Re: [Mpls] RE: Mike Hohmann's Library Thoughts

[Bob GUSTAFSON]

Colin Hamilton, Executive Director, Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library, concluded a recent post with the following paragraph:   "There are very few, if any, libraries in American that receive more than 5% of their operating dollars from private sources.  If our collective goal is to make reading a part of every child's life, and to provide every adult with free access to books, computers and knowledge, it is only going to happen with public dollars leading the way."     RG The first part of Colin's post led me to believe that he  agreed with Mike Hohmann's support of the Library improving its fundraising arm to cover the anticipated budget shortfalls expected by the library. The last paragraph however, left the implication that if we really want good libraries, they will need more public dollars.   I second Mike's analysis.   Some quick facts from the National Center for Education Statistics, Public Library Comparisons.   The average expense per capita for libraries in the US is $27.20, for Mpls $50.60. We fund the library well.   The average percentage of funding that comes from local taxes (from 9,046 libraries reporting) in the US is 77.7%, in Mpls 93%.   The average funding from "other" sources (which would include private funding) in the US is 9%, in Mpls .46%, less than 1/2 percent.   The Minneapolis Public Libraries are building themselves into a cash crunch, which will only be resolved by cutting services in the new libraries or raising more operating money. If I was working with the library I would be rather embarrassed to come back to the voters asking them for more money if I also had to explain the numbers above. I won't even get into the embarrassment I would feel knowing that I helped sell a referendum for new facilities that I always knew we did not have the money to adequately operate.   Bob Gustafson 13th