I invite anyone who has been directly involved in the rebirth of the Franklin Library to participate in this discussion.
The renovation and re-opening of the Franklin Library is a truly extraordinary event. This is a major victory for everyone in the community the Franklin Library serves... the library users, librarians, library advocates and community activists. This rebirth of this library is not just vital for a single neighborhood in Minneapolis, it has a national importance...because in many cities, libraries are being closed, not revitalized. And most of the closed libraries are in neighborhoods where the people have little political power or financial resources. Even here... the East Lake and North Regional Library will be closed for at least two years. There will be no interim locations. People will be told to use other libraries nearby...but of course the "nearest" library may be too far away or be closed more hours than open. According to articles from the Star Tribune, the funds were cut for an "interim" location for the Franklin Library. This meant that the people who use the library would have been without library service or would have had to leave their community to get it.. With the LGA budget cuts, several library renovations on tap, and the financial demands of the diva New Central Palace , does anyone doubt that closing the Franklin Library for good was considered? On May 7th when Kit Hadley and the Library Board, and R.T. Rybak, and architect Jeff Scherer, are smiling in the spotlight.... and P.R. machine is perkily generating kudos and gloating at itself... The illumination needs to be brightest around the "Friends of Franklin" and their success in getting the enthusiastic support of the entire community, obtaining funding and opening the interim location. Theirs is a success of grassroots community activism that we all could learn from. Media folks, ...this is the story we want to hear about and read about. Quote Kit Hadley if you must, but don't forget the people who really made this happen. We want to know about the ... -Librarians who responded to their community and re-invented their library to offer innovative programs and services -Diverse community of users and how the library has improved their lives -Friends of Franklin...who they are, and how they inspired such an extraordinary level of support 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
