Trib Local: Evanston Public Library Friends Learns South Branch Lease Threatened
EMAILThe following is a statement by Emily Guthrie, President, Evanston Public Library Friends: The Evanston Public Library Friends (EPL Friends) learned late last week that on March 9, the City of Evanston provided the lessor with notification that the lease for the South Branch Library at 949 Chicago Avenue, will be cancelled effective August 9, 2010. Notification came just days after the Evanston City Council granted the Library, and its supporters, six months – until August 31, 2010 – to explore a long-term, sustainable funding stream for neighborhood outreach, including the two existing branch libraries. According to library usage data, South Branch circulation is up 96.19%, and visits are up 42.74% over the last five years. The South Branch library has been in its current location at for 76 years, and has had a presence on Chicago Avenue since 1917.
