Greetings, This discussion about fundraising for the Minneapolis Public Library an the Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library is quite interesting to me. Wizard Marks and Joe Barisonzi are rightfully concerned about the "fundraising muscle" of the Library and the Friends. Colin Hamilton and Kristi Gibson, by virtue of their positions must defend the organizations.
When I applied to be Executive Director of the Friends, I did some research into fundraising because I could see then (about eighteen months ago) that the Executive Director at the Friends would need to raise significant sums for the Friends and the new Library. It was the most daunting aspect of the job. At the Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library they were just completing a capital campaign that raised $5.8 million and had contributed over $1 million to the Saint Paul Public Library in each of the past five years. This was an awesome and impressive feat. I called Peter Pearson right to away to find out how he had done it. I wasn't hired by the Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library but, I am very supportive of their work. On the other hand, if Minneapolis wants a top quality Library system we need to start exercising the "fundraising muscle" of the MPL and the Friends of the MPL. There are many ways that we can do this. Rather than whipping off short attacks on the staff of the Library or the Friends we need to encourage the Boards of these two organizations to build stronger development offices. We all need to respond be Friends of the MPL which means sending them money! Most important we need to use our Minneapolis Public Library system and speak well of it to our neighbors. My history with the Friends and the Minneapolis Public Library stretches back almost forty years. I want these organizations to thrive. If you are not a member of the Friends, join now! A public library is vital to a free and informed citizenry. Build our library institutions don't tear them down. Our library systems need us involved, active and generous. -- In cooperation, Erik Riese Seward: a great place to live, work, learn, and play! Some pretty good restaurants too! (612) 242-8528 ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ _______________________________________ 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
