[Mpls] Re: library board meeting

[Tim Bonham]

It is my understanding the library has to own the land
 the library sits on...perhaps a board member can
tell us if they own the property where the library sits
 at Webber Park.


According to the Hennepin County Property Info database
(http://www2.co.hennepin.mn.us/pins/addrsrch.jsp), the 70' x 70' 
parcel at 4310 Webber Parkway is owned by the Mpls Library 
Board.  But all the figures for estimated market value  taxes are 
blank, of course.


Same for the Roosevelt Library at 4026 28th Ave S, and probably for 
all the Libraries.


Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish Ericsson.



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[Mpls] Downtown Library hits $15 million fundraising goal

[List manager]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/5706355.html

David Brauer
List manager
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re:[Mpls] Today's city council budget presentations: CPED, NRP, Mpls public library

[Elizabeth Wielinski]

Cheryl Luger notes that during her presentation to the city council 
Director Kit Hadley mentions the following...


   In what looks like a pretty good apples to apples comparison, The 
libraries situation vis a vis the city and parks certified tax levy 
and LGA show from 2003 to 2008 :

  Librrary board experiencing a decrease of l.5%
 City of Mpls shows an increase of 13.79%
 Park Board show an increase of 9.56%

 From 1994 to 2008 (Certified tax levy, LGA, HACA)
  Library board shows an increase of only 41.62%
  compared to the city incrase of 77.37% and ther Park boards increase 
of 75.23%.




If the Parks are showing an increase of 9. 56% and 75.23 %  why are 
they always cutting programs.  Inflation certainly isn't running at 
75.23 % .  What happened



Liz Wielinski
Columbia Park

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RE: [Mpls] Today's city council budget presentations: CPED, NRP, Mpls public library

[Alan Hooker]

Cheryl Luger is right about Kit Hadley's presentation being a giant positive 
step forward on the path toward a better dialog between City Council and 
Minneapolis Public Library about the allocation of funds to our library 
system.  It will be up to the next Library Board and Council to make sure 
that this discussion continues.  I consider myself fortunate to personally 
know, and to have my candidacy endorsed by, many of the current council 
members or those seeking election.


Should I be fortunate enough to be elected to the Library Board, I will look 
forward to working with Kit and the Friends of the Minneapolis Public 
Library to continue building this relationship with our Council, as well as 
with other city, county and state elected officials.


Cheryl wrote:

 Unfortunately, only 5 of the 13 council members were there to here 
it--Natalie Johnson Lee, Paul Ostrow, Barbara Johnson, Dan Niziolek, and 
Lisa Goodman.  I realize other council people can listen to it on tape (if 
they can find the time) but nothing beats being right there to ask 
questions.  The Mayor was not present.


Although I agree with Cheryl's sentiment that this is an important 
conversation that needs to engage all council members, it should be noted 
that this was not a city council meeting.  This was a hearing of the 
council's Ways and Means/Budget Committee which is chaired by Council Member 
Barb Johnson and has Council Members Colvin Roy, Zerby, Lane, Johnson Lee 
and Niziolek as its additional members.  Naturally, any council member can 
be present and pose questions, as did Council Members Ostrow and Goodman.  
Still, it is the job of the committee to take back information to the 
council as a whole.


Also, from where Cheryl was sitting she may not have been able to see Mayor 
Rybak seated along the wall back by the rear door.  It appears he was able 
to observe part of the presentation and discussion before he had to leave.


I encourage everyone to attend as many candidate forums as possible -- 
whether for Library Board, Council, Mayor, Board of Estimate and Taxation 
(although I don't think there are any forums slated for the last office) -- 
and ask the candidates where they stand on issues vital to library funding.  
It's all interconnected and we are in this together.


Alan Hooker
Victory / Camden Neighborhood
Candidate for Minneapolis Library Board
www.alanhooker.com


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[Mpls] Hosmer Library Forum will be recorded by KFAI

[Sheldon Mains]

Tomorrow night's library candidate forum at Hosmer Library will be recorded
for editing and use by KFAI in their news programming and on their website
(it will not be broadcast live).

This should make for an interesting forum and it would be great if we had
more public than candidates and campaign volunteers.

6:30 to 8:00 PM.  Tuesday, August 16

Hosmer Community Library
347 E. 36th St.
Minneapolis MN 55408
(4th Ave S and 36th Street--just get off I-35 and head west about 3 blocks)

sheldon
...
Sheldon Mains
DFL and Labor Endorsed Candidate for Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees
http://www.MainsForLibrary.org
[EMAIL PROTECTED], 612/618-7149
Mains for Library Committee, 2718 24th St. E., Mpls 55406 

It is incredibly important to this country that we have people who run
libraries that actually believe in reading books instead of burning them.
   Howard Dean


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[Mpls] RE: Library Forums Start Thursday

[Laura and lloyd]

Get Informed for the November Elections!

 

The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library are hosting 10 Library 
Board Candidate Forums at our community libraries this summer.  All 
citizens concerned about the state of our libraries are encouraged to 
attend.


 

The Minneapolis Public Library is governed by an 8-member Board of 
Trustees.  Six trustees are elected in citywide elections and serve 
four-year terms.  The two additional trustees are appointed by the 
Mayor and City Council. 


The Library Trustees set library policy and have discretion over the 
use of funds.


 

All forums are free and open to the public. Refreshments provided by 
candidates.


  

For more information contact The Friends at 612-630-6174 or 
[EMAIL PROTECTED]


 

Library Board Candidate Forums throughoutMinneapolis:

 

· Franklin Community Library

  July 21 from6:30 – 8:00 pm

 1341 E. Franklin Ave.

 

· Washburn Community Library

  July 23 from2:00 – 3:30 pm

 5244 Lyndale Ave. S.

 

· Northeast Community Library

  July 27 from6:30 – 8:00 pm

 2200 Central Ave. NE

 

· Nokomis Community Library

  July 28 from6:30 – 8:00 pm

 5100 34th Ave. S.

 

· Southeast Community Library

   August 1 from6:30 – 8:00 pm

 1222 S.E. 4th St.

 

· Linden Hills Library

  August 4 from6:30 – 8:00 pm

  2900W. 43rd St.

 

· Pierre Bottineau Library

  August 8 from6:30 – 8:00 pm

 55 Broadway St. NE

 

· Sumner Community Library

  August 11 from6:30 – 8:00 pm

 611 Van White Memorial Blvd.

 

· Hosmer Community Library

  August 16 from6:30 – 8:00 pm

 347 E. 36th St.

 

· Walker Community Library

  August 20 from2:00 - 3:30 pm

 2880 Hennepin Ave.

 

For more information about the Library budget and roles of different 
elected officials, visit 
http://www.friendsofmpl.org/Friends_advocacy2005.html.  


 


Laura Waterman Wittstock
Candidate for Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees
DFL and Labor endorsed
Minneapolis, MN
612-387-4915
www.laurawatermanwittstock.com
http://laurawatermanwittstock.blogspot.com/
Wittstock for Library Committee
913 19th Avenue SE, Mpls, 55414REMINDERS:
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Re: [Mpls] RE: Library Board Candidates Forum

[wmmarks]

Laura and lloyd wrote:


...there will be a series of candidate forums in the community libraries.


In light of the fact that Congress yesterday voted to limit the Patriot 
Act so that FBI operatives can no longer demand to see patron records at 
the library, these forums are even more important. Also, if at all 
possible, attend the forum at the branch library you use most, since 
local issues can be different from branch to branch depending on the 
demographics within the 1.5 mile radius of the particular branch.


Laura Wittstock again:
Minneapolis voters made a tremendous investment in libraries by passing 
the referendum to build a new central library with updating of the 
community libraries. Now the library system is being starved by one 
after another cut in Local Government Aid. Have a point of view on this? 
Pick a date and come on out.


Here is what is lined up so far. There may be one or two more: (these 
are all for 1.5 hours).


1. Franklin Library Thursday, July 21 at 6:30 pm - Meeting Room
2. Washburn Library Saturday, July 23 at 2:00 pm - Meeting Room
3. Northeast Library Wednesday, July 27 at 6:30 pm - Homework Helper Area
4. Nokomis Library Thursday, July 28 at 6:30 pm - Meeting Room
5. Southeast Library Monday, August 1 at 6:30 pm - Meeting Room
6. Linden Hills Library Thursday, August 4 at 6:30 pm - History Area
7. Pierre Bottineau Library Monday, August 8 at 6:30 pm - Sheridan 
Meeting Room

8. Sumner Library Thursday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m. - Cargill Room
9. Hosmer Library Tuesday, August 16 at 6:30 pm - Meeting Room
10. Walker Library Saturday, August 20 at 2:00 pm - Meeting Room


WizardMarks, Central

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Re: [Mpls] RE: Library Board Candidates Forum

[Diane Wiley]

actually, the House passed it  -- it's not clear at all that it will pass
the Senate and become law...

diane wiley
Tangletown

wizard wrote:

 In light of the fact that Congress yesterday voted to limit the Patriot
Act so that FBI operatives can no longer demand to see patron records at the
library, these forums are even more important.


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[Mpls] RE: Library Board Candidates Forum

[Laura and lloyd]

Translating delegates' interest and questions into action! I'm happy to 
announce that there will be a series of candidate forums in the 
community libraries. Many delegates at the DFL city convention were 
disappointed in the vote to cut the library board candidates' 
presentation time from five minutes to three minutes. No questions from 
delegates were allowed. Several delegates asked me to help bring the 
campaign to them in their community libraries. Now it will happen!


Minneapolis voters made a tremendous investment in libraries by passing 
the referendum to build a new central library with updating of the 
community libraries. Now the library system is being starved by one 
after another cut in Local Government Aid. Have a point of view on 
this? Pick a date and come on out.


The Friends of the Library will moderate the sessions. This is a great 
opportunity for all of you to see and hear the candidates up close.


Here is what is lined up so far. There may be one or two more: (these 
are all for 1.5 hours).


1. Franklin Library Thursday, July 21 at 6:30 pm - Meeting Room
2. Washburn Library Saturday, July 23 at 2:00 pm - Meeting Room
3. Northeast Library Wednesday, July 27 at 6:30 pm - Homework Helper 
Area

4. Nokomis Library Thursday, July 28 at 6:30 pm - Meeting Room
5. Southeast Library Monday, August 1 at 6:30 pm - Meeting Room
6. Linden Hills Library Thursday, August 4 at 6:30 pm - History Area
7. Pierre Bottineau Library Monday, August 8 at 6:30 pm - Sheridan 
Meeting Room

8. Sumner Library Thursday, August 11 at 6:30 p.m. - Cargill Room
9. Hosmer Library Tuesday, August 16 at 6:30 pm - Meeting Room
10. Walker Library Saturday, August 20 at 2:00 pm - Meeting Room

Best wishes,

Laura


Laura Waterman Wittstock
Candidate for Minneapolis Library Board of Trustees
DFL and Labor endorsed
Minneapolis, MN
612-387-4915
www.laurawatermanwittstock.com
http://laurawatermanwittstock.blogspot.com/
Wittstock for Library Committee
913 19th Avenue SE, Mpls, 55414

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[Mpls] Downtown library asks the tough - and amusing - questions

[Krueger, Rodney]

Downtown library asks the tough - and amusing - questions

By Jeremy Stratton - Skyway News (4/25/05)

http://www.skywaynews.net/articles/2005/04/25/news/news03.txt


What do Chairman Mao Tse-tung, J. Edgar Hoover and Batgirl have in common?

A hint: the Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library (FMPL) are posing the 
intriguing question as part of a quirky campaign to preview the Spring 2006 
opening of Downtown's New Central Library.

Minneapolis design firm Andrews/Birt created the campaign for free, according 
to Colin Hamilton, FMPL executive director. Posters, bookmarks and print ads - 
in space donated by local media - will debut in May.

The first of three ads will compare the former leader of China to the future 
New Central Library. What's the connection? China sports the world's third 
largest economy, while the library claims the nation's third largest collection 
of books (per capita.)

It's a stretch, and a little weird, but it made us look, and that's the point.

We want to pique people's curiosity and get some buzz, Hamilton said. If we 
had a million dollars to spend, we could do something straightforward. We have 
zero dollars. To get attention, we need to challenge viewers.

Early reviews were mixed, according Hamilton. Some were amused, some were 
intrigued, some didn't get it, he said.

So? Do you get it? The Mao/Hoover/Batgirl implication is that all three were 
librarians, but it's not exactly true. Batgirl was head librarian at Gotham 
Public Library prior to her career as a crime fighter. Mao Tse-tung became a 
convert to Marxism while working as a librarian at Beijing University prior to 
launching a communist revolution in China.

Hoover was never a librarian, but worked as a clerk at the Library of Congress 
while pursuing a law degree. Hoover would have made chief librarian, according 
to biographer Curt Gentry, but he quit in 1919 to take a position as special 
assistant to the Attorney General, where, coincidentally, he directed raids 
against Communists. As you may have heard, he later worked for the FBI.  
(Skyway News)

-   -   -   -

I will have a chance to see a preview of the media campaign later this week, it 
should be very interesting.  Thank you to the Friends of MPL and to design firm 
Andrews/Birt for their generosity.

 - for more information on Andrews/Birt:  www.abagency.com

 - for more information on the Friends of MPL:  www.friendsofmpl.org


Thank you,

Rod Krueger
Library Board / 12th Ward 

www.rodkrueger.org


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Re: [Mpls] Franklin Library - Reopening May 7th

[wmmarks]

md wrote:
This is a major victory for everyone in the 
community the Franklin Library serves... the library users,
librarians, library advocates and community activists.   
 

The move to save Franklin, Hosmer, and Sumner libraries as historical 
buildings began in the early 1980s. In 1980 Central neighborhood 
requested of the Historical Preservation Commission that Hosmer be 
designated a historical preservation site. It took until 1995 or so to 
acquire that designation. On the day CNIA's Pres. Maxie Turner sent me 
down to speak before the Commission on the neighborhood's behalf in the 
90s, I had been preceded by another CNIA board member in the early 80s. 
At the hearing Kathleen Lamb, the City Council-appointed Library Board 
member, followed me to the speaker's position. She stood and boldly 
averred that the library's constituents did not want historical 
designation for any of the libraries. One of the commissioners pointed 
out that the constituents of Hosmer had just delivered a message to the 
contrary.  The Council still re-appoints Lamb after each election.

Though no one, on that day, came to speak for either Franklin or Sumner, 
the HPC voted to preserve all three. Franklin and Sumner may have sent 
testimony to be entered into the record.

With the LGA budget cuts, several library renovations on tap, 
and the financial demands of the diva New Central Palace , 
does anyone doubt that closing the Franklin Library for good 
was considered?
 

WM: There are more issues here than you have considered. Franklin 
Library is a mixed blessing in some ways. It is entirely hemmed in by 
new construction, renovation of a Catholic Charities building, and 
street pavement. It's size is woefully inadequate for the size of the 
population it must serve. (Phillips alone has 18,000 people, the West 
Bank/northwest Seward neighborhoods are so many thousands more). The 
roof of Franklin, a mammoth tile affair, was literally caving in and was 
being propped up with an item I think is called a ceiling jack. Many, 
many ceiling jacks. It cost a bundle to save the building at all. The 
$30 million in the referendum included attention to Franklin. The 
referendum read that the $30 million for community library renovations 
could not be put to the new central library. That Franklin had been 
allowed to get into that state was a passive aggressive way of closing 
it perpetrated over a span of several library boards.

On May 7th when Kit Hadley and the Library Board, and
R.T. Rybak, and architect Jeff Scherer, are smiling in the spotlight
and P.R. machine is perkily generating kudos and gloating at itself...
 

WM: Jeff Scherer and his co-architects will deserve those kudos. They 
did a terrific job on Hosmer. Kit Hadley and the library board will 
deserve a round of applause. It's really not fair to slam the library 
when they've done a good job.

However, your point that MPL might have closed Franklin (and Hosmer) is 
well taken. It is disappointing when I have overheard staff at the 
library talking about those people don't read, referring to patrons of 
Hosmer, Franklin, and Sumner, in particular. The amount of patron- 
ignorant cant that permeates the agency culture of the MPL really sends 
me into paroxysms. Until 1997 (?) library practice at MPL was to under 
fund and under equip libraries in poor neighborhoods. Further, only 
half-hearted or wrong-headed attempts were made to suit the collections 
to the demographics of the 1.5 mile radius around those libraries.  The 
assumption was that 'those people don't read,' when the actuality was 
'those librarians are not building a collection to meet their patrons' 
needs.'

When the NRP flowed in, Central neighborhood pushed the envelope mighty 
hard, saying that it would put money into 'enhancements' for Hosmer, if 
the library would guarantee that the head librarian at Hosmer would make 
all the acquisition and programming decisions. Central, King Field, 
Powderhorn, Lyndale, Bryant, and Bancroft, Weed  Seed, and Merrill 
Anderson of Reachout put some $547,000 into Hosmer programming, 
computers, computer trainer, and collection up to around the end of 
2003. (There's been more since, I'm not keeping count anymore.) The 
library bowed to that stipulation, but they were not happy to do so.

This arrangement has changed Hosmer from a 30,000 patron visits a year 
to a 180,000+ patron visits a year library, with the largest number of 
requests for items in its collection of the MPL system, won it an award 
from the NRP, brought in a film crew from PBS to document the changes,  
and better serve the community by leaps and bounds.

As the point person for Central neighborhood, I would not have 
undertaken such a massive effort had the library not assigned Roy 
Woodstrom as head librarian for Hosmer. He was the first librarian at 
Hosmer since I lived here (1973) who was willing to look at Hosmer's 
patrons without the blinders of agency culture.

It is the 

Re: [Mpls] Franklin Library - Reopening May 7th

[md]

I invite anyone who has been directly involved in the rebirth of 
the Franklin Library to participate in this discussion.

The renovation and re-opening of the Franklin Library is a truly
extraordinary event.  This is a major victory for everyone in the 
community the Franklin Library serves... the library users,
librarians, library advocates and community activists.   

This rebirth of this library is not just vital for a single neighborhood
in Minneapolis, it has a national importance...because in many
cities, libraries are being closed, not revitalized.

And most of the closed libraries are in neighborhoods where 
the people have little political power or financial resources.

Even here... the East Lake and North Regional Library
will be closed for at least two years. There will be
no interim locations.  People will be told to use other 
libraries nearby...but of course the nearest library may 
be too far away or be closed more hours than open.

According to articles from the Star Tribune, the funds were
cut for an interim location for the Franklin Library.
This meant that the people who use the library would have
been without library service or would have had to leave
their community to get it..

With the LGA budget cuts, several library renovations on tap, 
and the financial demands of the diva New Central Palace , 
does anyone doubt that closing the Franklin Library for good 
was considered?

On May 7th when Kit Hadley and the Library Board, and
R.T. Rybak, and architect Jeff Scherer, are smiling in the spotlight
and P.R. machine is perkily generating kudos and gloating at itself...

The illumination needs to be brightest around the Friends of Franklin
and their success in getting the enthusiastic support of the
entire community, obtaining funding and opening the interim location.

Theirs is a success of grassroots community activism that
we all could learn from.   

Media folks, ...this is the story we want to hear
about and read about.   Quote Kit Hadley if you must, but
don't forget the people who really made this happen.

 We want to know about the ...

-Librarians who responded to their community and re-invented their
 library to offer innovative programs and services

-Diverse community of users and how the library has improved their lives

-Friends of Franklin...who they are, and how they inspired 
such an extraordinary level of support


Madeline Douglass
Kingfield



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[Mpls] Franklin Library - Reopening May 7th

[Krueger, Rodney]

The beautifully renovated Franklin Community Library, a Carnegie library built 
in 1914, opens for service on Saturday May 7, 2005 with grand opening 
festivities planned from 12:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The oldest community library 
in the city, Franklin is the Minneapolis Public Library's fourth historic 
renovation project completed since 1997, following Hosmer, Linden Hills, and 
Sumner.

The renovation combines preservation of historic features with updated 
technology to create a library learning environment for people of all ages. 
Adult Learning materials, a world language collection, and a large American 
Indian collection are also featured at Franklin. The library complex includes 
the Phillips Technology Center, the Franklin Learning Center, and a popular 
after-school homework help program.  

New elements include a children's pavilion and storybook room to welcome young 
visitors, an area designed especially for teens, comfortable seating in front 
of the two historic fireplaces, neighborhood history collection developed in 
partnership with the community, and a meeting room. In addition to a collection 
of books, media, and magazines for children, teens, and adults, more than forty 
new computers will be available for public use.  



Franklin Community Library's  Grand Opening
1314 East Franklin,  Minneapolis

Saturday, May 7th 
12:30 - 6:00 p.m.  (opening remarks and ribbon cutting 1:00 p.m.)



http://www.mplib.org/franklin.asp



Thank you,

Rod Krueger
Library Board / Nokomis East

www.rodkrueger.org


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[Mpls] Walker library and Bureau of Mines

[Dorie Rae Gallagher]

The Walker Library Task Force came to the conclusion that there is no money no 
matter how you slice, dice, price and tif. The short term patch would be for 10 
years at a price of $134,000.00. The long term patch including strengthing 
structure and placing membrane..$675,000. Short term seems the most sensible to 
me. That little parcel of Uptown dirt shines like gold and it is only a matter 
of time.  How much did this task force cost? What do we know now that we did 
not know a year ago?

A two day open house was held at the Sheraton in Saint Paul pertaining to the 
Bureau of Mines. The DNR wants to relinquish stewardship.  Some of the area is 
well protected... but not all of it as one would think. Having the road built 
through the area damaged the *integrity of condition* since it altered the the 
surroundings.   Supposedly, over 100 purposals have been looked at for 
development. It was interesting as to what makes it historical... spelled out 
in the Guidelines for Evaluating and Documenting Traditional Cultural 
Properties by the US Department of the Interior.  The formation of the land, 
the spring, the history of the Natives and the settlement of the fort were the 
items that I deemed of historical importance. Wrong..according to Government 
employee  Johnit is the Bureau of Mines that holds fast to the primary 
rank. So toss hundreds of years of cultural significance into the cool clear 
Mississippi and whip out the experiments and testings of the 40's and 50's in 
Aqua sheet metal. Whatever it takes!

People that I have spoken to seem to have strong negative feelings about the 
Minneapolis Park Board, possible the next stewards of the landperhaps with 
good reason but perhaps premature... 

Dorie Gallagher
Nokomis


  
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Re: [Mpls] Walker library and Bureau of Mines

[Krueger, Rodney]

I do support smart urban planning principles such as mixed-use projects and 
green buildings.  The issue here is a funding gap of over a million dollars.  
The library board found this out in our original study (over two years ago) and 
that is why (as well as a sense of urgency to repair the parking deck for the 
safety of our patrons) the library board requested the bonds to be sold and the 
roof/parking deck to be repaired.  The City Council rejected our bond request 
and the Walker Library Task Force was formed (July 2004) to study a mixed-use 
project on the same site of the library.   There were some very interesting and 
exciting proposals presented to the task force, but none of them were feasible 
at this time.  We also were able to clarify the cost and options on repairing 
the parking deck.

I will support a financially sound mixed-use project that includes a greatly 
enhanced library for the residents and patrons at Walker.  We need more 
community engagement in issues related to mix-use and height of the project. 

I support the minimal repairs to the parking deck/roof that will keep the 
Walker Library safe for our patrons, allow the library to remain open, and a 
proper (long-term) study of a mixed-use development that will provide a greatly 
enhanced library.  This option will limit traffic in parking lot, install 
barriers at ends to limit height of vehicles, limit the load capacity, and 
repair cracks in the concrete roof structure.  Repair of the cracks would 
restore the structure to its original strength. (cost estimate: $134,000 
short-term vs. over $675,000 long-term complete fix).

Below is the resolution that passed by the Walker Task Force and will be 
forwarded to the Library Board, if approved by the board the request will be 
sent to the City Council for final approval for bonds to be sold.


Thank you,

Rod Krueger
Library Board
Nokomis East - 12th Ward
www.rodkrueger.org



WALKER LIBRARY TASK FORCE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, the Walker Library Task Force (Task Force) concludes that a greatly 
improved Walker Library is necessary to meet the library service needs of the 
immediate community; and 
 
WHEREAS, the Walker Library Task Force met on February 23, 2005 to review four  
development proposals submitted to redevelop the Walker Library as a mixed-use 
development on the current Walker Library site, and concluded further that 
additional financial analysis of the proposals was warranted; and

WHEREAS, subsequent CPED staff analysis concluded that none of the four 
development proposals is likely to be financially feasible; and

WHEREAS, the Task Force acknowledged the importance of a comprehensive  
community engagement to inform the scope of a potential mixed-use Walker 
Library Project, particularly regarding design issues related to the Walker 
Library site redevelopment, as well as additional information pertaining to 
proposed developments in the vicinity of Walker Library; and 

WHEREAS, the Task Force acknowledges that the Walker Library parking deck is in 
need of structural repair; and

WHEREAS, the Library Board has approved a Community Library Capital Projects 
(CLPC) schedule for all community libraries, with Walker Library improvements 
planning to begin in 2008; and 

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Walker Library Task Force hereby 
recommends rejection of all development proposals received under the Walker 
Library RFP dated 1 February 2005;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Library Board determine the best way to 
mitigate the structural damage in light of the consensus expressed for a 
greatly improved Walker Library; 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Library Board might consider revisiting the 
CLCP schedule, moving the Walker Library Capital Project up.
 
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, when the Library Board commences the Walker 
Library Capital Project design process, the Library Board and City Council 
jointly begin to pursue the development of a greatly improved, financially 
feasible Walker Library, and during the design process, engage the community to 
develop mixed-use design parameters pertaining to height, density, traffic 
volume and patterns, and relation of site development to foot, bicycle, auto 
and mass transit traffic, as well as surrounding land uses.  

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Walker Library Task Force be dissolved. 


[Mpls] Walker library and Bureau of Mines
Dorie Rae Gallagher
Tue, 05 Apr 2005 23:29:39 -0700

The Walker Library Task Force came to the conclusion that there is no money no 
matter how you slice, dice, price and tif. The short term patch would be for 10 
years at a price of $134,000.00. 
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[Mpls] Downtown Library Design

[Steve Cross]

The protests on the design of the downtown library are proving what I 
first thought when the design was proposed.  That is, the new library 
does not have a pleasing visual appearance from about every point of 
view.  The overhang is just but one thing to hate about it.

What has happened, I think, is a variant on the King Has No Clothes On 
fable.  That is, the library was designed on commission by a very famous 
architect.  When the design was delivered, I don't think that anyone, 
let alone those who had hired him, could bring themselves to say, The 
way this looks really stinks.  After all, it was designed by a very 
famous architect and who are we to say that a very famous architect can 
make a mistake.  (Let us just pray that the very famous architect didn't 
make equally bad mistakes on the inside of the building.)  It is, I 
fear, a monument to Minnesota Nice.

I suspect that the new library is destined to become a building that is 
so ugly that it will be loved just because it is so ugly.

Steve Cross
Prospect Park
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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library Task Force Meeting 11/18/2004 1pm

[rpgoldman]

OK, I'd just like to say some words in defense of MPL, because I think
WM's remarks are not entirely fair.  I'm not saying malicious, but I
don't think that they take into account the way the library functions
or Niziolek's intentions in the dual-use plan.  See below:

 WM == wizardmarks  [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

WM Dorie Rae Gallagher wrote:

 Well said MD! We want our library doors open!  
 
WM WM: If you want library doors open, then you are going to have
WM to persuade the board of MPL and it's staff that the way they
WM have deployed staff has been screwy for the last 10 years or
WM better. Look particularly at circulation statistics for ALL
WM libraries and the staff count for those community libraries
WM with the highest stats. Then compare that with Central
WM stats. and Central staff count. I believe that you will
WM discover that Central has far more staff members (just in the
WM library itself, not in the admin. depts.) than its circulation
WM warrants. Granted, some people who use Central come there for
WM reference documents which cannot circulate, but then people
WM come to community libraries for reference work as well. The
WM over-staffing of Central predates the recent extreme budget
WM cuts by years.

Circulation figures cannot be the only criterion.  Central provides
many services that the branches don't.  For one thing, Central holds a
large number of resources and distributes them out to the branches
(e.g., I hardly ever bother to go direct to a branch these days,
because each branch has spotty holdings; I just order the books I want
through the web and go pick them up).  Also, the central library
provides repository services such as reference services, federal
documents, etc., that simply can't be done remotely.  Central also
provides the invaluable inter-library loan service.

In general, staffing up Central can be justified as providing services
that are used by all the branches.

WM Vis-a-vis Walker, I have no idea why the board is even
WM discussing sharing space with private entities. Walker is
WM extremely busy, it's on at least six bus lines, it's
WM incredibly convenient and, as such, it's in a primo position
WM to build patronage of the library. In a nation which is
WM becoming more illiterate by the year, this is an important
WM function for libraries.

I apologize for speaking for Dan Niziolek, since I might be garbling
his essential idea.  Here's my understanding of his proposal.  You may
not agree with it, but it was prompted by a love for our libraries and
our neighborhoods:

1.  This building is a mess.  It's built like a bunker, and it has
been plagued with repeated leak problems and now this roofing
issue.  The building was designed in a brief fad for underground
construction for energy-efficiency.  Now we can build much more
energy-efficient solutions without building bunkers.

2.  The underground location has other adverse impacts.  One of the
most notable is that the garden area around the library must be
closed, because of the danger of people in it being hit by garbage
and other objects thrown down by passers-by and people waiting for
the bus.  Look down at the garden someday as you pass by.  You
will find that it is always filled with rubbish.

3.  My personal take:  being underground is yucky.

If you buy ##1-3, or any substantial part thereof, you might like to
see the library get out of the present building.  This is especially
true of #1, because it holds out the promise of a steady flow of
expenses to repair the building.

Unfortunately, notwithstanding ##1-3, there is no way that the library
board, by its lonesome, could afford to replace this building.  They
can barely afford to fix its roof alone!  Given that, it seems
entirely reasonable to try to take advantage of the fact that the
Walker is on some primo real estate to try to get developer dollars to
add to the library's money and make a nice building.

I think that we are right to be concerned about some of the details:

1.  Would enough $$$ would come in to make this worthwhile?  I seem
to recall some of these projects not working out that well for the
non-profit.  I think the Museum of Modern Art tried to do this in
Manhattan, and it didn't work too well because the multi-million
dollar condos came on the market during a NY real estate slump.

2.  Would we be paying too high a price in terms of library downtime?
I don't know whether the library would be closed much longer under
the mixed-use plan than under the plan that just fixes the roof.

If this falls through, making some deal with the YWCA seems like it
might be nice.  But the cost of finding some way to bridge over the
Greenway might make that a non-starter

At any rate, I don't know enough about the pro's and con's yet to
either endorse the dual-use plan or reject it.  But I do know enough
about 

Re: [Mpls] Walker Library Task Force Meeting

[Dean Carlson]

The reason the City is having problems keeping its libraries open is not due
to staffing decisions at the Central Library.  It's due to the fact that the
Library Board owns too much real estate given the fact that one of it's
major sources of funds -- Local Aid to Cities -- has been substantially cut
over the past couple years (with very little chance that is will ever be
restored).

Now of course I want Libraries in the City, but the fact is Walker is a
dysfunctional library.  Even though I live equa-distance between Walker and
Washburn, our family goes to Washburn 95% of the time.  This is due to
conveneince (including parking), books in the stacks, and yes aesthetics.
Uptown is a high density, high traffic commercial area that serves the
region as well as the surrounding neighborhood.  It makes sense that the
City and Library Board look at all options at this site, including mixed
uses and even outright sale.  Obviously the options looked at thus far don't
pencil out (don't make sense financially) but fixing a leaky roof, while the
cheapest, is a wholly dissatisfying option.

Finally I just got my property tax statement and the Library Board's share
was eye-popping, with further increases coming down the pike.  While I can't
speak for my fellow citizens, I would be hard pressed to pay even more for
libraries.  Perhaps the Library Board needs to look at its entire system, to
determine whether it can afford to keep all of its properties.  A strategic
sale of one or two of its libraries may help pay for other more pressing
needs.  Furthermore, a merger with Hennepin County should be examined for
cost saving opportunities as well.

Dean E. Carlson
Ward 10, East Harriet



- Original Message -
From: WizardMarks [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: mpls mn forum [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Thursday, November 18, 2004 6:35 PM
Subject: Re: [Mpls] Walker Library Task Force Meeting 11/18/2004 1pm

 Dorie Rae Gallagher wrote:

 Well said MD! We want our library doors open!
 
 WM: If you want library doors open, then you are going to have to
 persuade the board of MPL and it's staff that the way they have deployed
 staff has been screwy for the last 10 years or better. Look particularly
 at circulation statistics for ALL libraries and the staff count for
 those community libraries with the highest stats. Then compare that with
 Central stats. and Central staff count. I believe that you will discover
 that Central has far more staff members (just in the library itself, not
 in the admin. depts.) than its circulation warrants. Granted, some
 people who use Central come there for reference documents which cannot
 circulate, but then people come to community libraries for reference
 work as well. The over-staffing of Central predates the recent extreme
 budget cuts by years.

 Vis-a-vis Walker, I have no idea why the board is even discussing
 sharing space with private entities. Walker is extremely busy, it's on
 at least six bus lines, it's incredibly convenient and, as such, it's in
 a primo position to build patronage of the library. In a nation which is
 becoming more illiterate by the year, this is an important function for
 libraries.

  WizardMarks, Central



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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library Task Force Meeting 11/18/2004 1pm

[WizardMarks]

[EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
OK, I'd just like to say some words in defense of MPL, because I think
WM's remarks are not entirely fair.  I'm not saying malicious, but I
don't think that they take into account the way the library functions
or Niziolek's intentions in the dual-use plan. 

Yes, I do know that Niziolek and RT have arm twisted the MPL Board by 
saying they would not loose the money we voted for community libraries 
through the Library Referendum unless the MPL Board created this task 
force so that Niziolek can explore his idea of mixed use for the 
library. This is because the library sits on a spendy piece of property 
which is not collecting taxes. This is also a traditional Minneapolis 
approach to the historicity of its buildings--anything over 15 minutes 
old can be knocked down and rebuilt. This is made more complicated by 
the fact that the library has already lost to the historical commission 
by having to keep the old Walker Library historical, which limits it's 
salability, or so it is claimed. (I have huge doubts about that 
declaration.)
The city council representative on the MPL Board is Kathleen Lamb. She 
is the board member who argued at the historical commission hearing that 
MPL did not want any of it's Carnegie libraries designated as historical 
and that their constituency had so decreed. Since I had already argued 
for historical preservation for Hosmer at that same meeting at the 
behest of my neighborhood, the chair pointed out to Ms. Lamb that some 
of her constituency had just stated that they wanted historical 
designation for a community library and had been asking for it since 
about 1987.
My question: does that imply that the city council did not want to 
preserve historical buildings? or just historical libraries?
RT thinks he's in the position of having to squeeze blood out of a 
turnip at every turn. He appears to be willing to sacrifice highly 
important public space for another pile of potential shekels. Seeing the 
area of town in which the Walker finds itself, would it not be more 
thoughtful to consider the possibility of building an even bigger 
library on that site in future years, rather than passive-aggressively 
losing control of it now?
None of this, however, addresses internal flaws in library practice 
which make keeping community libraries open and adequately staffed 
linger in library limbo. Deployment of staff determines who can stay 
open for how many hours per week. The traditional argument has been that 
some community libraries are underutilized because the patrons are not 
there. Hosmer was one such. Franklin another.
However, when Hosmer proved decisively that the it was underutilized 
because MPL had not encouraged patronage (actually had actively 
discouraged it and still does to a certain extent) and that by 
presenting materials and programming that the neighborhoods using that 
branch needed, the patronage was there and would use the library, no 
efforts were made to examine other flagging community libraries in light 
of that discovery.
In the end, the library system looks fine to the casual visitor, but 
does not serve the citizenry as well as it can and should.
Dorie Gallagher was declaring that we want our libraries open in the 
post that I replied to.  (My credentials in defense of MPL are well 
known.) I agree with Gallagher, I want our libraries open, but that 
cannot happen unless we thoroughly examine how staff are deployed and 
whether or not staff deployment serves MPL's constituency. I say it does 
not, nor has it for many years. That the most neglected libraries also 
mesh with less economically fortunate areas of the city is, I would 
argue, the primary reason for their neglect. It is not malicious, 
necessarily, but it is habitual and stems from the middle class 
perspective of library management. In the past, efforts to include a 
non-middle class perspective have been routinely rebuffed--and are to 
this very day.
As a result of all this, I consider Niziolek's initiative--to combine 
housing with the Walker library--a way of interfering with the work of 
the MPL board, the city council, and the mayor vis-a-vis libraries in 
Minneapolis.
I want the city to loose the referendum money to fix Walker and to find 
some other spot on which to exercise personal experiments.

WizardMarks, Central

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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library Task Force Meeting

[Dan]

 Finally I just got my property tax statement and the Library Board's share
 was eye-popping, with further increases coming down the pike.  While I
can't
 speak for my fellow citizens, I would be hard pressed to pay even more for
 libraries.  Perhaps the Library Board needs to look at its entire system,
to
 determine whether it can afford to keep all of its properties.  A
strategic
 sale of one or two of its libraries may help pay for other more pressing
 needs.  Furthermore, a merger with Hennepin County should be examined for
 cost saving opportunities as well.

No kidding! I just got my property tax information as well. Wouldn't it be
nice if we could have just one year without increases that are 5 times the
rate of inflation? If these annual 9% increases keep up, I'll be forced to
sell my house, and move to another city in a few years. The library share
was amazing to me also. Most of the increase in my property taxes goes to
the city. Dear Mr. Mayor, and City Council, STOP SPENDING SO MUCH! I can't
afford it!

Dan McGrath
Longfellow
http://www.smokeoutgary.org

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[Mpls] Walker Library Task Force Meeting 11/18/2004

[Michael Hohmann]

I attended the 11/18 meeting of the Walker Library Joint Task Force.  I
haven't played an active role in this Task Force project, but I'm very
interested.  I've been an advocate of a mixed-use library facility on this
site for several years now.  I missed the last meeting of 10/13/04 and
wanted to provide some input on the 18th.  However, there was no time on the
agenda for public comments, which seemed odd and I left the meeting feeling
very frustrated.  But there's always the issues list!  Thus, I'm posting my
public comments to list members, and forwarding them to Ms. Kit Hadley,
Director of MPL.  At the meeting, Ms. Hadley kindly agreed to forward my
comments to all Task Force members.  Thanks, Kit.
~~

Much of the 11/18 meeting dealt with wordsmithing language in the draft RFP
which will soon be sent to developers-- an onerous process at best,
especially in a public meeting.  The Task Force adopted the RFP as amended.
My comments deal with the RFP and my concept of the development process, as
it pertains to this project.  Hopefully there is still time for
consideration of my comments and concepts by Task Force members, and
possibly room for inclusion in the RFP-- implicitly or explicitly, before it
is issued.  Likewise, many of the concepts should prove useful in any
project negotiations.

A couple of major issues were evident at the meeting.  First off, there is
great concern by Library Board members over the seemingly large shortfall in
funds available to construct a new Walker Library as part of a mixed-use
development on the current site.  The fair reuse value of the 'air rights'
on the site has been estimated at approximately $500-600K (I'm not sure of
the source).  Combined with tentative other sources of funding, there seems
to be a $1-2.5 million capital shortfall, assuming the new library will cost
$5.5 million.  Secondly, there was some expressed concern over language in
the draft RFP being overly restrictive-- hence the wordsmithing.

Regarding the value of the site to a potential developer:  It is totally
dependent upon what kind of development is designed and built.  An overly
restrictive RFP process will either doom the project to failure, or result
in a less than optimum project.  Any potential developer must have the
freedom to design a project that meets or exceeds the needs of both the
community and the MPL, while providing an acceptable return on the private
investment.  Simply stated, the more value the developer can add to the
site, the higher the potential value of the site.

I think a fundamental concept should be to allow the developer to assume as
much risk with the project as possible.  Reduce as much risk as possible for
the MPL.  Let the developer hold the upside potential as well as the
downside risk.  Let the developer be responsible for commercial space; the
library shouldn't be responsible for filling commercial space or making a
coffee shop successful.

Perhaps the value of the property exceeds the estimated value by a
significant amount!  The only way to find out is to specify 'minimal needs
that must be addressed' in the RFP , and allow the developers the freedom to
make it all happen.  There should always be room for negotiation in order to
keep the process viable-- allowing the developer a fair return while helping
the MPL close the funding gap.  After all, we know pretty much what we want,
but we can't get there without the developers and the private financing they
bring to the table.  The developer wants a good investment project, the city
wants to increase the tax base by getting a higher-value, taxable property
on prime real estate, the community and MPL want a state of the art library.
We want a win-win solution all around.  It will take the community, the MPL
Board, the City and a good developer to make that happen, through
negotiation.

The MPL wants all library operations on a single floor to assure operational
efficiency-- the public library portion, and backroom storage/operations.
It shouldn't be terribly important what floor the library is located on
except for shipping/receiving concerns.  Maybe the library should be on the
street level, maybe there are better options.  Commercial space is usually
located on the street level, but it probably depends on what is going in the
commercial space.  In this Uptown location, I'd think commercial would work
just as well on the second floor as on the first, but I'm no expert in such
matters.  However, these issues should be open to discussion/negotiation.

As I understand it, the current library consumes about 17,000 sq. ft. of
space, including the meeting room.  For purposes of the RFP, I'd suggest
breaking out the space requirements for the public library/backroom
storage/operations functions, and assigning a range of required space (i.e.
between x and y sq. ft.), and likewise for public meeting space.  This
provides flexibility to designers.  After all, the public meeting room need
not be adjacent to the 

Re: [Mpls] Walker Library and Mayor's race

[Dorie Rae Gallagher]

 Dear Mr. Mayor, and City Council, STOP SPENDING SO MUCH! I can't afford
it!
 Dan McGrath

Me either

That is the point...There is too much spending. Fix the stupid roof at
$700,000. The library asked for @$460,000 in bonding and they had the rest
of the money allocated. Take the referendum money, get each library fixed up
according to plan..they will finish in @2009. Come back to the Walker
Library...the issue is not going to go away, the land will  increase in
value and absorb roof repair and in 2010, taxes will be coming in from TIF
projects such as along the river. A roof repair turned into a 5-7 million
dollar library along with  @10? million housing/retail space. I am sure most
would like to have a beautiful library with a coffee shop...and a green roof
for those looking from above...must be the angel talked about on an earlier
postwho wouldn't ...but then don't complain about taxes and don't place
that blame onto MPL.

People don't like Walker due to parking...I would rather have a library with
a parking ramp a block away than a library with the doors closed. Don't like
to walk downstairs..well,  tell that to someone who lives in a area without
a library and lousy bus connections.  Can Walker not wait until the Central
library is done, until East Lake is completed, until some of the other's are
opened more than 50% of the time. Has this been said  before!!:+}

I am also looking forward to the 2005 Mayor's race. It will be interesting
to see what surfaces about spending, NRP should be an issue, and hopefully,
Police, Fire, Parks, Education will come to the forefront.  They need a bake
sale for the Stadium to help them out a little bit!

Dorie Rae Gallagher
Nokomis







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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library Task Force Meeting 11/18/2004 1pm

[Dorie Rae Gallagher]

 Concerned about parking at the library. Parking needs to be reasonably
 priced. Currently people have to watch the clock so they don't get a
ticket
 at this library. As a result, people don't use the parking. Better
computers
 and upgraded facilities are also needed. Expressed concern re the funding
 gap. Suggested that the task force consider taking public testimony at the
 Nov. 18 meeting as well. The Walker could be an even more important civic
 space in the future if Jefferson School closes.

 Gary Farland - ECCO - If a new facility is not affordable, he suggested
 there were many things that could be done to make the current library
nicer
 (seating, décor).

 Ben Paulus - Felt it was great that a library existed on this expensive
 site. Did not think the Library should be sacrificed for housing. Closing
 the library for two years or moving it to a temporary location suggests
that
 priorities are in the wrong place.

 Jill Bode - sees the roof of the current Walker as a park and likes it

 Mayor Rybak said the discussion is about a better library. There is no in
 interest in moving the library or getting more intense development on the
 site.

 Some comments...

 They left out my favorite comment from the kid from the coffee shop who
 said that the library should be a 5 story edifice dedicated to books and
 culture...

 Both the Minneapolis and Hennepin County Library systems have had a
 strong focus on brick and mortar money and building and renovation...
 and all that money, goes for extravagant, excessive, unnecessary
 structures, great for a photo-op in Architecture Minnesota magazine...
 but not a penny to keep the library open, or to hire enough staff, or to
 fund programs,
 or to purchase materials, or to offer the services that make a library
 a vital resource to our community.
 Madeline Douglass

Well said MD! We want our library doors open!  What good are buildings if
the doors are closed. What good is a business if it is not producing or
accessible. To give stats that we have all these libraries...what an
accomplishment...did anyone tell some of these impressed people with
Minneapolis that our libraries are closed 50% of the time! We don't have
money for librarieswe only have money for housing. I do not believe that
every inch of ground needs to have cute litte 3-4 story buildings on. Yes,
it is very European...Europe has been around many hundreds of
years...Minnesota since the early 1800's. There is no need that housing
needs to be in institutional buildings. Let the building stand alone for
what it is. Want 4 stories...make it 4 stories of library. If there is no
money to keep all the libraries open and functioningthere should not be
money available for excess building at the whim of developers. Our taxes are
for core services for citizens... not to supply revenue for developers.

Thanks Madeline for the update...

Dorie Rae Gallagher
Nokomis

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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library Task Force Meeting 11/18/2004 1pm

[WizardMarks]

Dorie Rae Gallagher wrote:
Well said MD! We want our library doors open!  

WM: If you want library doors open, then you are going to have to 
persuade the board of MPL and it's staff that the way they have deployed 
staff has been screwy for the last 10 years or better. Look particularly 
at circulation statistics for ALL libraries and the staff count for 
those community libraries with the highest stats. Then compare that with 
Central stats. and Central staff count. I believe that you will discover 
that Central has far more staff members (just in the library itself, not 
in the admin. depts.) than its circulation warrants. Granted, some 
people who use Central come there for reference documents which cannot 
circulate, but then people come to community libraries for reference 
work as well. The over-staffing of Central predates the recent extreme 
budget cuts by years.

Vis-a-vis Walker, I have no idea why the board is even discussing 
sharing space with private entities. Walker is extremely busy, it's on 
at least six bus lines, it's incredibly convenient and, as such, it's in 
a primo position to build patronage of the library. In a nation which is 
becoming more illiterate by the year, this is an important function for 
libraries.

WizardMarks, Central

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[Mpls] Walker Library Meeting

[Dorie Rae Gallagher]

The Walker Library Task Force met Thursday evening to continue the task of 
deciding to build a new library with mix use at the tune of 5.4 million (just 
for the library)  or fix the roof at $700,000. The board of MPL had no choice 
in this matter since the City Council was unwilling to approve the referendum 
bond sale to replace the parking deck. 

CM Niziolek, being a driving force behind the mix use,  wanted a grand library  
he could be proud of ...wrote that people should not be underground...they 
needed to be ground level for safety, security and sense of well being.  The 
draft of the redevelopment project says nothing about safety or security as a 
concern for redevelopmentMPL trustees stated they wanted the library to be 
on one level..preferring the first floor. Task force member, Mr.Pluimer wants 
the developer to decide where the library should be...most likely the second 
floor. Blows the ground level security theory out the window and priority of 
the library!

In October it was brought up that the community had not been informed...so they 
had a meeting last week. @Ten people came and it was reported the ten were very 
excited about having a coffee shop and restaurant in the library. It was 
reminded that the focus was on the library... In Nokomis, we would be very 
excited about having the doors open so we could get a book... much less la 
caffee'! 

Now the slippery slope..how is the library going to be paid for. $440,000 
library referendum, I believe other libraries were slated for some of that 
money. Trust fund from the Old Walker $180,000,  GO Tax abatement bond proceeds 
$500,00-850,000. Hennepin County Transit Oriented Development  $400,000,  MPL 
Land sale (air rights) to developer.(the library needs to own the land it has a 
library on)   $500,000-600,000. Then Other Possible Sources...Met Council 
Livable Communities Development   $500,000-$1M  and   NRP  $500,000-$1M.

 Now where is that NRP money going to come from?  
Surprise, surprise,  there is money in the coffers for some and for others... 
there's none.

Dorie Rae Gallagher
Nokomis

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[Mpls] Walker Library Task Force Meeting 11/18/2004 1pm

[md]

The next Walker Library Task Force Meeting is Thursday November 18th
at  1:00 pm at Walker Library..

Some of the players in the last meeting...

Members in attendance: Co Chairs Gregory Gray, R.T. Rybak, Members: Anita
Duckor, Lisa Goodman, Diane Hofstede, Christina Melloh, Dan Niziolek, Ed
Pluimer, Helen Spry. Excused: Keith Sjoquist

Staff/consultants: Chuck Lutz, Cherre Palenius, Mark Winkelhake, Beth
Elliott (City); Amy Ryan, Kit Hadley, Dave Kirk, Ed Koval (Library); Sally
Westby (Task Force Coordinator)

Community Members/Others: Library Trustee Rod Krueger, Susan Andre, Scott
Bader, Jill Bode, Josephine Clark, Doug Copeland, Annella Duerr, Gary
Farland, Dorie Gallagher, Caroline Griepentrog, Nancy Hite, Michael Lander,
Taylor Laux, Paul Mellblom, Ben Paulus, Richard Rebers, Linda Schutz, Pat
Scott, Carsten Slostad, Karen Sterk, Gary Thaden, John Veda

Some highlights of the last meeting...

LIBRARY:  Possible funding

Library referendum* $440,000
Trust fund proceeds from the Old Walker Library** $180,000
GO Tax abatement bond proceeds (city/county) $500,000 - $850,000
Private capital fundraising*** $500,000+
Hennepin County Transit Oriented Development (TOD) $400,000
MPL Land sale (air rights) to developer $350,000 - $500,000


*Subject to Library Board and City Council approval of MPL's capital
plan
**   Subject to Library Board approval
*** As noted in other cities' mixed-use library projects


OTHER POSSIBLE SOURCES: Possible funding

Met Council Livable Communities Development Account (LCDA) $  500,000 -$1M
Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) $  500,000 - $1M

TOTAL $3.37M - $4.87M


Parking, parking and more parking

Amy Ryan said that the current Walker parking lot has 33 parking spaces of
which 8 are designated as staff parking. The Library owns the parking lot
and the City maintains and enforces the meters. The meters have a one-hour
limit. Use of the parking lot varies by time of day. It is not usually busy
in the morning and picks up by the end of the day. By 6 p.m. it is often
full.


5.0 Feasibility of Mixed Use Development - Cherre Palenius reviewed the
report prepared for the Task Force by Bonestroo  Associates (attachment
4.3). In
preparing the report, Bonestroo reviewed a great deal of factual information
regarding the site. They were assisted by Beth Elliot of the City's
Community Planning and Economic Development division. Zoning allows a
maximum of 34 residential units on the site. To meet code, 47 parking spaces
are needed. Because of the size of the site, this will mean two levels of
parking.  If housing is developed along with a library on the site, the
actual number of housing units possible will be 21 because of parking
restrictions.


Duckor said she was not as comfortable as others were with the potential
financing sources. She felt there was a significant difference between the
cost of repairing the current roof vs. the cost of a new facility. There is
no point in issuing a RFP if there is no way that a developer can make the
project work

The Mayor reminded the group that there was a difference between a new
building that would last for many years and the current challenge of roof
repair

In response to a question from Hofstede, Lutz said that construction would
take 12 - 18 months and could begin in April-May, 2005. Ryan said it would
take the library 6 months to move back into the building so that the total
amount of time that the library would be closed (or an interim site needed)
would be 2 years


6.0 Community Comments - the following comments were made

Nancy Hite of the YWCA said that the Y is bursting at the seams and looking
to redevelop. A membership survey indicates interest in expanded fitness
offerings and in meeting space for community gatherings. Both the Y and the
Library are places that serve whole families. The Y has 200 parking spaces
in its ramp - they are not all used all the time. The Y would like to
explore ways to connect to the Greenway. Hite felt it made sense to see if
coordination with the Library were possible.

Gary Thaden - Lowry Hill East - suggested that an opportunity was lost when
the Park Board was not invited to be part of the Walker Library development
process.

Mary Gallagher - felt the cost of redoing the Walker Library was out of
control. Branch libraries in other parts of the city (e.g. Nokomis) are
suffering.

Cheryl Lugar - Nokomis neighborhood. Was disturbed about the gap in
financing for the Walker redevelopment. Felt that the current Walker well
used. It is not a flop. It is not an ugly building.

Pat Scott - Kenwood Isles Area Association - Suggested that the Walker is a
crucial institution for the Uptown community. She said she is committed to
working with the Board to keep the Walker open. The financing gap for a new
facility seems to be huge especially in light of the small library budget
but she is willing to listen to the numbers and possibilities. There are
developers who would like to 

[Mpls] Walker Library task force meeting this evening

[Dorie Rae Gallagher]

The Walker library task force will be meeting from 4:30 to 6:30 this evening at 
Walker. This meeting is to discuss the mix-use development for a new library. The 
library board picked members who were supposedly open to all suggestions, but a couple 
will sway in the direction told,  the Mayor and the two Council have already expressed 
their wish for multi-use and have used their power to obtain it...giving it a slanted 
task force to start with. No neighborhood groups were asked to participate nor some of 
the people who have really worked within the system to preserve the libraries. 

It will be up to the neighborhood to come together and decide if they want a six story 
building on the spot, it will be up to the park board to preserve land near by, and it 
will be up to the task force to be honest in assessment and not direct  according to 
their own wants.elected officials are for representation of the people.. not to 
pursue own agendas. Last I heard anyway...times are changing.

I have been told...Lake street Library is having a meeting this evening also on it's 
closing in May.  Don't know the times.

dorie rae gallagher
nokomis
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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library task force meeting this evening

[Laura Waterman Wittstock]

On Wednesday, October 13, 2004, at 08:49 AM, Dorie Rae Gallagher wrote:
The Walker library task force will be meeting from 4:30 to 6:30 this 
evening at Walker. This meeting is to discuss the mix-use development 
for a new library. The library board picked members who were 
supposedly open to all suggestions, but a couple will sway in the 
direction told,  the Mayor and the two Council have already expressed 
their wish for multi-use and have used their power to obtain 
it...giving it a slanted task force to start with. No neighborhood 
groups were asked to participate nor some of the people who have 
really worked within the system to preserve the libraries.
I'm reluctant to ever wear an official hat, but this is an exceptional 
occasion. The library trustees voted, prior to the vote in city council 
to deny sale of the bonds for the Walker roof, and certainly prior to 
the formation of the Walker task force, to fix the Walker roof and take 
a longer view on other options.

So to say that the library board picked members who will sway in the 
direction told, is to say that they are inclined to stick with their 
prior decision to fix the roof.

It is quite erroneous to suggest that the library board has taken a 
position other than its stated one. There may be several who would want 
to characterize the trustees as going in one direction or another,  but 
the library board is on record with a position.

The work of the task force is to assess the feasibility of other 
options. In my mind that is good public policy formation. Why close the 
door to answers before any consideration? What is to be gained by not 
knowing?

The worry is, and the council agreed to this, that the findings be 
brought forward in time to go ahead with the roof in 2005. So that 
option is not foreclosed.

This is a measured and considered course of action which will benefit 
the city, not detract from it. It is a gross distortion to call the 
task force slanted, or to suggest that the neighborhood 
representative was selected sans neighborhood organization input. Input 
is what this process is all about.

Best wishes,
Laura
trustee of the library board



Laura Waterman Wittstock
MIGIZI Communications, Inc.
3123 East Lake Street
Minneapolis, MN 55406
612.721.6631 ext 219
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
http://www.migizi.org
http://laurawatermanwittstock.blogspot.com/
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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library task force meeting this evening

[Dorie Rae Gallagher]

Forgot to mention..Sale of the Walker would bring in $180,000. Do you really
think the library is the focus?
dorie gallagher
nokomis

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[Mpls] Walker Library Meeting

[Dorie Rae Gallagher]

Walker Library Meeting will be on Weds, Oct. 13  4:30 to 6:30

1. Task force recap of meeting number one...
2, Feasibility  of mixed use developed on current site...
3. Financing strategies for mix -use development...
4. Community comments
5. Discussion among task force members

Questions I would have...if they do not build on current site, land goes up for sale 
to whom and for what price in comparsion to actual value of land. What would be the 
taxpayer's burden in this. Will this property  become taxable? If so ..when?

Is the library the focus or mix-use development?

Is the library board kinda of _itchy or are they trying to communicate what they feel 
is best?

Should be a very interesting meeting...

Dorie Rae Gallagher
Nokomis





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[Mpls] Walker Library Task Force

[md]

http://www.mpls.lib.mn.us/wa_update092004.asp

The Walker Community Library Joint Task Force is
charged with making a recommendation on the future
of Walker Library by February 28, 2005. 

The members of the Task Force are:

Mayor R. T. Rybak, Co-Chair
Library Board President Gregory Gray, 
Co-Chair Library Trustees Anita Duckor and Diane Hofstede
Council Members Lisa Goodman and Dan Niziolek 

Community Representatives, 

City Appointed: Ed Pluimer, Keith Sjoquist 

Community Representatives, Library Board Appointed:
Helen Spry, Christina Melloh 

Thursday, September 30 from 7:30 to 9:00 a.m.
Wednesday, October 13 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 18 from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m.

All meetings will be held in the Walker Community
Library meeting room, 2880 Hennepin Ave. 

***
Ed Pluimer is an attorney with Dorsey and Whitney who also appears
to be actively involved with several neighborhood organizations,

Keith Sjoquist is an architect who has converted existing buildings to
commercial use.

Not sure who Helen Spry is, but Christina Melloh was or (is) an
officer with the Powderhorn Park neighborhood association.

Seems odd that Pat Scott is not a member of this task force
or anyone from the CARAG neighborhood association.

So... the head librarian of Walker Library was excluded...
or should I say muzzled She knows who uses the library and 
how important it is to the community but we don't want to 
know about that...not too many community reps there either...
they'd just cause a ruckusgotta get those condos built 
before the first freeze sets in.
   


Madeline Douglass
Kingfield

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[Mpls] Nokomis Library Garage Sale

[Dorie Rae Gallagher]

List,

If Sunday is looking bleak for activities

Nokomis Library Garage SaleAug 158am to 4pm5100 34th Avenue  in the 
library's 

parking lot.  We are also taking donations from 7am to 8am.  Donations in the form of 
stuff or cash/check if you insist!Take the LRT/drive  to the  50th 
Stationwalk/bike/drive  9 blocks to the west or catch a bus on 50th,  turn south 
on 34th and  you are there!

Thanks for the support of the libraries.
Dorie Rae Gallagher
Nokomis...
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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library Idea

[Lisa McDonald]

Actually I proposed it before the last remodeling. The library board said no because 
they basically want a library that is all on one level they say it is easier and 
cheaper to run. It could still be done if some land was annexed in the back of the old 
library. The building was made ADA accessible by the Junior League. Williams has 
always been interested in the courtyard and would probably lease it from the library. 
I can't imagine parking would be the issue, since the current councilmember has let 
both the restaurant development on the corner of Lagoon and Hennepin, as well as Tonic 
on Lake Street go in with hundreds of seats and no parking.

Lisa McDonald
East Harriet

- Original Message -
From: Tracy
Sent: Sunday, July 04, 2004 1:45 PM
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Subject: [Mpls] Walker Library Idea

List,

Has anyone thought about moving the new Walker Library back to the old  
Walker Library site across Hennepin?  I understand that Pagoda, the  
upscale spa that has been in that space for about 6 months, is closing  
shop and, again, the building will sit vacant.  I dont' know why the  
library originally left that site, but it is a beautiful old building,  
a protected historic resource in Minneapolis, right next to the transit  
stop, and if modifications could be made to the building (ADA  
requirements met, necessary technology improvements, maybe an outdoor  
cafe in the front courtyard), the parcel across the street could be  
condos and upscale Uptown shops beneath.

Perhaps someone has proposed this already.  But, as a poet once said,  
maybe what lasts is what you start with.

Tracy Nordstrom
Avid reader, Uptown Pedestrian, ECCO Resident

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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library mixed-use - make the case

[Barbara Lickness]

Dorie said:

There might have been more if our NRP money was not
allocated to hire police at time and a half for the
Phillips neighborhood. Just how much taxpayer's money
was given to Ventura Village? How about all the money
that dissappeared! That could have kept our library
open for about 15 years.  Sounds like a solid little
group that might be a little self serving!

Me:

I would like to take this opportunity to clear up some
of the misunderstandings Dorie has regarding the use
of NRP funds.

The Mayoral and City Council initiative that took $1M
from NRP to fill a gap in the 2004 police budget pays
officers at regular time not time and a half.  Of the
$1M dollars, $117,150 was allocated for use in Ventura
Village, East Phillips, Midtown Phillips and Phillips
West. That represents about 11.7% of the total. 54
other neighborhoods were also funded through this
initiative. The Nokomis East neighborhoods submitted a
proposal but were not funded from this initiative. You
can find the information at www.nrp.org. 

NRP funds spent in Phillips: Here is the real story. 

To begin with, the problems that occurred with the
People of Phillips and it's decertification as the
official citizen participation group by the MCDA and
subsequent loss of NRP Planning and Implementation
Activity contracts represents a very small portion of
the total NRP funds that are allocated to the Phillips
neighborhood. You may obtain a copy of the State
Auditors report defining the financial issues with
reference to the People of Phillips by requesting a
copy of the audit in writing.  

I have access to other financial information for NRP
expenditures in Phillips and Ventura Village. 

The funds listed below were contracted to a variety of
government agencies and private non-profits as
directed by the volunteer residents in Phillips and
Ventura Village. Copies of spreadsheets and contracts
are available by requesting them in writing to my
office or e-mailing me directly at [EMAIL PROTECTED]

Housing: $5,174,100.42. An additional $1,587,705.18 is
allocated but has not been expended. These activities
include: razing dilapidated housing, rehabbing
existing housing, building new houses, condos and
apartment buildings, carriage houses, removing
hazardous lead from older houses and a tenant/rental
property manager training program.

Economic Development: $2,999,323.73. An additional
$414,867.01 is allocated but has not been expended.
The activities in this category include: The Green
Institute, the Mercado Central, the Re-Use Center, a
credit union, Franklin Av. Streetscape, job training
programs, youth employment and other programs,
Business incubators and child care centers. 

Arts,Culture and Ethnicity: $1,311,548.21. About
$7,000 remains unexpended. Activities in this category
include: $750K for Franklin Artworks rehab, the media
center in the Franklin Library, The Heart of the Beast
Development project, the Phillips Gateway at Peavey
Park and some cultural programs.

Crime and Safety $334,004. $81,643.16 remains
unexpended. The activities include: Mobile safety
center, the Franklin Safety Center, block club
organizing, security equipment for businesses and
home-owners, off-duty police services and additional
street lights along Bloomington Av. 

Lifespan: $1,007,437.40. $112,478.92 remains allocated
but unexpended. Activities include: The neighborhood
early learning center, programs for youth and elders,
funding to Anderson Family Resource Center, a service
directory and other programs. 

Environment/Parks/Transportation: $1,409,630.00.
$68,332.80 remains allocated but unexpended.
Activities include: renovating the play area at
Stewart Park, closing Snyder's Liquor Store at
Franklin/Chicago, planting trees and a variety of
other environmental and park programs. 

American Indian NRP Plan: $4,569,418,77. $53,003.63
remains allocated but unexpended. The American Indian
community received a separate allocation in the
Phillips NRP Plan. Activities in the Amer. Indian Plan
include: Housing, Economic Development, Job Training,
Youth activities and a variety of other initiatives. 

Plan Administration: $973,192.75. $58,206.92 remains
allocated but unexpended. Activities include: staffing
expense, office rent, copying, postage, printing, etc.
This amount represents a little under 6% of the total
plan dollars spent on administrative expenses over a 9
year period of time in Phillips and Ventura Village. 

Nokomis East Neighborhood recieved $4,171,641.44 in
NRP funds and has $611,802.10 allocated but
unexpended. At present, NENA has just allocated 21,607
to expand summer hours for the Nokomis Library.  

Barb Lickness
Whittier
NRP Staff to Ventura Village, Phillips and Nokomis East

=
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the 
world.  Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has. -- Margaret Mead
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RE: [Mpls] Walker Library mixed-use - make the case

[Doug Walter]

Dorie Rae Gallagher writes:
-We have NRP monies that have helped us 
- out for 17 weeks. There might have been more if our NRP 
- money was not allocated to hire police at time and a half 
- for the Phillips neighborhood. Just how much taxpayer's 
- money was given to Ventura Village? How about all the money 
- that dissappeared! 

Jim answers:
- Dorie Ray is sadly mistaken about her our NRP dollars 
- going to pay for time and a half police buy back for the 
- Phillips Neighborhood. None of her neighborhood's dollars 
- were used to my knowledge.  But perhaps they should be!  
- Until the Phillips Neighborhood enjoys the same degree of 
- public safety as she and her neighborhood enjoys. Until that 
- happens it is a bit selfish for some one to resent the 
- poorer police protection that a neighborhood like Phillips 
- gets than a place like Uptown.


Doug Writes:
Jim, Dorie might be mixing two issues. The first is the
time-and-a-half comment: That perception might be the byproduct of
past police buybacks using $$ from one of NENA's People's Services and
Safety strategies. Strictly local, and all in the past.

The second, and more recent issue is the $1,000,000 in Community
Oriented Public Safety Iniatives Reserve Fund (COPS) that NRP earmarked
for increased police hours with the MPD. That money comes off the top of
NRP's Phase II funds, which are already reduced from Phase I levels by
about 75%. And that does come from all neighborhoods. After all the
discussions and reallocating, 3rd Precinct received about 27% of the $1
million reserve, with the vast majority allocated to Phillips' four and
the three neighborhoods immediately across Lake St. We ALL understood
the reasons for prioritizing the bulk of the funding towards Phillips. I
didn't see any resentment from anyone in the initial meetings and
discussions. (That, in spite of 4th Precinct neighborhoods requesting
the entire million for themselves.)

I think the point that Dorie is trying to make is that it's pretty hard
to understand why the mere 1% that 3rd Precinct recommended go towards
dealing with drug, gang, and assault issues in the Bossen area (in
Nokomis East) didn't happen. In fact, it's worse than that: two thirds
of the 3rd Precinct--roughly everything below 38th St--received zero
dollars. Not a dime. Nadda. Although technically incorrect, it isn't
hard to see where residents consider the COPS funds as missing around
here.

Doug Walter
Nokomis East

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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library mixed-use - make the case

[gemgram]

Thank you Doug, for your clarification.

Yes Doug, you are correct about the Bossen area.  I can remember a time when
the delivery drivers for a business I ran considered that area to be almost
as bad as the area around Lake Street.  I can understand the frustration
someone would have at not having adequate police protection, no matter what
neighborhood you come from. It is part of the frustration that went on
around the  Community Oriented Public Safety Initiative Reserve Fund
(COPS) program.  It was a dilemma for me because I thought Police
protection was the responsibility of the City and it was improper to use NRP
funds to replace what was clearly a City obligation.  At the same time we
were assured that the dollars were going to be spent, and if we did not take
our share it would go to other neighborhoods.  We, and Jordan, have faced
greater drug and crime problems than most other parts of the City.  The
needs of our people overcame whatever reticence that I may have had about
the program's source of funding. When the house is burning down sometimes we
forget to look down the street and share the water with someone whose porch
is on fire.  We forget that perhaps their house may also burn down if they
do not get at least some of the water.

When there is a City wide issue (such as NRP) and I think of which
neighborhoods (and who) can be counted on to be in the front working on that
effort, I think first of the folks from NENA.  I hope, and am sure, we will
continue to be partners in such efforts. Most people and neighborhoods are
probably unaware of the effort and hard work that NENA staff put into
insuring that they would continue to have NRP.  I am truly sorry that NENA
may have been shortchanged on any NRP funding program.

Our neighborhoods NEED to be supportive of each other to tackle problems we
may mutually face, and supportive of each other to tackle problems that are
uniquely our own.  Just as our two neighborhoods (and a couple of others)
certainly have done more than most to save NRP for the entire City.  My
initial post was to suggest the leveraging of funds was a good way to bring
attention to the issue.  It was the reason for the example of the Franklin
Library.  As I posted earlier, I support Dorie on the issue of community
libraries.  The neighborhoods need to support and teach each other to net
fish, not jealously squabble like two gulls fighting over a carp on the
beach; even though we are both hungry. The saving of NRP and community
libraries are only two of the issues we (and other neighborhoods) can
collaborate on.

We probably need to squawk a little louder at each other BEFORE the water
(or the carp) runs out.  So we can make sure we share and mutually find some
more. Maybe let you have a little extra carp, if we get a little more water.

Jim Graham,
Ventura Village Neighborhood, Phillips Community, Third Precinct, and Sixth
Ward of Metropolis


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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library mixed-use - make the case

[md]

There are libraries in shopping malls in Seattle, Syracuse, Birmingham and
other
places.Hennepin County library had a proposal put a branch library in
the Mall
of America.   Perhaps moving Walker library to the moribund Calhoun Square
would rejuvenate the whole complex.

Walker library is not the first library that MPL has considered
incorporating into
a housing development.

Here's a 2002 proposal to incorporate Roosevelt Library into a mixed-use
housing development by Amy Ryan (who will be leaving MPL in January to
become
the new director of the HCL system)

Not sure if this proposal is still active, but it does demonstrate MPL's
interest
in parterning with developers, and perhaps (niavely) assuming that they
could
retain some automony and control over the library section of the project.
http://www.mpls.lib.mn.us/minutes/lba121802b2.pdf

Still believe that a visionary like architect Jeff Scherer could transform
the original
Walker into a library that would work.The new Walker was a bad design
to
begin with,  the plaza with the library letters feels abandoned and
neglected, the sunken
courtyard lanquishes unused, the entry way is uninviting requiring a descent
to
charmless, utilitarian rows of bookshelves.  It can't be fixed, no matter
how much money is thrown at it.  The curse comes vividly to mind here...a
space
more devoid of good karma one can't imagine

Pat Scott and a group of supporters have been making valiant efforts to get
NRP
funding for the Walker library from the neighborhoods that use it:
http://www.swjournal.com/articles/2004/05/14/neighbors/neighbor07.txt

And here's another excellent (Metzger?) article about the
needed repairs and political issues involving Walker library:
http://www.swjournal.com/articles/2004/05/28/news/news01.txt


Madeline Douglass
Kingfield




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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library

[Fredric Markus]

Thanks to CM Niziolek for sitting down at his computer at the very beginning
of this Independence Day to write at length and with care about his purposes
related to the renewal of the Uptown branch of the Minneapolis Public
Library. We had a Carnegie library in Portage, WI when I was a youngster in
the late 1940s and that treasure house stood out for me far beyond other
institutions in my home town. I had to partner with my parents, teachers,
and religious mentors because I had a fierce curiosity about every sort of
thing and the structured learning environments and interactions with my own
age peers couldn't hold a candle to the wonders at my fingertips a few short
blocks from where I lived. To this very day I view the public library as a
sturdy and reliable source for the intellectual building blocks I've
accumulated over the years.   

Whatever the roads I've traveled since those early days, I still relish the
sense of potential discovery that comes over me when I walk down the
Greenway from Ebenezer in West Phillips to the Walker Library in Uptown.
Sometimes I prefer to amble through my old Whittier neighborhood or down
Lake St. - ever interesting alternatives - but the clarity of the purposes
of my trip to the library has never wavered for the thirty-five years that
I've spent here in Minneapolis since I arrived on July 4, 1969, as it
happens. Thank goodness for the MTC when I'm not up for the exercise and
more thanks for the Library's digital world. We are so very blessed in this
city and this country of ours.   

There are plenty of nifty positives I can trot out about Minneapolis and its
leadership but not all gardens are tended in public view and not all
contemplations are meant to be shared. Even the grand universities I've had
the privilege to be a part of don't have the unique blend of repository of
knowledge and precondition of populist access that invites my still
youthful, sometimes private, but still persistent curiosity. The Walker
Library should surely be there for Dan's twins and all the other youthful
lights that will celebrate our Independence Days on into the future.   

Fred Markus, West Phillips 

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RE: [Mpls] Walker Library mixed-use - make the case

[David Brauer]

From Dan Niziolek

In response to David's questions:

1) The study conducted by the Library board (with support of CPED.)
- Jim Nelson studied the idea of constructing a 4 story building
with 24 units of condos (occupying the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors of the
building), a library on the first level, and 60 parking spaces underground.

David here:

As a fellow July 4th shut-in, I want to thank Dan for the substantive,
holiday response. 

I have some follow-up questions, but I'll defer those for now. I'd rather
here from people who have looked at this issue (more than I have) and
reached a different conclusion than Dan.

Thanks again for keeping the spirit of discussion! Happy Fourth!

David Brauer
Kingfield
Will be grilling, swatting mosquitoes, and watching fireworks far away from
the computer later today!

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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library mixed-use - make the case

[gemgram]

Great post Dan.

There are of course other funding possibilities for a library.  The example
of the funds raised for the temporary library during the time the Franklin
Library is closed for reconstruction is an example of such.  If a community
truly wants that resource to continue the community can become very
resourceful.

And Dan, your mixed-use - make the case was right on. Your example of eyes
on the street, and from the street on the happenings in buildings, are
certainly true.  That human interaction is what makes enjoyable, safe, urban
life possible.  And desirable!  Hennepin and Lake and the Uptown are about
the only place where Minneapolis presently approaches a vibrant, safe,
street life.

The downtown area of Minneapolis would certainly benefit from such.  Our
downtown largely becomes a graveyard of nothing but dead stone monuments
(Buildings) after 7:00 PM.  The reason is that we have NOT encouraged those
building developers to ring the first floor street level of every building
with small shops and restaurants.  The very things that create a desire to
be there, and to create such interaction as you speak of.  Such space (if
used for such purpose) is incredibly valuable per square foot.   It also
makes the whole structure more valuable as it makes it a more enjoyable and
fun place to be. Also, think of the number of jobs that could and should be
in Downtown, if we only used our Downtown for a higher use.  We need
Downtown to have at least two shifts, one for Office Workers and one for
Pleasure Seekers (and those that serve them).

If we look at a place like Vancouver, B.C. we can see how vibrant and fun a
downtown can be.  Twice the people in half the area and four times the fun
and pleasure. Some may say well our Minnesota winters don't allow that, but
look at what happens in the heart of the winter in downtown.  It is called
Christmas and Holly-dazzle and it is the only time Downtown Minneapolis is
truly walkable fun. (Dodging drunks and crime in the warehouse district can
be titillating to me on a Friday night, but not to most casual strollers)

If we are going to be subsidizing these monuments with the people's tax
dollars let's at least demand that they are friendly to the people. A
higher use certainly would be the small shops and restaurants, rather than
the dead after 6:00 office space that could just as easily be on the second
floor.  We waste the best part of almost every one of our downtown
buildings. We have already spent (some would say wasted) hundreds of
millions of dollars, perhaps we should hedge our bet and spend a few more to
encourage developers to finally give us what we paid for. The people of
Minneapolis have paid for a great downtown lets start demanding that we get
one.

So Dan, Lisa, and Gary, you folks are the ones who seem to like urban
downtown life, as well as sitting on the Minneapolis Zoning and Planning
Committee,  how do we start Planning the Zoning so we can get that great
downtown life?  Lets start planning a happy future now, for if we wait our
children will not have one when we get to that future.

Jim Graham,
Ventura Village, Phillips Community Planning District, Sixth Ward of what
should be the Vancouver of Middle-America

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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library mixed-use - make the case

[Dorie Rae Gallagher]

Of course there are other funding possibilities for a library. Bake Sales!
We have NRP monies that have helped us out for 17 weeks. There might have
been more if our NRP money was not allocated to hire police at time and a
half for the Phillips neighborhood. Just how much taxpayer's money was given
to Ventura Village? How about all the money that dissappeared! That could
have kept our library open for about 15 years.  Sounds like a solid little
group that might be a little self serving!
Dorie Rae Gallagher


- Original Message -
From: gemgram [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: Niziolek [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Sunday, July 04, 2004 9:58 AM
Subject: Re: [Mpls] Walker Library mixed-use - make the case


 Great post Dan.

 There are of course other funding possibilities for a library.  The
example
 of the funds raised for the temporary library during the time the
Franklin
 Library is closed for reconstruction is an example of such.  If a
community
 truly wants that resource to continue the community can become very
 resourceful.

 And Dan, your mixed-use - make the case was right on. Your example of
eyes
 on the street, and from the street on the happenings in buildings, are
 certainly true.  That human interaction is what makes enjoyable, safe,
urban
 life possible.  And desirable!  Hennepin and Lake and the Uptown are about
 the only place where Minneapolis presently approaches a vibrant, safe,
 street life.

 The downtown area of Minneapolis would certainly benefit from such.  Our
 downtown largely becomes a graveyard of nothing but dead stone monuments
 (Buildings) after 7:00 PM.  The reason is that we have NOT encouraged
those
 building developers to ring the first floor street level of every building
 with small shops and restaurants.  The very things that create a desire to
 be there, and to create such interaction as you speak of.  Such space (if
 used for such purpose) is incredibly valuable per square foot.   It also
 makes the whole structure more valuable as it makes it a more enjoyable
and
 fun place to be. Also, think of the number of jobs that could and should
be
 in Downtown, if we only used our Downtown for a higher use.  We need
 Downtown to have at least two shifts, one for Office Workers and one for
 Pleasure Seekers (and those that serve them).

 If we look at a place like Vancouver, B.C. we can see how vibrant and fun
a
 downtown can be.  Twice the people in half the area and four times the fun
 and pleasure. Some may say well our Minnesota winters don't allow that,
but
 look at what happens in the heart of the winter in downtown.  It is called
 Christmas and Holly-dazzle and it is the only time Downtown Minneapolis is
 truly walkable fun. (Dodging drunks and crime in the warehouse district
can
 be titillating to me on a Friday night, but not to most casual strollers)

 If we are going to be subsidizing these monuments with the people's tax
 dollars let's at least demand that they are friendly to the people. A
 higher use certainly would be the small shops and restaurants, rather
than
 the dead after 6:00 office space that could just as easily be on the
second
 floor.  We waste the best part of almost every one of our downtown
 buildings. We have already spent (some would say wasted) hundreds of
 millions of dollars, perhaps we should hedge our bet and spend a few more
to
 encourage developers to finally give us what we paid for. The people of
 Minneapolis have paid for a great downtown lets start demanding that we
get
 one.

 So Dan, Lisa, and Gary, you folks are the ones who seem to like urban
 downtown life, as well as sitting on the Minneapolis Zoning and Planning
 Committee,  how do we start Planning the Zoning so we can get that great
 downtown life?  Lets start planning a happy future now, for if we wait our
 children will not have one when we get to that future.

 Jim Graham,
 Ventura Village, Phillips Community Planning District, Sixth Ward of what
 should be the Vancouver of Middle-America

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Post messages

[Mpls] Walker Library Idea

[Tracy]

List,
Has anyone thought about moving the new Walker Library back to the old 
Walker Library site across Hennepin?  I understand that Pagoda, the 
upscale spa that has been in that space for about 6 months, is closing 
shop and, again, the building will sit vacant.  I dont' know why the 
library originally left that site, but it is a beautiful old building, 
a protected historic resource in Minneapolis, right next to the transit 
stop, and if modifications could be made to the building (ADA 
requirements met, necessary technology improvements, maybe an outdoor 
cafe in the front courtyard), the parcel across the street could be 
condos and upscale Uptown shops beneath.

Perhaps someone has proposed this already.  But, as a poet once said, 
maybe what lasts is what you start with.

Tracy Nordstrom
Avid reader, Uptown Pedestrian, ECCO Resident
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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library mixed-use - make the case

[WizardMarks]

Council Niziolek makes my point in his post. The city has put the 
library in the position of having to choose which essential part of 
their library do they choose to give away to the city, after the city 
has already taken away $2 million of their already inadequate budget. 
All the la-de-dah and hoopla about mixed use be damned. This is outright 
theft from the library system.
Lake and Lagoon has been and remains an excellent spot for a library 
and, if anything, maybe should be bigger than it is. Yes, it's prime 
real estate; yes, it has pedestrian traffic up the wazoo; yes, the 
transit station is right there. All those points are reasons to keep the 
Walker in situ.
We are shooting ourselves in the foot (both feet and one arm) by even 
entertaining the notion of a library/housing building. It creates more 
problems than it could possibly solve. And, in the bargain, we thumb our 
noses at THE most important, and most democratic institution we have and 
allowing the city to continue robbing the library for every cent they 
can squeeze out of it.
It's beneath contempt.

WizardMarks, Central
Niziolek wrote:
In response to David's questions:
1) The study conducted by the Library board (with support of CPED.)snip
  


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Fw: [Mpls] Walker Library Idea

[md]

 I made a joke about the curse of Walker Library referring to the fact
that
 every business that has gone into the old Walker Library building has
failed.   Why?

 Does the Met Council still own the building?  Now that it will be vacant
 again, what do they plan to do with it?   To quote Councilman Niziolek's
email:

 My conversations with the Met Council indicated that they were
 willing to be a partner in moving the library back into the old Walker
 Library building.  The building sold for $800,000. That was truly an
opportunity lost. 

 Is this opportunity permanently lost?   Couldn't a new partner be found or
a
 new  owner that would return the old Walker library back to it's original
use?

 The old building is on the National Historic Register which limits any
 improvements  or changes to the exterior.   The Minneapolis Heritage
Preservation
 Commission accepts requests for historic variances for properties they
have
 designated.  Perhaps the NHR has a similar process.

 Jeff Scherer of Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle has designed many award
 winning libraries. He could probably come up with an innovative re-design
for the old Walker.
 The proceeds from the sale of the new Walker could partially finance the
 project.

 I believe the NHR designation was one reason that MPL decided to build a
new
 building, because there was no cost effective way to make the old library
ADA
 compliant. I know there were other reasons, which perhaps someone on this
list knows.

 Madeline Douglass
 Kingfield




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[Mpls] Walker Library mixed-use - make the case

[David Brauer]

I'd love to see a little more list discussion (not an argument) about the
Walker Library's future.

My understanding is that the Library Board paid for a study last year that
showed a $1.5 million financing gap (that means what we taxpayers would pay)
if the library moved to a mixed-use building. Further, the new library would
be half the size of the current one.

In the SW Journal, Councilmember Niziolek floated the idea the city could
close that the $1.5 million gap by diverting 15 years worth of property
taxes from the new housing to the project (in other words, tax-increment
financing).

Leaving aside the notion that Lagoon  Hennepin is blighted (a TIF
requirement), such a diversion means no gain to the city general fund for 15
years, and a half-sized library. How can that be justified?

And I'm not convinced that corner of Lagoon  Hennepin is the best place for
more high-intensity development. It's pretty intense there now, including
traffic. There is land elsewhere in Southwest, including the Greenway 
Nicollet Ave., which can accommodate corridor-housing growth

Finally, I'm wondering why we need a task force after the managing authority
(the Library Board) paid for a study to analyze the issue. What do task
force supporters expect to discover?

I realize people think the current Walker library is tomb. Me, I've never
minded it. At this point, even though it may hurt to spend $750,000 fixing
up a less-than-perfect building, I'd rather do that than get a half-sized
library and no net property-tax gain until at least 2020.

However, I'm open to being convinced (maybe starting a trend here?). Let's
hash it out on the list, and I welcome thoughtful views that differ from my
current ones.

David Brauer
Kingfield

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[Mpls] Walker Library

[Dorie Rae Gallagher]

I say keep the Walker!  It would be nice to still have the old building and perhaps 
work with both. It saddens me that it was sold for $800,000.00... about the repair 
bill for the Walker. The Walker is unique and workable. It would be a mistake to put 
high density housing there and Niziolek, at the Council meeting, first offered a 8 - 
12 story building in that space.

It is documented that multi-use does not work for Libraries. It has been done and the 
city that did it,  has stated it was a mistake. The library did spend $30,000.00 for a 
study but the Mayor said, at the Ways and Means committee,  it was not conclusive. Any 
new study, of course, can say whatever  they want it to say, 

I do not believe this move is about the library.  I believe it is more about getting 
that piece of prime real estate.  The library is not the priority and looking at what 
has been done by the city to the library. economic starvation..it is not hard to 
figure out. ( 4.4 million dollar shortage suffered by the library... 2 million from 
the state and the rest from the city)  I don't believe they would put a new  library 
in the same spot as the existing one.they will push it into a retail space in some 
other  area. I believe the library's existing building  has sold, hold, and reserved 
tags all over it!!

dorie gallagher
nokomis





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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library

[WizardMarks]

Dorie Rae Gallagher wrote:
I say keep the Walker!  It would be nice to still have the old building and perhaps work with both. ... I do not believe this move is about the library.  I believe it is more about getting that piece of prime real estate. 

Got it in one.
The council, the mayor, and the CLIC committee have all been insisting 
that the library needs to cut. They have said so without the least 
understanding of how libraries work. The accepted notion seems to be 
that a city should have a monumental showplace for a downtown library. 
The board signaled so before the last election--they ran on a new 
downtown library with concomitant passage of a $140 million 
referendum--with only $30 million of that thrown as a bone to regional 
and community libraries and library functions. The library board would 
not have done that much for community libraries had not Mayor Sales 
Belton and council members not forcefully insisted.

The Walker is perhaps the best located library from the patrons point of 
view with several bus lines stopping within a stone's throw in the 
middle of a destination node.

The library, having been stripped of $4 million from a tiny $22 million 
budget, is forced into understanding that some libraries are, as far as 
the city is concerned, not as important as playing with the concept of a 
mixed use building.  (I believe Council Nijellik [sp.] tossed that into 
the hat.)

However, IMO, libraries, being an institution, are like city hall, the 
county building, or the federal building. You don't put housing above 
them, sandwich in a dress shop beside them, insert the office for 
getting one's driving license, or add a clinic.

The library has to raise money somewhere to keep from coming to a 
grinding halt. Next year, public outcry or not, I'm willing to bet some 
libraries will close. The library, board and staff, are only one quarter 
of the problem created by board, city, state, and voters.

What remedies does anyone suggest? if I'm not mistaken, the library can 
only divest itself of the old Walker if the buyer agrees not to mess 
with its historical integrity. Personally, I'd be grateful to anyone who 
has a way out of this mess, because our library system is being 
destroyed by the choices we have before us.

WizardMarks, Central

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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library mixed-use - make the case

[Jeff Rosenberg]

Let me preface this by saying that I know just about nothing about the
current Walker Library situation. I would greatly appreciate it if some
people could (off-list) direct me as to where I could read up on it. I'd
like to comment on the funding and size issues, but it'd be pretty ignorant
of me to do so at the moment.
 
I think that housing the library in a mixed-use building would be great. It
would be in keeping with the character of Uptown, provide a place for new
housing (possibly condos . . . I've heard they're big right now :-), and
improve the streetscape of that corner of Lagoon  Hennepin. I'll admit
that I love the huge letters that stand above the library, but the above
ground space is being wasted - it is neither a building nor particularly
useful open space. Why not add taxes from that parcel, which must be worth
a tidy sum, to our coffers?
 
David Brauer wrote:

 In the SW Journal, Councilmember Niziolek floated the idea the city could
 close that the $1.5 million gap by diverting 15 years worth of property
 taxes from the new housing to the project (in other words, tax-increment
 financing).
 
 Leaving aside the notion that Lagoon  Hennepin is blighted (a TIF
 requirement), such a diversion means no gain to the city general fund for
15
 years, and a half-sized library. How can that be justified?

It can't. Absolutely agreed.
 
 And I'm not convinced that corner of Lagoon  Hennepin is the best place
for
 more high-intensity development. 

It's definitely a place for high-intensity development. The whole
attraction of Uptown is its high-density, mixed-use style. Development on
the corner of Lagoon and Hennepin would enhance that, as well as adding a
decent sum to the city's tax base.

 It's pretty intense there now, including traffic. 

I don't see this affecting traffic. We're talking about one building,
located in a place which would enable people to get to and from home
without owning a car.

 There is land elsewhere in Southwest, including the Greenway 
 Nicollet Ave., which can accommodate corridor-housing growth

As it should . . . in addition to Lagoon / Hennepin, not instead of it.

Again, I'd very much like to read up on this further . . . so please send
me whatever you've got!

--Jeff Rosenberg
Cedar-Riverside
Where we don't have ANY library . . . nuts.

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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library

[Joncgord]

 As many of the great branch library buildings are from the Carnegie 
legacy, why not try and continue that theme? Who are today's Carnegies?
 Awhile back I advocated for sports stars to sponsor neighborhood houses 
of the like when I grew up (Magaret Barry et al.). Why not library branches 
instead or in addition?
 I mean K.G. makes an annual salary equal to the library budget. I think 
he might be able to support one facility. Maybe he's got a few competiteve 
buddies.
 Yes the libraries have evolved from patronage and of course they won't 
go back under it; I'm just thinking that some of the ridiculoulsy rich might 
want to leave a significant heritage.A beatufil building embracing a hundred 
year old thought.
 Anyone here got a superstars ear? 
Jon Gorder
Cathedral 
Hill
 I sold Carl Eller some golf clubs in '63, that's as good as I got.

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Re: [Mpls] Walker Library mixed-use - make the case

[Niziolek]

In response to David's questions:

1) The study conducted by the Library board (with support of CPED.)
- Jim Nelson studied the idea of constructing a 4 story building
with 24 units of condos (occupying the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th floors of the
building), a library on the first level, and 60 parking spaces underground.
I do not have the study here at home (but wanted to respond before Monday)
but I am 95% sure the report did not indicate that the library would only be
half the size of the current library. A building covering most of the site
(which I believe is what Jim was referencing) would be more than a 20,000
square foot footprint. There would need to be space dedicated to elevator
shafts, stairways, etc., so I do not know the exact square footage he
attributed to the library.
- The report indicated that there may be a gap of approximately $3.8
million. The report never looked at how the gap might be covered. As with
any public building, there is always a gap between existing facility
resources and new facility resource needs. Consequently, the challenge is
always finding the dollars to make the project happen. The report did not
look for other sources of funds.
- The report never evaluated or compared the operational or
maintenance costs associated with the existing building versus a new mixed
use building.

2) Potential funding sources.
- A quick look at the project reveals the following potential
resources:
- $1.5 million on the land sale (this is what Jim indicted
in his study.)
- $1.1 million already earmarked for the deck repairs and
other conditions in the current building.
- $1.5 million in tax abatement (tax abatement is different
from TIF.) TIF requires blight and cannot be used for libraries. Tax
abatement does not require blight and can be used for libraries. (The city
will need to modify the current tax abatement policy to allow for the use of
tax abatement funds for libraries. Current city policy only allows for
historical preservation and an underground parking lot/ transit station.)
- This totals $4.1 million. A more thorough look may reveal
other available resources.

3) The question of more high-intensity development at Lagoon and Hennepin

- Uptown will greatly benefit from appropriate high intensity
development in its core. The corner of Lagoon and Hennepin is right next to
a major transit station. The corner of Lagoon and Hennepin is a great
location for a mixed use development which will contribute to making Uptown
a more vibrant, walkable, and sustainable area. Could other areas also gain
from higher intensity developments, sure. But Uptown needs these types of
developments too.

4) What can be gained from a task force?

- At a minimum - answer questions not addressed by the consultant's
report, including:
- Evaluate and compare the operational and maintenance costs
associated with the existing building versus a new mixed use building. (This
is crucial given the library's challenging operational financial situation.)
- Address specific design issues, including the size of the
library, size of the building (for the record it was CM Schiff who mentioned
an 8 or 12 story building), potential mixed uses (housing, office, retail,
etc.), etc.
- Determine available resources for closing a development gap.

In closing, I have never and will never propose and/or support the closing
of the Walker Library in Uptown. I want to ensure a grand library serving
the Uptown community. I look forward to walking with my 2 1/2 year old twins
to a great library in Uptown. That is why I approached the Library board 2
years ago when I learned that the Met Council was selling the old Walker
Library building (they had purchased it to build the transit station.) Now
that is a great building for a public library!! I was told by the library
board that the numbers did not work. Given the Met council's need to sell
the building in short timeframe, I was unable to put together a proposal
before the sale was completed. My conversations with the Met Council
indicated that they were willing to be a partner in moving the library back
into the old Walker Library building. The building sold for $800,000. That
was truly an opportunity lost. The same resources noted above could have
been brought to the table. In addition, we may have been able to pursue
historical preservation dollars or other resources.

I believe the corner of Lagoon and Hennpin could be a much more grand urban
corner. Urban areas are made by the interaction that occurs between people
on the sidewalk and people inside the buildings adjacent to the sidewalks.
Think of great urban spaces. They have buildings that are connected to the
street life. Buildings underground cannot achieve this. There is no chance
for interaction. From a public safety perspective, people inside underground
buildings are unable to 

Re: [Mpls] Planetarium, Library Cuts but Let's Fund two Stadiums

[David Brauer]

On Mar 17, 2004, at 12:29 PM, Eva Young wrote:

I'm glad the Mayor posted about the Planetarium.  The talking points 
on the subject are valuable.  I still wonder about his priorities 
though since he gets quoted in the Strib supporting Pawlenty's stadium 
boondoggle.

Speaking as a professional, I don't think this is Rybak's fault. The 
press focuses FAR more on the stadium than the Planetarium. It may not 
be that the Mayor is speaking out less, but that the reporters are 
reporting it less.

From a pure news judgment perspective, more people care about the 
stadium and the governor and sports columnists keep it hot. Sadly, 
there are no astronomy correspondents in town, and no one to threaten 
to move Mars to another solar system if Minnesotans won't pony up.

David Brauer
Kingfield
Editor, Skyway News and SW Journal (who report on the Planetarium and 
the stadium about equally)

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Re: [Mpls] Planetarium, Library Cuts but Let's Fund two Stadiums

[David Brauer]

Posted a bit too quickly. I realize Eva is not saying Rybak isn't 
speaking out on the Planetarium, but that he shouldn't be supporting 
the stadium.

I stand behind my point about Rybak and media coverage, but it's not 
on-point addressing Eva's observation. Sorry.

David Brauer
Kingfield
Who works in print because you have time to edit what you write
On Mar 17, 2004, at 12:51 PM, David Brauer wrote:

On Mar 17, 2004, at 12:29 PM, Eva Young wrote:

I'm glad the Mayor posted about the Planetarium.  The talking points 
on the subject are valuable.  I still wonder about his priorities 
though since he gets quoted in the Strib supporting Pawlenty's 
stadium boondoggle.

Speaking as a professional, I don't think this is Rybak's fault. The 
press focuses FAR more on the stadium than the Planetarium. It may not 
be that the Mayor is speaking out less, but that the reporters are 
reporting it less.

From a pure news judgment perspective, more people care about the 
stadium and the governor and sports columnists keep it hot. Sadly, 
there are no astronomy correspondents in town, and no one to threaten 
to move Mars to another solar system if Minnesotans won't pony up.

David Brauer
Kingfield
Editor, Skyway News and SW Journal (who report on the Planetarium and 
the stadium about equally)

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[Mpls] City's library system forced to shorten hours

[Shawn Lewis]

Doe the new hours of the libraries in the Mpls
Public Library seem fair for all??

MINNEAPOLIS: City's library system forced to shorten hours
BY DAVID HAWLEY
Pioneer Press

Those who need to use the downtown library in 
Minneapolis next year will find it open every 
day except Sunday, but morning hours will be rare 
and the library will have evening hours until 
7 p.m. only on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

The shortened hours are part of a new schedule 
announced Tuesday that reduces hours by 30 percent 
in all of the city's 14 operating libraries. It 
reflects the significant decrease in state funding 
for Minneapolis that last week prompted the library's 
board to authorize a 25 percent reduction in staff 
and shorter hours.
http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/news/local/7350829.htm
Minneapolis Public Library
2004 Public Service Hours
http://www.mplib.org/budget_hours04.asp
Shawn Lewis, Field Neighborhood


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Re: [Mpls] Central Library

[Becker]

From: David Brauer


 Friendly correction here: the library folks have a contingency list of
 Central Library items that could be delayed **IF** fundraising runs
 short.right now, they are short of a November goal, but such a gap is
 possible, not certain.
...
 The fundraising shortfall was accurate as of mid-September. If anyone from
 the library system has an updated figure, could they let the list know?

The original funding plan for the new Central Library assumed that $15 M
would be raised from private donations.  It is also true that we do not have
all of these funds in hand today.  It is premature to say that there is a
shortfall however. There never was an assumption that all of the funds
would be raised by this point in the project.  In fact, we assumed that it
would still take time to raise these funds, especially as the fundraisers
haven't had a lot of time to work on the campaign.  Also, the City's
sometimes waivering commitment to the project has not helped the
fundraising.  There are several years yet until the project is complete and
at least several more years to complete the fund raising.  So I think it is
a bit unfair to say that there is a shortfall when the fundraising work
isn't complete.

We have talked about what things that could be deferred in case the project
doesn't raise all of the funds that were originally projected.  This hasn't
just been restricted to $4.3 M (which would be the savings from not
finishing half the fourth floor) but to all the remaining funds to be raised
which are about $10 M at this point.  That is the prudent thing to do.  I
will also say that if these things were to be implemented, some of them
would seriously compromise the plan for the building.  So we are looking at
other options to make sure that the project meets budget.  I am confident
that we will find a way of making it work.  Staff are developing these
options for future meetings.

Carol Becker
Longfellow
Central Library Oversight Committee Member









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[Mpls] Franklin library survives!

[paul weir]

I get the digest version of the List, so I have no idea whether 
anyone has commented on the fact that the Franklin Library, through 
the generous work of the community, individual donations, and the 
timely intervention of Trivent Financial for Lutherans, will remain 
open for 18 months at the Catholic Charities building next door 
(Strib, Sept11). Imagine it. Lutherans helping a secular library in a 
poor neighbgorhood keep its doors open by contributing funds to move 
the books temporarily to a Catholic building! You just gotta feel 
good about something like this. (And yes, kudos to RT.)
Paul Weir
Phillips
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[Mpls] Protest Library Closures

[md]

Does anyone have ideas or interest inprotesting
the week long closure from August 15-Sept 1, 2003
of all the libraries in Minneapolis?

Some form of protest seems necessary...

pickets?

read-ins?

puppets from In the Heart of the Beast?

What can we do to make the point that a week without libraries is 
a week without knowledge, without learning, without community?


Madeline Douglass
Librarian
Kingfield

[Mpls] Gardens;Library Funding;Polluted Site

[Jim Mork]

I think gardens can be about a lot of things: relief from urban aridity.  
Autonomy from corporate control of food streams.  Desire for more tasty 
food.  Cheap food?  Only in a shortage situation which is hardly what we 
have now.  Corporate food is CHEAP enough.  That's its major selling point. 
It just isn't good enough.  The fact that there are COMMUNITY gardens is 
simply that lots of people don't own land.  They can't practically have a 
garden lacking land.  By the community offering them a bit of soil, they can 
do what otherwise would be impossible.

Library Funding
When I visited the Citizen's Fair at the convention center, one of the 
discussions I had was about special taxing districts. I may be vague about 
it, but it is a way for a small part of the city to be taxed for a specific 
local need. So I'm wondering if that could be applied for library funding. 
If the service area of a local library didn't want hours cut, could it get 
designation as a special taxing district to restore funding for that 
library. Of course, this is a bit unfair in that the most likely areas to do 
this are where welloff people live.  So their kids would have full library 
service while the poor lose out again. But it may be more practical than 
trying to get rich people to pay to restore hours for a library across town.

Got a  request for a donation to Friends of MPL today.  Thought about it and 
then donated an amount equivalent to what shows up on my tax statement.  I 
guess they plan to restore services incrementally.

Ground Pollution
Is it  NEVER a practice when building housing on previously-used land to 
take a core sample of the land you're building on?  If not, sounds like it 
might have been a good idea here. In fact, before BUYING the land, determine 
what the underlying ground is like.  And may I assume there are no basements 
involved? Because once you dig for a basement, you know what you're dealing 
with.

Jim Mork
Cooper Neighborhood
Longfellow Community
Minneapolis, MN
We think. You'll like it here.
More fun than a barrel of Norwegians
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[Mpls] Minneapolis Library Strategic Plans

[Jeff Radford]

For more detail about the Minneapolis Public Library's
strategic plans, here's a link to the MPL webpage that
covers the topic.

http://www.mplib.org/budget_030613.asp

Jeff Radford
Kingfield

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Re: [Mpls] Downtown library and the new Mpls Education District

[GDombouy]

If it was 'just too much of a pain in the rear to use' the old Minneapolis Public 
Library at it's old location, what would make it a good location for the new Gutherie? 
 And if 'there is nothing fun about going to the area,' perhaps one should consider 
if reading or the theater are enjoyable?  Maybe it's just a Wild and Timberwolves sort 
of thing and thinking should be left to brilliant minds.

Gary Dombouy
Minneapolis

In a message dated 3/28/2003 11:14:12 AM Eastern Standard Time, Dave Harstad [EMAIL 
PROTECTED] writes:

I'm sure other list members saw in this morning's
Strib, Hamline will soon be establishing a presence on
south side of downtown Minneapolis.  Other education
oriented uses -- St. Thomas, the downtown school, the
technical college, etc. are already there.  

Now that the central library project is on hold, I
propose we move the library project to a new site in
our rapidly growing Education District.  The
benefits of siting the central library in the
Education District are obvious, ranging from
facilitating lifelong learning, to creating
opportunities for shared parking, to creating a real
place where people can come to learn.  

Plus lets face the obvious, the past and proposed
future site of the library is horrendous; in my four
years of living in Minneapolis I never once visited
the downtown library.  It was just too much of a pain
in the rear to use, and there is nothing fun about
going to the area.

So the next question is, if we move the library to the
Education District, what do we do with the library
site?  Simple.  Move the Guthrie there.  That proposal
is also on hold, and it too is out of place on the
river.  Simply put, the Guthrie should be the anchor
to the Theater District.  Guthrie patrons could help
fill the restaurants and bars that are gradually
emptying due to a variety of factors, including the
Target Center's losing battle with Excel.

In sum, lets think seriously about moving the library
to the Education district, and the Guthrie to the
Theater District.  Nothing worth doing is easy, but
this move is so obvious, even I see it.

Dave Harstad
Whittier

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[Mpls] Downtown library and the new Mpls Education District

[Dave Harstad]

I'm sure other list members saw in this morning's
Strib, Hamline will soon be establishing a presence on
south side of downtown Minneapolis.  Other education
oriented uses -- St. Thomas, the downtown school, the
technical college, etc. are already there.  

Now that the central library project is on hold, I
propose we move the library project to a new site in
our rapidly growing Education District.  The
benefits of siting the central library in the
Education District are obvious, ranging from
facilitating lifelong learning, to creating
opportunities for shared parking, to creating a real
place where people can come to learn.  

Plus lets face the obvious, the past and proposed
future site of the library is horrendous; in my four
years of living in Minneapolis I never once visited
the downtown library.  It was just too much of a pain
in the rear to use, and there is nothing fun about
going to the area.

So the next question is, if we move the library to the
Education District, what do we do with the library
site?  Simple.  Move the Guthrie there.  That proposal
is also on hold, and it too is out of place on the
river.  Simply put, the Guthrie should be the anchor
to the Theater District.  Guthrie patrons could help
fill the restaurants and bars that are gradually
emptying due to a variety of factors, including the
Target Center's losing battle with Excel.

In sum, lets think seriously about moving the library
to the Education district, and the Guthrie to the
Theater District.  Nothing worth doing is easy, but
this move is so obvious, even I see it.

Dave Harstad
Whittier

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[Mpls] Downtown Library operating shortfall

[Michael Hohmann]

Regarding the downtown library and the operating shortfall:

I want to clarify my suggestions on building the downtown library, operating
budgets and organizational structure for further discussion by list members
and city leaders.  I haven't heard the Library Board discussing any of the
concepts, nor the City Council, and I'm not sure why.

I'm talking about a sale-lease back transaction, whereby the library bonds
(or similar shorter term debt instrument) are issued to build the new
downtown library.  When the library is completed, it is sold to a third
party (i.e. an insurance company via a pre-negotiated deal) and the sale
proceeds are applied to retiring a majority of the debt (bonds issued in the
first place).  Some of the sale proceeds could also be applied to cover the
incremental library operating shortfall (over a limited period of time).
This would buy some time in terms of operating cost shortfalls.  The library
system would still have to achieve dramatic cost savings system-wide over
the next few years, bringing ongoing operating costs in line with ongoing
revenues into the future-- a structurally balanced budget.  But this
strategy could, in effect, convert a portion of capital funds to operating
funds, and save millions in debt service.  We would no longer own the
facility but it would be operational for everyone to use and enjoy.  If the
debt load can be significantly reduced- preserving city borrowing
flexibility for other emergency needs-- while freeing up some operating
funds, why not run some numbers for various scenarios?  And, it may be that
there is no way around shutting some neighborhood libraries as well, and
very soon.

Sale-lease back arrangements are a common method used to reduce debt levels
on the balance sheet and move cash toward operating expenses.  The tax
situation would be a major issue of concern in structuring the bonds and the
sale-lease back transaction, but that's why bond houses get the big bucks!

As far as I know, there should be no reason this type strategy could not
work.  A variation on the theme would be to negotiate a deal with Hennepin
County such that Minneapolis pays for the structure/ or a portion thereof,
and the county assumes operating responsibility... yada, yada.  Again, the
city would want to get rid of as much debt as possible, but that's all part
of the negotiation.  City residents would then likely assume some tax
liability to the county library system, again part of the negotiation.
Neighborhood libraries would remain under city control, but everything is
negotiable! There are undoubtedly many scenarios that could be discussed,
but these concepts represent options that should be considered.  That's the
last I'll have to say about the matter.

Michael Hohmann
Linden Hills

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financial analysis,
business planning, and
project management...
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[Mpls] RE: Library

[Mike Nelson]

WizardMarks wrote:However, since the temporary building is more 
vertical than horizontal, it will definitely cost more in staff wages to run 
it. 

MN:
There are fewer employees atCentral Library 
Marquettethan were at the old place.
Some have been transferred to branch libraries, 
others have quit, retired, etc. and have not been replaced. Probably won't be, 
unless the powers that besucceed ingetting volunteers.
Recently I have seen brochures in the library 
asking for volunteers to help with things such as "shelf 
reading,cataloging,filing", and who knows what else they'll do, and how many 
jobs will be cutif they get their foot in the door, but that's another can 
of worms.
We are open fewer hours.
Height or width hasn't made any difference, except 
those who move things around have farther to travel now.
None of this adds up to more staff wages, unless we 
start getting reimbursed for mileage.

Carol Becker wrote:The new library 
will make the vast majority of books accessible to library users, freeing 
thestaff that had been shuffling books around in non-pubic areas to serve 
patrons. 
MN:
Actually, the staff that had been shuffling books 
around in the stacks at the old library has been very busy at the interim site 
keeping open shelf areas in order, putting closed stacks in order
(the movers shuffled the books like a deck of 
cards),and shuffling around.
More books accessable to the public will mean more 
books out of order. I'm not complaining, it's just a fact of life at a library. 
Staff will be busy keeping up with it. I don't see any of that staff being freed 
up to help patrons. That's what the Aides and Librarians do.

Mike Nelson
Central Neighborhood
 Central Library

[Mpls] Mpls. Library in the PiPress

[Borger, Judith Yates]

Title: Mpls. Library in the PiPress





MINNEAPOLIS: Some say city can't afford new library 
As a wrecking ball continued to bang into the sides of the old Minneapolis public library on Nicollet Mall on Tuesday, city officials worried whether there would be enough money to operate the proposed new one.

... Yates Borger, who covers...
(BY JUDITH YATES BORGER, Pioneer Press, 03/05/2003 03:01 am

[Mpls] More Library Comments/Responses

[Tim Bonham]

One consequence has to be that
it will be much more expensive to have the library stay in the
temporary building which was not designed to hold the weight of books.
I can't imagine that the Library books would weigh much more than 
all the stuff that Sears used to sell in it's Lake St. building.  And that 
building just happens to be sitting empty, already not paying taxes, and (I 
think) owned by the city of Minneapolis.  On main bus routes, lots of free 
parking next door, etc.

So what about that as the new main Library?  I'd think the $100 million 
would certainly cover the costs of refurbishing the building as a 
library.  And maybe even some rental space for small businesses: coffee 
shops, doctor/dentist/accountant offices, etc. bringing in both cash  
customers to the library.

Tim Bonham, Ward 12, Standish-Ericsson 



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[Mpls] The Library

[Jim Mork]

Wizard:In my mind, the covetous looks at the Library referendum money by the 
city council and the mayor set off red flags.
Question to whoever out there has the answer: can Pelli sue us if we 
stop now?
Or, can we change to a less extravagant plan that fulfills our needs to 
house the library we already have?
We cannot keep big pieces of the collection in untouchable storage past 
2006. Even in my paltry use of the research function of MPL I've been 
frustrated several times by Not Available till 2006 attached to a 
book's entry in the catalog. This decision could destroy the integrity 
of MPL as a library system. I'm not willing to make that kind of 
sacrifice to the almighty dollar, even when it's my dollar.
It's hardly a straw man.

Sorry, Wizard, but you sound like YOU are the one panicking.

These threats you see out there are pure paranoia.

Who's Pelli going to sue, the LIBRARY BOARD?  What lawyer would take the case?  

And if such a thing happens, then by golly, we need to change the charter of all these 
various entities to require a limitation on their ability to sign, on our behalf, 
contracts that can get US sued!

I'm sick of seeing lawsuits against the police and the city council that are really 
against US even though we NEVER get a say in the letting of these contracts!!!



--
Jim Mork--Cooper

Only a LUNATIC would cut schools in order to pay for more bombs.

Depart from me, you cursed of my Father. Inasmuch as you have not done it to the 
least of these my brethren, you have not done it unto me.
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Re: [Mpls] The Library

[WizardMarks]

So far Mr. Mork, you've proclaimed that I don't know what I'm talking 
about and I'm paranoid. This is not debate.
If we are going to discuss the issue of library costs and benefits, then 
let's do that.
I ran the first toy lending library in Minnesota, created the cataloging 
system, bought the toys, kept track of them (a loathsome chore). I've 
worked in both public libraries and university libraries.
I've spent the last ten or so years working with my neighborhood and MPL 
to produce a better community library and have succeeded beyond my 
wildest expectations.
I've been successful because I listened to the needs of the library and 
of the patrons. And because I listened, watched, read, and paid 
attention, I actually do know a few things.
My items of paranoia, such as they are, are not around libraries and are 
none of your business. Don't even go there.
WizardMarks, Central

Jim Mork wrote:

Wizard:In my mind, the covetous looks at the Library referendum money by the 
city council and the mayor set off red flags.
Question to whoever out there has the answer: can Pelli sue us if we 
stop now?
Or, can we change to a less extravagant plan that fulfills our needs to 
house the library we already have?
We cannot keep big pieces of the collection in untouchable storage past 
2006. Even in my paltry use of the research function of MPL I've been 
frustrated several times by Not Available till 2006 attached to a 
book's entry in the catalog. This decision could destroy the integrity 
of MPL as a library system. I'm not willing to make that kind of 
sacrifice to the almighty dollar, even when it's my dollar.
It's hardly a straw man.

Sorry, Wizard, but you sound like YOU are the one panicking.

These threats you see out there are pure paranoia.

Who's Pelli going to sue, the LIBRARY BOARD?  What lawyer would take the case?  

And if such a thing happens, then by golly, we need to change the charter of all these various entities to require a limitation on their ability to sign, on our behalf, contracts that can get US sued!

I'm sick of seeing lawsuits against the police and the city council that are really against US even though we NEVER get a say in the letting of these contracts!!!



--
Jim Mork--Cooper
Only a LUNATIC would cut schools in order to pay for more bombs.

Depart from me, you cursed of my Father. Inasmuch as you have not done it to the least of 
these my brethren, you have not done it unto me.
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Re: [Mpls] The Library

[Joncgord]

In a message dated 3/5/03 9:41:39 PM Central Standard Time, 
[EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:

 Who's Pelli going to sue, the LIBRARY BOARD? 


Remember that roofing the Nicollet mall deal? Yeah; they can sue.

 Jon Gorder

Loring Park

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[Mpls] The Library

[Delcalzojan]

Much as I would like to see a new library, I really do believe this is not the time to sell the bonds for the facility. I supported the referendum, but I think a number of things, such as money for the additional operating expenses, were not dealt with in a forthright manner at the time of the election.

Okay, so the Target Center is in trouble. How about the biggest library in the world with a health and fitness center attached?

Jan Del Calzo
Lynnhurst

Re: [Mpls] The Library

[Chris Steller]

Not to Tuesday morning quarterback, but ...

During the debate over which block to build the new main library on, what
value was placed on the projected gap in service during construction on the
same block?

Because I feel the social and opportunity cost of service interruption was
already high, even under the scenario of a new library opening in 2006.  A
gap of even a few years means lost opportunities, including library-going
habits that never form or shrivel up.

Chris Steller
Nicollet Island-East Bank


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Re: [Mpls] The Library

[Lisa McDonald]

Actually during the budget discussion on the library referendum and giving the park board more money not to have a referendum, I brought up the operating budget gap.   The then library director refused to talk about it even thought it was clear it would be a problem. The current mayor at the time was so hot to get the library referendum on the ballot and keep the Park Board from going out for a referendum that she didn't want to talk about it.   This and the Target Center deal (which I was also against for some of the same reasons) are indicative of the mindset of many of our government officials. They're like the lead character in Annie always singing "Tomorrow, tomorrow I know that tomorrow is always another day". They vote for this stuff hoping times will get better, things won't change and other money will appear.  Well guess what that doesn't always happen. It's good that in today's story Olson pointed out that under the current mindset citizens will have to pay the same taxes they just won't get a new library.  Lisa McDonald East Harriet - Original Message - From: Chris Steller Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 10:55 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] The Library Not to Tuesday morning quarterback, but ...During the debate over which block to build the new main library on, whatvalue was placed on the projected gap in service during construction on thesame block?Because I feel the social and opportunity cost of service interruption wasalready high, even under the scenario of a new library opening in 2006. Agap of even a few years means lost opportunities, including library-goinghabits that never form or shrivel up.Chris StellerNicollet Island-East BankTEMPORARY REMINDER:1. Send all posts in plain-text format.2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible.Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-DemocracyPost messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mplsGet more from the Web.  FREE MSN Explorer download : http://explorer.msn.com

Re: [Mpls] The Library

[Craig Miller]

Can some one explain to me/fourm in 10 bullet points or less.

Why we had to get rid of the old DT library?

BTW  if we don't build a new one and we have already bulldozed the old one,
we face these charges.

1. We don't need one.
2. We didn't need one.
3. Or we're paying too much rent when we should have kept the old one.
4. The city voters, planners, admins and dreamers look like idiots.

What happens if a dramatically scaled down library gets built now?  What was
all the fuss ($) about?
How much money have we spent so far, with the possibility that we will build
a quonset hut? 12 years of planning.

Someone earlier asked today why the city is taking it on the chin at the
legislature.  The Strib opined similarly.
Well this is today's lesson/answer.

Craig Miller
Rogers
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
- Original Message -
From: Chris Steller [EMAIL PROTECTED]
To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Tuesday, March 04, 2003 10:54 AM
Subject: Re: [Mpls] The Library


 Not to Tuesday morning quarterback, but ...

 During the debate over which block to build the new main library on, what
 value was placed on the projected gap in service during construction on
the
 same block?

 Because I feel the social and opportunity cost of service interruption was
 already high, even under the scenario of a new library opening in 2006.  A
 gap of even a few years means lost opportunities, including library-going
 habits that never form or shrivel up.

 Chris Steller
 Nicollet Island-East Bank


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Re: [Mpls] The Library - response to Craig Miller from Rogers

[Becker]

Craig Miller from Rogers asked the following questions about a new library

 Why we had to get rid of the old DT library?
 Can some one explain to me/fourm in 10 bullet points or less.

 - It was completely unfunctional from a library design, with 90% of the
books locked away from patrons.
 - It was costly to operate because of the number of staff who had to run
around and get books, instead of helping patrons.
 - It was a giant building full of paper with no fire sprinkers and totally
inadequate fire escape for patrons.  The Fire Marshall was threatening to
shut the building down without multi-million dollar fire improvements.
 - It needed a new roof, new HVAC, a new electrical system (it was built
before computers) and a bunch of other things such that the cost of making
the building functional from a basic mechanical perspective made tearing it
down and building something new financially appropriate.
 - The old library was full.  There was no place else to put new books.  It
was either start throwing out good books or build a larger building.

 BTW  if we don't build a new one and we have already bulldozed the old
one,
 we face these charges.

 1. We don't need one.
 2. We didn't need one.
 3. Or we're paying too much rent when we should have kept the old one.
 4. The city voters, planners, admins and dreamers look like idiots.

 What happens if a dramatically scaled down library gets built now?  What
was
 all the fuss ($) about?

There is no option of a dramatically scaled down library.  Unless we
decide that we don't need a children's section or maybe we don't need
fiction books in Minneapolis any more?  Sizing the library is pretty easy.
You have X number of books.  You are going to have Y growth in the number of
books.  That gives you Z, the size of the library.  The only bits of the
plan that could be considered discretionary are some meeting rooms and an
auditorium (used by the 25,000 people who now live downtown in Minneapolis
and have no park facilities for meeting in) and a coffee shop (which would
subsequently pay rent).  Everything else pretty much is books space.

 How much money have we spent so far, with the possibility that we will
build
 a quonset hut? 12 years of planning.

I don't have the exact amounts but in the tens of millions of dollars.

Having a look at the library in Rogers, it would appear that you don't have
a quonset hut.  Minneapolis residents don't deserve one either, which is
essentially what they will have.
http://www.hclib.org/AgenciesAction.cfm?agency=rg

Carol Becker
Longfellow







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[Mpls] More Library Comments/Responses

[Becker]

Vicki Heller writes I order USED books through Amazon all the time.  When
I'm done with them, I
simply list them for sale again.

Carol: Unfortunately not everyone is able to buy their own books.  Also not
everyone reads so few books that they can buy all of them.  Also given that
40% of the library's collection is unique in the United States, there are
many many materials that you could not buy.

Chris Steller writes: During the debate over which block to build the new
main library on, what
value was placed on the projected gap in service during construction on the
same block?

Carol:  Yes, and the cost of the interim location was less than the cost of
limping the old building along for another five years.  It was a trade-off
but the interim location was preferable to doing costly improvements that
would have to be thrown away.

Tom Welling writes:  Quick - stop the demolition of the old library so
millions of books won't be homeless!

Carol:  Too late.  The building is already gutted and the roof of the
planetarium gone.  Which of course brings to question why if the City wanted
to stop the project, would they pick this time when this project has been
moving for about five years, with the City's expressed endorsement.

Jim Mork writes: Why do we fail so utterly to predict where library science
is headed?

Carol:  What has happened isn't a failure to predict where library science
is headed.  What happened in the 1960's is what is happening again.  What
happened in 1960, is that the Library Board had a good library plan but the
City Council then cut the budget, forcing a very very bad building.  We are
paying now for their mistakes.  We are also on the brink of making that same
mistake again.  And if we slow down or stop this, we will be repeating the
failure of our past and it will be our children who will have to pay.

Jan DelCalzo wrote: money for the additional operating expenses, were not
dealt with in a forthright manner at the time of the election.  I think it
is important to understand why there is a problem with operating expenses.
The problem isn't that the new library will cost more to operate.  As of
today, no one has produced any numbers which show this. The new library will
make the vast majority of books accessible to library users, freeing the
staff that had been shuffling books around in non-pubic areas to serve
patrons.  And the new building should be more energy efficient, saving money
there.

The operating problem is that the state has 1) reduced property tax revenues
through the state's tax reductions (if you are an average property owner,
check your tax statement to see how much of that you are going to see -
surprise! the savings went to the rich!) 2) the City trying to solve its
budget problems by sloughing off the problem onto the Library.  This isn't
an issue of not planning when the referendum was proposed.  This is a
problem of: 1) an economic downturn 2) the state choosing to increase the
tax burden on middle and lower income people and 3) the City prioritizing
libraries lower than its own services.

Carol Becker
Longfellow

















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Re: [Mpls] Re: Library Job: What are the qualifications anyway?

[WizardMarks]

Anderson  Turpin wrote:


Wizard Marks said:


WM: It would take a very long replay to answer this. Suffice it to say
that the notion that the internet can serve all one's information needs
is too simplistic for words.



Wizard - Could you please send the long answer? 

I'll give you an example. Remember that MPL is both a research and a 
popular library. I looked up Soren Kierkegaard on the internet. There 
were 17,201 citations. In the first 30 citations, it was a mishmash of 
stuff, some of very little value. Had I not known something about the 
field, I would have been lost. There was no reliable provenance for the 
citations. Luckily, I could scroll down until I found Robert L. Perkins, 
one of the handful of Kierkegaard scholars internationally. That gave me 
something to go on. However, the citations still had no context.
Had I gone to the library, a reference librarian could have helped me 
wade through the do-dah to find the information. Also, shelf reading is 
a large part of finding a context for a particular writer (except in 
fiction). A library's net catalog cannot give one context. Reading the 
titles of books around the Kierkegaard books on the shelf in a library 
can give some context, particularly for the casual reader and the 
student wading into a new area of study.
Too, the digital divide is very wide in several areas of the city--and 
not just among the poor.
Also, remember 10 or 12 years ago when computer supporters were saying 
that within five years we would have the paperless office? With the 
internet we have more paper than ever and it looks to continue in that 
vein for a long time.
There is also the fact that people adapt to change, but not very swiftly 
unless they are forced to. MPL patrons want to come to a library, want 
to read actual books without the interface of a computer, palm pilot, 
whatever.
The Director of the San Francisco Public Library, advancing the notion 
of a bookless library, tossed books will ye, nil ye, and was fired. It 
would be a long time before many of those books would be digitalized--if 
ever. The people of San Francisco took it very unkindly that he had 
tossed the books.
Further, many of the books in libraries across the world--the Bodlean, 
the Bibliotech Nationale, the Vatican Library, the Library of Congress, 
etc. are too delicate to be subjected to digitizing without some very 
stringent rules of operation which have not, as yet, been developed.
Libraries don't just lend books, that have conservator responsibilities.
There are myriad other reasons, these are the ones on the top of my head.
WizardMarks, Central


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Re: [Mpls] Re: Library Job: What are the qualifications anyway?

[phaedrus]

There is another aspect to why the net can't replace a
library which was touched on by someone else.

A book is published and written by someone who has
rights to the intellectual property. A library works
because each copy is paid for and can only be lent out
to one person at a time.

The same could be done via the net, but it wouldn't be
the same as using the net at large. Most places with
serious reference info currently charge people to use
that info.

There's also the fact that on the net, it's pretty
tough to know if you're actually getting the original
source. If I look at a book with yellowed pages and a
copyright of 1952, it is a pretty good guess that it
is the 1952 version of the book.

It could be faked, but it'd be a lot harder. Dead
trees are more trustworthy than virtual bits. Too bad
we don't publish on hemp anymore, but that's 'cause
we're silly.

Finally, the net works very well for some mindsets and
is nearly unintelligible to others. It was made by
geeks for geeks. Xerox Parkplace (developer of the
desktop and the mouse) and others have made computers
more usable by different types of people, but until a
whole lot of effort is put into user interface
research and a lot of money is spent developing it,
the net just isn't going to be for everyone.

I think we'll see more use of the net for various
things that the library is currently used for, but I
don't see the library as ever being obsolete.

I've tried reading on a palm pilot and I've seen those
e-Books. You _can_ read a book on them, but it just
doesn't feel right.

- Jason Goray, Sheridan, NE

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Re: [Mpls] Re: Library Job: What are the qualifications anyway?

[Anderson Turpin]

Wizard Marks said:
 WM: It would take a very long replay to answer this. Suffice it to say
 that the notion that the internet can serve all one's information needs
 is too simplistic for words.

Wizard - Could you please send the long answer?  I'd like to hear why the
internet can't provide all information needs.  I can think of only one short
answer to this - that not all books and other materials have been put into
electronic form.  I hope and expect that almost all writing will be in a
database in twenty years or so.  At that point libraries will be obsolete,
except perhaps to provide internet access to the destitute.  Maybe libraries
should start phasing out their soon-to-be-obsolete functions now, instead of
constantly looking for more tax money and new facilities.

I expect that you disagree with this, Wizard.  If so, could you explain the
function of libraries in the electronic age?

Thanks

Mark Anderson
Bancroft



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[Mpls] Second Library Director Candidate Withdraws

[Gibson, Kristi]

The last candidate under consideration for the position of Minneapolis
Public Library (MPL) director has withdrawn from the search, the Library
Board of Trustees announced today. 

Saul J. Amdursky, director of the public library system in Kalamazoo,
Michigan, informed the Board yesterday that he was no longer an active
candidate. On Wednesday, Norman Holman, Senior Vice President and Director
of Capital Planning and Construction for the New York Public Library system,
withdrew his name. Both final candidates indicated that salary was a
critical issue.

Anita Duckor, Library Board Trustee and chair of the Board's Personnel
Committee, said that the Board was very disappointed to lose two highly
qualified candidates who had met with approval from the Board, staff, and
the unions. We feel we are disadvantaged by the salary cap imposed by the
State, said Duckor. Both finalists were very impressed with our library
system and the people of Minneapolis, who demonstrate a great love for their
libraries. But it is difficult to compete in a national market where
candidates can command much higher salaries.

The Library Board Personnel Committee will convene on Wednesday, October 23
at 5:30 p.m. at Central Library Marquette, 250 Marquette Av. S., to consider
next steps and make recommendations to the Board.

Kristi Gibson
Public Affairs
Minneapolis Public Library

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[Mpls] Re: Library Job: What are the qualifications anyway?

[WizardMarks]

Victoria Heller wrote:


Quotes from WizardMarks followed by RESPONSES FROM VICKY:

Some of the best people we have at MPL are not willing to take on this
challenge at this point in their lives. Others are totally swamped with
the work they are presently doing and may not have taken the time to
apply.

VH - HOW DO YOU KNOW THIS?


WM: I work at the library, I ask questions.




Simultaneously, we are embarking on a grand adventure of
a new library and facing the information needs of a new century.

VH - THE LIBRARY OF THE FUTURE IN ON THE INTERNET.  YOU CAN BUY AN INTERNET
READY COMPUTER SYSTEM AT WAL-MART.COM FOR $399.72.


WM: It would take a very long replay to answer this. Suffice it to say 
that the notion that the internet can serve all one's information needs 
is too simplistic for words.

I'd be willing to bet that the board is looking for someone from outside
who has the compare and contrast experience to lead at this juncture.  An
outsider has the advantage of not knowing the system and therefore having
to ask many, many, many questions.

VH - THIS COULD ALSO BE CALLED A VERY EXPENSIVE LEARNING CURVE.


WM: I don't think so. The person chosen would already be a librarian of 
some experience. MPL is at a juncture where it does have changes to 
make--big changes to meet the changing information needs of the 
population.  Introducing someone new into the equation has positive 
possibilities.

What would be good to have to carry through would be stellar leadership
capability (and self-ruthless time management and delegation skills).

VH - DO WE HAVE ANY SUCH LEADERS IN MINNEAPOLIS?  I MIGHT BE WILLING TO PAY
EXTRA IF WE COULD ACTUALLY FIND ONE.


WM: Maybe the judgement of the library board was no and they're 
willing to pay extra to find one.

WizardMarks, Central



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[Mpls] Other library finalist drops out

[List Manager]

Doesn't give an explanation...

http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3373245.html

David Brauer
List manager

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[Mpls] re; Library budget cuts

[Doug and Emily Wright]

Hello all, I am a new list member living 
in Northeast Minneapolis. I am concerned about the library board's 
idea of shutting down "community" libraries to solve the budget problems 
they are facing. We are all part of a community, and I think we 
should all share in the burden of reduced library services. I am in 
favor of a system wide reduction of hours and reducing the "technology" 
budget at all libraries. I think taking away a library in any 
given community is depressing and I'm sure that whoever screams the 
loudest will get to keep their library and whoever stays silent will 
lose theirs. Everybody deserves to keep their community library 
and we should all be able to live with fewer computers, shorter 
hours and think of this as hopefully temporary. Emily 
Wright 




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Re: [Mpls] new library

[Robert W Wood]

On the note of the Coffman, I'm hardly a fan of the new design, and I think
that the construction around the University has been poorly planned,
without much thought given to the student population, it should be noted
that there was a real need for renovation.  The building was without air
conditioning and was sweltering in the summer.  Also there were rooms in
the building that had snow coming into them (most notably the UYW office). 
On the other hand, it would have been a lot cheaper if they had fixed the
ventilation system, put in air conditioning, and gave the place a new coat
of paint.  (oh yeah, and got rid of the asbestos)  Hopefully they thought
of those things while building the next mall...

   Robert Wood
   St Paul Resident


Property is theft
   --Proudhon



On 4 Oct 2002, James E Jacobsen wrote:
 Just a positive comment about all the commenters -back seat =
 architects? I think it is good to get it all hashed out about a major =
 building like that. =20
 At the University they had a Coffman Student Union.  In the =
 1970s they spent some $25 million in a major rebuilding and improved it =
 some but then in recent years they are spending 39 million to rebuild it
=
 again, saying it just didn't feel right.   =20
Major buildings like that should last for centuries.  Like the =
 remodeled City Hall and the Government Center- both of those should =
 still be just great buildings a century and more from now.   =20
   Of course technology will continue to bring changes in bldg =
 requirements.  Some otherwise good structures,  -like the domed Stadium-
=
 can become totally outmoded for commercial and technological reasons.   
=
 =20
   James Jacobsen // Whittier
 


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[Mpls] new library

[James E Jacobsen]

Just a positive comment about all the commenters -back seat
architects? I think it is good to get it all hashed out about a major
building like that.
At the University they had a Coffman Student Union.  In the 1970s
they spent some $25 million in a major rebuilding and improved it some but
then in recent years they are spending 39 million to rebuild it again,
saying it just didn't feel right.
   Major buildings like that should last for centuries.  Like the
remodeled City Hall and the Government Center- both of those should still be
just great buildings a century and more from now.
  Of course technology will continue to bring changes in bldg
requirements.  Some otherwise good structures,  -like the domed Stadium- can
become totally outmoded for commercial and technological reasons.
  James Jacobsen // Whittier


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[Mpls] Green Library Info

[Becker]

I thought I would share some info we got on the 
issues around "Green Library".

Both Architectural Alliance and Cesar Pelli  
Associates have in-house Sustainable Design specialists. and are LEED (Leader in 
Energy and Environmental Design) certified. They have adopted "Minnesota 
Sustainable Guildlines" for this building and are exploring:

- Utilizing the District Energy and Cooling 
systems
- Working with Excel Energy Assets 
programto achieve a low energy use
- Natural shading and low impact 
landscaping
- Ventilation which heats and cools only the 
lower seven feet of rooms with higher ceilings.
- The reuse of gray water 
- Use of recycled building 
materials
- Extensive use of natural lighting and 
systems that turn off artificial lighting when sunlight is 
available
- Use of an inner light shelf that will 
bounce light into areas away from the window
- Using experts in materials to maximize 
local and regonal material, recycled material, certified wood products, and 
materials with low life cycle impact
- Air quality and occupancy 
sensors
- Exterior with more clear glass on the north 
and less on the south
- Low impact green planted roof and at 
minimum the use of a light colored roof to reduce heat
- Recycled fly ash in the concrete 
mix
- Concrete systems which will be a thermal 
mass to help regulating heating and cooling

In addition, a goal of recycling a minimum of 80% 
of the old building has been set. 

I hope this helps folks understand what is being 
discussed.

Carol Becker
Longfellow

[Mpls] new library

[James E Jacobsen]

Just a 
positivecommentabout all the commenters -back seat architects? I 
think it is good to get it all hashed outabout a major building like 
that. 
 At the 
University they had a Coffman Student Union.In the 1970s they spent 
some $25 millionin a major rebuildingand improved it some but then 
in recent years they are spending39 million torebuild it again, 
saying itjust didn't feel right. 
 Major 
buildings like that should last for centuries. Like theremodeled 
City Hall and the Government Center- both of thoseshould still be just 
great buildings a century and morefrom now.  
 Of course technology 
will continue tobring changes in bldg requirements. Some otherwise 
good structures, -likethe domed Stadium- can become totally outmoded 
for commercial and technological 
reasons.
 James Jacobsen // 
Whittier

[Mpls] New Library/Glass issue

[Richard K. Anderson]

For those concerned about the amount of glass proposed for the new library
you should take a look at the new library under construction at Minneapolis
Community  Technical College at 16th and Hennepin. The building consists of
floor to celing glass walls on two sides and is going to be stunning when
opened! Activity on campus that up to now has been hidden behind solid brick
walls will be on view to the neighborhood.
I assume that the architects for this building have found a way to use glass
in a way that will protect the contents of the library. A much bigger
version of this style of architecture on the other end of Hennepin Avenue is
one that I would look forward to.
Richard Anderson
Loring Park
(Home to MCTC)

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[Mpls] green library

[Mike McAneney]

I'm also really interested in seeing our fair city make the new library a
masterpiece from an environmental angle.  Solar panels could be great
(especially given the large percentage of differently colored/tinted glasses
being used, maybe this could be more seamless than many solar panel
installations); but what really excites me is the idea of using a heat pump
system for heating and cooling.  The way I understand it, the big upfront
cost is laying enough underground tubing to provide adequate heat exchange
capacity for the size of the building.  After that, the stable temperature
of the Earth provides the heat in the winter and the cooling in the summer.
We considered doing  it for our duplex, but lots of energy folks said it
would be cost prohibitive on a small city lot.  With a very large commercial
building, perhaps it's a better deal, since you're already digging a huge
hole for footings and such anyway.  Does anyone have any info on use of heat
exchange/heat pumps in similar situations?

Another way to be green is from the furnishings angle.  St. Joan of Arc at
45th and 3rd recently finished a parish center expansion using LOTS of green
furnishings (recycled tire, milk carton etc. products), even cabinets made
from discarded sunflower hulls.  If the library could integrate these
features as well, we'd be helping to close the loop on recyclable materials.

Mike McAneney
Tangletown

Carol Becker wrote:
The windows themselves are
 partially clear glass and partially opaque, giving the impression of books
 on a shelf.  The opaque windows are more prevalent on the south side,
 cutting down the direct light on that side, with more clear windows on the
 other sides of the building to let in indirect light.

 Regarding the energy environmental aspects, we are having the architects
 looking at alternatives but the budget will determine how aggressive we
can
 be.  The budget is  very tight  and we would have to look at the
 cost-benefits of these systems.

 Carol Becker
 Longfellow





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RE: [Mpls] green library

[Michael Hohmann]

I'm anxious to hear from the building designers about the energy (E) and
HVAC (heat/ventilate/air cond) innovations incorporated into the new library
design-- plenty of options, all at an increased first cost, that would
provide operational cost savings over time.  I'd be interested in hearing
about what criteria were/or will be used to determine if a particular
methodology/technology for achieving increased E-efficiency and lower
operating costs will be used.  How do expected increases in the cost of
conventional E supplies compare with expected rates of increase in the
library operating budgets under various scenarios over time?  Are simple
pay-backs used or is the time value of money considered in such life-cycle
cost calculations?

A large commercial urban structure located in the center of the city
presents many challenges in terms of 'green design.'  Wind-electric turbines
on the roof are not realistic for several reasons- poor wind characteristics
due to nearby buildings and safety being principal.  Active and passive
solar applications could be possibilities if good sun angles are available
for significant portions of the day-- not just now but over the life of the
building, meaning solar easements/rights become an issue and would likely
influence what could or more importantly, could not, get developed on
surrounding lands- on E, S and W sides.  Heat pump technology is interesting
but the logistics of urban development (available space) and the large space
conditioning needs would present problems.  District heating- I don't
believe there is a loop nearby.  Distributed energy system for gas/electric
supply, using a turbine/and/or fuel cell technology, in cooperation with
County and/or others for instance?  Was that considered/investigated?  Use
of recycled materials-- plenty of opportunities... lets here about the
innovation in this area.

I'd love to see some usable roof space... a pocket park six-stories up in
the middle of town with some small evergreen wind breaks, light deciduous
for shade in summer, flowers, wind chimes and moving water, tables and
chairs...  Like others, I too am anxious to hear the story.

Michael Hohmann
Linden Hills

 -Original Message-
 From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of
 Mike McAneney
 Sent: Thursday, October 03, 2002 1:06 PM
 To: Becker; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
 Subject: [Mpls] green library


 I'm also really interested in seeing our fair city make the new library a
 masterpiece from an environmental angle.  Solar panels could be great
 (especially given the large percentage of differently
 colored/tinted glasses
 being used, maybe this could be more seamless than many solar panel
 installations); but what really excites me is the idea of using a
 heat pump
 system for heating and cooling.  The way I understand it, the big upfront
 cost is laying enough underground tubing to provide adequate heat exchange
 capacity for the size of the building.  After that, the stable temperature
 of the Earth provides the heat in the winter and the cooling in
 the summer.
 We considered doing  it for our duplex, but lots of energy folks said it
 would be cost prohibitive on a small city lot.  With a very large
 commercial
 building, perhaps it's a better deal, since you're already digging a huge
 hole for footings and such anyway.  Does anyone have any info on
 use of heat
 exchange/heat pumps in similar situations?

 Another way to be green is from the furnishings angle.  St. Joan of Arc at
 45th and 3rd recently finished a parish center expansion using
 LOTS of green
 furnishings (recycled tire, milk carton etc. products), even cabinets made
 from discarded sunflower hulls.  If the library could integrate these
 features as well, we'd be helping to close the loop on recyclable
 materials.

 Mike McAneney
 Tangletown

 Carol Becker wrote:
 The windows themselves are
  partially clear glass and partially opaque, giving the
 impression of books
  on a shelf.  The opaque windows are more prevalent on the south side,
  cutting down the direct light on that side, with more clear
 windows on the
  other sides of the building to let in indirect light.
 
  Regarding the energy environmental aspects, we are having the architects
  looking at alternatives but the budget will determine how aggressive we
 can
  be.  The budget is  very tight  and we would have to look at the
  cost-benefits of these systems.
 
  Carol Becker
  Longfellow
 
 
 
 
 
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[Mpls] Better library comment link

[List Manager]

This one is a better place to leave comments, according to the library
folks:

http://www.mplib.org/yourideas.asp

David Brauer
List manager
Handled more links than Jimmy Dean!

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RE: [Mpls] Roosevelt library

[John Dillery]

From Metro Transit Sector 5 Project Manager regarding current thinking
on buses serving Roosevelt Library at 28th Ave S  40th St.

We propose to keep Route 19 intact on 28th Ave between 58th St. and
38th St., and on its current route to Golden Valley and Robbinsdale via
Cedar Ave, Downtown Mpls, Olson Hwy, Penn Ave., Golden Valley Rd.  It
will make a short jog to connect with Rt. 55 Hiawatha Ligh Rail via E.
38th St. and the E. 38th St. Station.  We would like to improve the
frequency of service in the early mornings and evenings and on weekends
so that there are good connections with the trains any time.  This route
provides direct service by the Roosevelt  Library.

We propose to improve the frequency of Rt. 23  38th Street Cross-town
which connects Highland Village Shopping Ctr and Uptown via E. 38th St.
Station.  This is a priority.  We also would like to run this route
later into the evening and longer hours on weekends, so that it will
always connect well with the light rail line.  The ideal frequency would
be rush hour service every 15 minutes, midday every 20 minutes and night
frequency every 30 minutes..  Today the route runse every 30 minutes or
less often.

I hope that this is a useful update for you.  Watch for announcements
about our public meetings on Sector 5 late this year.

 Lee Schneider [EMAIL PROTECTED] 09/28/02 07:22AM 
I have a comment to make about this.

No has mentioned the two main bus lines that go past this site the 19
and I think its the 38.  The 19 which currently runs from Brookdale
through Downtown to MOA, but I believe that Metro Transit is going to
have that route end at the 38th St Station.  The other line (which I
believe is the 38) runs from Uptown and along 38th St and ends up in
Highland Park.

I also believe that their is also plans by Metro Transit to
restructure
most of south Minneapolis.

Lee J Schneider
formerly Standish/Erricson (right off the 19 and 22 lines)
now Sheboygan, WI

--- John Rocker lt;[EMAIL PROTECTED]gt; wrote:
gt; The (sad) fact is most people will hop in the car before walking
more
gt; than 1/4 mile, so we need to plan our city accordingly if we want
to
gt; reduce car traffic and parking lots. I wasn't involved in
planning
gt; for the Roosevelt library and I'm sure there were many
considerations
gt; in choosing a site; I'm just surprised the city isn't using this
gt; project as a way to kick-start smart development at a rail
station.
gt; 
gt; John Rocker
gt; Calhoun

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RE: [Mpls] Roosevelt library

[ken bradley]

The 19 and the 23 buses run past the new library. It would be about a 7 block walk to the light rail line if youdecidenot to transferfrom a bus. I amassuming that bus traffic will increasesignificantlyas soon as light rail begins services.This is a great location for"smart growth" (mixed use development)forour community. It would be a development blunder by the city to build only a library at this location.I am very excited about the idea of a building a mixed use, pedestrian,bicycle, and transit friendly project.
Ken Bradley 
Corcoran Neighborhood 
Lee Schneider <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: 
I have a comment to make about this.No has mentioned the two main bus lines that go past this site the 19and I think its the 38. The 19 which currently runs from Brookdalethrough Downtown to MOA, but I believe that Metro Transit is going tohave that route end at the 38th St Station. The other line (which Ibelieve is the 38) runs from Uptown and along 38th St and ends up inHighland Park.I also believe that their is also plans by Metro Transit to restructuremost of south Minneapolis.Lee J Schneiderformerly Standish/Erricson (right off the 19 and 22 lines)now Sheboygan, WI--- John Rocker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: The (sad) fact is most people will hop in the car before walkingmore than 1/4 mile, so we need to plan our city accordingly if we wantto reduce car traffic and parking lots. I wasn't involved in planning for the Roosevelt library and I'm sure there were manyconsiderations in choosing a site; I'm just surprised the city isn't using this project as a way to kick-start smart development at a railstation.  John Rocker Calhoun__Do you Yahoo!?New DSL Internet Access from SBC  Yahoo!http://sbc.yahoo.com___Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-DemocracyPost messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:http://e-democracy.org/mplsDo you Yahoo!?
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RE: [Mpls] Roosevelt library

[Lee Schneider]

I have a comment to make about this.

No has mentioned the two main bus lines that go past this site the 19
and I think its the 38.  The 19 which currently runs from Brookdale
through Downtown to MOA, but I believe that Metro Transit is going to
have that route end at the 38th St Station.  The other line (which I
believe is the 38) runs from Uptown and along 38th St and ends up in
Highland Park.

I also believe that their is also plans by Metro Transit to restructure
most of south Minneapolis.

Lee J Schneider
formerly Standish/Erricson (right off the 19 and 22 lines)
now Sheboygan, WI

--- John Rocker lt;[EMAIL PROTECTED]gt; wrote:
gt; The (sad) fact is most people will hop in the car before walking
more
gt; than 1/4 mile, so we need to plan our city accordingly if we want
to
gt; reduce car traffic and parking lots. I wasn't involved in planning
gt; for the Roosevelt library and I'm sure there were many
considerations
gt; in choosing a site; I'm just surprised the city isn't using this
gt; project as a way to kick-start smart development at a rail
station.
gt; 
gt; John Rocker
gt; Calhoun

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Re: [Mpls] Roosevelt Library and Mixed Use

[Becker]

Mark Snyder wrote:

snip

 Who says the development has to include something like a McD's or a
 Laundromat?  Why couldn't there be something cool like a café or coffee
shop
 that only sells fair trade coffee to raise awareness of how most
commercial
 coffee producers exploit the land and the farmers?  Or something like the
 Seven Bridges World Market (http://www.sevenbridgesworldmarket.com/) to
 promote exposure to other cultures?

I believe that a coffee shop is the one commercial activity that adds to the
experience of going to the library (well I would also probably agree that a
small book store where you could purchase books too).  But both of those are
about enhancing the library experience.  They are about doing things with
books.

I think that beyond that, you have to think that this building is going to
be with us for fifty or 100 years and that you can't guarentee that there
will be some cool hip store there forever.  You have to expect that
ultimately, economics are going to win out and the things that are the most
economically viable, the stores that end up in strip malls and that
homoginize us all will be the things that survive long term and will end up
also being economically viable in this location.

 snip
 
  A library in a mixed use development will never be a landmark, will
never
  provide identity, and ultimately cheapens what a library should be for
our
  community.  I would hope the Library Board and the City would consider
  building a landmark rather than a retail outlet for the Roosevelt
Library and
  I would hope the community accepts nothing less.

 I would hope the community insists on high standards for the Roosevelt
 library design and any mixed use development - however, I would also hope
 the community would be open-minded enough to actually consider and
evaluate
 design proposals before rejecting them outright.

 Isn't it possible that creative ideas for mixed use development might draw
 people to the library who might not visit otherwise?  Wouldn't that be a
 good thing?

I am a big advocate of mixed use.  I think mixing residential and commercial
is a really good thing and creates a better city.  But I think that there
are a few situations where I think it is not appropriate though, and this is
one of them.

Think about it this way.  Think of a church.  Think of your favorite church.
I will lay odds that that that church space isn't stuck in with housing and
retail.  Instead, that church building stands alone, as an icon in your
mind, a separate and sacred space.  There may be a school attached, a gym, a
day care in the basement, but that sacred space stand separate and distinct
from everything else.  In addition, look in your mind's eye about how it
helps define the space around it  - about how it says I am a part of this
neighborhood, this community and how the community builds it to reflect
itself.

Try another example.  Take City Hall.  It is built in a Richardson
Romanesque style.  (that means it looks like a giant brownstone)  It was
built that way to say to this community (back in the 1890's) that
Minneapolis was a real city, a great city, and a permanent city, one that
had grown from nothing to an international concern.  Now try and take that
image and throw a Micky-D's in there, the laundry mat, someone's barking
dog.  It simply doesn't work.  To use some geeky words, it profanes our
community.

Now you could argue that McDonald's or the Mall of America are icons of the
community.  You could argue that the retail space with the hidden parking
ramp over on Grand Avene (great mixed use), with the Gap are icons of the
community.  You could argue that all of the commercial space along Lake
Street with its apartments above it are icons of the community.  But I think
that Minneapolis residents deserve better.  Take Hosmer, for example.  An
icon for the community.  St Anthony Park Library.  An icon for the
community.  Even the Roseville Library is an icon for the community.
Franklin.  The same.  Shoving a library into a mixed use commercial/housing
development?  Simply a warehouse for books.

Carol Becker
Longfellow










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[Mpls] Roosevelt Library and Mixed Use

[Jim Berg]

I'm surprised at Carol Becker's comments about
Roosevelt Library and mixed use. NO ONE has suggested
a laudromat or McDonalds be built with the library.
The suggestion, which the Library Board is pursuing,
is to build much-needed housing and PERHAPS one or two
retail spots for a cafe, coffee shop, or even child
care. 

We should all know better than to speculate on what is
in a project without knowing the details. A simple
look at the library system's web site would have given
Carol the details on the proposal. I'm on the
Roosevelt Advisory Committee and have been discussing
the idea of mixed use since it was first publicly
brought up in March.

But more importantly, I think Libraries NEED to learn
from Barnes  Noble and the other successful book
store chains to make sure they don't lose their
patrons to the commercial centers. Obviously, the mix
of books and cafes works for them. It can also work to
increase the use of our libraries, where people don't
have to buy anything in order to participate in the
democracy Carol wants to happen there.

Jim Berg
Corcoran Neighborhood

Carol Becker said, I was also thinking about the
Roosevelt Library proposal and how there is a proposal
to make it part of a mixed use development.  ... The
Library isn't simply a Barnes and Noble, another store
to meet your daily needs, a warehouse of books.  A
Library is a place where democracy happens.  A Library
is a place where everyone is equal, everyone is
welcome, a place that provides knowledge and support
for everyone.  It is a tie from our past to our
future, a place of permanence and strength in our
community. It reflects our values.  It is a place that
defines who we are and who we will be.


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[Mpls] Roosevelt Library and Mixed Use: A controversial view

[Victoria Heller]

Jim Berg wrote:

I think Libraries NEED to learn
from Barnes  Noble and the other successful book
store chains to make sure they don't lose their
patrons to the commercial centers.

Comment from Vicky:

Actually, Barnes  Noble (NYSE: BKS) is losing ground.  Its stock has
dropped from $38.80 to $22 (low of $18.)  Two days ago, Prudential
Securities dropped it from the Select List.

Over the same 52 week period, Amazon.com (Nasdaq:  AMZN) has increased from
$5.52 to $17 (high of $20.)  Moody's just upgraded its senior debt.

Forward looking people have observed that most people who read, also use the
internet.  Research projects can be done more quickly and efficiently
on-line.  In fact, more data is available on the Web than any library could
possibly accumulate and maintain.

By the way, the same trend is obvious for higher education.  The University
of Phoenix, Inc. delivers a myriad of degree programs over the internet.
It's stock (Nasdaq: APOL) is trading at all time highs.

Politicians like to build things that they can point to - tangible legacies.
But, they're always too late - they get started as the trend fades away.
The overbuilt condition of downtown Minneapolis proves this point (not to
mention $800 million worth of public debt.)

My word of caution is:  If you are building something for the next 20 or 30
years, try to judge the corresponding need over that time frame.  You may
find that we don't really need it after all.  Money is scarce, we can't
afford to waste any.

Vicky Heller
Cedar-Riverside (Work)
North Oaks (Home)


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Re: [Mpls] Roosevelt Library and Mixed Use

[ken bradley]

Hello All: 
I live several blocks from the proposed Roosevelt Library project and support a mixed usewith Library, coffee shop or resturaunt, day care, and housing built above. I would like the project to be developed with smaller locally based owner operatedbusiness. Iam excited about this project and would like tosee more mixed development projectsbuilt in the city.The city hasthe sewers,roads, and infrastucter built.We gaina tax base, and services for our community. To use the cliche "Its NO Brainer!"
 
Ken BradleyCorcoran Neighborhood 
Jim Berg <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>wrote: 
I'm surprised at Carol Becker's comments aboutRoosevelt Library and mixed use. NO ONE has suggesteda laudromat or McDonalds be built with the library.The suggestion, which the Library Board is pursuing,is to build much-needed housing and PERHAPS one or tworetail spots for a cafe, coffee shop, or even childcare. We should all know better than to speculate on what isin a project without knowing the details. A simplelook at the library system's web site would have givenCarol the details on the proposal. I'm on theRoosevelt Advisory Committee and have been discussingthe idea of mixed use since it was first publiclybrought up in March.But more importantly, I think Libraries NEED to learnfrom Barnes  Noble and the other successful bookstore chains to make sure they don't lose theirpatrons to the commercial centers. Obviously, the mixof books and cafes works for them. It can also work toincrease the use of our libraries, where people don'thave to buy anything in order to participate in thedemocracy Carol wants to happen there.Jim BergCorcoran NeighborhoodCarol Becker said, "I was also thinking about theRoosevelt Library proposal and how there is a proposalto make it part of a mixed use development. ... TheLibrary isn't simply a Barnes and Noble, another storeto meet your daily needs, a warehouse of books. ALibrary is a place where democracy happens. A Libraryis a place where everyone is equal, everyone iswelcome, a place that provides knowledge and supportfor everyone. It is a tie from our past to ourfuture, a place of permanence and strength in ourcommunity. It reflects our values. It is a place thatdefines who we are and who we will be."__Do you Yahoo!?New DSL Internet Access from SBC  Yahoo!http://sbc.yahoo.com___Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-DemocracyPost messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more:http://e-democracy.org/mplsDo you Yahoo!?
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RE: [Mpls] Roosevelt library

[John Rocker]

I know we're all hearty Minnesotans, happy to walk 3 miles around the
frozen lake in subzero temperatures just to see the sun, but 1/4 mile is
still considered normal walking distance when considering how far a
person will walk for goods or services.

The (sad) fact is most people will hop in the car before walking more
than 1/4 mile, so we need to plan our city accordingly if we want to
reduce car traffic and parking lots. I wasn't involved in planning for
the Roosevelt library and I'm sure there were many considerations in
choosing a site; I'm just surprised the city isn't using this project as
a way to kick-start smart development at a rail station.

For those that would like someone else's opinion:

A distance of 0.40 km (0.25 mi) is usually considered the maximum
people are willing to walk to use public transportation. (The
Connection Between Public Transit and Employment, Journal of the
American Planning Association, 1999.)

According to the Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey (NTPS), the
majority of pedestrian trips are 0.25 miles or less... NPTS data also
shows that land use patterns and population density have a big impact on
trip distance. Higher density communities with mixed land use patterns
will have higher levels of walking because destinations are more likely
to be located within walking distance of homes and businesses.
(Walkinginfo.org)

A comfortable walking distance, is widely accepted as one-quarter mile
network distance. (Regulating Urban Form at the Metropolitan Scale:
A Preliminary Assessment of Portland's 2040 Plan, University of
Illinois, May 2002 -- from the National Center for Smart Growth.)


John Rocker
Calhoun




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[Mpls] Roosevelt Library and Mixed Use

[Becker]

I was sitting here this evening watching "Ken 
Burns: The Civil War" and they had a picture of the Capital as it was being 
constructed. On top the dome of the building isa statue of a 
woman. The statue is called "Statue of Freedom" and she was placed there 
in 1863 during the height of the Civil War. When she was placed on the top 
of the capital building, a salute was fired from the forts surrounding the 
Capital, which had been almost overrun by Confederate troops just a year or so 
earlier. The architect meant her to symbolize "Freedom Triumphant in War 
and Peace" and at a time when the nation was in the midst of a war more bloody 
and tragic than anyone could imagine, she was placed there, on top of the 
Capital as a symbol for what the country was striving for. 

I was also thinking about the Roosevelt Library 
proposal and how there is a proposal to make it part of a mixed use 
development. How the Librarywould sit there, next to the laundry mat 
and maybe a McDonald's and someone's groceries waiting to go up to their 
apartment. Andhow this really cheapened the meaning of what a 
library is. The Library isn't simply a Barnes and Noble, another store to 
meet your daily needs, a warehouse of books. A Library is a place where 
democracy happens. A Library is a place where everyone is equal, everyone 
is welcome, a place that provides knowledge and support for everyone. It 
isa tiefrom our past to our future, a place of permanence and 
strength in our community. It reflects our values. It is a place 
that defines who we are and who we will be. 

I would offer the following quote: 


"We have all but entirely broken away from the 
Renaissance concept of an architecture standing for permanence and political 
power, an architecture of stone celebrating an unchangeable political and 
religious order. The notion of building a symbol for posterity - much less 
a symbol for the ages - is not longer taken seriously. 

In hard times (which eventually come to every 
community no matter what its size or wealth) what makes survival possible and 
desirable is not its archeological identity but its ability to continue, and it 
continues because some structures, some institutions and facilities provide 
continuity. These are the landmarks, [and they] stand for continuity, 
community identity, for links with the past and the future. In the 
contemporary American community, these roles are what counteract our mobility 
and fragmentation and forgetfulness of its history. 

JB Jackson"Stone and its Substitutes" 
1994
A library in a mixed use development will never be 
a landmark, will never provide identity, and ultimately cheapens what a library 
should be for our community. I would hope the Library Board and the City 
would consider building a landmark rather than a retail outlet for the Roosevelt 
Library and I would hope the community accepts nothing less. 

Carol Becker
Longfellow

For more informationon the "Statue of 
Freedom": http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/freedom.htm

Re: [Mpls] Roosevelt Library and Mixed Use

[Mark Snyder]

On 9/26/02 8:38 PM, Becker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

snip 
 I was also thinking about the Roosevelt Library proposal and how there is a
 proposal to make it part of a mixed use development.  How the Library would
 sit there, next to the laundry mat and maybe a McDonald's and someone's
 groceries  waiting to go up to their apartment.  And how this really cheapened
 the meaning of what a library is.  The Library isn't simply a Barnes and
 Noble, another store to meet your daily needs, a warehouse of books.  A
 Library is a place where democracy happens.  A Library is a place where
 everyone is equal, everyone is welcome, a place that provides knowledge and
 support for everyone.  It is a tie from our past to our future, a place of
 permanence and strength in our community.  It reflects our values.  It is a
 place that defines who we are and who we will be.

I agree that a library is something noble and should be respected.  I
disagree that having a library as part of a mixed used development
automatically demands that it would be cheapened.

Who says the development has to include something like a McD's or a
Laundromat?  Why couldn't there be something cool like a café or coffee shop
that only sells fair trade coffee to raise awareness of how most commercial
coffee producers exploit the land and the farmers?  Or something like the
Seven Bridges World Market (http://www.sevenbridgesworldmarket.com/) to
promote exposure to other cultures?
 
snip
 
 A library in a mixed use development will never be a landmark, will never
 provide identity, and ultimately cheapens what a library should be for our
 community.  I would hope the Library Board and the City would consider
 building a landmark rather than a retail outlet for the Roosevelt Library and
 I would hope the community accepts nothing less.

I would hope the community insists on high standards for the Roosevelt
library design and any mixed use development - however, I would also hope
the community would be open-minded enough to actually consider and evaluate
design proposals before rejecting them outright.

Isn't it possible that creative ideas for mixed use development might draw
people to the library who might not visit otherwise?  Wouldn't that be a
good thing?

Mark Snyder
Windom Park (59A)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

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[Mpls] Roosevelt library

[John Rocker]

Steve Brandt has a good article in todays paper about
whether or not the new Roosevelt library should be part of
a mixed-use development.



http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3324554.html





The city needs to increase its density along transit routes,
but what both sides of the argument appear to be missing is that the site is
almost one-half mile from the light rail stop at 38th and Hiawatha
-- and that is twice as far as what is considered standard walking
distance from the station. To take advantage of light-rail, the library
board and the MCDA should be looking for a mixed-use site as close as possible to
38th  Hiawatha, preferably within view of the station. One
of the justifications for the cost of light-rail is that it spurs mixed-used,
transit-oriented development. A mixed-use library project is ideal within
walking distance of the station, but the proposed site is too far away to take
advantage of that.



John Rocker

Calhoun

Re: [Mpls] Roosevelt library

[Mark Snyder]

I strongly agree with the points John Rocker makes in favor of mixed-use
development and increasing density along transit routes, but six blocks is
too far to walk from a library to an LRT stop?

No wonder obesity is becoming an epidemic in the United States.

I remember back in the good ol' days when I walked from my fraternity in
Dinkytown (we're one of the few not on frat row along University Ave) to
East Bank campus.  It was about 8-12 blocks depending on where your class
was.  Granted, we were mostly able-bodied young folks, but we also lugged
around those nice 20-pound backpacks on our shoulders - oh, did I mention it
was uphill - both ways? :-)

But seriously, I find it amusing to think that a six block walk would be
unmanageable for most people when up here in Windom Park, we've got folks
talking about walking paths for seniors.  Of the two path options I've seen
so far, one runs 1.5 miles and the other runs 1.6 miles.

Mark Snyder
Windom Park (59A)
[EMAIL PROTECTED]

On 9/25/02 1:44 PM, John Rocker [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:

 Steve Brandt has a good article in today¹s paper about whether or not the new
 Roosevelt library should be part of a mixed-use development.
 
 http://www.startribune.com/stories/462/3324554.html
 
 The city needs to increase its density along transit routes, but what both
 sides of the argument appear to be missing is that the site is almost one-half
 mile from the light rail stop at 38th and Hiawatha -- and that is twice as far
 as what is considered standard ³walking distance² from the station. To take
 advantage of light-rail, the library board and the MCDA should be looking for
 a mixed-use site as close as possible to 38th  Hiawatha, preferably within
 view of the station.  One of the justifications for the cost of light-rail is
 that it spurs mixed-used, transit-oriented development. A mixed-use library
 project is ideal within walking distance of the station, but the proposed site
 is too far away to take advantage of that.
 
 
 
 John Rocker
 
 Calhoun
 
 
 


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