Looking back to the time of the MPL referendum ($110 million forWM: Actually, the MPL has the right to assess a mil rate and raise said mil rate. However, the mayor and council made it clear that if MPL did so, they would not back the referendum. So, it was a forced agreement, not a willing one.
construction of a new downtown central library and $30 million for capital
improvements at neighborhood libraries), MPL Board members and the former
Library Director were aware of the fact there would be a shortfall of
operating funds as the new central library and expanded neighborhood
libraries came online in 'future years.' ... The decision was made by the
MPL Board and the former Mayor to avoid addressing the need to increase
operating revenues consistent with capital expansion plans at the time of
the referendum, and to rather address said operating shortfall at a later
date.
The public was thus misled regarding the entire referendum-- allWM: Yes, we were misled.
things equal, we would get nice new facilities, yet (unknown to voters and
unstated by leaders) not have the operating money to maintain existing
levels of service!
And, after numerous 'public meetings' to gauge public sentiment aboutWM: There were those who advocated closing libraries, but many, many patrons understood that once a library was closed, there was little likelihood of it being reopened. They did not accept fewer hours without grumbling, but decided that keeping libraries open was very important.
closing some facilities and cutting some programs, it was decided to keep
all libraries open at greatly reduced hours of operation, etc.
WM: The people who came to the meetings are those who are most closely attached to libraries--patrons. If people did not care enough to come to a meeting then they were unlikely to have enough information to even think about libraries. I think it's fair to ask those who care enough to show up.These 'public meetings' used by many city agencies and Boards to represent public opinion, are nothing more than meetings of self-selected supporters-- ....
thus justifying the action/inaction by local elected officials charged with policy and fiduciary responsibility.
Why not just work with the MPS toWM: During the days of Gratia Countryman, MPL had a library in every public school. The first cutbacks, years ago, pulled libraries out of public schools. Public school libraries I've seen in Mpls. have been disgraceful and are now called media centers, maybe because they have so few books.
improve the school library and make it accessible to the general public--
shared facilities?
Other scenarios discussed included closing a fewWM: Think about it. Neighborhood libraries are where children go. Parents want children to read, ergo, parents want community libraries, particularly since school libraries are a disaster.
libraries around town. Based upon the 'public input' no facilities were
closed (representing no capital relief),
WM: Actually, everyone's ox was seriously gored. My local library is losing really important staff. It looks like Franklin will lose Sally Munger and that's a real loss. None of this has happened yet, except at Franklin which was due to be closed for repair as the roof was caving in and becoming dangerous. What has happened though is that management staff are planning to shortchange employees and patrons by short staffing and short houring all community libraries to better service the Central library. If you want to complain about something that can still be changed, this is where to put the emphasis. These plans do not take effect till January, 04.employees were laid off and programs cut back or eliminated; operating hours were shortened dramatically; but, to large extent, no one's ox was seriously gored, except for those employees that lost their jobs; all facilities were still open, barely; a good political decision I guess.
However, I agree with the CLIC recommendation that capital improvements toWM: It is possible for us citizens to descend on the legislature and the city council and make sure that the shifting of budget out of neighborhoods to Central and out of MPL be halted.
neighborhood library facilities should be frozen until the operating budget
dilemma is resolved. A structurally balanced overall budget requires that
adequate operational revenues should accompany the proposed capital budget
plan-- this is currently not the case. In fact, it's very likely that the
library operating budget will take additional hits as a result of the
upcoming legislative session.
WizardMarks, Central
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