The Gerber/Hart Library, Chicago's LGBT library and archives, has announced that it will move to Rogers Park at the end of April.
The library announced the move via email to its listserv. The new location is in Clark Point Plaza, 6500 N. Clark St.
"In 1998 we moved to the Granville location knowing that we would eventually outgrow the space," said Board President Karen Sendziak, in a statement. "Our needs have changed and the library board feels that the time has come to move."
The announcement came after more than a month of silence on the fate of the library, after Windy City Times first reported that its current location was for rent. WCT has reported that questions remain about why the library decided to move and whether or not it is complying with its bylaws.
According to the organization's mailing sent March 6, "the new space is being constructed to ensure the utmost fulfillment of Gerber/Hart's mission as a library, an archives and a cultural center. The space will offer a sitting area and a meeting room that also will serve as an exhibit gallery. Two rooms are being designed and constructed to protect and preserve the library's archives and special collections."
However, the announcement does not satisfy all. A group calling itself "Friends of Gerber/Hart"—which previously sent a letter to Sendziak, asking her to delay the move and open up the board of directors—said the new building does not answer its concerns about the library.
"I think the 'For rent' sign was maybe more of a trigger," said Owen Keehnen, a member of the group and former Gerber/Hart board member. "The building looks great, but our issues aren't really with the venue."
Asked to clarify what "Friends of Gerber/Hart" was seeking, the group released a statement:
"We, The Friends of Gerber/Hart, call for the leadership of Gerber/Hart to be transparent in its position as a not-for-profit organization, providing full access to board membership as well as minutes from meetings. We seek a renewed openness in changing and revitalizing the governance and leadership vacuum of the organization as well as an explanation as to why community involvement has reached its current state. We wish the board to address in detail those efforts being made to bring more interested individuals into leadership positions. We demand that in accordance with the mission statement of the archives."
Windy City Times has reported that questions remain as whether or not Sendziak's term as president has exceeded limits set by the bylaws, the last known copy of which dates back to 2000.
Such information is not available as the library has not responded to questions from WCT sent the last week of January. Included in those questions is a request for the library's current bylaws and an answer about why the library has decided to move.
The library had indicated that answers would be submitted March 8 after the board of directors met via teleconference call. However, Sendziak said, a board member was experiencing health problems and the meeting was cancelled. WCT continued to request answers and held off publication of an expanded article to accommodate such responses until March 12. None have yet been received. WCT also invited Sendziak to go on-record in an interview.
On March 12, Sendziak wrote back to WCT and apologized for the delay. "We hope to have them to you later this week," she wrote.
WCT will update if and when responses are made available.
Violations of bylaws often are often less serious than many non-profit transgressions, said Jody Adler, an attorney with The Law Project of the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights.
"There are repercussions if you have a director that is concerned enough to take legal action," Adler said. Otherwise, such issues are generally taken up by an organization's board or its members.
Gerber/Hart's dues-paying members can request a meeting and vote if the organization is still operating under a set of bylaws that dates back to 2000. Under those bylaws, one third of the library's members can submit a written appeal for a meeting, if they state the purpose of that meeting. If such a request is made, the board of directors is charged with holding such a meeting.
According to those bylaws, the membership "shall also be eligible to vote to amend the bylaws of the corporation."
Norman Sandfield is a former member of Gerber/Hart but said he has not received a renewal notice for approximately six years.
"People haven't been encouraged to join," he said.
Sandfield is circulating an email calling on LGBT Chicagoans to become members of library.
"I am not sure when, if ever, issues will be brought to the membership for voting, but we need to be prepared to vote," he wrote. Library membership forms are available at www.gerberhart.org/membership.html .
Three members have met with Sendziak in recent weeks. They represent "Friends of Gerber/Hart" and were invited by Sendziak, who shared information about the move with them before announcing it widely.
The space at 6500 N. Clark St., a large modern-looking building, appears to be under construction and empty. A listing for the building advertises that it is for sale for $2,750,000 or for rent for $15 to $20 per square foot per year. The space, listed as being renovated in November, contains two floors totaling 20,000 square feet. Both appear to be vacant.
The building also offers at least 16 parking spaces and is located in close proximity to Jackhammer bar and other LGBT businesses. Gerber/Hart will be renting part of the space, not purchasing the property, a source close the library confirmed.
The library's announcement indicated that the space will include a sitting area, meeting/ exhibit room and two rooms to house the library's archives and special collections.
According to the announcement, Gerber/Hart will remain open until just before the move.
