Our list manager asked the question about the three library architects. I prefer Sherer Rockcastle. What is equally as important as the architect is the design. D Brauer hit it square on the head when he mentioned "monument." So far, I sense a lot of 'monument to the board and director' feelings behind the idea of a new structure. It's far more important to me that the structure exhibit a design suitable for a public library as opposed to a research library (like the Vatican archives) or a library like the Library of Congress designed for copyright information and to serve the Congress of the US. For example, MPL boasts a sizable collection, but much of it is hardly usable. First, there is a massive amount stored in a warehouse because it's seldom used and is allegedly for "research" purposes. However, to save space, the books are stored by size, which makes it usable only by virtue of a lot of staff time hunting for particular volumes. Besides which, a public library is not a research library, even though MPL tries to tout that feature. Second, it's been a long many years since MPL has done a thorough weeding of books. If, for example, the large collection has 25 copies of a 1920 etiquette book and similar numbers of other outdated books, the size of the collection is misleading. Part of the plan for the new library is a thorough weeding. (Book antiquarians, save your pennies.) Third, a public library worth it's salt has open stacks. After the new library is built, will a good 90% of the collection be avilable in open stacks? I don't think MPL is aiming that high.
In building a new library it is essential to keep the mission of public libraries in the forefront: to level the playing field between the haves and the hope-to-have-somes and thus raise the general education and self-education of all the public. It is also important that the new library be effecient, both for customers and library staff. Library staff are there to help for at least 8 hours a day; if the library has to be coped with, it's uncomfortable for all. Our current library is good example of "coping with" design--it's a pain in the tookus, both for staff and patrons. I have confidence that the committee which will choose the architect will keep those things in mind and do a good job. Where my confidence falters is in considering whether we are building a library for the 21st Century where books will not fade from view, but computers and internet and, in the future, all manner of other information configurations will come into play. I know it will happen, but I'm not sure we are ready to build for it at the moment. Building the best 20th Century library won't quite cover the bases. I wish the implementation committee all the luck in the world. This is a knotty problem/opportunity. Wizard Marks Candidate for Library Board _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
