It begins with our buildings.  You’ve walked through our doors, but have you ever thought about what makes them open? Behind the scenes, a dedicated staff of 19 Facility employees monitors and maintains the 170,000 square feet that comprises our three buildings.  Within our walls are sophisticated heating plants, electronics, humidity control and conveyors.  Our oldest building, Nichols Library, is 26 years old, prairie style Naper Boulevard is 20 years old, and our architectural gem, the 95th Street Library, marks its 8th anniversary this year. Just like your home, our buildings need continual preventative maintenance.  At the end of a system’s effective lifespan, it’s time to consider replacement.  When we do so, we look for a product that offers both enduring quality and conservation of resources.

 
Reliable expertise
Evaluating products requires a wide base of knowledge, and that’s contributed by our Facilities’ Manager, Denise Pucel. Denise joined NPL in the fall of 2011, bringing with her over 20 years of facilities management in the banking and healthcare industries.  Having had both national and international responsibility in the past, Denise has a multitude of professional relationships that she can consult for a reliable resource.  NPL gains free expertise through Denise’s many networks. In turn, Denise offers her networks a unique perspective about the management of public facilities.

Measurable Outcomes
Denise recently hosted the February meeting of the Chicago Federal Facilities Networking Group at the 95th Street Library. Discussion ranged widely from custom cabling to disaster recovery.  Roofing was of special interest to NPL, as two of our older buildings are in need of roof replacement. Members of the networking group made suggestions that will help us prepare specs for bid proposals. Another positive outcome of the meeting was an offer of free disaster recovery training.  Networking at the Library paid off with at least two measureable outcomes.

Growing Stronger
We’re reaching out into our professional community because our community makes us stronger.  Networking, so much a part of your daily life, is an essential part of ensuring that we have our finger on the pulse of change.  In the day to day operations of the Library, sometimes that change is about materials, sometimes it’s about programs, and sometimes it’s about maintaining our facilities. At the end of the day, it’s always about bringing you the best possible experience at your Library.