I'm definitely in favor of scenario A. The Library Board long ago went beyond its mandate of providing free books to the city residents. (I have similar thoughts about the Park Board, but that's another posting). Offering such things as homework help and literacy initiatives is the job for the city government or the schools, not the library. The library should have an adequate supply of books in the various languages spoken in the city, and signs, posters and ads should be in multiple languages, but it isn't the library's job to get people to read, just to provide the books. The library should spend its money on obtaining books the city residents want to read, and making these books available to residents with the most libraries and longest hours possible. And maybe even staying open all weekend when most residents are free, in exchange for shutting down on a couple of weekdays? The only piece of scenario A that I disapprove of is minimal building maintenance. I don't think letting our buildings go to Hell is a true money saving option.
Mark Anderson Bancroft ----- Original Message ----- From: "David Brauer" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Wednesday, June 25, 2003 10:43 AM Subject: [Mpls] Library scenarios While it's compelling to debate big boxes and graffiti, the city has asked the public for its view on a very specific question: how to close a $4.5 million budget gap for the libraries in 2004. The board is presenting three scenarios. I'd appreciate it if list members could pick one - use the letter if you can - and explain why. Here's the SW Journal's summation of the options: ? Scenario A keeps all community libraries open, but cuts reference services, technology support, collection development and building maintenance to a minimum. Funding for bilingual outreach, homework help, summer reading, teen and early literacy initiatives would be eliminated. Community libraries would be open four days a week for a total of 28 hours. The Central Library would open a total of 48 hours. ? Scenario B reduces the city�s community libraries from 14 to nine, with Walker, 2880 Hennepin Ave. S., or Linden Hills, 2900 W. 43rd St., among the targets. The Central Library would be open 35 hours a week with adequate staff and the nine community libraries would be open 37.5 hours a week with adequate staffing. Funding for bilingual outreach, homework help, summer reading, teen and early literacy initiatives is maintained. Webber Park, Northeast, Southeast and Roosevelt libraries would also be closed. ? Scenario C keeps the Central Library would open 44 hours a week with adequate staff. Community libraries are open between 22 to 48 hours a week on different days with varying staffing levels. No Southwest libraries are closed, though Roosevelt, Southeast and Webber Park would be. Funding for bilingual outreach, homework help, summer reading, teen and early literacy initiatives is maintained. In each scenario the administrative budget is cut between $200,000 and $250,000; five positions are cut, wages are frozen and travel eliminated. Thanks, David Brauer King Field Editor, SW Journal TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ 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 TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. 2. If you don't like what's being discussed here, don't complain - change the subject (Mpls-specific, of course.) ________________________________ 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
