Yes, it's true. The citizens of Minneapolis voted for the referendum to fund a New Central Library. But I don't think we voted for a New Central Palace.
I did not vote for fancy glass walls and custom quarried stone. I voted for a library where what I can learn inside is more important than what's outside. I did not vote for a museum worthy collection of priceless art. I voted for rotating exhibits of artwork from the members of our community and more of the displays the library used to have of its books, posters and manuscripts. I did not vote for a "green roof" which will be expensive to maintain, and probably have limited accessibilty. I voted for a few trees, maybe some grass, a small oasis where people could read, or listen or dream. I did not vote for fancy fundraisers with the wealthy elite or a library so elegant, that the homeless people who used to play chess there will be banned because they'll clash with the decor. Some grand libraries were built in the past...like the original Walker Library. But these were the funded by wealthy industrialists like Walker and Carnegie....so it was private philanthropy not public money that built them. I know that the referendum money is separate from the "operations" money that keeps the libraries open, buys materials and computers and pays the staff, but the money should not be separate. I know that the referendum money is all for the New Central Palace and probably could not be shared to repair Walker Library's leaking roof deck, or replace the ancient furnace of another library or renovate East Lake, or fund the temporary location of Franklin Library. But it should have been. What I'm talking about is what is needed and what is necessary versus what is excessive and not needed. What I'm talking about is what makes a library a library. The building is just a box sheltering the real treasure inside. T-H-E W-I-N-G, be it cement, or steel (titanium?) or whatever it is symbolizes nothing more to me than an incredible, extravagant waste. It's like giving a Faberge egg to a hungry kid. Madeline Douglass Kingfield REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
