Library Hopes to Expand Services to Robert Crown Center

Written and reported by Hannah Lutz.

The Evanston Public Library just finished its six- week children’s summer reading program at Robert Crown Center, but Library Director Karen Danczak Lyons hopes the outreach to Robert Crown doesn’t end here.

 “Because there’s been success [at Robert Crown], we’re looking at ways to continue the outreach,” said Danczak Lyons.

Danczak Lyons said library staff will discuss the continuation of the at a staff debriefing meeting in the next few weeks, but she is hopes to continue the outreach at Robert Crown. 

The outreach ended up including summer reading for children and adults. Library staff encouraged adults to be involved with library services, such as the adult summer reading program, the library’s WorkNet program and African American literature book discussion groups.

 “It seems to be a really sensible approach, bringing the programs and resources to where families and children already are and see if we can make a lasting connection,” Danczak Lyons said.

Danczak Lyons said staff hasn’t calculated the final number of participants yet, but she thinks it’s in the hundreds.

She expressed a positive experience with the mobile library. She said this is a “pilot to the effort” of reducing geographical barriers to the library. 

According to Danczak Lyons, some space has been allotted to library services in the reconstruction of Robert Crown.

“I like that the Evanston Public Library continues to get beyond the walls of our building,” Danczak Lyons said. “[I like] that we are connecting with the community members, connecting with neighborhoods in different venues and different combinations.”