Last night the Evanston Public Library Board of Trustees unanimously voted to bring The Mighty Twig into the Evanston Public Library system, starting January 1, 2013. The library will become the EPL Chicago-Main Library.

EPL Director Karen Danczak Lyons said that this move is part of an ambitious plan that can bring great rewards:

“It’s an opportunity to confirm our commitment to thoughtful neighborhood services” and meets “an urgent need to serve children, new immigrants and seniors. All of Evanston deserves innovative, creative and compelling library service.”

In addition to serving the Chicago-Main neighborhood, EPL will study neighborhood services throughout Evanston. Funding for these efforts will include a plan for individual and corporate fund-raising as well as grant acquisition. Partnerships will be explored. Evanston Public Library Friends will join in these efforts.

Even though library services have been hit hard throughout the country, here in Evanston we’ve proven that we do what it takes to keep innovation in library services alive and well.

What about The Mighty Twig? How will it change?

– First, a transition plan.
– Next, more complete library services including holds, pick-ups, returns, and assistance from EPL library staff.
– EPLF volunteers will remain a crucial component of Chicago-Main Library operations.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this happen — donors, volunteers, Twig patrons, library staff and the EPL Board of Trustees.

So, an amazing thing happened on Saturday, and we’re proud you played a part in it. One month ago the Evanston Library Board voted not to fund the continuation of the South Branch Library. Undaunted, EPL Friends stepped up and decided to fund our own experimental space while the Library Board continues its visioning process. Without missing a beat, or running the risk of losing the interest and enthusiasm of our members and the SB community, EPL began work in an empty storefront at 900 Chicago Ave. That space, less than one month later, became the Mighty Twig. Smaller than a branch, (but mighty) the Twig provides kids and adult books, internet, computers, storytime and a community space for everyone.

More than 500 people came to check out the Twig on Saturday, and more than 300 of you took out books on our Honor system of lending. No cards, no fines, no fees, no fooling. Kids fill out a reading log to help them (and parents) get into a good habit of being responsible for the books they check out, and to help parents know which books they are looking for amongst the dust bunnies under their beds.

We’re thrilled — seriously couldn’t be happier — with the initial community reaction, and we hope that this success will carry over as a model that makes sense for elsewhere in Evanston.  If you haven’t seen the space yet, you have to come by. Twig is open Tues – Sat. 10 – 5, with later nights until 8PM on Thursdays beginning in mid-April.  Check out some of our press here: Evanston Now, Trib Local, take a video tour with Evanston Patch .

Lots of things are still in motion for The Mighty Twig, and we still welcome donations of time, books, and financial contributions. All in, we figure it costs approximately $154 per day to run the Mighty Twig, with our entirely volunteer staff.  We welcome your input and suggestions and thank you for your continued support!

Happy New Year, EPL Friends! In case you’re wondering about South Branch status, or looking to share your feelings about what 2011 might hold for the libraries, we’re all ears! Just know that we’re working like mad to preserve and expand neighborhood services to the entire Evanston community, and will keep you posted with the latest developments. In the meantime, make plans to attend the upcoming Library Board Meeting on Jan. 19th, and mark your calendars for MLK Day Kids Celebrations, 1 – 3 PM

Last night’s meeting was a nail-biter, but the good news is: Council voted to give the Library Board the budget as allocated by the City Manager to administer as it sees fit. Since the Board has already pledged support of the Branches, and will next year move to the Library Fund model, it appears (for now) that the Branches have been saved. We couldn’t begin to thank everyone who participated in this effort, but suffice to say that when we asked you to put up yard signs saying Libraries Yes in your yards, we unloaded 500 of those puppies in less than 24 hours.  Supply couldn’t keep up with demand — You guys are good!

Jeff Smith posted an excellent recap of the sequence of last night’s events on the Central Street Neighbors website, and I would encourage you to take a read. Thank you, once again, to everyone who spoke, signed petitions, put up signs, wrote emails and letters, made donations, or just generally participated in our efforts these past many months. We feel incredibly lucky to live in such a wonderful community, and are grateful for your unflagging support.

The City Council will vote on the final budget on Monday, Nov. 22nd at 7PM and it would be nice to have as many of you in the crowd as possible to show our support for the Council’s decision to let the Library Board do what it does best, manage the libraries. If you would take the time for one last email to the Council thanking them, that would be greatly appreciated. Again, our most sincere thanks for everything you’ve done. Stay tuned. We’re sure there’s more adventure on the horizon…

In a shocking turn of events, the Library Board voted to accept as a guideline for budgeting the worst of all possible scenarios — and one which couldn’t begin to support the branches, much less strengthen the system as a whole. Votes for the “guideline” included the two new board members as well as Diane Allen Jacobi (who made the motion), Dona Gerson (who seconded), and Lynette Murphy.

The motion, which had to be repeated several times, was confusing at best, particularly as it represented NONE of the various budgeting options which had been prepared by City Staff. Board member, Gail Bush, who is also President of the Illinois Library Association, Christopher Stewart, Board President, and Susan Newman voted against, with Gail saying that due to the complexity of the situation, more time, discussion and analysis was necessary. After spending more than 10 months following this minute to minute, and still being confused as to what was being proposed, I would have to agree and can’t imagine that the newest members had a firm grasp on what they were voting for. Let the board members who voted for this “guideline” know if you don’t agree. Their email addresses can be found on the City’s website.

• Where: Community Meeting Room of the Main Library
• When: Wednesday, September 15th at 7:30PM

There’s another meeting tonight! The Library Board will meet to discuss, among other things, the future of the Branches. Please come and show your support for EPLF’s efforts to sustain the Branches and build a strong and healthy library system

The Evanston Public Library Friends applaud the difficult and considered decision made last night by the Evanston Library Board of Trustees to implement a Library Fund model for the Evanston Public Library.

We encourage you to write to your aldermen, and to the Board itself (which is a volunteer Board, appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Council) letting them know that you support this model of funding and appreciate their efforts in support of the libraries on behalf of the citizens of Evanston. Read more.