> For immediate release - February 28, 2001
>
> Contact: Anne Ulseth, Anne Q. Ulseth Public Relations, 612-824-1614
> Kristi Gibson, Public Affairs, Minneapolis Public Library,
> 612-630-6260
>
>
> LIBRARY IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE
> TO REVIEW AND CONFIRM LIBRARY PROGRAM
> PUBLIC INVITED TO ATTEND INFORMATION SESSIONS
>
> (Minneapolis; February 28, 2001) - The Library Implementation Committee,
> charged with recommending major decisions for the new Minneapolis Central
> Library, will hold a series of meetings this spring to review and confirm
> the current library proposal before initiating the process to select an
> architect.
>
> The meetings will focus on the role of the public library, customer
> expectations, service goals, emerging library trends, community issues,
> and recent library rebuilding experiences in other major cities.
> Presentations by nationally-known experts in library planning and
> technology, as well as Minneapolis Public Library and City of Minneapolis
> staff and consultants, will inform the committee discussion.
>
> Open to the public, the meetings will be held on Tuesdays, March 6, 20,
> 27, April 3,10 and 17 in Heritage Hall, Minneapolis Public Library, 300
> Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis. The meetings will begin at 5:00 p.m. with
> committee business; presentations will be from 5:45 to 7:30 p.m.
>
> New Central Library Implementation Committee Information Sessions
>
> March 6 The outlook on the public library
> Topics
> - Looking back and ahead at library service
> - Library users' expectations, now and in the future
>
> Speaker
> Ginnie Cooper, Director of Libraries, Multnomah County Library, Portland,
> Oregon
>
>
> March 20 Technology for tomorrow
> Topics
> - Emerging technologies: Applications for public libraries
> - The value of and need for collection preservation
>
> Speakers
> Susan Baerg Epstein, library technology consultant
> Bill DeJohn, Director, MINITEX library information network
>
>
> March 27 Planning for tomorrow
> Topics
> - Trends in library planning, construction, and service delivery
> - Learning from other libraries: What's essential, what to avoid
>
> Speaker
> Bill Sannwald, Manager of Library Design and Development, San Diego
>
>
> April 3 The downtown library as part of the urban landscape
> Topics
> - The Seattle experience: Creating a landmark building that reflects its
> city
> - Designing the downtown library: Site, context, and planning
> considerations
> - The importance of public space: Planning for the new library and for
> downtown
>
> Speaker
> Deborah Jacobs, City Librarian, Seattle Public Library
>
>
> April 10 The downtown library - Creating a mixed-use project
> Topics
> - Assessing the big picture: Downtown parking, transit, retail and housing
> - Shooting for the stars: The Minnesota Planetarium at Minneapolis Public
> Library
>
> Speakers
> Library, City and Planetarium staff
> Project consultants
>
>
> April 17 Putting it all together - Conclusions and recommendations
>
>
> In November 2000, Minneapolis voters approved the $140 million
> Minneapolis Public Library Referendum, which appeared on the general
> election ballot. The Referendum provides $110 million for a new Central
> Library. Proposed funding sources for additional components of the
> project include tax increment financing, private fundraising, parking
> revenue bonds, and state funding for the Planetarium.
> Following the review and confirmation process, the Library
> Implementation Committee will make recommendations to the Library Board,
> City Council, and Mayor on the Library Project program. Once approved,
> the program will inform the next steps in the process, including budget,
> schedule, architect selection process, and design. A new Central Library
> is expected to be completed by 2006.
> Ongoing public comment is an important part of the entire process.
> For more information or to be added to a mailing list to receive periodic
> updates, call (612) 630-6263 or see "Planning for a New Central Library"
> under "MPL Future" on the Minneapolis Public Library website
> (<http://www.mplib.org/newcentrallib.asp>). Questions can be sent to
> "AskUs" on the website or emailed to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> ###
>
>
application/ms-tnef
