Having read the Minneapolis Public Library�s budget scenarios, I would select Option B because its goal is to preserve hours, staffing, and services for the most diverse population of users. I ask the library board to consider the following when making their final budget decisions:
--Are the branch libraries that will remain open on or near bus lines? --When acquiring new materials, it is more important to purchase books intended for education than videos intended for recreation. --Children�s services should be protected as much as possible from budget cuts. Especially during summer months, public libraries and park activities may be the only resources available to children whose parents cannot afford private enrichment and whose neighborhoods may be too unsafe to play in without adult supervision. In addition, public libraries encourage all children to maintain their reading skills over the summer. If children�s services must be cut, it may make sense to limit branch-library children�s weekday hours during the school year, when many children have access to school libraries and do not use public libraries until mid-afternoon. Roberta M. Beach Minneapolis Ward 7, Precinct 5 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
