Library renovations have tested patience of patrons

BY ELAINE KLAASSEN

Recent upheavals in the Minneapolis library system have sent library lovers into a tailspin, but on May 20 at least some may be singing the hallelujah chorus, as their library cards will be their ticket for the LRT that day, in honor of the opening of the new downtown library.

The opening of the new downtown library will help stave off withdrawal from the treasured neighborhood library on East Lake Street (traditionally one of the busiest neighborhood libraries in Minneapolis), which is closed for renovations until sometime in 2007. And other library hours have been reduced as well.
The other morning I went by the already-renovated Franklin Avenue library. A crowd, representing many nationalities and all ages, stood waiting for the doors to open. The scene gave me a really good feeling and verified my notion of the important place the library holds in our community life.

There are several reasons for the recent upheaval. In the year 2000 citizens voted on a referendum to sell bonds to raise $140 million for a new central library and for the renovation of the 14 branch libraries within the city limits. Of course, any kind of renovation and building project always makes for a certain amount of disarray—ask any do-it-yourselfer. It’s just something you have to put up with. But, above and beyond that, the budgets that were set originally in 1998, and the budget on which the referendum was based (made up of the projected budgets for the new downtown library and the 14 branch renovations), was not big enough to meet the visions of the various communities (the downtown library did not go over budget, according to Emily Watts, coordinator of neighborhood initiatives in the division of partnerships and development). Making up for the shortfall has been one kind of problem. 
The other problem has been operating expenses. Although property taxes have supplied the usual operating budget, state money to cities has been diminished, and for that reason libraries have suffered staff cuts and have had to cut their hours. The reduced hours have nothing to do with the building and renovations projects. In fact, Library Board member Laurie Savran, said it’s illegal to use capital funds for operating expenses. It’s very important for the public to know this. Both the operations and capital budget departments answer to the library’s director, Kit Hadley.

Before East Lake closed for its overhaul, the library held several open-to-the-community planning meetings, in which people envisioned their ideal library. Various civic committees also held small, by-invitation meetings to work on the same question. The resulting list of desired attributes was long and grand. That list went to the capital project office, which consists of four people who were hired essentially by the Board to oversee the operation. Their goal was to reconcile the dream with the budget. They came very close, said Watts. The decision was made to stay true to the vision of each community without cutting corners. At this point there is only a shortfall of about $150,000 for the East Lake Library. Since some of the already-renovated libraries had money left over from their projects, some of that money was transferred to East Lake.

But the Library wants to maintain the leftover fund to a certain degree “to anticipate unmet needs in the future,” said Watts, so they don’t want to spend it down. At the moment it is still uncertain where the necessary funds will come from. One possible solution is for neighborhoods that use East Lake to contribute Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP) money. The Longfellow Community Council may be able to use some of their Phase I NRP money since they still have some left. DeWayne Townsend, current treasurer of the Longfellow Community Council (LCC), and a member of the Community Connections Committee, said his committee will write up a proposal to use $50,000 of the NRP money. They will first go to the LCC Board and later to the community to get the OK to reallocate the funds. It won’t be decided until late summer.

While the renovated East Lake building will have only 2,000 square feet more than the old one, it will be superior in many ways. Natural materials will be used for the flooring and carpeting. It won’t be one of those buildings that produce allergic reactions. A rain garden will prevent runoff from going into the sewer. A north wall of glass will provide steady, consistent natural light all day and reduce the need for artificial light. Like downtown, it will be much more energy efficient. Another plus in the renovated East Lake Library will be curved room dividers that set apart special areas for teens and for children. Watts said that a prominent theme in the discussions was family use of the library. Family members wanted to all be there at the same time but each doing their own thing. Out of that discussion came the idea for the room dividers, called the “Teen Arc Wall” and the “Children’s Arc Wall.” In response to another dream that came from library users, there will be an entire room dedicated to entrepreneurship, the business and career center.

Although the referendum money is for better physical plants, both in terms of providing better storage for the materials and providing more comfortable, efficient and beautiful surroundings for library patrons, The library is very concerned about offering “a great collection to match the great buildings,” remarked Watts. At East Lake, in addition to the $4 million-plus that will go into the plant, $250,000 will be spent on new books. This will be a one-time expenditure allowed from capital funds. It was learned at the envisioning meetings that special areas of interest are Spanish language, citizenship, test materials for GED, civil service and college preparation and consumer health and medicine.
The Seward Neighborhood Group (SNG) wanted to support the library by raising money for books and, under the leadership of Seward resident Dick Westby, has determined to raise $15,000 for books. If they raise that amount it will be matched by $85,000 from Friends of the Library, a nonprofit that supports the public library. So, it’s very likely East Lake will have $350,000 to spend on new books. Cross your fingers. Contributors will have the opportunity to select a book category; then their name will be printed on the inside cover of a book in that category.

Anyone who wants to give a book (completely tax-deductible) should send money to Friends of the Library, c/o SNG, 2323 E. Franklin Ave., Minneapolis, MN, 55406