Wed. February 1, 2012
Chicago, IL -
The Gerber/Hart Library remains in operation, but will soon be moving from its Edgewater neighborhood location to an unspecified new facility.
"Some of you… have erroneously concluded that Gerber/Hart is ‘going out of business.' Nothing could be further from the truth!" read a statement on the library's website. "As Mark Twain stated, ‘The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated.'"
However, unanswered questions from library president Karen Sendziak has many in the community concerned over the future of Chicago's only LGBT library and archives, which houses over 14,000 volumes, 800 periodical titles, and 100 archival collections.
Kate Sosin from the Windy City Times first reported the story last week when neighbors noticed a "for rent" sign in the front window of the 5,500-square-foot space at 1127 W. Granville Ave, which is the library's current location.
A Windy City Times investigation shows the organization struggling to stay compliant, quiet about its operations and more than two months behind on submitting its annual IRS form 990 on its finances.
The library was founded in 1981 and has since grown into being the Midwest's largest LGBT circulating library. It was originally located at 3255 N. Sheffield Ave.
Sendziak refused to answer further questions from the Windy City Times until she is able to consult legal counsel.
The paper has not been able to obtain the names of any board members, nor a copy of the organization's current bylaws.
The statement from Gerber/Hart concluded, "once we have that nailed down, we will announce it on our web site."
Windy City Times: Gerber/Hart move poses questions
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