File #: 24-5390    Version: 1 Name: HONORING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY’S RUDY LOZANO BRANCH LIBRARY
Type: Consent Calendar Resolution Status: Approved
File created: 9/18/2024 In control: Board of Commissioners
On agenda: 9/19/2024 Final action: 9/19/2024
Title: PROPOSED RESOLUTION HONORING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY'S RUDY LOZANO BRANCH LIBRARY WHEREAS, based in the Pilsen neighborhood, Rudy Lozano Branch Library opened it's doors to the public on September 7, 1989; and WHEREAS, community-led efforts drove the establishment of the library at a time when Pilsen lacked a centralized library branch; and WHEREAS, during the 1960s, at a time when the Mexican population was growing in the area, there was only a "bookmobile" that would traverse the neighborhood; and WHEREAS, a Pilsen Library Committee was formed in 1980 by thirteen neighborhood residents who spearheaded the efforts to create a central library; and WHEREAS, the Committee's efforts ultimately led to the groundbreaking of the $4.5 million library in 1985; and WHEREAS, the Committee collected suggestions from the public on the naming of the library and voted on Rudy Lozano, named after the influential community organizer who was tragically killed in 1983;...
Sponsors: ALMA E. ANAYA

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PROPOSED RESOLUTION

 

HONORING THE 35TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CHICAGO PUBLIC LIBRARY’S RUDY LOZANO BRANCH LIBRARY

 

WHEREAS, based in the Pilsen neighborhood, Rudy Lozano Branch Library opened it’s doors to the public on September 7, 1989; and

 

WHEREAS, community-led efforts drove the establishment of the library at a time when Pilsen lacked a centralized library branch; and

 

WHEREAS, during the 1960s, at a time when the Mexican population was growing in the area, there was only a “bookmobile” that would traverse the neighborhood; and

 

WHEREAS, a Pilsen Library Committee was formed in 1980 by thirteen neighborhood residents who spearheaded the efforts to create a central library; and

 

WHEREAS, the Committee’s efforts ultimately led to the groundbreaking of the $4.5 million library in 1985; and

 

WHEREAS, the Committee collected suggestions from the public on the naming of the library and voted on Rudy Lozano, named after the influential community organizer who was tragically killed in 1983; and

 

WHEREAS, since its grand opening in 1989, the Rudy Lozano Library Branch has played a pivotal role as a community resource center not only for local neighborhood residents but for library patrons throughout Chicago; and

 

WHEREAS, the vision of the Pilsen Library Committee was for the library to be physically located in the neighborhood’s center so that it was within walking distance of residents; and

 

WHEREAS, the library houses the largest Spanish language collection in the Midwest and throughout the years has hosted events with authors from throughout the U.S. and Latin America; and

 

WHEREAS, the focus of the literature at the library is for, by, and about people of Latin American descent, and includes over 10,000 books donated by the Mexican government; and

 

WHEREAS, renowned for its diverse programming and the cultural and social services it provides, the Rudy Lozano Branch Library has received awards from the Chicago Community Trust for programs like Blue Skies for Library Kids; and

 

WHEREAS, the Knight Moves Chess Club, another Rudy Lozano program, has been among its most successful programs, leading youth to win local and national championships and facilitating their participation in tournaments in México; and

 

WHEREAS, the Rudy Lozano Library Branch remains an important resource for Chicago’s Latino and Spanish-speaking community as libraries throughout the city continue to refer patrons there, despite the population changes the community currently faces with gentrification; and

 

WHEREAS, the Rudy Lozano Branch features artwork funded through the Percent for Art Ordinance administered by the City of Chicago Public Art Program such as stained-glass panels entitled “Vivo Sin Vivir en Mi (Living Outside Myself)” by Nereyda García-Ferraz, an oil painting entitled “Soñando al Futuro (Dreaming of the Future)” by Filemón Santiago, a mosaic mural entitled “Chic Chac” by Héctor Duarte and Cynthia Weiss and a permanent exhibit celebrating the life and legacy of the late Rudy Lozano; and

 

WHEREAS, the Rudy Lozano Library Branch has reflected the diversity of the Mexican population in Chicago.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners does hereby congratulate Rudy Lozano Library Branch on its 35th anniversary; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution be tendered to Hector Hernández, Branch Manager of the Rudy Lozano Library Branch, and to the library itself as a symbol of recognition for its contributions to setting a model in engaging Chicago’s Spanish-speaking community with the Chicago Public Library.

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