Chicago's LGBT library will hold its first open meeting after more than a year of controversy, the organization has announced.
Gerber/Hart Library and Archives President Brad Tucker has confirmed a public meeting on Feb. 13 from 7-9 p.m. at the Berger Park Fieldhouse.
It will be the first open forum held by Gerber/Hart since news broke last year that it was moving. The move prompted accusations that the library had shut out community participation. The library relocated to an unfinished building in Rogers Park last April. It has yet to reopen, as construction delays have repeatedly forced the library to bump back the anticipated date.
Gerber/Hart held its required annual meeting in December, but that meeting was open only to paid members, and Windy City Times was not allowed to stay. Approximately 10 attended the meeting.
Tucker said the open meeting is one of several new plans for the library.
Among others, he added, is a revision of the organization's bylaws. Last year, Gerber/Hart released a new set of bylaws that stripped member voting rights. Many were outraged over the rewrite, and some alleged it violated state law.
Asked if the board would revise the unpopular bylaws Tucker said, "Absolutely, like 110 percent."
Tucker said the revisions would be "top to bottom," but added that revision is unlikely to restore member voting rights in full. Members, for example, would not elect the board of directors.
"The model that I'm looking at, and this is just me and not the board, is there will be a board position that is elected as a members' rep.," he said.
The board is considering offering free memberships, said Tucker. In past years, members paid an annual fee to check out books. Tucker said the library wants to be more accessible by removing that cost. Members who have already paid will be offered refunds or the chance to donate the fee back to the library.
Tucker hopes that library itself will be accessible to the general public soon.
"The middle of March is probably realistic," he said. "It's really ridiculously close."
In December, Tucker said he hoped to re-open mid-February. Earlier estimates aimed for an October 2012 reopening.
But, Tucker said, the date is nearing. Board members are discussing programming, including a variety of book clubs and a gay history club.
The library is also expected to issue a call for additional board members. That effort will be headed up by a task force, Tucker said. Potential board members will be interviewed and approved by current board members.
Finally, Tucker stated that the library met its fall fundraising goal of approximately $10,000.
One place where the library may have been less successful was in volunteer recruitment. Tucker failed to show for a speaking engagement before the Chicago Prime Timers club. He had previously stated that Gerber/Hart might recruit new volunteers from the club. His unexplained absence prompted a handful of Prime Timers members to write Windy City Times.
Tucker initially said he was not aware the engagement was confirmed, but later found an email confirmation. He was responsible for unannounced absence, he said.
"I'm really kind of mortified that I missed it," he said.
