Mr. Minn is totally wrong. The downtown library is not 'duplicative,
redundant or unnecessary', for anyone, least of all the residents of
Minneapolis. The downtown library (the books, NOT the building) is far
superior to the county libraries at Southdale, Ridgedale, and Brookdale..
which may be "duplicative and redundant" of one another but county residents
are very happy with them. Obviously city residents believe we deserve better
library buildings too. And regarding non-residents using but not paying for
our libraries, I believe it is a fact that more Minneapolitans go to other
libraries, than non-Minneapolitans use Mpls. libraries.
And as far as 'attaching' our libraries to the county, as other posters to
this list have said, why pick on just libraries? We could have all kinds of
presumably less redundant public services if we did as they do in Maryland
and a few other states, which have most public services provided by
counties, not cities: county school districts, parks, public works, police,
fire, etc. etc. I don't recall hearing Mr. Minn arguing for turning over
any city services to the county when he was on the council. Again, why pick
on just libraries?
Ann Wurdeman
ECCO
