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This message is forwarded to the list with the
approval of Mary Larson, Director of the Minneapolis
Public Library. It is in response to a previous post I
submitted.
Bob Gustafson
>Bob,
I saw your posting and just wanted to correct a few
pieces of information and add some as well. Sorry
this is so long but there is so much that people do
not know about the Library as I can see from your
comments.
First point:
The HAPLR Library ratings is a system one man
developed and implemented on his own that has been
under heavy criticism from libraries around the U.S as
well as those who are professional survey people.
First it assumes that all libraries have the same
objectives and service priorities, and secondly it
gives heavy weight to circulation. Because the
Minneapolis Public Library has served to develop,
preserve and house a major research and historic
collection - unlike, for example, Hennepin County
Library, we do not purchase as many popular materials
and best sellers which circulate heavily.Our funds go
to areas which Hennepin County Library does not spend
money on such as preservation activity and security
personnel. Our role is important and so is Hennepin
County Library's role but they are different in
someways.
Also, the HAPLR ratings do not take into account the
statistical measures and results from service programs
that Minneapolis Public Library spends money on that
meet real needs in our unique community such as
Homework Helper Centers, extensive outreach to new
immigrants, Franklin Learning Center - a literacy and
ESL program, and our technology centers.
In other words, this index is superficial and only
measures some things which may not be as important to
a library system as some other work they are doing in
meeting the needs of their community.
Second point:
Circulation has, in fact increased at MPL over the
last two years. Last year, we had an increase close
to 5% overall. This year, our circulation has
increased another 6% over last year as of the end of
July. This is my explanation. It is true the MPL
circulation begin to decline in about 1995.There were
changes occurring in Minneapolis Communities with new
faces fromother countries. The Hmong populations was
growing, for one. In addition, Minneapolis was facing
much violence - and violence among our youth. We
exactly had people tell us they would not go to
certain libraries at night because they were afraid to
be out after dark. So what did we do? We responded.
The Library hired more security to help people feel
safe. We also developed strategies to meet the needs
of our changing population and to increase
circulation, including a unique study that gave us
great insight into the Hmong community and what they
wanted and needed from libraries. We have continued
to work extensively with the Southeast Asian groups,
Somali, and the Spanish-speaking in our communities
through our Library Links program, bilingual story
hours, other outreach. By focusing effort on
newcomers to our community, we are creating new
library users which is helping to feed an increase in
circulation.
The Library keeps many statistical measures beyond
circulation and Minneapolis Public Library
historically and today rate higher than most libraries
in the US for the amount of reference/research work we
do.
Point three:
I do not expect the Minneapolis Public Library to have
a 4.5M annual shortfall if (1) the budget is managed
well, (2) the renovated and, in somecases, expanded
community libraries and the new Central Library are
designed efficiently, and wise choices are made about
the level and types of service programs. There is no
reason why this will not be done. We do some of the
special things we do now because we have leveraged our
public money through the use of grants and volunteer
support. These grants have come from a variety
sources. We also get help from the Friends of the
Library who are a wonderful group who provide Internet
tutors, work with us on an outreach effort to reach
children at Mary's Place (we will start to work with
the Harriet Tubman Center next month), provide
volunteers for home delivery ofbooks to people who
cannot get out of their homes, operate the
Planetarium,and much more!
It is true that operating costs will increase as some
of the library capital projects are completed. The
extent of that increase will depend on many factors
that must be managed. For example, our Northeast
Library has highheating and cooling bills for a
building of its size. It may, in fact, be possible to
maintain those costs or even decrease them in a
renovated building with a more efficient system.
Increased operating costs will be phased in and, just
as in any enterprise, choices will be made on the
levels of service that can be provided. Accrued
savings are expected from the Central Library's
closing and move to an interim operation and will help
in paying for some areas of operating increases such
as additional computers.
The private sector has frequently borrowed money to
construct buildings for either leased space or do
business in. There is never a guarantee that the
business will succeed (make profit) or that the space
will stay leased. In the public sector, the same
holds true. You plan for the future. In this case,
you improve library buildings that will serve the
community for many years to come - and you provide
service as you can afford it. Some years will be
great and some not as great. After all, the public
sector is the recipient of the vicissitudes of tax
money. The economy and unemployment rate change, the
policymakers change tax laws, and taxpayers attitudes
change. Our community libraries need improvements -
they are assets to the neighborhoods that improve
quality of life and help people achieve good things.
If the public wants them open and wants us to carry
out our work which has direct and spillover benefit to
everyone, then they will support us. Tell, me, how
could we ever save enough today to pay for
tomorrow?Public budgets don't work that way. But the
library will manage its budget and not do things that
are unaffordable and continue to provide great service
to the community - not everything that everyone would
hope for - but great service!
Point Four:
Another topic: We have a Web for Kids and are
proactive working and providing training to parents
and caregivers about Safety on the Internet.We care
deeply about children and they have been a priority
for us.
Point Five:
Finally, the $100,000 plus that Hosmer received from
its surrounding neighborhoods was great. Many people
played a part in that including Roy Woodstrom, the
Community Librarian at Hosmer. However, it is not an
annual amount. It was a one time amount but it helped
start up the Technology Center, pay for books and
other materials, and provided programs for children
and families. Thanks to everyone who helped to give
Hosmer Library this boost! You know I am always
willing to talk so the facts can be as right as they
can be. Thanks.
>Mary Lawson
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