> 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.
I have to disagree. My main use of the library is for reference, ie. method for determining solvents in water or how to fix a leak in my cars air conditioner. I seldom have a book in mind when I enter the library, and even after the catalog search I only have a list of possible books. Think grouping books by category is one of humanities greatest ideas because it give me the opportunity to search within a search. (By the way how does one do that in Google) I may look through a dozen books to pick the one I think will help me with my project. In many many cases I never check any book out and most of the time I put the books back were I found it (Sorry librarians that was the way I was brought up). No one knows I ever looked at it, yet it could contain the exact method, photo or description to solve my problem. I like big libraries with wide selections. I also like buildings that function well for their use and recently I have come to highly value the "eyes on the street" concept. I like the idea of a glass library, modern glass is energy efficient, lots of nearly natural light for reading and most important lots of windows to gaze from when problem solving. Then there is my Minnesota values "If you do something do it right", there are too many kludges already. So while I am not completely convinced that the new library design is ideal it seems pretty good. As far as when to build. I have never head of buildings getting cheaper with time, but then we are in "A new economy" so maybe it could happen. The bottom line is that Mpls. residents approved a new library and I suspect would do it again so a new library is what we should have. As far as where to build. I have mixed feeling about the Sears site, great location, but I would like retail there so much more. Still the display windows are on the street at least on the first floor and perhaps the tower could be opened up some for gazing, but the new warehouse space is pretty grim. I wonder if it would be less expensive? Maybe some of the surrounding land could be utilized for "Mixed use" there is a lot of asphalt there. -----------------------2nd Topic--------------------------------- Serving on boards has lots of rewards, but in my experience money is not one of them. Insight into processes and people, real world problem solving, contacts (which might lead to $$), and a personal feeling that you are participating in and contributing to something you believe in. Besides committees are much more interesting than any "reality tv" or for that matter any tv. Not only that since most committees do not serve snacks you do not gain weight, so it is really good for your health. -- DeWayne Townsend Cooper 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
