[Mpls] Library Board Candidate Forums
The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library are hosting 10 forums for Library Board candidates, beginning next week and stretching through most of August. The schedule is as follows: 1. July 21, 6:30 - 8 @ Franklin Community Library 2. July 23, 2 - 3:30 @ Washburn Community Library 3. July 27, 6:30 - 8 @ Northeast Community Library 4. July 28, 6:30 - 8 @ Nokomis Community Library 5. August 1, 6:30 - 8 @ Southeast Community Library 6. August 4, 6:30 - 8 @ Linden Hills Community Library 7. August 8, 6:30 - 8 at Pierre Bottineau Community Library 8. August 11, 6:30 - 8 @ Sumner Community Library 9. August 16, 6:30 - 8 @ Hosmer Community Library 10. August 20, 2 - 3:30 @ Walker Community Library Addresses for specific libraries are available at www.mplib.org http://www.mplib.org/ . We would appreciate whatever people on this list can do to help promote these forums within your communities/networks. Between continuing budget reductions, major capital projects, and on-going threats on personal privacy and the free expression of ideas, there is a critical slate of issues for the next Library Board to address. We hope these forums are informative for both community members and the candidates themselves. We also encourage citizens concerned about library issues to NOT limit library issues to library board candidates this summer and fall. The Mayor, City Council and Board of Estimates Taxation all make critical decisions regarding library funding, and candidates for all of those offices should be asked how library services rank as a city priority, and how they would help improve our library system. Visit the links off http://www.friendsofmpl.org/Friends_advocacy2005.html to learn more. Colin Hamilton Executive Director The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library [EMAIL PROTECTED] 612/630-6172 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:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] MPL caught throwing away books
My two cents on this issue, which has been thoroughly discussed: 1. We (The Friends of MPL) are obligated to sell ex-library books rather than give them away. However, if you are associated with a non-profit organization that thinks you could use the books that we are unable to sell through our normal means, please get in touch. We can set up a deal where we are getting these books to you at a very nominal price, simply enough to make it legal. The reality, however, is that most of the books we can't sell (for as little at 25 cents) are in pretty poor condition. 2. The core problem is not that the library throws books away. Every library -- public, school, university, etc. -- does it. The alternative is to either stop buying new books or to build every larger libraries to house every larger, but often outdated, irrelevant and sometimes inaccurate collections. 3. The real issue is how you deal with books as they are discarded. Managing that process responsibility takes staff time, which is exactly what MPL is lacking. Is it any surprise that this scandal arose after MPL laid of 25% of its staff? It is easy to be outraged about what happened, but if we are serious about solving it in the long-term we need to provide more staffing for our libraries. Colin Hamilton Executive Director The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library [EMAIL PROTECTED] 612/630-6172 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:mpls@mnforum.org Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Wizard puts money where her mouth is (for libraries)
As most of you know, Wizard Marks has been an occasional critic of library policy but a constant champion of the library's mission. Last Wednesday night, Wizard brought two $20,000 checks to the Library Board meeting from Reach Out, a nonprofit on East Lake Street that was run by Merrill Anderson, but which is closing its doors and needs to dispose of its assets. One check was for Hosmer Library, where Wizard has been a volunteer, and the other was for the new Central Library. Many thanks to Wizard for encouraging the people in her community to support our libraries. Colin Hamilton Executive Director The Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email 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 City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
RE: [Mpls] Historic plane crash photo needed
David, In response to your request for historic photos -- try the Minneapolis Public Library. MPL has a 600,000 item picture/photo archive that is heavily used by researchers. It is one of, if not the best photo/picture collections outside of the New York Public Library. Traditionally it's been based at the Central Library; due to the interim situation, it has been moved to Northeast Community Library on Central Avenue. To get started, you can call librarian Cathy Camper (630-6101), who has overseen the collection; or try Northeast Library directly (630-6900). If your request is specific to Minneapolis history, you might also try the Special Collections department, which has the largest collection of historic documents related to Minneapolis outside of the MN Historical Society. For special collections: 630-6350. Colin Hamilton Executive Director Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library 612/630-6172 612/630-6180 (fax) [EMAIL PROTECTED] TEMPORARY REMINDER: 1. Send all posts in plain-text format. 2. Cut as much of the post you're responding to as possible. Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Is Our Sky Falling?
This afternoon the State Legislature is deciding the fate of the Planetarium, which has been a feature of the Minneapolis Public Library for 50 years. The Senate has proposed granting $12 million to the Planetarium this year, with additional funding in 2004. This would allow us to build a significantly expanded, state-of-the-art Planetarium within the new Minneapolis Central Library. The House has not proposed any support whatsoever. Without major State funding, there will be NO planetarium. Please take TEN MINUTES as soon as you can to do the following three things: *1. E-mail or call the Senate members of the Bonding Conference Committee THANKING them for their support of the Planetarium, and encouraging them to not back down from their offer of $12 million of funding in 2002 with additional support in 2004. These are the Senators: Senator Keith Langseth (Moorhead area/District 9), 651-296-3205; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Senator Deanna Wiener (Eagan, Mendota Heights/38), 651-297-8073; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Senator Don Samuelson (Brainerd area/12), 651-296-4875; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Senator Cal Larson (Fergus Falls area/10), 651-296-5655; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Senator Dick Cohen (St. Paul/64), 651-296-5931; [EMAIL PROTECTED] *2. E-mail or call your representatives, reminding them how important this issue is to you. To find your representatives, visit www2.pioneerplanet.com/precinct/. *3. Contact your friends/family/colleagues who live beyond the Metro Area and beg them to e-mail/call the House members of the Bonding Conference Committee -- they need to hear from non-Minneapolis residents. THIS IS THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING WE CAN DO. In contacting the House Representatives, we should tell them that the Planetarium is an invaluable educational resource for the entire state, and a unique opportunity to engage children with science. We need to support this project at the $12 million level -- with additional funding in 2004 -- to keep Minnesota's students reaching for the stars. These are the Representatives: Rep. Jim Knoblach (St. Cloud/16B), 651-296-6316; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Rep. Dave Bishop (Rochester/30B), 651-296-0573; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Rep. Dan McElroy (Burnsville/36B), 651-296-4212; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Rep. Tom Osthoff (St. Paul/66A), 651-296-4224; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Rep. James Clark (New Ulm/23A), 651-296-9303; [EMAIL PROTECTED] Decisions are being negotiated right now. There is no time to waste. A few minutes of your time may be worth millions of dollars (and billions and billions of stars). If you have any questions -- or ideas on generating messages -- please call me at 612.630.6172. Thanks -- this will all be over very, very soon. For more details about the new planetarium, visit www.mplanetarium.org. Colin Hamilton Executive Director Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library 612/630-6172 612/630-6180 (fax) ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] RE: Mike Hohmann's Library Thoughts
Mike asks a lot of hard and appropriate questions about the state of the Mpls Public Library's fundraising operations. As he points out, we raised $140 million for capital improvements through the 2000 referendum, and we are working very hard to raise an additional $20 million from the State in bonding money for the planetarium. These are huge accomplishments for the system -- and wonderful gifts from the public. Based on the amount we have raised over the past two years, I think it is accurate to say that the Library is one of if not the most successful fundraising operations in the state, at least outside of higher education. What we have not done an equally good job of -- and this is the crux of Mike's message -- is raising additional dollars from private sources for operating purposes. In a typical year, I believe the Library raises about $800,000 in grants, and The Friends raise another $200,000 from foundations, corporations and individuals. (We also provide about $600,000 in services to the library in the form of volunteers, free programs, staff for the planetarium, etc.) Extremely valuable contributions, but certainly not maxing out our potential. As a result, the Library and Friends are working together to expand our fundraising capacity. This includes rejuveniating our planned giving program, bringing new leadership onto the Friends' Board and Advisory Committee, and building our ties to local corporate and civic leaders. It is not going to happen over night, but it needs to happen soon. I doubt anyone at the Friends or in the Library disagrees with Mike's basic assessment that we need to be better fundraisers. However, this same issue came up on the list a couple of months ago, and I said the same thing then: Better fundraising will help support the library in many, many ways, but it will NOT replace the need for a strong public commitment to our libraries. Most private dollars raised will go to special library initiatives (like Homework Helper, the Summer Reading Program, or the Franklin Learning Center) rather than for basic operations. Like schools, hospitals or roads, libraries are vital public resources that need and should receive significant public support. A major fundraising operation would augment, not replace, that. There are very few, if any, libraries in American that receive more than 5% of their operating dollars from private sources. If our collective goal is to make reading a part of every child's life, and to provide every adult with free access to books, computers and knowledge, it is only going to happen with public dollars leading the way. Colin Hamilton Executive Director Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library 612/630-6172 612/630-6180 (fax) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] MPL, The Friends Fundraising
In his post, Joseph Barisonzi wrote: with a small background in fundraising that I have, a nonprofit whose purpose it is to raise money should certinally baable to build a donor base of more that 120 thousands dollars after more than 50 years. A little context: Last year, The Friends contributed more than $630,000 to MPL in grants and services. In addition to direct financial supoprt, The Friends support the Library by coordinating more than 330 volunteers who contribute more than 13,000 hours each year; sponsoring dozens of free public programs; operating the Minneapolis Planetarium and Friends Book Store; and advocating for public support of the Library and Planetarium. Fundraising (and the correct number is closer to $200,000, when individuals are included) is just one of many things we do. It is also true that without an organization like The Friends, it would have been much harder for the Library to raise $140 million through the referendum, or whatever money is ultimately raised through the Legislature for the Planetarium. Barisonzi also dismisses the $800,000 that the Library raises through grants in any given year. The reality is that those dollars have a very significant impact on the shape and quality of library services. What has fundraising done for the library? Just a quick selection: sponsored the Homework Helper program, which is now active at most community libraries and helps thousands of kids connect with adult mentors in the after-school hours; sponsor the Library Links program, which facilitated much stronger relations between MPL and our Somali, Hmong and Hispanic communities; sponsored literacy initiatives like the Franklin Learning Center, the Phillips Computer Center and the Hosmer Community Center. The list could go on. These are essentially services that go above and beyond what would be traditionally considered core library services. The bulk of the Library's expenses go into maintaining collections, facilities and staff -- and that is a public responsibility that should be paid for through public funding. I'm all for more fundraising, but we shouldn't confuse it with a solution to our library's long-term financial needs. If we are committed to excellent public libraries, it will take a commitment of public funds. Colin Hamilton Executive Director Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library 612/630-6172 612/630-6180 (fax) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
[Mpls] Help Build Minnesota's Gateway to the Stars!
Help build Minnesota's gateway to the stars! This February, the State Legislature will consider a $30 million bonding request to fund the Minnesota Planetarium Space Discovery Center. If they approve it, Minnesota will build a world-class planetarium where visitors can tour the Orion Nebula as new stars are being born, walk on the surface of Mars, and access the same telescopes that today's astronomers use to explore the Universe. If they reject it, Minnesota will become one of only five states without a modern, large public planetarium. Here's what you can do to help: 1. Contact your State Legislators and the Governor by phone, mail or e-mail asking them to support the Minnesota Planetarium Space Discovery Center. Tell them, in your own words, why you believe a new Planetarium is vital to the education of our children. *If you can, e-mail your message to all 35 members of the House and Senate Capital Investment Committee (see www.mplanetarium.org/planet_Help.html for addresses). *Please copy all correspondence to Minneapolis Planetarium Director Bob Bonadurer ([EMAIL PROTECTED]; 300 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, MN 55401; (612) 630-6151). *Please follow all contact by calling your Legislators' aides to repeat your request and ask if a decision has been made to support the new Planetarium. 2. Forward this message to your friends, family and colleagues ***across Minnesota*** who care about science education, stargazing, and the beauty of our night skies. To find your Representative's name and contact information, call (800) 657-3550; to find your Senator's, call (888) 234-1112. This information is also available at www2.pioneerplanet.com/precinct/. Personal contact matters. Calls and letters persuaded the Legislature to grant this project $1 million in 2000 for research and design. Now they need to hear from us again. The future of Minnesota's gateway to the stars will be decided in a matter of weeks! The following FAQs provide additional background on the project. If you would like more, please contact me at [EMAIL PROTECTED] or 630-6172. * What is the Minnesota Planetarium Space Discovery Center? The Minnesota Planetarium Space Discovery Center will replace the Minneapolis Planetarium, which is scheduled for demolition next fall. Combining state-of-the-art technology, hands-on learning and a staff of astronomy educators, the Minnesota Planetarium Space Discovery Center will take visitors on an educational adventure to the far reaches of space. Students and families will return to Earth transformed by the immensity and beauty of our Universe. The Minnesota Planetarium Space Discovery Center will provide a much needed venue for expanding and developing Minnesota's inquisitive minds. The heart of the facility will be a 250-seat theater capable of replicating a night sky lit by more than 9,000 stars. The starfield will be so realistic that audiences can use binoculars to spot faint nebulas, star clusters, and galaxies. A full-dome immersive video projection system utilizing stunning 3-D digital images will dramatically recreate the sensation of space travel. The planetarium will be among the largest and most sophisticated theaters in the world. The planetarium will be enhanced by the North Star Observatory, where individuals and school groups can access images from orbiting satellites and live telescopes around the world. This unique resource will allow visitors to witness the same real images being studied by today's astronomers. Workstations throughout the Observatory will engage visitors in experiments that bring astronomical discoveries to life. The Space Exposition Hall will feature traveling exhibits on topics ranging from the Cassini mission to probe Saturn's Moon Titan to the latest global warming research. In addition, virtual environments, such as a Holodeck that utilizes 3D video projectors to transform an empty room into the surface of Mars of the Moon, will allow visitors experience space directly. * How will Minnesotans benefit from the Minnesota Planetarium Space Discovery Center? The greatest impact will be to inspire Minnesota's students and to greatly improve their science education through the Planetarium's unique, experiential learning opportunities. At the Minnesota Planetarium Space Discovery Center, students will have access to state-of-the-art resources that would not otherwise be available to them, including 3D visualizations of the latest NASA research and connections to remote telescopes and satellites. In addition, we will work with teachers to integrate space science into their classroom curricula. Inquisitive Minnesotan's of all ages will have the opportunity, without traveling to Chicago or New York, to explore the latest advances in our studies of the Universe and Earth's place in it. Not only is the technology unique, the basic experience of a vivid night sky is becoming increasingly rare. Light pollution, which was once
[Mpls] Do We Use Our Libraries?
In her last comments, Wizard Marks wrote: ...how will the library get more lifetime library users. It is now something less than 20% of the population who use the library. If we're spending $140 million (plus), shouldn't the library attract a bigger segment of the population? While I believe the library has a permanent mission to reach out to new users, Wizard's numbers are way off. The Friends of the Library conducted a citywide phone survey of residents in the spring of 2000. At that time, we found that 75% of Minneapolis households had visited the public libraries within the past year. Of those who use the libraries, 24% accessed the libraries 20 or more times. I think these numbers were substantiated by the incredibly positive response to the referendum (67% yes vote). Another way of looking at this is to remember that one of the core reasons to include the community libraries in the referendum is that virtually every single one is bursting at the seams -- especially in the after school hours. Not only is library high, the trends are positive. The Library's circulation was up 8.4% in 2000 and another 6% this year - even with the Linden Hills Library closed for renovation. These high rates of usage can be attributed to many factors, including the fundamental appeal and importance of libraries. But the Minneapolis Public Library should also get credit for: 1) developing/maintaining an excellent collection that is very reflective of its citizenry: 2) strong outreach programs, like Library Links, which works to bring new immigrant populations into the libraries, and Homework Helper, which; and 3) a remarkably skilled staff. I'm a huge fan of the Hosmer Library, and I have great respect for the contributions Wizard made to it, but at this point, she's not doing justice to the system as a whole. Yes, of course -- the Library should always strive to serve as much of the population as it can, and good ideas should always be circulated. But the Library should also get credit for the excellent work that it does. I consider serving 3/4s of the City in a single year an incredible achievement. Colin Hamilton Executive Director Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library 612/630-6172 612/630-6180 (fax) [EMAIL PROTECTED] ___ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Unsubscribe, Digest option, and more: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
