Minority Contractors and Evanston Public Library Friends to Hold Joint Rally

The Evanston Minority Business Consortium and the Evanston Public Library Friends will host what they are calling a Fair Share Rally this Saturday from 3-5 p.m. in the Parker Room at the Lake Street Church.

Organizers say the goal of the rally is to raise awareness, recruit others, and generate support on two issues: to demand that 60 percent of subcontracts funded by a federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant go to minority-owned, woman-owned, or Evanston-based businesses, and to support the existing branch libraries and express the need to open one on the city's west side.

The Evanston Public Library Board recently voted to keep branch libraries open an extra day each week, though there was no discussion on opening a west branch.

"We know that neighborhood branches are powerful tools for community-building, economic development, and educational support," the EPLF said in a statement sent to Evanston Patch. "We welcome the support of EMBC as an ally in working toward the betterment of Evanston for all its residents."