[Mpls] Killing the Libraries Slowly

[Bob GUSTAFSON]

Lesson one: never post quickly on a Saturday when you would rather be outside!   In my response to Carol stating that Sharon had projected an amount each year for the libraries I threw in the line:   Sharon cut the libraries capital budget drastically, more drastically than RT's cut for 2006 ($1,600,000).   That is incorrect. R.T. also cut the $1,600,000 CLIC had included for 2007 but he followed CLIC's recommendation for zero funding in 2008. I also stated that R.T. had followed CLIC's recommendations which is not correct monetarily, but I believe it is by our intent. I have included a portion of CLIC's recommendation to the Mayor on the library budget:   CLIC's Recommendation: In response to their budget problems, the Library Board has chosen a plan that temporarily keeps all libraries open, although at drastically reduced hours and levels of service. Also considered had been the closing of several community libraries including the recently remodeled Linden Hills library. In light of these decisions, the task force feels it would be wise to follow the Library Board�s fiscally prudent lead and cut back on spending with a temporary halt placed on all additional capital funding of community libraries, whether from referendum or NDB funding.   We do not recommend this action lightly. We cannot however justify the additional funding of renovations if the library continues to operate their remodeled libraries at such a reduced service level, or worse yet, if they decide to close renovated libraries in the near future.   The task force recommends that such a halt remain in place until the Library Board can present operating scenarios that include the ability to adequately cover operating costs for the remodeled libraries that are fully staffed with an appropriate amount of programs to justify the expansions. CLIC funding for Webber and North Regional remain as shown in 2006 and 2007 with the assumption that operating questions are resolved by that time.   Bob again   Note that CLIC gave only a qualified endorsement to funding for 2006 and 2007. : Also note that CLIC recommended not only cutting NDB but also placing a moratorium on selling any further Referendum bonds to finance community libraries. How could we do otherwise when the Library itself in their Scenario B had just considered the option of closing Linden Hills, the most recently remodeled library under the 2010 program.     The library under its new management is aware of the need to secure additional operating dollars. As a beginning, theirs and the communities fund raising efforts have saved Franklin from closing during its renovation. Victoria however is correct in noting that the library is undergoing huge changes due to advancing technologies. Circulation numbers tell the story well. In 1960 the total circulation of the library was 2,677,835. It peaked in 1992 at 3,273,876, Before the referendum the numbers for 1999 were down to 2,456,727. A number well below that achieved 40 years before.   I believe Victoria is wrong however in thinking that libraries are going the way of the horse and buggy. They do need to change and adjust to the world around them and I believe they are trying hard to do so. They are as Carol points out serving many more people as a technological portal into the rest of the world. That said, I do not support spending millions of dollars to build up the libraries infrastructure when they have since before the referendum known they did not have the money to operate them once completed.   Bob Gustafson 13th     This sort of thinking is wrong. I know. Because I've read about it in books.