Arson destroys part of Merlo Library’s gay collection
Arson destroys part of Merlo Library’s gay collection
By Gary Barlow
Copyright by The Chicago Free Press
The only dedicated gay and lesbian collection in the Chicago Public Library system, at Lakeview’s Merlo branch, 644 W. Belmont Ave., was partially destroyed in an apparent arson attack around noon June 13.
Almost 100 books were lost, all but a handful from the gay and lesbian collection on the library’s second floor. Fire and police investigators reported that someone apparently set the fire on some lower shelves in the collection but may not have used an accelerant. That, and the quick response of firefighters after library patrons noticed the odor of burning books, kept the fire from destroying most of the extensive collection. The library’s second floor was closed for about four hours after the fire.
As reported earlier this year by CFP’s Paul Varnell, the 800-book collection was put together over the past 11 years by the Merlo branch’s staff, under the leadership of branch manager Cynthia Rodgers and librarian Patrick Corriere.
After the arson attempt last week, concern and questions flooded in from authors, community leaders and neighborhood residents about the attack and how to make donations to replace the destroyed works. CPL’s downtown management did not return phone calls regarding this story and reportedly tried to downplay the arson attack. A CPL spokeswoman also appeared to discourage donations to rebuild the gay and lesbian collection.
Despite the mixed signals from CPL officials downtown, the City’s Advisory Council on LGBT Issues was scheduled to discuss a book drive June 20, and Gay Liberation Network leaders had scheduled a vigil at the Merlo, also on June 20, to discuss book drive options.
Monetary donations dedicated to the Merlo’s gay and lesbian collection can also be made to the Chicago Public Library Foundation, a group that supports the library system but is not part of it. Foundation officials said donations earmarked for the gay and lesbian collection would be set aside, with the Merlo notified each month of how much money it has available to spend on the collection.
Checks can be sent to the Chicago Public Library Foundation, 20 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 204, Chicago, IL 60602 and credit card donations can be made at www.chicagopubliclibraryfoundation.org.
By Gary Barlow
Copyright by The Chicago Free Press
The only dedicated gay and lesbian collection in the Chicago Public Library system, at Lakeview’s Merlo branch, 644 W. Belmont Ave., was partially destroyed in an apparent arson attack around noon June 13.
Almost 100 books were lost, all but a handful from the gay and lesbian collection on the library’s second floor. Fire and police investigators reported that someone apparently set the fire on some lower shelves in the collection but may not have used an accelerant. That, and the quick response of firefighters after library patrons noticed the odor of burning books, kept the fire from destroying most of the extensive collection. The library’s second floor was closed for about four hours after the fire.
As reported earlier this year by CFP’s Paul Varnell, the 800-book collection was put together over the past 11 years by the Merlo branch’s staff, under the leadership of branch manager Cynthia Rodgers and librarian Patrick Corriere.
After the arson attempt last week, concern and questions flooded in from authors, community leaders and neighborhood residents about the attack and how to make donations to replace the destroyed works. CPL’s downtown management did not return phone calls regarding this story and reportedly tried to downplay the arson attack. A CPL spokeswoman also appeared to discourage donations to rebuild the gay and lesbian collection.
Despite the mixed signals from CPL officials downtown, the City’s Advisory Council on LGBT Issues was scheduled to discuss a book drive June 20, and Gay Liberation Network leaders had scheduled a vigil at the Merlo, also on June 20, to discuss book drive options.
Monetary donations dedicated to the Merlo’s gay and lesbian collection can also be made to the Chicago Public Library Foundation, a group that supports the library system but is not part of it. Foundation officials said donations earmarked for the gay and lesbian collection would be set aside, with the Merlo notified each month of how much money it has available to spend on the collection.
Checks can be sent to the Chicago Public Library Foundation, 20 N. Michigan Ave., Suite 204, Chicago, IL 60602 and credit card donations can be made at www.chicagopubliclibraryfoundation.org.
posted by Carlos T Mock at 1:12 PM
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