Michael Hohman says > In the article, Library director Mary Lawson is quoted as saying "...the > library board and administrators are adjusting their budgets now to prepare > for the increased volume a new downtown library is likely to generate." New libraries and newly refurbished libraries generally show an improvement in patronage for a year following reopenning. Then, they generally return to their pre-reopenning patronage. Hosmer was an "anomalie" but only because the surrounding neighborhoods sunk another $470,000 into it above MPL's budgeted funds.
> Undoubtedly, service and programming demands will increase at the new > downtown library; more operating funds will be needed to adequately meet these new >library patron demands. Mary Lawson is also saying that efficiencies (open stacks, diffferent check out procedures, whatever) which will be built into the new central library will lessen the need for staff. I don't necessarily believe that, but were it so, the lesser cost for staff could be put into raised expectations for collection and programming. > > Mary Lawson continues, "...if we expect to have more hours, the budget will > have to increase ... The level of service that can be provided is really a > choice that the community has to help us make." This statement really grinds my grits and is my reason for hesitaating to support the referendum in the first place. The public was led to believe thaat $140 million would do the trick. But that money only does bricks and mortar. Libraries are not about bricks and mortar first. Does this mean operating > funds will be shifted from community libraries to the new downtown library, > or does it mean overall operating funds must be increased? If the latter, > does that mean another increase in local property taxes? Where else will > the needed funds come from? I have doubts that the body politic will gracefully concede to another tax hike for libraries. It is conceivable that funding will shift from the community libraries to downtown. Several community libraries--Hosmer, Franklin, Nokomis and North East-- are alredy understaffed and, with the exception of Nokomis, open too few hours for their usage. > The thinking was that we will build the facilities and then figure out >how to >operate them. > > Lori points out the inadequacy of current community library operating hours, > even with the recently added Sunday hours in four locations. As these local > neighborhood libraries are renovated, expanded and rebuilt, they will > experience dramatic demands for increased usage. What good are new > facilities if operating hours, programs and services are inadequate? > I believe a business > operational model that strives for greater productivity, innovation and > continual improvement, as design and construction of the new downtown > library begins and branch libraries' improvements commence is critical. I'd be very cautious about applying a business model to a public informtion source. There are horror stories across the country around applying a business model for libraries. It would be better to promote an information campaign for law makers and others with dollars to dispense so that they understand the ramifications of the need for information. > > 4. Provide a family-friendly learning environment for the community and a > safe workplace-- establish a 'common sense' Internet-access policy for > children to use filtered-access Internet terminals so that parents feel > confident sending their children to the library, Computer geeks tell me that the currently available filters are fairly useless in that they "filter" useful information, but ffail to filter porn. It seems to me that if the internet policy were to change, the more sensible way would be a twofold approach. Fist, children 12 nd under cannot operate the internet without a parent or a techer or library tutor present. Then porn can be "filtered" but kids can also lern something about whether information from sites is really information or electronic opinions without a solid base. Second, a management by walking around approach for staff. which allows them to see what is on the screens and insist that porn be shut off, with penalties for those who cannot get the point. (Being "trespassed" is the term for 30- 60- or 90-days when patrons are refused library access). while adults are offered > both filtered and unfiltered access options. For our public libraries to be > first-rate, I believe in and support First Amendment rights-- but with those > rights, come responsibilities-- for individuals and our community. Library > Internet policy should be consistent with legal precedent and community > standards. The case for community standards is a slippery slope. To daate, no "community standards" delineation I have seen is inclusive of the whole community. The Library's current Internet policy is inadequate. True enough. My > Internet access position represents a socially compelling and fiscally > responsible approach to Internet access within the MPL system. I'm not feeling socially compelled with your proposition for internet policy, Michael. > >Wizard Marks DFL Candidate for Librry 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 _______________________________________ 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
