Lebbin Evergreen Series Mr. David Bielerberg Mr. & Mrs. Robert N. Leone Ms. Doreen Birac Mr. & Mrs. Joseph F. Lizzadro Blistex Inc. Mr. & Mrs. Ken R. Lott to Present Mr. & Mrs. William Bristow Mr. & Mrs. Reynold MacDonald Mr. & Mrs. Henry D. Bronson Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Matejovic String Quartet CBI Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Vern I. McCarthy, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Ram Chandarana Mr. & Mrs. Larry C. McKay Mrs. Dan Chimenti Mrs. Ann L. Misulis The Oak Brook Library Association will Mr. & Mrs. James Christman Mr. & Mrs. Lee Munder continue the Evergreen Series,its program in Mr. & Mrs. Erwin F. Cihak Ms. Bianca Nunziati the fine arts, with a Spring Concert by The Mr. & Mrs. William D. Clayton Mr. & Mrs. Emil R. Padavic Symphony of the Shores Chamber Players,a Dr. & Mrs. Laurence Concaman Mr. & Mrs. George H. Patterson respected Chicago-area string quartet. The Dr. & Mrs. Orlando S. Cuasay Mr. & Mrs. Dale J. Razee concert of familiar classical works will be Mr. & Mrs. Champ Davis Mr. & Mrs. Kenneth R. Reick held at 4 p.m. Sunday,April 14, at the Oak Mr. & Mrs. Richard P. De Camera Mr. Russell L. Reineman Brook Bath and Tennis Club. The free Mr. Dino S. Delicato Mr. & Mrs. David E. Richardson program will last from 4 until 5:15 p.m.,with Mr. & Mrs. L.T. Duerinck Mr. & Mrs. Steve Sarovich Mr. Edward B. Effrein Dr. Doris M. Schaaf wine and punch being served afterwards. Dr. & Mrs. Carl E. Eybel Dr. Cyrus Serry The string quartet, which consists of first Dr. Houshang Farahvar Mr. & Mrs. Burt Severson violinist Thomas Yang, second violinist Jeri- Mr. & Mrs. Robert W. Fick Mrs. Nancy Sorvillo Lou Zike, viola Virginia Barron and cellist Ms. Anita Findorff Mr. & Mrs. Frank Spillone Steven Houser,will perform works of Mozart, Mr. & Mrs. Albert Gethner Lynn Svandra Vivaldi and Borodin. Mr. & Mrs. Howard Gossage Mr. & Mrs. Shastri Swaminathan OBLA President Thomas B. Doyle asked Mr. & Mrs. William L. Haas Mr. & Mrs. George E. Tolbert that those planning to attend the program to Mr. Warren S. Haeger Dr. Beth Traylor R.S.V.P. the Oak Brook Public Library Mrs. George Hallerbeck Mr. & Mrs. Anthony Tufano (990-2222) so that adequate seating can be Mr. & Mrs. Samy Hammad Mr. & Mrs. Terry L. Van Der AA provided. 1 ' . 0 t# 1��_ � � r1} I:. ‘ Pt( N 1 ' t . I11\ g lif 1' 4,4 „?., ...,,,,, 410 '.::,..,, , ', ,. ,. ,. ,, ,.-, ,,, , ,,,..,„ ,- ,,‘ i ....., ...,.. ........... ........... 7 _,_,g,, i t ., . 7,. .. ,,,,,..., , ., ,„ , ,,, , ,„,„, , „„, .,,, ' um.„. .1,... ,,,,.„. , ..,,. .„4„,„„ , '-...,„- „„ ,, ..,. ., ,„,,,,,,, ,,, _ -.,,,,, OBLA • Board of Directors Thomas B. Doyle, President Orlando Cuasay Joseph Fullan a Reynold Gottlieb �:,.�� Nancy Hayden Lucia Sutton Eileen Schmitz OBLA • Bulletin Carolyn Leeb, Editor Patricia Doyle, Design OAK BROOK PUBLIC LIBRARY Mozart made an appearance in Oak Brook January 26, thanks tor the Oak Brook Library 1200 Oak Brook Road and the Oak Brook Library Association.Above,Lyric Opera Lecture Corps Volunteer Linda Oak Brook, IL 60521 Sandels prepares to cut a birthday cake honoring the composer after informing residents 990-2222 about the man and his music.Oak Brook Library Association board member Nancy Hayden, who organized the program,offers Sandels help with utting the cake for the 85 children and parents who attended the program. The"Hello, Mozart”program was the first to be LIBRARY HOURS offered by the Library Association for young people of the Village. Monday-Thursday 10 a.m. — 9 p.m. Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. —4 p.m. 1 4.-f--c:-4----Z-';-4-1�-� �. i rN�sv� .' OAK BROOK LIBRARY ASSOCIATION NON-PROFIT ORG. P.O. BOX 3131 U.S. POSTAGE OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS 60522-3131 PAID PERMIT NO. 371 OAK BROOK, IL 11. OAK BROOK LIBRARY ASSOCIATION B U L L ET I N Summer 1991 From the President Library Association Funds No Free Lunch Summer Reading Program For too long, library patrons and Oak Although summer is typically a time for "The kids are pretty much on the honor Brook residents have heard that the Oak kids to be out playing ball or swimming,Oak system,"Shurman said."We might ask them Brook Public Library is "free." Untrue. Brook residents may be seeing more kids to talk a little about the books they've been The Library, like the police or fire curled up under a tree with a good book than reading, but we don't quiz them on the department, operates on village funds. running around a ballfield.To encourage the books." For the 1991 budget,two percent of the young readers, who range in age from Meanwhile,at the library,patrons can chart village's total budget is allotted to preschool to eighth grade, the Oak Brook the number of village readers by looking at library's use.The majority of the budget Library Association offered free paperbacks the maps around the library. The young (53 percent) goes to the public safety to kids who read at least ten books. readers color in their lots on maps which area. According to librarian Laura Shurman, feature the various subdivisions in the village. A library survey conducted a few years about 220 Oak Brook children have been And which areas are populated with the ago showed that the majority of residents participating in the Oak Brook Library's most readers? Shurman said Saddle Brook, who are a part of the Oak Brook Public summer reading program.This year's theme Brook Forest, Fullersburg Woods, York Library system rely heavily on nearby proclaimed the village as"reading country." Woods, Chateaux Woods and Forest Glen libraries for their needs. How long will "Although we've been doing the summer have a lot of literary little ones in them. it be necessary to be dependent on other reading program for years," said Shurman, The paperbacks offered to the kids are an libraries or the inter-library loan system who has been working at the library for the assortment chosen by Shurman,who picked past sixyears,"this is the firstyear paperbacks out the books in a variety of genres, to meet our needs? P P guaranteeing something to please all the kids. Communities need libraries which are have been offered." "Some of the kids read a lot more than ten better than adequate and can grow with To become a resident of reading country, books," Shurman said. "We've had some the community.The Oak Brook Public children began signing up at the library in who read more than 20 or 30 books a Library needs the chance and the oppor- mid-June,at which time the participants were summer.So as summer draws to a close and tunity to grow with the community. given a folder to keep track of the books read. the new school year starts,children are going Children who are pre-reading age also to have a lot more to talk about than just the Thomas B. Doyle, OBLA President participate,with their parents reading to them best place to go swimming or a trip to and crediting the children for the books read. Disneyland. New Library Brochure — 111 _ tilli_---t,,,'x. If you have renewed your Library �II\ `-5 o elft Association membership,you have received 1 1 r... q������one in the mail. If you haven't, stop by the -` _ �� I �A libraryandpick upthe new reference ••-=--�� ...raft,!! I :=.:: III= brochure which was published by the Oak fe-Au . : Brook Library Association. i t In the brochure, learn about the library's history and keep it handy for reference for , �— In May and June, resident William Hen- library hours, special collections and loan �;. ' .- drickson put some of his lapidary art on »r display.The display showcased various types periods.Plus,a special section focuses on the ` , . .� � P Y• P Y children's department and what is available ` of precious and semi-precious stones,as well for the kids. - "`. as the way stones are prepared before The brochure will be especially helpful to — .` .- s •becoming a piece of jewelry. new neighbors; be sure to pick up several. In July,OBLA Board member Lucia Sutton displayed examples of Guatemalan textiles LibraryShowcase and artifacts. Along with the pieces of art, some fabrics woven byGuatemalans splashed their colors on the showcase with The Oak Brook Public Library's showcase , designs such as deer or the quetzal, the has been dressing to the nines in the past few '. national bird,woven into the pieces. Sutton months, displaying beautiful stones and they collected the fabric and artifacts during two most colorful fabrics,but residents will soon OBLA Board Member Nancy Hayden at trips to Guatemala which she took last year see the showcase offer a little bit of history. August Showcase, which features the and earlier this year. The showcase is sponsored by the Library DuPage County Forest Preserve District In August, residents are invited to read Association. volunteer program. literature which highlights five volunteer Library Showcase (con'td.) E CLIP AND MAIL —1 programs of the DuPage County Forest Oak Brook Library Association Preserve District. The forest preserve seeks Please enroll us as members of the Oak Brook Library Association. volunteers to demonstrate and educate at 'such sites as Kline Creek Farm in West ❑ Mr. & Mrs. ❑ Mr. ❑ Mrs. ❑ Ms. ❑ Corp. Chicago, Willowbrook Wildlife Haven in Glen Ellyn, Danada Equestrian Center in Name Wheaton, and our own Fullersburg Woods Address here in Oak Brook. The DuPage County Forest Preserve District City State ZIP is also looking for volunteers to work at other Telephone (optional) sites in the county in resource management to preserve and restore natural areas.Be sure Membership Categories (Membership contributions are tax deductible): to stop by the library to see what you can do ❑ Regular $15 ❑ Corporate $100 to help preserve a bit of our county's history. ❑ Contributing $25 ❑ Other $ (And don't forget the Hinsdale Community ❑ patron $50 Concert Association,which was featured in April's showcase. Concerts start in October Please make check payable to: Oak Brook Library Association at Hinsdale Central High School. Call P.O. Box 3131 • Oak Brook, IL 60522-3131 Charlotte Christian for information at 325-2204.) Membership Drive ._ •- OBLA • Board of Directors • : ' ' ' _ 1 Thomas B. Doyle, President in Full Swing " `' �' Orlando Cuasay '• • `� �.=� • .." Approximately 300 people responded to J,, •/ ,./ Joseph Fullan the initial 1991 membership drive for the Reynold Gottlieb library.We are well on our way to our goal ' Ij Nancy Hayden of 400-plus members so keep up the good !'II Lucia Sutton work. If you haven't become a member yet, jj Eileen Schmitz use the coupon available in this issue. OBLA • Bulletin Patricia Doyle, Design Fine Arts Program Nancy Williams Set for November 3 Nancy M. Williams, assistant OAK BROOK PUBLIC LIBRARY librarian at the Oak Brook Library for 1200 Oak Brook Road Keep Sunday,November 3 open for the fall more than 15 years,died July 29. She Oak Brook, IL 60521 program in our Evergreen Series.The Series, was a graduate of Rosary College, 990-2222 the Library Association's program in the fine River Forest, where she earned her arts, will present familiar classical music at degree in library science. She is LIBRARY HOURS the Oak Brook Bath & Tennis Club. The survived by her husband, Patrick,and program will start at 4 p.m.We hope to see four sons.Nancy will be missed by all Monday — Thursday 10 a.m. — 9 p.m. many familiar faces out there as well as some who appreciated her warm smile and Friday — Saturday 10 a.m. — 4 p.m. new ones. thoughtfulness on every visit. OAK BROOK LIBRARY ASSOCIATION NON-PROFIT ORG. P.O. BOX 3131 U.S. POSTAGE OAK BROOK, ILLINOIS 60522-3131 PAID PERMIT NO. 371 OAK BROOK, IL