No public libraries in Minneapolis will be eliminated next year, but some library hours and days of service will be curtailed due to a $1.5 million reduction in the Library Board's requested 2003 operating budget.
Over the past several months, the Board has reviewed a variety of options to make up the budget shortfall while assuring that changes are equitable throughout the city. Feedback from public meetings was used to help shape decisions on how to balance the budget with changes that will have the least disruptive effect on library services. The new budget was approved by the Library Board on November 20. Instead of reducing hours system-wide, the Board decided to decrease hours at the largest libraries, close some additional holidays and Saturdays, and close all libraries for a one-week period in August. Effective January 2, 2003, the hours of public service at four large libraries will be reduced by 12 hours per week. * East Lake, North Regional, and Walker will be reduced from 64 to 52 hours per week. New hours will be: Monday and Thursday 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. (September-May) * Washburn will be reduced from 60 to 48 hours per week. New hours will be: Monday and Thursday 1:00 to 9:00 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Also effective the first of the year, Central Library Marquette will be open a total of 53 hours per week. Central Library Marquette is the interim downtown library, relocated to Marquette Plaza (the former Federal Reserve Bank building at 250 Marquette) until the New Central Library opens in 2006. New hours will be 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday. A one-week closing will affect libraries throughout the city. All fifteen Minneapolis Public Libraries and the bookmobile will be closed from Monday, August 30, through Labor Day, Monday, September 1, 2003. The period was chosen because it is typically a relatively quiet week in the libraries, when the Summer Reading Program has ended and school has not yet begun for most students. The Board also acted to close all city libraries on three additional holidays in 2003 (President's Day 2/17; Columbus Day 10/13; Veterans Day 11/11) and on the Saturdays before Memorial Day and Labor Day (5/24 and 8/31) and the Saturday following Independence Day (7/5). These changes will allow important library initiatives such as the Homework Helper Centers, outreach to new immigrant populations, and technology learning centers to continue. The 2003 operating budget shortfall does not affect the referendum funds approved by voters in November 2000, providing $110 million toward the new Central Library and $30 million for a decade of community library improvements. Referendum funds may be expended only on library building projects, not operations. Twin Cities area residents have the option of using any of the 103 public libraries in the metro area thanks to cooperation through MELSA, a federation of the region's nine public library systems. Any library card holder may borrow books and other materials from any one library and return to any other. When all Minneapolis libraries are closed August 30-September 1, 2003, the due date for materials borrowed from Minneapolis Public Library will be extended. The Library Board welcomes public comments, suggestions, or questions. Options include: * fill out a comment form available at any Minneapolis Public Library * leave a message on the Library comment line at 612-630-6263 (or 630-6003 TTY) * submit online at www.mplib.org * send e-mail to [EMAIL PROTECTED] * write to: Minneapolis Public Library, 250 Marquette, Suite 400, Mpls., MN 55401 ------------ Kristi Gibson Public Affairs Minneapolis Public Library _______________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
