The Chicago Tribune is reporting that long-time Chicago Public Library (CPS) chief, Mary Dempsey, is stepping aside after serving the system for eighteen years. Mary Dempsey has served since 1994 and oversaw an unprecedented expansion of Chicago's libraries.
Dempsey will be replaced by a technology-focused administrator from the West Coast, Brian Bannon, who is the chief information officer for San Francisco's public libraries. Bannon will take over CPS in March.
Dempsey's resignation after 18 years at the helm follows a tumultuous few months that saw Chicago's 76 branch libraries briefly shut their doors on Mondays because the Emanuel administration and the union representing most library employees could not reach agreement on a plan to keep them open by having librarians work six days each week.
Last weekend, Emanuel and Dempsey announced that 65 part-time union workers would be rehired to staff the branches most Monday afternoons. That move will return the libraries to a six-day schedule without requiring the approval of union leadership.
That came after Emanuel laid off 172 union employees to save more than $3 million in his 2012 budget.
Mary Dempsey always made clear that this is a job she loves. This will lead to speculation that her departure is related to the recent budget cuts and the deteriorating relations between Mayor Emanuel and AFSCME. Dempsey downplayed that the recent upheaval is being the reason for her leaving.
On Tuesday, Dempsey said she never suggested closing branches. She also is leaving without publicly criticizing Emanuel, saying she was "grateful to the mayor" for rehiring some of the clerical staff. The recent upheaval played no part in her decision to retire, she said. "It was the right time for me," Dempsey said.
Dempsey did not criticize Mayor Emanuel's handling of the library debacle, but that would be in keeping with Mary Dempsey's character.
Send John Presta an email and your story ideas or suggestions, johnpresta@att.net.
John is the author of an award-winning book, the 2010 Winner of the USA National Best Book award for African-American studies, published by The Elevator Group Mr. and Mrs. Grassroots: How Barack Obama, Two Bookstore Owners, and 300 Volunteers did it. Also available an eBook on Amazon.
Comments