Transcripts For CSPAN2 The 20240703

Americans were terribly busy and have an Attention Span of about 16 seconds and declining, americans have many more important things to do than relay which is utterly optional. Theyre only going to do but if its fun you got about 41 words in which to hook them. Could you not all 92000 plus hours a book tv programming is Available Online . Just visit booktv. Org to visit programs on your favorite authors. Doctor carla hayden was sworn in as a 14th library of congress on september 14, 2016. Hayden as the first woman africanamerican to lead the national library. Doctor luisa bernard is a Senior Vice President at the Obama Foundation the founding director of the obama president ial center museum. Dishe previously served as director of exhibitions at the New York Public Library as curator of pros and drama for the yale collection of American Literature of the rare book and Manuscript Library at Yale University at the assistant professor of english at georgetown university. As curator of pros and drama for the yale collection of American Literature atur the by nikki rae book and Manuscript Library at Yale University. An assistant professor of english at georgetown university. Wn chicago Public Library commissioner chris brown is passionate about redefining what Public Libraries can bring to the committees they serve. Brown came to see po in 2021 after more than a decade serving in california districts. He is currently spearheading collaboration with g neighborhod safety groups, city departments, andes outside partners in ordero establish safe spaces for youth. And now, please welcome to the stage doctor carla hayden. Doctor luisa bernard and commissioner chris brown. This is exciting. Are not going to fan boy too much. And with doctor bernard to enter both of you. I was just saying backstage that president obama and first lady cousin supporters of a libraries. They have both spoken at American Library association conferences. We are so pleased to get a sneak peak. Absolutely. Of something thats absolute exciting. I had a chance coming into chicago to pass by the sites of the new president ial center and impressive. Could you tell us a little bit about what i was saying it was a structure that is like eight stories high. Its right in the middle of the museum of science and industry. It looks phenomenal. Thank you doctor hayden hello everyone. It is wonderful to join you today at ala with my colleague chris brown from the chicago Public Library. We obama president ial center which is situated on the south side of chicago is currently under construction. It is rapidly coming out of the ground. I think people couldnt really see what a truly exciting and phenomenal project this is and will be for it all to save the center of the obama president ial center situated on 20 acres in historic jackson park adjacent to the museum of science and industry as you mentioned. Also adjacent to the university of chicago. It is rooted in community but those three key communities we will serve we think about was flawed. Think about washingtonwh park which is the museum of africanAmerican History situated and south shore is where mrs. Obama was born and raised. So the story we tell at the center is rooted in chicago very specifically on the south side of this great metropolis. It is a National Story its a story of the nations 44th president. The nations first black president of p the first black family in the white house. Its also a global Story International reach. The Centers Dynamic hub is a catalyst for change as many people may note the Obama Foundation mission is to inspire and empower and connect people to change their world. We could talk a lot about what literacy means within that kind of framework. Its also part of what we would like to think of as this is where public is so important to our mission. But we think about the way in which there is a museum. You mentioned a vertical structure. Its connected to a building on multi programming spaces are. Then we have the branch of the chicago Public Library which she will talk more about obviously. Close is all tied to the idea of health and wellness with the idea of sustainability. Of this historic park. We think about democratic space and making and we begin to come back to the important social infrastructure the museums do within the idea of democracy itself. I will often mention there is a great excessively designed playground the fruit and vegetable garden which is a gversion of the white house kitchen garden. There are beautiful walkways and just center by drive we are connecting it to the lagoon and the lake beyond. There is a vibrant hub of connectivity and ensuring it is key immunity to our local residents but even as we expect hundreds of thousands of tourists in the chicagoland area around the world to visit every year. That is the project in a nutshell and im happy to delve into it. You can see those words . Inspire, empower, it was the other one . And connect. In bold lettersdi surrounding te workspace. Impressive. I am a little prejudiced. But a Public Library rooted in okay heres the milliondollar question people a. Connect check out books . You will be able to check out books. But i think there is also this really incredible moment for libraries to have a National Leader and figure like the obamas choose to build the center but to include a Public Library in that space. We are going to be having all of our elaborate Community Leaders will be visiting the center. We will big hitting of millions of visitors. Leaders from across our country and around the world are going to be seeing this Learning Center and seeing that this leader in our country is signaling the importance of libraries as a part of that ecosystem and Learning Spaces. I thinknk everyone going back to their communities is also going to be thinking we are developing other Learning Space or Learning Center. Or there is a Development Taking place in our community should we be thinking about a library in the space . I think it means something incredible for chicago and for the obamas. I also think it means something as an example and a model for the rest of the country. Yes. [applause] so, the other question people will probably ask is how is the Center Different from, or is that, from a president ial library . Because that is something that comes up. It is. It is still a point of confusion for many people. We often refer to president ial libraries, president ial museums. Those are generally federal entities those collections which house in steward documents from a Given Administration as well as manyer gifts objects that wee gifted to the first lady, to the president during an administration. Those live within the National Archives. The National Archives of the custodians and stewards of those materials which is the same for what is referred to as the barack obama president ial library. Thats actually the archives. I think the thing that is complicated the presidency of the main thrust of this particular story was also the story of the First Digital president s. Which means the vast majority, 95 of those president ial records were born digital without paper equivalency. That means the president wants to ensure and building the center this complex we were giving over as much real estate as possible to everyday people. Hence with the Public Library system. That means for scholars and researchers and interested readers who want to delve into the history does those are available to the National Archives. The Obama Foundation is helping to digitize the remaining 5 of the records, the unclassified records. That is 26 million pages to be digitized. And everyone in this room knows it digitization is not one in the same with access. We still need to ensure auteur leaders are fully accessible to digital meansns. That is where partner at the National Archives as well as 30,000 objects belong to the National Archive. We will be a borrowing from the collection to display those materials at museums. Its a new model of the president ial library. The traditional understanding of what a library can be will still ensuring our partnership with the National Archive scholars have access to those in classified documents. Xa looked up stuff. [laughter] they have a website the obama library. Gov. Is a lot of information out that library part and the archives and things likee that. They mentioned a museum. What is going to be in the museum . Each museum will be an anchor of the central talk more about their relationship with the library itself with the chicago Public Library. On the president of the nascent barack obama president obama really wanted to ensure that contextual history of american democracy of american democracy theres a push and pull around the idea of progress his story is unique and phenomenal in so many ways hes able to avert a t case study the life and Public Service made possible its all the people which is to say we about the progressive movement, the milestones that made in 2008 possible. Its a watershed moment. A pivotalry moment in this nations history. We saw a very radical pendulum swing between 2008 and 2016. That that is rooted in the history of this nation. And so, unlike many other president ial libraries or museums we really have to think about what we would call the narrative which is the history of race and racism in this country. To think about the history around progressive movements that push and pull of progress. To think about popular ism and what we would now frame is white supremacy. These are very difficult concepts for. Theyre going to be in the museum . They will be recognized with the story of this particular presidency as well as all the questions around decisionmaking and no one president can everything within a given term within a Given Administration. Whats helping people to see the really difficult and complex rahistory that the president had to grapple with. He was a wartime president. He inherited two wars in iraq and afghanistan. We think about issues of healthcare, the economic crisis that he walked into and again he inherited inn 2008. But also we talk about the fun and the grind we show the grind, the hard work of those two terms. We also show the fun the levity the grace and dignity. Everyone will want to see her dresses of course. Addresses will be there . Addresses will be on display in all of their glory. But again that story is much as its about the beauty of the first lady and her elegance, its also a story about the way in which she was able to emerging designers, designers of color. However the time she engaged with designers she ensured it was an educational workshop at the white house, engaging with young people always. There is a doctoral diplomacy about the designers she wore both at home and abroad. That is the way to really understanding the broader event particular story. We talk about life at the white house not how they open up the white house to more people its really the peoples houses. House. We talk about the living y of the passing of the baton to future generations of young changemakers. The work of the foundation is the ongoing work. Think about the Pivotal Moment the president s farewell address. When he asked everyone to step up into the role theres lots of work to be done as we all know. We aree excited to be working on with the center is looking at our Public Library space. A lot of the space many of us have our maker spaces or sound recording studios. But i think finding ways to play off of the obama narrative as committee organizers. Think about how the maker space can be used too literally make space in your community. Your protest posters thinking about their role as authors and thinking about people come into the library thinking about themselves, their own authorship authorships, their own agencies which we know they already do but it lets tie a through line to the obama story. And what we doel librarys as well. What will the branch be called . I dont think we have totally did that. Im hoping will be the obama edlibrary. We kind it moved away from naming libraries aftere people. We have a few that are named regional. [laughter] but i think we may have to make an exception for this one. It would mean so much i would think to have a Public Library named. So spaces and behind the audience they were doing work while they were waiting. I heard about the meeting with the Programming Committee and things like that. Some of the spaces mention the form the garden that will be above the obama branch. The outdoor green space the childrens place based area but we have been talking about is not justib how libraries activar spaces inside the branch which we know we all do. All of the learning will provide opportunity for work and outreach whats unique about this branch who would do but to bring in as speaker what movies to boot to show an collaboration that highlights the story we are telling together . You mentioned on top the Washington Library has the wintergarden. So could you tell us a little bit more than about the physical space of this branch . It sounds like its going to be something for. The garden above the branch the president ial garden we have been thinking about how we have the synergy between the Library Space and that rooftop garden. Ice going to be run by the chicago peak botanical garden. Another partnership. But thinking about the things libraries already do like art lending libraries on people when they come to the Library Locations and go to the rooftop garden are able to pick up those seeds think about replicating their own garden in their own spaces. First ladys initiative and things like that for. They dont have to return the seeds . [laughter] sometimes be specific. Quick to also have your connection to chicago of course for the former chief librarian with us and for. You were very kind to bring. They went into the archives beforehand and it ran out photos from four hairdos ago it. A [laughter] and a lot of pounds. [laughter] but that activism because Chicago Public has co located other things with this. Could you share some of that . Weve had a forward thinking model about how we utilize our libraries with Affordable Housing. Former mayor rob and mandrel and commissioner let that innovation. And it evolved into including childcare centers. On just this year we have been able to announce two more libraries and West Garfield Park that involveso the co location model. It is not simply a library with Affordable Housing its alsoh includingr healthcare center, space for Community Advocacy groups place for nonprofit, retail space. Its not simply bringing resources building a Critical Mass are excited for that model. I think in this model again its the idea of how library can activate our spaces outside of our buildings and in partnership. Books i should note the commissioner i started work on this project i join the Obama Foundation 2017 we worked with commissioner bannon as chrisf mentioned, i think this is been a wonderful opportunity you could really think about the library of the future could be. Obviously we are relatively small branch a relatively small about 5000 square feet but it is connected to the broader sense as well as to other Branch Libraries in the adjoining neighborhoods. It has that kind of dynamic sensibility to it but we have been able to work with Margaret Sullivan and her wonderful design studio. Really thinking about the design of the space art that Design Thinking is connected to the veryct idea of innovation how we inspire and empower people it is very much about the tools and resources that we give people to makeke change or understand how they can makein change in their communities. And at the same time we are looking at values based leadership of the red a number of programs regionally around the world we want to meet people where they are. Not Everyone Wants to be president of the free world. But there may be ways in which every small thing really adds up to something bigger. Small radical acts of the museums and libraries are so good at really helping people to under to see and understand their place in the world that is very much about the at work were doing. Is that one of the reasons why the opc im getting the link out now. That it was important to partner with the Public Library . Truly open it up question. Absolute increase can speak more to the cpl programming strategies. We also wanted to carve out a space within this particular branchch network currently loose link on the president s reading room. We wanted to engage with the idea of a special collection but its really more of a referenced room in which we will have a noncirculating in partnership with the circulating collection. But it noncirculating collection of reference books that really speak to the scenes and issues we grapple with an storytelling in the museum. So if a young person during their homework or writing a book report on the Affordable Care act or the question of healthcare in the u. S. This is a place they could really dig into material that helps to illustrate that story. We are thinking about a curated collection. Go for thinking about the history of chicago, the history of the black metropolis. Thinking about all of the scenes and issues within the two terms of the administration. Thinking about value space leadership engagement, Community Building work. Even thinkingst about will have and monographs on their work. I will give for an example one we have announced is the wonderful chicago luminary richard the sculptor. Its wonderful to work with richard who, as i understand his mother and sister were at libraries and the Chicago Public labor system. Until we have a beautiful sculpture called blackbird its a bird a matching out of a book which shall be in that reading courtyard theres a lovely courtyard attached to the branch. I can think about how the arts activate engage inspire people. We are also thinking about how as tourists and local chicagoans and millions of visitors are going to the museum what draws them to the library as well question rick im super excited about the president ial reading room and thinking about what kind of content could we reflect obamas experience and their family as voracious readers and their reading journey and what influence them and people getting to get that insight. And it becoming a destination to get a window into the obamas as readers. That would be wonderful to see what books influence them. It is a great point chris lfraises. We have all president who is himself a writer as well as a Film Producer now so very much engaged with the arts brought the pep again early in his career with a memoir dreams from my father. His president ial memoir will be in two t volumes amiri 800 pages long. One is that coming out now . Volume two in the next year or so i hope it next years is going to be a very busy year i think as we are all aware but hopefully volume two soon but a Promised Land certainly again speaking to the president as reader, writer, thinker. And so the importance of readings thets summers Summer Reading list for end of year list and ensuring people of access to those volumes as well as divines in translation which i will be really excited to see. Even mrs. Obama. One of her First White House reflections ofs who she was as a person was to write a memoir which was in and of itself is truly phenomenal. Packing out huge venues, engagingew people and many wayso her story telling. So yes certainly the importance at large. Took some smiling that is when sheon appeared at the American Library association today view jthat. It was just electrifying to have her. To have her here. So programming . This is a question that someone wants to know will president obama do storytime . [laughter] okay . He did that for the library. You know hes got to do it. [laughter] also told theres going to be many, many hopeful opportunities to signal his readers. I did not what the protocol is yet. We are going to figure it out. [laughter] works the book selection should be very interesting. Havee music they also their movie lista and i think thats going to be a chance for us to really think about how we drive visitors to explore this recommendations for explore their own reading journey. We also note this is going to be a space that draws in so much tourism for us. Its going to do a great deal for the south side before the exploration of chicago. We are also thinking about what collections can we offer . What Technological Innovations you see in libraries. Pop up digital locations you have that content you can immediately access. Thinking about tourists coming to visit the south side and immediately get ebooks about touring chicago. Rethink about what innovative Labor Solutions are out there. I think experience people have a progression of a pretty good museum shop are you . I guarantee that. Cook so they going to go away and everything. What about their relationships with Community Groups on the south side . You mentioned the focus. Stuart mark mentioning soul that has been working on designing the interior. I know shes out there somewhere. Quick shout out to Margaret Sullivan. Our processes been to work with president ial center team. Bringing in leaders in the neighborhood and surrounding area to hear from them. What they are hoping for from thisei space. What their aspirations but the branch could be for them. One of the resounding things we heard dont just bring in presenters or speakers or authors or programmers. Look to the neighborhood. Theres so much wealth ofwo talt in they feel like they could bring to us. It will up with the. Genius of chicago. Most are doing a lot of work right now around media and that museum media protection processd work with our media producers. We have linear media storytelling pieces as well as Interactive Media or we can really engage people with their input the reflection importance of education. Howbi Government Works how a bil becomes a law, those kinds of issues. But it order to think about education i was really drawn to the idea of a graphic novel. We note comic books, cartoons can engage of all ages. Its one that can pad the visual with the w written. And so we have engaged a cartoonist who is also a historian who will be creating a three dimensional comic book a graphic novel brought to life which will tell the story of the founding and understanding in the u. S. Is a wonderful media piece we used to loosely call schoolhouse rock were calling it civics mix tape. Will be a series of animated vignettes bring for the story of civics occurred that media produce work with focus group including a youth, a 15 focus group before we tell them anything about the obama president ial center we said loosely what this thing will be. The first thing they said was comic books. The idea printed matter the idea of activating and animating the importance of literacy itself or that something that gravitated toward is the idea of a comic book. That interaction with focus groups to help us think about a programming. We always have to meet the patron where they are. We have to understand we cannot preach and theres so much we can learn from our consumers as a historian of this project. You mention teens and so will there be 18 area . Cox of course. Chicago, media programming, all of the alumni have come out of that chance the wrapper and jenkins and theirs are a definitelygoing to be recordio thats a wonderful part of our dna. But again to that idea of activating space outside of our locations and of the obama president ial center will also the much larger robust recording studio. We have been thinking about that being sort of the gateway to more tools and resources so people can get their foot in the water. Start to practice their skills as either podcast creators or creating music and graduate into the larger studio with more bells and whistles. There is a small media fix . We have it media suites there is also a storyoo both on the last level of the museum experience. But all of that media capacity as well laid out a partner with other initiatives on the ground in chicago already doing great work around podcasting. Helping people understand p stuo practice for example. Its the harnessing those resources and every piece of building this larger chicagobased project. What about the Public School system . And that hopefully coordination progress youre probably trying to work on this to when you are here. Just this past year we developed a new agreement with c. P. S. Chicago Public Schools where we reduce the barrier to get their cards are now they dont have to come in with a parent and show idea. They show what school they are out they media get the card they can immediately borrow items they can get all the content. Every single Chicago Public School Teacher iset getting e access card they get all of their in classroom access mats metzler club 81. That is going to be our strategy. Anyone branches . Ut yes. We had to name it something. Keep it digital. Be responsible having that break theirhe going to help a lot to o that. Where are we with the timeline now . You mentioned the physical. All clear all systems go as you have seen rapidly moving. Were looking at the end of 2025 is a goal for opening. The Branch Customer everything will open at the same time . That is the goal. Our preview things you think as it gets closer but we have preview programming and things . Yes we think preopening activation and initiatives are really important. We have been thinking about the kinds of engagement that we can have before we physically open our doors to people understand the kind of programs we offer. We have theit opportunity to partner with different initiatives on the ground has many people know the obama portraits went on tour from the portrait gallery the first i was in chicago at the Art Institute. We will able to partner with the artin institute through our Community Engagement to the Obama Foundation Community Engagement to kind of drive audiences to see the portrait the Art Institute was able to measure the impact they were seeing who dont normally attend exhibition shows at the Art Institute. We are able to do that kind of work. We also partnered with a wellknown base in chicago with his rebel foundation. He had a display of rob hewitt obama paintings on dispute in 20,182,019 so we launched our Community Collection gathering events which is where we invited local community to bring objects that were connected to the obama story in some t way that had particular meaning to them. We documented the objects and their stories, all history is very important as we know. Theres wonderful still portraits of People Holding their objects. We have since been able to acquire some of those materials for our collection and they will be on display in the museum. They crowdsourcing and thinking about the importance of material culture is a connects to storytelling is work we have it able to do. I think to remind people the ms are not always about the seemingly priceless treasures they can be about everyday objects meaningful in a different but equally valuedd way. She rethinking the importance of material culture as well. Speaking of material culture one of the features people think about with these president ial museums that read creation of the oval office will there be a twist on that . Our twist of the replica of the oval office we will have you will be able to fully engage with it. She will go in . You can go into the full replica. It on the couch . [laughter] you can touch. [laughter] [inaudible] but to have a kid be able to sit at the resolute desk and to think about what that means. The replica of the resolute desk but everything will be touchable. People will be able to fully engage with that space for cracks and take photos . Oh my gosh can you imagine . Next to fully understand the operational aspects of what that means because they honestly want to spend hours in there and at the museum we have to think about dwell time and threw part in moving people along. But yes we want people to be able to engage. Oval offices either contain real objects and things that are behind the velvet ropes or are only a portion of the actual size of the oval this will be a fullscale replica. With all of the artwork and everything . Was also rotated. Were interested in thinking about the technology, thinking about mixed reality. Being able to engage people through what is on the wall but what also changed during the time the president was in office. Facts im nervous thinking about the shop again. You can have postcards with the artwork i love museums and shops this one i cannot wait really. There often my first stop. [laughter] lock this cafe food and beverage progresso in a cafe . Er there will be a wonderful restaurant which will be cafeteria style and then there will be a cafe because coffee is very important. But a cafe grab and go we imagine pop up kiosks around the campus so it yes. That will be lovely. And just release something thats going to bring everyone in. I think so. Its going to be our Smallest Library branch but probably the most hospitable. What about hours of operation . I know you have been grappling with that. Are going to try to match each other so anyone coming to the obamahe center is to visit e library and vice versa. So evenings and weekends . Like seven days a week pretty much . Yes we are look at seven days a week. Text probably the same weeks we are 70 so we could see plb. Cpl that. Congratulations, congratulations. I am personally excited. For an everyone elses excited. It is just such a wonderful model. Congratulations to everyonepp involved. We really appreciate you being here because we are opening it up we have time for a few questions or comments. There are people i think with microphones or there are microphones already set up. I really cant see. [laughter] there they are. Hi doctor hayden and distinguished guests. Someone who is lovingly run urban Library Branches for about 25 years and another midwest city, i have a couple of comments. The first that hits me is this seems like an extraordinary opportunity to re conceive of the librarian manager staff positions within this library both to serve as ambassadors hosts if you will to welcome the broader libraries and community into this extraordinarily high level, high concept, highly educated model of progressive imaginings if you will of not only what our country canan be t what the access to information pipelines can be. That said, you are also looking at i am assuming providing summer lunches and having busloads of children come through. One of the first branch i manage for about 10 years of the 55000 squarefoot building which i affectionately running a library, a bar, and a daycare all the same time. My concept is that i have a comment on the from a logistical standpoint. That sounds like you have of fabulous staffing opportunity to reimagine how we do our work within this wonderful new context. My other concept or comments is there it seems also to be an extraordinary opportunity for Workforce Development with working, speaking of young people to bring into working within this pit whether thats a volunteer capacity or on a page of position or as Young Ambassadors if you will. The other piece that as we know and especially michelle obama, the first lady was extraordinarily articulate in describing is that disconnection a socioeconomic educational perspective of young people coming from the south side of chicago and then being expected to go into the workforce of a larger more highly educated venue and not necessarily having the background of those social cultural language if you will to make that jump. It sounds to me like this is a perfectse opportunity and bring those young people in from chicago via the gateway of this smallis branch into this extraordinary venue. That would also retie in the wonderfule work both of the obamas have done with young people and they are envisioning for development of youngha peop. That is all ive got for. Or absolutely rate. How will people come into our libraries how they start their career with us. It needs to be very accessible. Working in chicago is one of those things i feel we have done such an incredible job of growing people. People going to art city colleges,at going to chicago stapler that is something we are going to continue to do and to the point about what does that branchch leadership look like . Absolutely it is a bit different. They are not just managing that location where they are managing these relationships with the obama programming staff in their facility team. We absolutely need to rethink what we are looking for i think its a little bit more of an elevated leadership position more of a Relationship Management role. It also be relationship with the ideals and ideas of the obamat center to. You are going to be looking for staff that basically feel the same. Yes i think so. We are a nonpartisan entity. One of the key areas of work the libraries able to do is to help us think about the importance of factbased information. But also the idea of dialogue across difference to be open to different perspectives. To think about civil discourse will be incredibly important oigoing forward. But yes, we imagine many people will be available like a mind so mine soto speak around progresse ideas. We know we are on the front lines of what that means in terms of libraries at this moment in time. I gather progressive and your sense means inclusive . Inclusive absolutely an inclusive across all forms. Right, right. S i think theres someone over on the side too. Step into the light. [laughter] there you go. Good morning. Im a public librarian. I understand the aspect of the portion of the center. What i was wondering about was two things. You said this will be your smallestst branch. How do you envision controlling people who are visiting the museum that may want to also visit and utilize your Public Library aspect . And secondly, what the library y also have a revenue stream to coincide with the tourism of the museum . Good . I do not know. Might want to talk about that. Thats a good idea. It is going to be one of the smaller locations but its still 5000 square feet. I think spaces that are similarly sized like that media in the herald vibrate center that can sell, and it many, many many visitors throughout the course of a day. You have your use of pattern trends. I think we are going to have a chance to learn and as we open and testra and look at what the traffic feels like we may neede to talk about how do we guide people to the green area and to the childrens base . And encourage more families and parents to do their reading in the outdoor spaces. To accommodate the traffic. That will be a great challenge if we are just overrun with visitors. We get a lot of visitors. At the library of Congress Come on over. If theyre coming and looking and then they leave the not really from there they want to see the library. Good morning. I want to say good morning to all three n of you. I miss Michael Rivera work with the d. C. Public library. Give a shout out to sister carla hayden i am so proud of you sister. [applause] x thank you for. I live in the dmv. I question as to the point too. Points. Have they already put people in place to work in this library . And if not when will the job postings be open . [laughter] x we have not been in place at as we figure who we are recruiting for thats going to be a very visible recruitment we welcome all of you to throw your hat in it, at this really excites you and introduce you. And if you rested with the values of the obamas big. Thank you for. Or someone right behind you. We just want a resume. [laughter] youre going have a lot of resumes. [laughter] hello. My name is karen dixon i do know chris from california. I work for the santath Clara Library district. I am absolutely thrilled to hear about this entire center and what it is going to do for the south side of the city. I am also a former chicago resident myself. Thinking about our role as a public librarians and serving our patrons how are you going to balance the needs of that local community being able to use that branch in a space of the programming they need with the influx of tourists . Because 5000 square feet really isnt that big. I am just curious what your thoughts are in that regard. Is a really good question and hey good to see you. [laughter] there are two other branches within a five minute drive of the obama sites. So we are also really pleased because this development is forcing the conversations about development in the surrounding neighborhoods. So the neighborhood of woodlawn in the corner of 63rd wish will run all the weight to the sites, that is the Betsy Coleman branch is going to be getting a new location. They have Just Announced 50 Million Investment this past year to build a new Betsy Coleman library ably more like an ecosystem in that area they obeyed the blackstone branch, bussey coleman and the obama sites. We will have three locations within this like five minute radius we are thrilled about that for. I think we have time for one last question. Hello. Hi im director of Woodson Regional Library in Chicago Public. [applause] hey everybody, i just want to say we are recruiting right now. [laughter] and so if you are interested in working for chicago Public Library in the current we are recruiting in the exhibit hall chris didnt mention that and i wanted to at that point. [laughter] shes looking out for me. Thank you again, thanks both of you we are so excited we cannot wait you will have lots of people that want to participate, went to use you as a modelel but also just get inspiration from what you are doing so thank you and please thank the president and first lady for all of us. X thank you. [applause] weekends on the cspan2 are an intellectual feast. Every saturday American History tv documents americas story on sunday book tv brings you the latest in nonfiction books and authors. Funding for cspan2 companies Television Companies and more. Including cox. Is extremely rare. But friends dont have to be. When you are connected you are not alone. Cox along with these Television Companies support cspan2 as a Public Service. In the past 25 years ofook tv has been on the air over 1300 weekends covered nearly 900 book festivals and featured 22000 authors. Including this event super. I thought it might be fun to write a simple little story about my favorite horse. One of the things i did as a child was ride. We really had to, to work the cattle and conduct the roundups and do the work at the ranch you have to do quite a bit of it on horseback and in the early days we did not have Motor Vehicles that lent themselves too much ranch work. The fourwheeldrive vehicles such as a jeep came after world war ii. So we did a lot of the work on horseback. And i was privileged as a child to have four different horses. You could not read the same one every day on the round up they would get worn out it was too much work. My favorite horse in my childhood was a horse named chico. Chico of those who speak spanish no means small. Chico was found in a wildhorse herd and he was a beautifully formed horse. He was just smaller than most horses which suited me fine because it meant i did not have the find a bigger rock to stand on to get on him. I could get on from the ground. He ended up being a very kind and gentle horse. Not all horses are. Every horse has a distinct personality of course but chicos was very pleasant and friendly. And when i fell off as i didnt sometimes chico would just stop and wait for me too get back on. Now the others would run off to the barn but not chico. Chico was remarkable in another way too. He had what we called cow sense. We had to work cattle with the horses and chico had an innate instinct of how to turn a cow on how to go after the one you were trying to move from one place to another. He was quite impressive and i just liked him a lot. He lived a long time for horse. Close to 30 years amazing enough. We stopped writing him after close to 20 years because we thought he had done enough work in his lifetime. And he, like me got to retire. He hazing and retirement because we let him roam the Horse Pasture which was a pretty goodsized tract of land. He made friends with a deer. We had a mule tail deer on the ranch i know youve seen plenty of those in arizona. The deer had somehow strayed strayed from his deer herd and made friends with chico. The two of them would Wander Around the Horse Pasture together and even come into get water together. That went on for several years and then the deer disappeared. So chicos and next best friend turned out to be an older boxer dog we had at the ranch. The boxer dog attached himself to chico the two of them roamed the Horse Pasture together day after day. We learn something had happened to chico when the boxer dog came back to the ranch alone. And we went out to look and sure enough chico had passed on. But i remember him with such a pleasure and the fun i had writing i thought it would be good to tell a little bit about him in this book. And that is what i tried to do. Alt 92000 plus hours a book of booktv programming is availae online. Just visit booktv. Org to watchful programs on your favorite authors. Now im book tv recorded to introduce you to brett weinstein. He along with his wife