Jim Mork wrote:
A couple of issues:WM: This scenario does not compare like things. A library is not like an automobile. A library is a living organism and recorded history has been the central reason for its existence. Were it the case that MPL were a repository library, delaying the build might not matter. However, MPL is a hybrid, it is first and foremost, a public library, and only second, a research library.
First, as to the library, I think we have Highway 55-reroute all over again. That is "this has all been discussed before". No it hasn't. Because whatever got discussed, it wasn't in the context of our huge shortfalls and our staggering debt. That could have been IMAGINED, but until now it wasn't real. Now that it IS real, it has to be considered. If I have a dream of a Mercedes and then find myself without a job in a competitive job market, it doesnt MATTER how I looked at buying the Mercedes before.
Public libraries reach their peak usage during economic downturns or at periods of huge immigrations. Minneapolis is experiencing both those situations now. We have huge, mostly very new immigrant populations and we have an economic downturn.
Having the library temporarily housed in a building not suited to its tasks is blow enough to gravely injure the library, the budget cuts are a second blow, delaying replacing the central library any further could make the library unable to recover. It was not the healthiest library going into this situation. Hence a demand for a new director. The question becomes: do the people of Minneapolis support a Minneapolis Public Library at all?
Rescinding the referendum or refusing to issue bonds will not support MPL, but it could deal a blow from which it cannot recover.
Now, I'm dealing with survival and the conditions are radically different. The thing about warehousing books is that it neednt BE a permanent solution.WM: A library in the 21st Century, (according to Library Journal, I think) will be a cultural center and meeting place for the people. People need to be able to go to the library and stay there for hours to work and learn. Mr. Mork's assumption is that the body politic will get used to using the library as sort of a free video rental joint if we stuff it into a warehouse till the good times roll. In truth, to accomplish a 21st Century library, staff and patrons need to interact on an even greater level than they do presently.
Of course, when you do it awhile, all these frightening concerns heard from the people who long for the glass palace may turn out to be empty concerns, in which case you make the warehouse a permanent solution.WM: Actually, I'm not personally 'longing for the glass palace'. I want a central library which has tons of fascinating and necessary material for me to use. I don't want a warehouse. I also don't think it's a fair way to treat the staff to try to stuff them into a warehouse. It's been bad enough that so many have had to hang out in the sub-basement turning into troglodytes since the sixties.
Frankly, the design, as far as I can envision it from the model, pretty much leaves me cold.
WM: Just how does the public library fail in this sketchy scenario? This is the most democratic institution we, as a people, can lay claim to. How does it fail except that we do not cherish it for the institution it is and treat it with the respect it deserves? Would that it were a palace. I'm more afraid that so many corners will be cut that it will not fulfill our requirements for public library space.But unlike a hugely expensive glass palace, a warehouse can be sold to someone who needs it. Whereas if the glass! palace fails, the likelihood of recovering the investment is minimal.
Once again, we are operating in the "we're broke" scenario.WM: This may be the crux of the issue. I say we're broke let's go to the library nd figure a way out of this mess; you're saying, yeah, so let's further impoverish ourselves and make it more difficult to get back on our feet.
I'd have to see the records to believe anyone planning the glass palace ever accounted for a "we're broke" scenario. But the time to do so is NOW.WM: One hundred ten million is not a palace. This is a statement that gives me heart palpitations to think, but it is true. If you look at the analysis of what various cities spend on their public libraries/member of their population, Minneapolis is shamefully low. We have spent less than half what comparable cities spend. Even the demand for a 10% across the board cut in operating expenses is unfair to the library since, having already started with a smaller than necessary budget, they are more affected by the cuts than better funded endeavors. The library was already too skinny, it didn't need a diet.
WM: Maybe it does. It's not enough to have police officers and fire fighters, they are both reactionary endeavors. In order to lessen the number of nogoodniks, we need to protect and improve our positive initiatives that allow people who might turn to the wrong path ways to support themselves that are not illegal. The more we spend on using libraries and schools, and after-school programming, the fewer will be determined to use bombs and guns and knives to solve their problems. A public library provides tools to enter into the working class and into the middle class economically for anyone.My signature: The comment about buying bombs with money taken from education has NO relevance to my discussion of the library. I'm not talking about maintaining the ability to aggress against foreign states, I'm talking about taking money from open-stack libraries to maintain a DEFENSIVE force against the criminals among us. Whoever can't discern this difference has a need to refresh their own education.
WizardMarks, Central
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