One thing about the plan that I'm hearing for the library is the implication that even books seldom EVER called for must be out on open racks. Sorry, but I've NEVER seen something like that done. Only a fool would saddle themselves with handling archival material like that. A book should be borrowed a certain minimum times per year to be out and available. There is a common sense standard for that, too. And some books are in such delicate condition that they should not be borrowed out at all.
Plus, there are books of which the library has ONE copy. I know because I sold a book based on the fact it was in the library collection. Years later, I wanted to borrow it and it had been taken out and never returned. And the book was out of print so now there was NO way to get it. A book like that should be in the reserve collection for reading in a reading room at the library. And NOT in the open shelves where someone can steal it! Actually, the Gutenberg project was to put the content of the Library of Congress online. I think books that are likely never to be printed again should never be loaned OUT in hard copy again. I am not one of those who crabs about taxes, but I do object to the people in government acting as if it doesn't matter if they manage wisely because they have access to an endless supply of cash. That is how we get backed into things like Target Center, the Target office building, and the glass palace. The supply of cash is NOT endless, and it really irks when there is a sudden shortage and then we find we CANNOT put show projects on hold and we MUST strip our police force. If the people in elective office cannot figure out how the larger world protects itself against these contingencies, I think they should have the decency to vacate their office to someone who is willing to LEARN how it is done. A rainy-day fund is a great idea if it can be done, but that certainly is not the limit to insuring oneself. Options, escape-clauses, whatever. A good contract lawyer can draw up the terms and then its just a matter of not being bamboozled by contractors with connections. It is better NOT to contract for a library building than to contract under such terms that you are trapped by hard times. -------------- Jim Mork--Cooper "Only a LUNATIC would cut schools in order to pay for more bombs." "We hold these truths to be self-evident....that the just power of governments derives from the consent of the governed." Declaration of Independence Get your free Web-based E-mail at http://www.startribune.com/stribmail 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
