> We are pleased to see continuing discussion on this List about the > Minneapolis Public Library. Since the voters strongly approved the > referendum (67% voted in favor), the discussion now takes a different > direction. We now know that the new Central Library will be built and the > improvements to Community Libraries will be completed. > > We continue to welcome ideas from the public regarding the proposed > library projects. If you are interested in being on an e-mail or regular > mail list to receive notices and information as the plans develop, please > call 612-630-6263 or send an e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Meanwhile, I am responding to Sheldon Mains' questions about the planned > new Central Library point by point (Mr. Mains' statements are indicated by > >). As you may be aware, there will not be a firm plan for about two > years. First an architect must be selected (early next year), then > architectural work will take 18-24 months. Meanwhile, we have a pre-site > building program, approved by the Library Board, which describes what the > new Library should include and addresses many of the issues raised by Mr. > Mains. > > >Why does building a new, presumeably more efficient, building, with > presumably state of the art technology, result in a higher operating costs > - > Reply: The new Central is not expected to result in higher operating cost; > it is expected to be the same or less. > >Some possiblitities: > > Self service check-out--like Hennepin County libraries have > Reply: The Minneapolis Central Library currently has two self-service > checkout stations; there will be more in the new building because it will > be designed for this feature (but staff-assisted checkout will always be > available). > > Computerized card catalogs that are easy to use, with easy to use > help menus > Reply: The Minneapolis Public Library's online catalog is considered by > most people to be very user friendly; it is constantly being enhanced > based on users' suggestions and through regular software upgrades. > > More books available to the public, less need for librarians to go > to the stacks - > Reply: The new library will have almost 60% of the collection on open > shelves available to the public, as opposed to only 15% now. This will, > indeed, save staff time, but more importantly, it will greatly improve > access for library users. > > >Some non-tech things; > > Shelving books in an easy to find order -- > Reply: All books are now filed either alphabetically (for fiction) or > numerically (for nonfiction), according to the Library of Congress > classification system, widely used in most urban libraries throughout the > country. This will still be true in a new library building. > > Signs and maps that actually help people find what they need. > Reply: We have these currently. However, the physical configuration of the > current library building makes it difficult for people to find what they > need. When the new library is built, it will incorporate helpful signs and > maps, but more importantly, it will be designed for ease of use. > > A building designed to be energy efficient (save operating costs) > Reply: Yes. A new building will clearly be more energy efficient than the > present library, designed in the 1950s. > > A building designed to be easy to clean and maintain. > Reply: The above statement holds true here as well. > > >And if you want really high tech; > > Using e-publishing, on-site printing on demand, and e-books. > Reply: The Library does currently provide e-books and print-outs of > online resources. The new building will be designed to adapt to emerging > technologies. > > >Now, a new library can also provide some interesting earned income > options: > > Coffee shop rental - > Reply: The plan for a two-block, mixed-use development calls for retail > amenities and a coffee shop to be included on the block adjacent to the > library, connected to parking and to the library by skyway. > > Renting a good, centrally located computer lab for training > Reply: A computer lab for the public is in the current plan. > > Provide video conferencing for local small businesses. > Reply: The current plan provides for state-of-the-art meeting room > facilities to be made available to any group, not just small businesses. > Again, these will be designed to adapt to new and emerging technologies. > > More fee for service research services (e.g. pay for faster service) > > Reply: We currently offer fee-based research and document delivery > services through INFORM, a nonprofit, cost-recovery service of the > Minneapolis Public Library. This service will be continued in the new > building as long as it remains needed and cost-effective. > > >Some of these ideas are far out and some will probably not work. The > point though is that the current staff and board have not been at all > creative in > thinking about new and improved libraries. > Reply: I beg to differ. This proposal is based on years of study and > community participation, including an extensive "visioning" process. Since > 1989, the Minneapolis Library Board and the City of Minneapolis have > studied and discussed the need for a new Central Library. A task force > appointed in 1990 concluded that the current facility is outdated and > inadequate for library service in the 21st century, and recommended that a > new Central Library be built on a new downtown site. Following this > recommendation, the City of Minneapolis and the Library Board worked > together to identify the space and functions for a new facility, analyze > potential sites, measure financial support, and hear the wants and needs > of library users and potential users. In November 1997, sixty community > and library leaders gathered for a working session to share ideas and > insights for the Central Library project. Out of this evolved a "Shared > Vision for a new Central Library." For more information, see "MPL Future" > on our website, www.mpls.lib.mn.us. > > In 1998, the City Council and the Library Board established the New > Central Library Implementation Committee, chaired by Mayor Sharon Sayles > Belton and Library Board Trustee Diane Hofstede. The committee was charged > with recommending a site, conceptual design, and funding methodology for > the construction of a new Central Library. After two years of work > (including a thorough review of 21 potential downtown sites), the > committee recommended that a new Central Library be built as part of a > two-block, mixed-use development on the current and adjacent blocks, and > that needed improvements to community libraries be funded as well. These > recommendations were jointly approved by the Library Board and the City > Council, and in August 2000, the Library Board requested the City Council > to place a referendum on the November ballot allowing a public vote on > funding for these library projects. On November 7, the voters approved the > referendum by a 2-to-1 margin. > > Thank you for your continued interest. > > Jan Feye-Stukas > Associate Director > Minneapolis Public Library > > >
