OAK PARK, Ill. (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- After a suburban library board was publicly taken to task on a number of issues this week, the board later apologized and promised to do better.
Speakers at Tuesday’s Oak Park Public Library Board meeting criticized the board for not having a handle on the behind-the-scenes operations and management of staff as well as how the library backed out of being co-sponsor of a Palestinian cultural event.
DuShaun Branch-Pollard was one of the speakers during the public comment portion of the meeting. “I hope you all realize that a level of trust has been broken and, even if nothing changes on this date, you all know that the story you once told about yourselves, no longer fits.”
Celeste Jackson’s husband, Stephen, is director of Equity and Anti-Racism for the library and is on medical leave. She also spoke before the board.
“He is so discouraged and dismayed at what is happening within this organization. He’s been targeted. He’s been silenced," she said.
"He’s not here. He’s not present and can’t do the things that he’s passionate about doing.”
Jackson called on the board to put the library’s executive director on administrative leave and begin an investigation that would allow staff to speak freely about what is going on without fear of retaliation.
Karen Van Slyke, a 40-year resident of Oak Park and chair of the Oak Park-based Committee For A Just Peace In Palestine/Israel blasted the library for backing out of the co-sponsorship of a Palestinian cultural event in January even though the library has co-sponsored events for other cultures for years.
“It strains credulity that the library staff who have collaborated regularly with other community partners did not understand how their own collaborative process works,” she said.
Slyke added that the Oak Park Palestinian community deserves equal treatment and respect.
A few days after the meeting, the board released a statement saying it is opening a process to allow for anonymous staff feedback and is considering how the board can meet its commitment to accountability to the community.
"The Board of Library Trustees acknowledges there have been multiple examples of damage caused to the Oak Park area community, to our community partners, and to members of the Oak Park Public Library staff, and that we have much work to do to rebuild the broken trust."
WBBM's attempts to reach the Library Board President were not successful.
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