• Guiding Principles for the Consolidation of Library Services in Hennepin County and Discussion of Policy Issues
  
  Working with the DRAFT Guiding Principles for the Consolidation of Library Services in Hennepin County document, Committee Chair Gunyou led the discussion. Some questions that were raised could be addressed and resolved through the course of the discussion while others would require further research. The Committee agreed that an additional meeting would be required to complete this work.
  
  Vision
  Discussion: The vision statement, "to be a premier library system in the country by building on the strengths and talents of the Hennepin County Library and Minneapolis Public Library systems," provides a short summary for a united library system. .
  
  Service to the public
  Discussion: The fundamental goal is that through a united system, library services to the public-in buildings, online, and through outreach would increase and improve. The complementary strengths of Minneapolis Public Library and Hennepin County Library make that possible.
  
  Governance & Operations
  Discussion: It was clarified and affirmed that a merged system would be a department of Hennepin County under the direction of the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. The group also affirmed that the name of the merged library system would be the Hennepin County Library. All individual library names would be retained including Minneapolis Central Library.
  
  The composition and role of the Library Board was discussed. The board would be advisory with members appointed by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners. The Library Board will include representation from throughout Hennepin County. The group discussed the possibility of increasing the size of the Library Board and also weighed the advantages and disadvantages of having geographic specific appointments. Having no geographic specific appointments provides a greater degree of flexibility in selecting the best candidates for the Library Board. However, there is a desire to provide reassurance to Minneapolis residents that their interests will be represented on the Library Board. As an advisory board there is a greater need to have members who bring diverse perspectives and ideas as opposed to elected members who represent specific geographic areas. This approach has served HCL well over the years. For the next meeting, staff will develop revised language for Library Board portion of the Guiding Principles which reflects this discussion.
  
  Questions were raised regarding the future of the Webber Park, Southeast, and Roosevelt libraries. Reopening those libraries would require additional resources not currently available. Making a commitment now to reopen and sustain these or any other libraries must be done with care, so that decisions that must be made in the future are not unnecessarily hampered by commitments made in these guiding principles. The goal is to find a way to recognize transitional needs while staying flexible for the future. This topic will be carried over to the next meeting.
  
  The employees of both systems will be respected and treated fairly throughout the consolidation process. All current employees of Minneapolis Public Library will become employees of Hennepin County on the date of merger, with agreements to be worked out concerning liability for and carry-over of accrued benefits, impact on collective bargaining units. The Committee determined that additional work language needed to be added with regard to employees. This topic will also be carried over to the next meeting.
  
  Financial Support
  Discussion: The key element in this section is that the united library system will be supported by a fair and sustainable financing structure that ensures long-term viability and accountability. While the tax base will change over time, consolidation in and of itself will not significantly shift the relative taxes currently paid by Minneapolis and suburban taxpayers for library services.
  
  Discussion centered on capital improvement projects, planned and underway in both library systems. Three capital projects are currently underway at the Hennepin County Library with additional projects outlined in HCL's Framework for the Future: Capital Plan Discussion Document. As these projects are completed increased operational expenditures should be expected. Likewise Minneapolis Public Library's capital projects have been guided by the Community Libraries Capital Projects program. We need to honor the commitments and obligations already made and understand what the long term impact these improvements will have on the operating budget. Staff will provide additional information at next week's meeting.
  
  Questions about the current condition of all existing library facilities in both systems were raised with greatest concern expressed for the Walker Library. An HCL and MPL facility overview will be prepared for the next meeting with more detailed information provided on the Walker Library
  
  Private financial support from foundations and individual and corporate donors for a united library system will be strengthened as the efforts of the Library Foundation of Hennepin County, the Friends of the Minneapolis Public Library, and other organizations are combined and coordinated.
  
  Implementation
  Discussion: At some point in this process, it will be appropriate and necessary to turn the work of this Committee to an implementation team which will be responsible for developing more detailed plans. These plans would be reviewed by the Hennepin County Library Board and approved by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners, the Minneapolis City Council and Mayor, and the Minneapolis Library Board. While it was agreed that the responsibility for developing the implementation plans would rest with the library directors of the two library systems, the need for additional staff dedicated to this purpose was also acknowledged. This topic will be carried over to the next meeting.

• Follow-up Responsibilities
  One more meeting was scheduled for Thursday, February 15, 8:30-10:30 AM, Government Center, A24, Board Room.
  
  A revised DRAFT Guiding Principles for the Consolidation of Library Services in Hennepin County reflecting today's discussion will be prepared. Staff will also draft proposed language for the Guiding Principles regarding the Library Board structure, employees, how to address the three community libraries that are currently closed, and implementation. In addition staff will prepare: information on capital projects; a facility overview with an emphasis on Walker Library; a timeline for consolidation, and a communication plan.

• Thursday, February 15, 2007, 8:30-10:30 AM; 24th Floor, County Board Room
• Potential Agenda:
  • Discussion of revised Guiding Principles for the Consolidation of Library Services in Hennepin County
  • Properties and capital projects
  • Timeline
  • Recommendation
  • Communication Plan
  • Follow-up responsibilities
  • Conclusion

MZ/JF 02.14.07