I am a candidate for Library Board and as a citizen candidate -- as opposed to career politician -- I have to say it's been eye-opening. The level of dissatisfaction shared by library workers with me -- staff and librarians -- suggests a system that is sorely in need of some attention. And, it is amazing that we have to defend the institution from being financially starved in many respects. I spoke with an employee who asked me, 'Are we willing to have our libraries become just like Home Depots? Do we want a single worker roaming around seeking out patrons who might have questions?'
I think we've got the buildings part of the equation covered. New central library, renovation money for community libraries, but I can tell you -- I've seen some brand new DMV buildings that had the surliest employees imaginable. People and service to patrons are where the boards attentions should lie. Operations funding seems to be the area where an involved board would need to focus -- longer hours, recalled staff, great service. How do we get there? Push for an operations levy (a multi-year process in the current climate, so the sooner the better), begin an endowment fund drive, bequeathals, and consider ideas such as Alan Hooker's suggestion to tie in license plate fees. Naming rights? I would consider them with appropriate restrictions, i.e. halls or galleries and not entire buildings, no say on content of collections, etc. My preference would be just expanded, tax-deductible giving by corporations.. and I see this is getting long. So, feel free to grill me with harder questions at [EMAIL PROTECTED] Thanks __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com 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
