It's interesting that Rochelle Olson's story came after Saturday's Strib story about the possibility of naming the new Central library after longtime library director, Gratia Alta Countryman. Either story could have included a reference to the early success of the Friends of MPL at raising private funds to help with library construction: the campaign's first pledge of $1 million will be announced soon.
It's important to give the new library director a chance to propose some systemwide cost-saving measures, which might include delaying capital improvement projects at the community libraries several of which are currently in the planning stages, scaling back programs, and possibly closing community libraries. These are NOT pleasant ideas, but so far everything has been on the table, and the whole system will suffer greatly if there is not a strong central library. The Library Board will hold public meetings about the budget situation in the near future, I'm told. Even delaying the Central Library project would meaning staying in Marquette Plaza. It seems to be more expensive to operate out of Marquette Plaza than it would be from the new Central Library, so even if we would save on capital costs, the library system would require additional operating dollars on an annual basis. Add THAT to the projected gap. Also, Marquette is adequate at best as a library. Council members and the mayor should realize this. The building was designed as a fortress (to protect the Federal Reserve), not as a public meeting place. Staying there would be directly counter to the vision of the library as a civic space that is welcoming to all residents. Let's hear more! Let's give the Library Board more ideas for how to save money without killing such a great project. Jim Berg Corcoran Neighborhood Board Member, Friends of the MPL __________________________________________________ Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Tax Center - forms, calculators, tips, more http://taxes.yahoo.com/ TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. ________________________________ 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
