Update: August 12, 2006
Darlene has not heard from the Chicago Public Library. She still does not have a Chicago Public Library card. I guess people in high places do not have to respond to those who may seem inferior, disadvantaged or disenfranchised. Darlene continues with her pursuit of her PhD. She has to research other resources for books she should be able to obtain from the Chicago Public Library.
Update: March 22, 2006
As of March 22, 2006 we have not received any response from Ms. Mary A. Dempsey, Commissioner, of the Chicago Public Library. I guess an employee can do whatever they want in this system.
January 16, 2006
The Chicago Public Library
Ms. Mary A. Dempsey, Commissioner
Commissioner’s Office, 10 N.
400 South State Street
Chicago, Illinois 60605
Ms. Dempsey:
I, Fred Nance Jr., am writing this letter for my wife Darlene Bouyer-Nance. Darlene is a doctoral student seeking educational material and knowledge from The Chicago Public Library. We live in South Holland, Illinois. We have South Holland library cards. Darlene was rejected from putting an application on file for a Chicago Library Card and the opportunity to access (check-out) books from the Harold Washington Library Center on two (2) different occasions by Supervisor Eric Miller.
On January 7, 2006 my wife went to the Harold Washington Library Center located at 400 South State Street, Chicago, Illinois. She approached Eric Miller, your supervisor of circulation, seeking to check-out books toward her doctoral processes. Your supervisor informed her she could not check-out any books because she did not have her South Holland library card with her. Darlene asked your supervisor to call the South Holland library to confirm she has a card. Your supervisor informed Darlene he could not call the South Holland library to confirm the possession of a library card. Your supervisor refused to let Darlene apply for a Chicago Library Card. Your supervisor informed Darlene she had to bring her South Holland library card to the Harold Washington library for confirmation. Therefore, Darlene could not check-out the books needed for her doctoral program on January 7, 2006.
On January 15, 2006 Darlene visited the Harold Washington Library Center. Darlene had her South Holland library card. When she went to apply for a Chicago Public library card and check-out books, your supervisor informed Darlene she was going to be mad again because she could not apply for a Chicago Library card or check-out books. Your supervisor, Eric Miller, stated Darlene could not do either because he could not contact the South Holland library by phone to confirm she had a library card.
On January 7, 2006, your supervisor denied Darlene the opportunity to fill out an application for a Chicago Library card, the first time, because she did not have her South Holland library card. On January 7, 2006, your supervisor stated to Darlene he was not allowed to call the South Holland library to confirm possession of a library card. On January 15, 2006, your supervisor allowed Darlene to fill out an application for a Chicago Public library but was told she could not leave it on file with the Harold Washington Library Center. On January 15, 2006, your supervisor stated to Darlene she could not access a Chicago Public library card because he, Eric Miller, could not contact, by phone, the South Holland library. On January 15, 2006 your supervisor had a smug look on his face stating to Darlene “Your gonna be mad again.”
This behavior and character of your supervisor, Eric Miller, is outrageous, shocking and discourteous. We can assume this cannot be an isolated incident. Supervisor Eric Miller has mistreated and been discourteous to others. Some people do not complain because they do not know how to complain. That is not the case here for the Nance family.
Darlene respectfully request a written response to this letter. I will publish and post this letter to my website at: http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/. I hope to get responses on my website from others who have suffered under the oppressive “thumb” of Supervisor Eric Miller of the Harold Washington Library Center, downtown, Chicago, Illinois. Ms. Dempsey, Do you know how far and what it cost to drive from South Holland Illinois to downtown Chicago Illinois and back, and getting disrespected by your supervisory personnel? What are you going to do about this character and behavior of your supervisor, Eric Miller?
Respectfully submitted,
Fred L Nance Jr., ABD, MA, CADC, NCRS
cc: http://clickforjusticeandequality.blogspot.com/
Chicago Public Library Board of Directors
Jayne Carr-Thompson
Cherryl T. Thomas
Paul Dykstra
Cristina Benitez
Mellody L. Hobson
John W. Jordan II
Christina M. Tchen
