Re: library operating shortfalls, reduced hours, etc. The financial difficulties on the operating side pre-date the cuts in LGA funding. The referendum raised capital funds to build/expand MPL facilities, but there was never a plan in place for the increased operating budgets needed to operate the enlarged system (other than going back to ask for added tax revenue after the referendum). Then, LGA cuts hit. Hence, the reduced operating hours. LGA only frustrated an already bad situation.
I see no increase in LGA funds on the horizon. [Note-- This background info. is available if SWJ archives are searched in the late'00-early'02 periods... and list archives in the spring-fall of '01 period (as part of the '01 MPL election campaign... mine in particular).] At this point, there are no easy solutions to the MPL operating fund dilemma. Public/private partnerships offer potential. An increased take from property taxes seems unlikely, given the still ramping-up MPL referendum line item, and current levels/trends of property taxes in general. I'd suggest that demanding 'excess profits earned' from business interests will not open doors either. Michael Hohmann Linden Hills www.mikeforcitycouncil.org [EMAIL PROTECTED] > -----Original Message----- > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] > Behalf Of Samantha Smart > Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2005 11:10 AM > To: Mpls Forum > Subject: [Mpls] money and the paradigm of library as business > > > Hello again Dean and all subscribers to this list: > > "strings attached & long-term, systemic needs" > snip > > Therefore, with the wealthy elite getting richer and the masses > of people becoming more desperately poor, library closure is NOT > an option. Partnerships with Hennepin County bear looking into - > there is too much unknown for me to comment as an "outsider" > still. The issue of strings is really an issue of power - do we > go begging some company for money so they can put their logo on a > library (NO!), or do we say: you have excess profits earned > through the hard work of our residents and you need to give back > to improve the quality of their/our lives - and a deep sense of > satisfaction at doing something good for good's sake is your reward. > > The public libraries are not a business, and should not be run > according to the paradigms of corporate culture - they are a > cornerstone of society and must be nurtured and nourished as the > air we breathe and water we drink. > forward ever, Samantha Smart > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > Samantha Smart for Minneapolis Library Board > Smart Libraries are OPEN Libraries! snip 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
